STEVE BUDIN - 25DIMER
SAN ANTONIO SPURS -6 (buy the half point)
Bob Akmens
MLB: 4* Pirates -124
GAMETIMEDECISION
Milwaukee Brewers
seeyouinthewinnerscircle
Marlins -105
WildBill
BlueJays -117
KingTSports
DBacks -142
Priceless Picks
1 Unit on Nats/Astros UNDER 10
The Under is 4-0 in Lannan's last 4 road starts vs. a team with a winning record and 5-1 in Lannan's last 6 road starts overall. The Under is 19-7 in Backe's last 26 starts overall and 16-5-1 in Backe's last 22 home starts with the total set at 9.0-10.5. The Under is 10-3 in the Astros last 13 vs. the National League East and 4-0 in the Nationals last 4 vs. a team with a winning record. It's also important to note that the Under is 4-0 in umpire Angel Campos' last 4 games behind home plate. Neither of these teams are big scoring clubs so we'll take advantage of a line the oddsmakers have set too high tonight.
Larry Ness
Washington Nationals @ Houston Astros
PICK: Houston Astros
REASON FOR PICK: The Astros are really starting to play well. Last night's 4-3 win was the team's fifth straight and Houston will also take an eight-game home winning streak into tonight's game with the Nationals. Houston is 11-5 on the year at home, where they've averaged 5.81 RPG. In contrast, the Nationals are only 4-12 on the road, averaging a rather pathetic 3.75 RPG. Washington will start second-year lefty John Lannan, who is 2-3 with a 3.74 ERA. He was coming off three very good starts (20 IP / 12 hits / 1 ER) last Friday when he went to the mound at home vs Pittsburgh. However, he lasted just three innings, allowing six hits and six runs (five earned). For Houston, it's Brandon Backe. Backe has not been healthy the last two seasons but looks to be this year. While Backe has been in-and-out of the Houston rotation (mostly due to health concerns), there has been one constant for him since 2004. When he takes the mound in Houston, the Astros typically win. From '04 through '07, the Astros went 21-5 in Backe's home starts (including postseason games) and the '08 season has been no different. He's made four road starts with the team going 0-4 (now wonder, his road ERA is 6.16) but in his three home starts, the Astros are 3-0, with Backe posting an impressive ERA of 2.55. Take the Astros to get the sweep.
Teddy Covers
20* Hornets/Spurs Under 183 7 units
Cleveland Cavaliers +8.5 4 units
Gamblers World
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics
Prediction: Boston Celtics
Current Line: -8.5 Over/Under: 179 Reason: The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics will both be trying to pick up a playoff win on Thursday when they battle at TD Banknorth Garden. Oddsmakers currently have the Celtics listed as 8½-point favorites versus the Cavaliers, while the game's total is sitting at 179. Kevin Garnett dropped 28 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Celtics defeated the Cavaliers 76-72 in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series on Tuesday night. Boston failed to cover as 10-point home favorites as the teams played under the 184-point total set by oddsmakers. Rajon Rondo went for 15 points and six assists for the Celtics, who got 13 points off the bench from Sam Cassell in the win. Zydrunas Ilgauskas led Cleveland with 22 points and 12 boards, while LeBron James had 12 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists for the Cavaliers. Team records: Cleveland: 45-37 SU, 37-45 ATS Boston: 66-16 SU, 52-28-2 ATS Cleveland most recently: When playing on Thursday are 7-3 Before playing Boston are 7-3 After playing Boston are 7-3 After a loss are 7-3 Boston most recently: When playing on Thursday are 7-3 Before playing Cleveland are 7-3 After playing Cleveland are 7-3 After a win are 7-3 A few trends to consider: Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road Cleveland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Boston The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Cleveland's last 13 games Cleveland is 6-1-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Boston Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home Boston is 10-1 ATS in its last 11 games at home Boston is 16-4 SU in its last 20 games The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games at home
Sports Lock
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Arizona Diamonbacks
Tonight will be the last game of a four game series between these two ball clubs. The Diamondbacks will be sending their ace Brandon Webb to the mound. Webb is arguably the best pitcher in the National league and this season he has started off strong with a 7-0 undefeated season record and a low 2.49 ERA. Philadelphia will be sending a struggling Brett Myers to the mound. Myers is 2-2 overall record and a high 4.71 ERA. With Brandon Webb going to the mound this evening with the Diamonbacks second highest scoring offense behind him this game should be an easy victory for Arizona. Take the Cy Young winner tonight.
LOCK = Arizona Diamonbacks -160
The Duke's Sports
Cleveland Under 177' for 1 Unit
Cleveland/Boston 7:00: A lot of indicators point to the "under" here: Cleveland is 3-8 O/U as post-season dogs of 5 to 10' points, and 4-13 O/U after a combined score of 160 or less the last two seasons. Boston, on the other hand, is 2-11 O/U at home after allowing 85 or less this season, and 6-21 O/U after holding a team to 75 or less. The last three games in this series at Boston averaged 159 points. Defense should continue to take precedence in Boston.
JOHNNY GUILD
New Orleans Hornets (62-27) at San Antonio Spurs (60-29)
The energetic New Orleans Hornets are playing great, 6-1 in the playoffs, going 5-2 ATS and trounced San Antonio in Games 1 and 2. Contrary, the Spurs have played lifeless and careless thus far against the Hornets. However, the Hornets have not been successful away from home versus the Spurs, dropping seven of the last eight. Look for Tim Duncan and crew to perform better and control the pace in front of their home crowd in a critical game. The Hornets are 1-1 on the road in the playoffs, while the Spurs are 3-0 at home. Take the Spurs to grab a critical win on their home court. The home team in this series has covered the spread in the last 4 clashes.
San Antonio Spurs - 6.5
The Hoops Guru Guaranteed Selections
TRIPLE PLAY NBA PLAYOFF WINNER
Cleveland +8.5
Elite Sports Circle Guaranteed Selections
5000* NBA ROUND TWO WESTERN CONFERENCE GAME OF THE YEAR
504 San Antonio -6.5
Josh Dean
Det +106
Balt/KC Under 8.5
Dal/Det UNDER 5
Tony Mathew's
Kansas City Royals vs. Baltimore Orioles
Selection: Baltimore Orioles -110
Explanation: We will side with the Baltimore Orioles as they face-off against the Kansas City Royals in Thursday's MLB contest.
The Baltimore Orioles will use starting pitcher Daniel Cabrera. Daniel Cabrera has pitched well as of late. In fact, Daniel Cabrera has a 2.91 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Daniel Cabrera having another solid start today.
The Kansas City Royals will use starting pitcher Luke Hochevar. Luke Hochevar has been struggling as of late. This is shown by Luke Hochevar's 4.86 ERA in his last 3 starts. We see Luke Hochevar giving up many runs once again today.
The Baltimore Orioles have proven success against the Kansas City Royals. In fact, the Baltimore Orioles are a Perfect 10-0 in their last 10 meetings against the Kansas City Royals.
Take Baltimore Orioles!
Root
Chairman- Spurs
Millionaire- Celtics
No Limit- Astros
Billionaire- Marlins