Celtics-76ers Lines Preview

Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Tuesday when the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers meet at Wachovia Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Celtics lost to Cleveland 107-76 as an 8-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (184.5).
Paul Pierce led Boston with 14 points and Glen Davis had 12 points in the loss.
The 76ers lost to Toronto 111-104 as a 2.5-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (207).
Louis Williams led the 76ers with 23 points and Andre Iguodala had 21 points and eight assists.
Current streak:
Philadelphia has lost 5 straight games.
Team records:
Boston: 60-20 SU, 41-39 ATS
Philadelphia: 40-40 SU, 36-42-2 ATS
Boston most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-3
Before playing Washington are 4-6
After playing Cleveland are 6-4
After a loss are 8-2

Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 3-7
Before playing Cleveland are 4-6
After playing Toronto are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Philadelphia
Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Boston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
Philadelphia is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 12 of Philadelphia's last 18 games when playing at home against Boston
Philadelphia is 4-11-1 ATS in its last 16 games when playing Boston
Next up:
Boston home to Washington, Wednesday, April 15
Philadelphia at Cleveland, Wednesday, April 15

Heat-Hawks Lines Preview

The Miami Heat and the Atlanta Hawks will meet on the court at Philips Arena on Tuesday in a battle of division rivals.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Heat defeated New York 122-105 as a 6.5-point favorite on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (213).
Dwyane Wade scored a game-high 55 points for Miami, while Michael Beasley added 28 points and 16 rebounds in the win.
The Hawks dominated early in the second half and came away with a 122-118 victory over the Pacers on Friday. The Hawks failed to cover the 5.5-point spread, but the combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 212.5.
Al Horford posted a double-double with 22 points and 15 rebounds, and Josh Smith collected a team-high 30 points in that win.
Current streak:
Atlanta has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Miami: 42-38 SU, 39-40-1 ATS
Atlanta: 46-34 SU, 43-36-1 ATS
Miami most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing Detroit are 4-6
After playing New York are 3-7
After a win are 5-5

Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing Memphis are 6-4
After playing Indiana are 4-6
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Miami is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta's last 5 games when playing at home against Miami
Atlanta is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games at home
Next up:
Miami home to Detroit, Wednesday, April 15
Atlanta at Memphis, Wednesday, April 15

NHL Picks and Predictions Previews

The most intense time of the year for sports fans starts Wednesday—the NHL playoffs. The top NHL handicapping site previews 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs from the standpoint of beating the NHL odds.

 

Philadelphia-Pittsburgh

The Flyers are 16-40 their last 56 road games against an opponent with a home winning percentage of .600 or better. The Penguins enter the postseason on a 16-5 overall run and they are 45-18 their last 63 home games versus an opponent with a losing road record.

 

NY Rangers-Washington

The Rangers are 35-80-6 in their last 121 road games against teams home winning percentage of .600 or better. However, they are 8-1 their last nine Conference Quarterfinals games.

 

The Capitals are 41-18 their last 59 to the Eastern Conference, but 9-24 their last 33 following a loss of three or more goals.

 

Carolina-New Jersey

The Hurricanes are 8-1 to the Atlantic. The Devils are 74-36-6 on three or more days rest, but 1-7 their last eight against teams with a winning record.

 

Columbus-Detroit

The Blue Jackets are 90-222-15 their last 327 road games. The Red Wings are 111-32-10 at home versus an opponent road winning percentage of .400 or less. They do enter on a 2-6 overall skid. Detroit is 36-14-1 in the series.

 

Montreal-Boston

Montreal is 1-6 to the Northeast. Boston is 43-16 to the Eastern Conference.

 

Calgary-Chicago

The Flames are 7-0 on three days rest, but 1-7 their last eight after allowing two goals or less. The Black Hawks are on a 6-1 overall run. The road team has won 8-of-10 in the series.

 

Anaheim-San Jose

The Ducks are 10-3 their last 13 overall. San Jose is 41-12 their last 53 home games.

Basketball Betting

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Pistons host the Bulls in Detroit, the Hornets and Rockets clash in Houston, and the Orioles get ready for the Rangers.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

There are a dozen games on the NBA schedule for Monday night as the league enters the final week of its regular season. Among those games is a meeting between the Bulls and Pistons in Detroit, with both of those teams looking to avoid finishing in eighth place in the Eastern Conference and getting a date with LeBron James in the first round of the playoffs. Chicago beat Charlotte 113-106 on Saturday, and Detroit is coming off a 106-102 loss to Indiana that same night.

James and the Cavs will be on the road facing the Pacers on Monday, while it’ll also be Toronto at Washington, Charlotte at New Jersey, Orlando at Milwaukee, Minnesota at Dallas, Sacramento at Denver, the Clippers at Utah, Memphis at Phoenix, Oklahoma City at Portland, San Antonio at Golden State, and New Orleans at Houston. The Hornets and Rockets last met on the hardwood back on March 16, with Houston rolling to a 95-84 win on the road as a 6-point underdog.

Gambling prohibition…

Luckily Georgia Power has electricity pumping into the OffshoreInsiders.com international headquarters. As tax day approaches and people file for their tax extension and track down IRS forms, the betting news section monitors whether New Jersey, Delaware, or Barney Frank prove successful on making the honorable activity of betting will become a fully legalized taxable activity.

Sports picks…

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Meeting up on the diamond . . .

Koji Uehara will get his second Major League start on Monday as the Orioles hit the road to take on the Rangers. The Japanese righthander impressed in his debut against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing just one earned run on five hits over five innings in a 7-5 Baltimore victory. Countering Uehara for the Rangers will be Vicente Padilla; the righthander also grabbed a win in his first start of the year, giving up three earned runs in 5 2-3 innings versus the Indians.

Cleveland is at Kansas City and the Yankees play in Tampa Bay in other AL action on Monday. As well, it’ll be the White Sox at Detroit, Toronto at Minnesota, and Boston at Oakland. The Red Sox will go with Jon Lester on Monday; he was knocked around for five runs over five innings by the Rays on Wednesday night.

Over in the National League the Giants will give the ball to Randy Johnson on Monday night in their game against the Dodgers; the Big Unit struck out seven in his San Francisco debut last week, but he also surrendered four earned runs over five innings in a loss to the Brewers. Rounding out the Senior Circuit slate: Houston at Pittsburgh, Colorado at the Cubs, Philadelphia at Washington, San Diego at the Mets, Cincinnati at Milwaukee, and then finally St. Louis at Arizona.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

The National Hockey League’s regular season ended on Sunday night, with first-round playoff matchups beginning on Wednesday. Still in the hunt for the Stanley Cup from the Eastern Conference: Boston, Washington, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Carolina, the Rangers, and Montreal. Advancing to the playoffs in the Western Conference: San Jose, Detroit, Vancouver, Chicago, Calgary, Columbus, Anaheim, and St. Louis. Vegas oddsmakers have the Wings pegged as the 3/1 favorites to win the Cup this spring, followed by the Sharks at 7/2, the Bruins at 11/2, and both the Capitals and Devils at 6/1. The biggest longshot on that odds chart are the Blues, who are listed at 60/1 to claim the title.

Timberwolves-Mavericks Odds Preview

The fans at American Airlines Center will be treated to a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Mavericks when they take their seats on Monday.
Oddsmakers currently have the Mavericks listed as 11½-point favorites versus the Timberwolves, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Timberwolves were defeated 110-97 by the Suns last time out, as 2-point underdogs. The combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 224.
Sebastian Telfair shot 8-for-12 from the field with 21 points in a losing effort.
The Mavericks lost to New Orleans 102-92 as a 4-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score caused this game to be a PUSH on the posted over/under total (194).
Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 29 points and 14 rebounds, while Josh Howard had 15 points.
Team records:
Minnesota: 24-56 SU, 36-42-2 ATS
Dallas: 48-32 SU, 39-41 ATS
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Monday are 3-7
Before playing Sacramento are 1-9
After playing Phoenix are 4-6
After a loss are 4-6

Dallas most recently:
When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing Houston are 8-2
After playing New Orleans are 5-5
After a loss are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Minnesota is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games
Minnesota is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games on the road
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Dallas is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games at home
Dallas is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Next up:
Minnesota home to Sacramento, Wednesday, April 15
Dallas home to Houston, Wednesday, April 15

Magic-Bucks Odds Preview

The Orlando Magic and the Milwaukee Bucks will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at Bradley Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Bucks listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Magic, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Magic stumbled against the Nets, losing 103-93 at IZOD Arena Saturday night.
New Jersey won as a 6.5-point home underdog while the final score played over the 190.5-point total.
Richard Jefferson poured in a game-high 35 points as the Bucks ran past the Thunder 113-98 on Saturday. The Bucks covered the 6.5-point spread, while the combined score made it OVER the posted total of 206.
Luke Ridnor added 18 points and dished out eight assists, while Charlie Villanueva chipped in with 14 points.
Current streak:
Orlando has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Orlando: 58-22 SU, 48-31-1 ATS
Milwaukee: 33-47 SU, 39-39-2 ATS
Orlando most recently:
When playing on Monday are 7-3
Before playing Charlotte are 4-6
After playing New Jersey are 5-5
After a loss are 9-1

Milwaukee most recently:
When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing Indiana are 2-8
After playing Oklahoma City are 1-9
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
Orlando is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando's last 5 games
Orlando is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Milwaukee
Orlando is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games
Milwaukee is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games when playing at home against Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games
Milwaukee is 15-5-2 ATS in its last 22 games when playing at home against Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 6 games when playing Orlando
Next up:
Orlando home to Charlotte, Wednesday, April 15
Milwaukee at Indiana, Wednesday, April 15

Bobcats-Nets Odds Preview

The Charlotte Bobcats and the New Jersey Nets will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at Izod Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Nets listed as 3-point favorites versus the Bobcats, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Bobcats fell 113-106 to the Bulls last time out, as 9.5-point underdogs. The 219 points fell UNDER the posted total of 199.5.
Raymond Felton led the Bobcats with 26 points, three rebounds and seven assists.
The Nets grabbed a one-sided win over the Magic, winning 103-93 at IZOD Arena Saturday night.
New Jersey won as a 6.5-point home underdog while the final score played over the 190.5-point total.
Current streak:
Charlotte has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Charlotte: 35-45 SU, 47-33 ATS
New Jersey: 33-47 SU, 42-37-1 ATS
Charlotte most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Orlando are 5-5
After playing Chicago are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6

New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing New York are 5-5
After playing Orlando are 5-5
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Charlotte's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Charlotte's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Charlotte's last 5 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Charlotte's last 11 games when playing New Jersey
New Jersey is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Jersey's last 5 games when playing at home against Charlotte
New Jersey is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games when playing Charlotte
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New Jersey's last 8 games at home
Next up:
Charlotte at Orlando, Wednesday, April 15
New Jersey at New York, Wednesday, April 15

Bulls-Pistons Lines Preview

If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Monday when the Chicago Bulls and the Detroit Pistons meet at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Oddsmakers currently have the Pistons listed as 4-point favorites versus the Bulls, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Ben Gordon dropped a game-high 39 points in leading the Bulls to a 113-106 victory over the Bobcats on Saturday. The Bulls failed to cover the 9.5-point spread, while the 219 points fell UNDER the posted total of 199.5.
Derrick Rose added 22 points, and John Salmons collected 19 points in the win.
The Pistons couldn't keep stride with the Pacers, losing 106-102 at Conseco Fieldhouse Saturday night.
The Pacers covered as 2-point home favorites while the final score played over the 206-point total.
Current streak:
Chicago has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Chicago: 40-40 SU, 41-38-1 ATS
Detroit: 39-41 SU, 34-46 ATS
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Monday are 6-4
Before playing Toronto are 7-3
After playing Charlotte are 6-4
After a win are 8-2

Detroit most recently:
When playing on Monday are 6-4
Before playing Miami are 7-3
After playing Indiana are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Chicago is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Chicago is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games at home
Detroit is 18-6 SU in its last 24 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 7 games when playing Chicago
Next up:
Chicago home to Toronto, Wednesday, April 15
Detroit at Miami, Wednesday, April 15

Raptors-Wizards Lines Preview

The Toronto Raptors and the Washington Wizards will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at Verizon Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Raptors defeated Philadelphia 111-104 as a 2.5-point underdog on Sunday. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (207).
Chris Bosh scored 22 points and added eight rebounds for Toronto and Anthony Parker chipped in with 18 points in the win.
The Wizards outlasted the Raptors for a 100-98 victory on Friday, as 6.5-point underdogs. The 198 points fell UNDER the posted total of 215.
Caron Butler added 21 points, five rebounds and seven assists in that win.
Team records:
Toronto: 31-49 SU, 31-46-3 ATS
Washington: 19-61 SU, 31-46-3 ATS
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Monday are 7-3
Before playing Chicago are 5-5
After playing Philadelphia are 8-2
After a win are 6-4

Washington most recently:
When playing on Monday are 6-4
Before playing Boston are 7-3
After playing Toronto are 4-6
After a win are 1-9
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Toronto's last 12 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Toronto's last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Toronto's last 22 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Washington's last 12 games when playing Toronto
Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Washington is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Toronto
Next up:
Toronto at Chicago, Wednesday, April 15
Washington at Boston, Wednesday, April 15