Bob Harvey Sports
Take San Diego Padres over LA Dodgers.
After completing their first sweep of the year, the Padres go for their sixth straight victory when they host the Dodgers at Petco Park. The Dodgers have been scuffling for runs and that's bad news as they face Greg Maddux tonight. Maddux is 3-4, with a 3.48 ERA against the league but has won six of his last eight starts against LA, with a 2.68 ERA over that stretch. He held them to two hits in five innings of a 1-0 victory April 13. The Padres have won Maddux's last four starts, including Wednesday's 2-1 victory over the Cubs in which he gave up one run and three hits in seven innings. The Dodgers will counter with 20-year old rookie Clayton Kershaw, who?s making his first appearance against San Diego.
LT Profits
MLB 2* Baltimore
MLB 2* Minnesota Twins
MLB 2* Chicago White Sox
Vegas Runner
BOS 10.0 (-120) vs LAL 5* NBA FINALS BEST BET of the YEAR
PIT (-153) vs WAS 1* ML WAGER
ARI (+137) vs NYM 1* ML WAGER
PHI (-124) vs FLA 2* ML WAGER
MIL (+128) vs HOU 1* ML WAGER
CHC (-160) vs ATL MLB 3* BEST BET of the DAY
SFG +1.5 (-130) vs COL 1* RL WAGER
TAM (+106) vs ANA 2* ML WAGER
DET (+118) vs CWS 1* ML WAGER
WNBA for TUESDAY
OVER 161.5 CONN/MINN (2*)...This was a 1* that was Upgraded and the match-ups are not in the System and this is the only way that I am able to pass them on for now...this is the 1st Heavy Hitter in the WNBA, and we are 7-1 so far this season
The Millionaires Club Guaranteed Selections
92% HIGH ROLLER BASEBALL WINNER
Pittsburgh w/Maholm -150
Aj Apollo
MLB 3* Detroit Tigers (Robertson vs Contreras)
MLB 3* Florida Marlins (Nolasco vs. Myers)
David Chan
CELTICS vs. LAKERS GAME 3 *TOTAL CRUSHER*
REASON FOR PICK: Play on Celtics vs. Lakers 'over' to win one unit. Just as I predicted before Game 2, we saw a much faster tempo and vastly improved shooting efforts from both teams on the way to a 210-point game. There's a reason why oddsmakers are willing to raise their number by a full five points entering Game 3. We should see an even quicker tempo as the scene shifts to Los Angeles, where the Lakers average more than 110 points per game on better than 47% shooting.
There's another angle that makes this play enticing, and that is Phil Jackson's post-game comments following Game 2. He questioned the officials and pleaded for more balanced officiating in Game 3. I get the feeling he'll get exactly that at Staples Center. The Celtics will continue to get to the free throw line as that's a big part of their offensive game, and has been all season. Look for the Lakers to get there with much more regularity as well thanks to Jackson's comments. This could very well turn into a free throw shooting competition.I don't buy into conspiracy theories very often, but you can be sure that David Stern and the rest of the NBA executives don't want a quick series. They need a Lakers victory here tonight, and should that happen, you have to think the game will be played out at their preferred pace. It shouldn't come as any surprise if both teams get into the 100s for a second consecutive game. Best of luck, DC.
CELTICS vs. LAKERS GAME 3 *SIDE DOMINATOR*
REASON FOR PICK: Play on the Los Angeles Lakers to win one unit. I can just picture the sportsbooks powers that be laughing with glee right now. They've already put the betting public in the corner following back-to-back Celtics wins and covers in Games 1 and 2, and now they throw out what many consider a crazy number of -9.5 in Game 3. So now all of those folks that backed the Lakers are switching sides, even contemplating moneyline plays on the Celtics tonight. The oddsmakers know what they're doing, and I'll choose to side with them on Tuesday night.The Lakers haven't lost an ounce of confidence after dropping the first two games of this series. They know that they have three consecutive games at home, and probably feel that they can win all of them to take back control of the series. They've put together a perfect 8-0 home record in these playoffs. Their last loss here at Staples Center came way back on March 28th against the Memphis Grizzlies of all teams.It's not a stretch to predict that Kobe Bryant will be the difference-maker in this game. He's tried getting his teammates involved over the first two games, with minimal success. Now I look for Kobe to take the rest of the team on his back. That's a strategy that doesn't always warrant positive results, but in a game like this, it can work. Let's face it, he's been their only consistent scoring option in this series. No other player has topped 20 points.The Celtics chances of winning this game outright are slim to none. So I'm not sure why anyone would be interested in taking the points, knowing that you're going to either need a back-door cover, or a game that goes right down to the wire. We saw that scenario play out on Sunday, but there will be no repeat performance on Tuesday. Best of luck, DC.
The Miller Group
4* Celtics/Lakers Top Total
REASON FOR PICK: We were on the over in Game 2, but despite the fact that game sailed to 210 total points, we felt fortunate, and somewhat lucky to cash the ticket. The game was on pace to finish right around the number until a ridiculous 66-point fourth quarter. Now the oddsmakers have moved the number up five points, and we feel it's too much. Our numbers have this one finishing in the high 180s.
Look at the home results from the Lakers last round. In three games against San Antonio at Staples Center, we saw finals of 174, 172, and 192 points. That was despite the fact that two of those games went down to the wire. In the Lakers 12 victories during these playoffs, they've posted a 4-8 o/u record. We're not convinced that we're going to see either team break the century mark tonight.
The Celtics really stepped up their defensive play on the road in the Eastern Conference Finals, limiting the Pistons to 80, 94, and 81 points. Now obviously the Lakers aren't the Pistons, and they're certainly more capable of putting up big offensive numbers. Still, the Celtics are a first class defensive team, and after their brutal fourth quarter performance in Game 2, we expect them to bring their 'A' game tonight.
Both teams shot well above their season averages from 3-point range in Game 2. They combined to hit 19 3-pointers. We can't count on them to sustain those numbers, or even come close to them for a second consecutive game.
This hasn't been a high-possession series so far, so in order to hit the over, you're probably going to need both teams to shoot better than their season average. That's precisely what happened in Game 2, but with the strength of both of these defenses, we don't see it occurring again in Game 3. Take the under.
The Hitman Guaranteed Selections
5000 LARGE BASEBALL WINNER
Pittsburgh w/Maholm -150
Robert Williams From GameTimeInfo
Highest Rated 5000 Dime NBA PLayoff Lock - Boston Celtics +9.5 over Lakers
2000 Dime - Oakland A's
2000 Dime - Minnesota Twins
It appears the Celtics have finally found their game. They did not play well at all for the most part of the Hawks series. They could have easily lost game seven against the Cavs. They finally showed up against the Pistons, and for the majority of these two games have dominated the Lakers. All that being said, they are up against it tonight. The Lakers are 8-0 in the postseason and unbeaten in 14 home games since March 28. They average 110 ppg throughout the postseason at home. The Celtics will need to bring the defensive pressure tonight. They cannot let the Lakers get easy shot after easy shot. I think the Celtics shock and win this game outright. Watch for an awesome game from Ray Allen as well.
How bad has the Yankees supposed ace been lately? Wang, in his last four starts, has walked a total of 14 batters in 23 2/3 innings and has an 8.75 ERA over that span. He walked four in 4 1/3 innings of a no-decision against Toronto on Thursday, allowing seven runs on only five hits. He doesn't have a win in over a month, and won't get one tonight. As for the A's, they are 5-1 in Eveland's last six home starts and are 11-4 in their last 15 against the AL East. A's win the series opener tonight.
Scott Baker is 2-0 on the year and will start tonight for Minnesota. He is coming off his first start in over a month, giving up two runs and five hits in five innings against the O's in a decent effort. His opponent will be CC Sabathia, who has stunk up the joint recently. He has posted a 5.14 ERA en route to losing two straight starts. In his most recent start, he gave up four runs and nine hits to Texas in a 9-4 defeat. The Twins beat him up tonight.
Rob Rosenhaus From GameTimeInfo
20,000 Dime Playoff Dominator Lock
20,000 Dime - Boston Celtics +9 over Lakers
2000 Dime - Chicago White Sox
2000 Dime - Washington Nationals
The Celtics would have won that last game by 20 if they didn't relax for the final six minutes and let the Lakers back it. It's common nature to do that. Up 24 with around half the fourth quarter left, guys sat back and let the Lakers in. Tonight, they won't have that luxury. I feel this will be a nip and tuck game, with no team leading by double digits at any point. Unlike many who have analyzed this series, I think these two teams are evenly matched. The Lakers are as dominant as a team can be at home, but to win by 10 is asking a lot of a team that had one day off and a cross-country flight in between. Celtics stay within the number tonight, but the Lakers win on a few late buckets by the MVP.
Jose Contreras is 6-3 with a 2.76 ERA on the year, and will try and win his fifth consecutive decision tonight. In his last start, he allowed a run and four hits in seven innings of a 6-2 victory over Kansas City on Thursday. Now, he is 4-0 with a 1.50 ERA in his last six starts. Nate Robertson goes for the Tigers, and is 5-6 with a 5.07 ERA in 17 career starts against Chicago. He allowed five runs in five innings of an 8-5 loss at home to the White Sox on April 4. Contreras at even money? Sure.
Redding is 2-0 in his last five starts, as the Nats have given him some massive run support. The Nationals are 5-0 in Redding's last five starts as an underdog and are 5-0 in his last five starts vs. the NL Central. The Pirates are 1-4 in Maholm's last five starts vs. a team with a losing record, and are 1-4 their last five against the Nats. Expect a Washington win on the road tonight.
IndianCowboy
Connecticut Sun @ Minnesota Lynx
Pick: 5 unit(s) ATS: Minnesota Lynx -3.5 (-110) (Game of the Month)
The Minnesota Lynx are 6-1 straight up and Against The Spread this year and 3-0 at home ATS. They are beating teams by an average of 7 points. The Connecticut Sun are 7-1 but are just 4-4 Against The Spread. Just a few days ago Minnesota lost to this Connecticut team by 1 point on the road and will be looking to even the score tonight. I've said before in my daily research than I thought the Minnesota Lynx were going to have a huge year and I think they get it done at home tonight against the Connecticut Sun. I've had this game on my radar for a while. Its a 5 unit game for me.
IndianCowboy
Baltimore Orioles @ Boston Red Sox
Pick: 3 unit(s) TOTAL: Under 9 (-110) (Normal)
Josh Beckett goes against Daniel Cabrera today in the Sox/Orioles game. The Orioles have won 8 out of Cabrera's 12 starts this year. He has a decent ERA and has seen his games go under 64% of the time. After a couple of rough starts in the beginning of May Beckett is back on track and has thrown 3 terrific starts in a row and had all 3 of those games go under the total. Baltimore is a huge under team having gone 24-35 to the under this year. Boston has played slightly more unders this year but has gone under 4 of their last 5.
Alex Smart
MLB 2* Chicago Cubs
MLB 2* Milwaukee Brewers
EZ WINNERS ADDED
3* Tampa Bay
Mike Rose
MLB 2* Baltimore +1.5 runline (Cabrera vs Beckett)
MLB 3* White Sox/Tigers Over 9
MLB 2* Houston Astros -1.5 runline (Oswalt vs McClung)
MLB 2* Yankees/A's Over 8.5
MLB 3* San Diego Padres (Maddux vs Kershaw)
NBA 3* Celtics/Lakers Under 195.5
Wayne Root
Chairman- Padres
Millionaire- Lakers
Insiders Circle- Phillies