Rockets-Lakers, Magic-Celtics Spread Picks Headline Monday

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Celtics begin their second-round series against the Magic, while the Lakers continue their playoff march vs. the Rockets.

Tipping off on the hardwood . . .

The Celtics and Lakers both begin their second-round playoff series on Monday night, with Boston hosting Orlando and Los Angeles getting a visit from Houston. The Celtics avoided early elimination with a 109-99 win over the Bulls in Game 7 of their first-round set on Saturday, with Ray Allen tossing in 23 points. The Magic last took to the court on Thursday night, when they bounced the Sixers with a 114-89 win. Boston is a 2.5-point favorite for Monday, with a total of 188.5 at BetUs Sportsbook .

Kobe Bryant and company finished off the Jazz in just five games in the first round, with the Lakers clinching the series with a 107-96 victory last Monday night. Bryant was good for 31 points in that contest. The Rockets, meanwhile, took six games to get past the Trail Blazers in their opening series, winning the clincher 92-76 at home last Thursday. Ron Artest led the way with 27 points in that matchup. The Lakers are 8-point favorites for Monday with the total at 193.5 at Bodog Life.

As is so often the case, our articles section has NBA free picks on both games

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

Unbeaten in five starts so far this season, Mariners righthander Felix Hernandez will be looking to stay on a roll on Monday night when he takes to the mound at home against the division-rival Rangers. Hernandez is 4-0 with a 2.38 ERA through five outings in 2009, and he’s tossed 15 scoreless innings (allowing just eight hits) over his last two starts. Countering for the Rangers on Monday night will be righthander Kevin Millwood, who is 2-2 with a sparkling 2.13 ERA this year.

Elsewhere on the American League schedule for Monday it’s Minnesota at Detroit, Cleveland at Toronto, Baltimore at Tampa Bay, the White Sox at Kansas City, and the Angels at Oakland. As well, the Red Sox will be on the road on Monday to take on their rivals at Yankee Stadium. Scheduled Boston starter Jon Lester went six innings against New York on April 24, surrendering just two runs.

Over in the National League on Monday it’ll be Houston at Washington, the Mets at Atlanta, Cincinnati at Florida, San Francisco at the Cubs, Philadelphia at St. Louis, Colorado at San Diego, Arizona at the Dodgers, and Milwaukee at Pittsburgh. Pirates probable starter Paul Maholm carries a 3-0 mark and 3.09 ERA into Monday, and the Brewers counter with Yovani Gallardo (3-1, 2.86 ERA).

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

The lone National Hockey League game on Monday night has Washington looking to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven second-round series with the Penguins. The Capitals pulled out a 3-2 win at home in the series opener on Saturday afternoon, with Alexander Ovechkin scoring his fourth goal of the playoffs and Simeon Varlamov making 34 saves. Sidney Crosby and Mark Eaton replied for the Penguins, and Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 23 of 26 Caps shots. The oddsmakers have Washington listed as a -125 home favorite Monday night.