Bob Balfe
Washington Nationals/Philadelphia Phillies Over 10
This is a perfect matchup for the over. The Nationals' pitching is not effective at striking guys out, walk a lot of batters and give up the long ball pretty consistently. The Phillies' bats have been hot out of the gate, so expect the same today against Craig Stammen. Washington showed a little life on offense yesterday and should break out and put up some runs against an unproven and definitely nervous Kyle Kendrick. Both teams are going to score enough to send this way over the total of 10.
Dwayne Bryant
Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets
Bet: Los Angeles Lakers +2
A couple things have me backing Kobe & the Lakers tonight. First, the Lakers are rested, coming into this matchup with three days rest. Denver played last night in Oklahoma City and the Nuggets are 1-7-1 ATS in their last nine games playing without rest. Second, the Lakers got hammered on their home floor by 19 points by the Spurs in their last game. So the Lakers should be plenty motivated off that embarrassing loss and the fact that they're 5-0 ATS in their last five games following a loss of more than 10 points proves that they really do bounce back with a vengeance. And finally, the Lakers will have even more motivation than to just bounce back off an embarrassing loss because they can clinch the #1 seed in the West with a win tonight. I expect the motivated and well-rested Lakers to get the job done over what should be a fatigued Denver team. Grab the points with the Lakers.
The Duke's Sports
LA Clippers Over (199) for 2.5 Units
The Kings have struggled offensively lately; as a mater of fact, they've failed to top the century mark in points since March 21st -when they visited the Clippers. Tonight, they have the Clippers unrested off a lower scoring game against a solid defensive team - Portland. The Kings, which allow about 104 ppg at home, should be more accommodative defensively after all, the season is drawing to a close and defense isn't a priority for a team cleaning out its lockers in less than a week. What is a priority is for individuals in this game, Kings and Clippers, to pad their stats for contract negotiation leverage. Therefore, the Clippers' close range shots that wouldn't fall on account of being contested against Portland last night, should fall tonight vs the defensively soft Kings. At the same time, the unrested Clippers won't put forth the extra effort to slide their feet on the defensive end. LAC are 4-0 O/U unrested, 6-1 O/U when their starting five combine for more than 160 minutes the previous night, and 21-7 O/U as a road dog of less than 10' points. This has been a lower scoring series with 6 consecutive "unders" but considering the circumstances just mentioned, we find value with the "over".
Erin Rynning
Kings Over 198
PAUL LEINER
100* Mets -110
50* Kings -5.5
25* AtL/Chi Over 8.5
BRANDON LANG
10 Dimes LA Lakers +2
CRAIG TRAPP
LAC/SAC Under 199.5
Two bad franchises and teams are squaring off tonight. These two have played under 13 of last 16 games including the last 6 games. SAC has not scored over 100 pts in the last 8 games. LAC have only scored over 100 pts twice in last 8 games and those were against GS and NYK who don't play any defense. Have to assume both want to get one last win and this last opportunity to do so for both teams. Defense will be first on the agenda tonight and a much lower scoring game than most expect
3G SPORTS
5* Chicago White Sox -135
The Sox were truly dismal last night scoring 3 runs on just 2 hits, and doing nothing at the plate but take advantage of Fausto's lack of control (6 walks). Their manager ripped them after the game, and I expect a much better effort tonight!
Gavin Floyd is absolutely money at home, pitching for the Sox. I try and find a way to back Floyd every time he's on the mound, because I believe his stuff is that good.
INdians starter Masterson is a guy that I'm not too sold on. He's fantastic against righties, but he hasn't proven that he can get lefties out with any consistency whatsoever. The Sox have guys like Teahen, Pierzynski, Pierre, and Kotsay that all bat on the left side and can really give Masterson issues (both with power and contact). Play the White Sox Thursday night
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
6* San Jose -170
For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this contest is on the home side:
Vancouver has clinched the its division title and its final two games are meaningless as far as standings are concerned.
With their position set, Roberto Luongo will likely get some much needed rest tonight.
Keep in mind that Vancouver is just 1-4 its last five on the road and a disturbing 2-9 its last 11 vs. San Jose.
On the other side of the rink: A win over the Canucks tonight is important for San Jose as it seeks to secure the top seed in the Western Conference.
San Jose is coming off a 2-1 win at Calgary on Tuesday.
Facing a Calgary team that was fighting for its playoff life, Evgeni Nabokov was dominant and stopped 38 shots.
“He made some key saves,” defenseman Dan Boyle said. “No one’s going anywhere in the playoffs without a goalie that’s playing well. He’s finding his game right now. We’re not going anywhere without him.”
Nabokov has dominated the Canucks lately, going 8-1-0 with a 1.56 goals-against average since the start of the 2007-08 season. In that stretch, he is 5-0-0 with a 1.19 GAA at home.
The Sharks are 6-2 their last eight overall and 6-1 their last seven at HP Pavilion.
Bottom line: Who is more motivated here? Obviously San Jose.
When you couple that with the rest of these factors, and the home ice advantage, I expect a big effort from the SHARKS tonight as they try and secure that top spot, take advantage of this situation, and improve to 26-12 (+9.6 units) this season vs. clubs with winning records!
Bob Balfe
Chicago -2
Chicago looked like they were dead in the water, considering all of their injuries, while the Raptors were surging and appeared as if they were going to easily take over the #8 seed in the east. Now, Toronto has a ton of injuries (including a really big one) and that last playoff spot is now fair game for whoever wants it. The Cavs will be resting a lot of their starters tonight and probably want to lose this game anyway. If they do, it will give Chicago that much better of a chance to win the 8th seed and play who else but the mighty Cavs in the first round. Chicago needs this game and the Cavs need the rest. The Bulls must win their remaining home games to have any shot at the playoffs. Take Chicago.
Tony George
Lakers +2
Games with meaning this time of year. This is a simplistic approach but LA needs a win in the worst way and this game also would clinch the best record in the conference for the third straight season and after dropping 3 out of the last 4 to Denver, LA would very much like to set the tone for the playoffs with a big win tonight on TNT. Denver just 2-9-1 ATS their last 12 games. The numbers do not support this play in terms of last 5 games stats, but Kobe is money on TNT time and time again and Denver is 1-8 ATS their last 9 as a favorite. Like the setup here even with a short fav at home on TNT which is usually a take, I am grabbing the 2 points and say the Lakers play a great game tonight and go against the public sentiment in this one. Play 1 Unit LA Lakers.
Lenny Del Genio
Lakers +2
The Lakers visit Denver tonight in what may be a preview of the Western Conference finals. The Lakers last played on Sunday and it wasn’t a very good performance losing by 19 points at home to the Spurs. In fact LA hasn’t been playing very good basketball overall lately losing four of their last six games. For the Nuggets they were in a bit of a tailspin losing five of six, but they’ve regrouped reeling off three straight wins. Last night they won a tough road game at Oklahoma City 98-94. They left town with the money but that was only the second time in the last 12 games that they covered the number. This is the fourth meeting between these two teams, Denver won the first two by double digits and LA finally notched a win in the third game but failed to cover. It is a tough spot for the Nuggets having to play back-to-back while the LA comes in with rest and off a very poor performance. Look for the Lakers to take advantage and send a message to the Nuggets tonight that they are still the Champs! Our TNT Game of the Month is on LA Lakers.
Marc Lawrence
Minnesota +110
When the Twins wrap up their season opening series with the Angels in Los Angeles Thursday evening they will send Kevin Slowey to the hill against Joel Pineiro in a matchup of right handers. Slowey takes the mound off an outstanding effort this spring where he went 4-0 with a 1.95 ERA, while compiling four walks against 20 strikeouts. Slowey has also issued only one walk against 14 strikeouts in his four career team starts against the Halos. On the flip side, Pineiro has dropped eight of his last nine teams starts against Minnesota, including five straight home losses in which he's posted a 5.89 ERA. Back arm here tonight. We recommend a 3-unit play on Minnesota with Slowey versus Pineiro.
Evan Altemus
4 Units Chicago -2
Cleveland’s head coach Mike Brown did not hide from the fact that the Cavaliers are not going to take these final games seriously. He basically said they are going to be glorified practices. Meanwhile, Chicago is desperately trying to get the final playoff spot from Toronto. They have been playing fairly well lately also, winning six of their last ten games. The bigger issue here though is Cleveland’s lackadaisical attitude toward these final games. Before covering in their last game, they had lost ATS in the previous five games. I expect the Bulls to play an excellent game because of how much they need it, it’s at home, and it’s on national television. Look for Chicago to get the win and point spread cover.
"THE INSIDER"
TWINS (+112)
WHITE SOX (-140)
ORIOLES (+150)
BULLS (-2.5)
I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS GUY FOR A WHILE & HE IS PRETTY DAMN GOOD. HE WON WITH THE BLUE JAYS & THE UNDER TODAY.