Rocketman
4* Heat -11.5
4* Maple Leafs +175
Should be
4* Blue Jays
Thanks Insiders
ATS LOCK CLUB
3 Units Blazers Over 194
5 Units Cards -138
5 Units Dodgers -156
DAVID MALINSKY
4* UTAH over HOUSTON
There was no hurry to pounce on this one today – with the Jazz having to travel off of an O.T. win patience was the key, with the markets making their usual adjustment against a team in such a setting. But we do not believe that the adjustment has any merit, and that gets us in play at the new short line.
First, the fundamentals of the matchup. As we noted in yesterday’s failed Memphis ticket, the Houston defense has simply worn out down the stretch, and note that even in getting that win that Rockets allowed 103 points on 49.9 percent shooting, with the Grizzles able to get to the basket consistently, taking only five of their 92 shots from 3-point range. That is really bad news against a Utah offense attacks the rim relentlessly, with the Jazz also going hard after their own misses, with the battle of the boards a major mismatch. And with Utah having moved into sole possession of that key #2 slot in the Western Conference, there is an absolutely sense of urgency for the favorite to exploit all of those advantages.
So what about the Overtime factor? We do not believe it matters all that much, and a case could be made that the Jazz might even be the fresher team. They had three full days off before hosting Oklahoma City, which negates much of last night’s exertion, and contrast that with a Houston team that is playing for the 6th time in nine days, with a court change every time. When you lack size and depth back-to-back settings expose your faults, and the Rockets are on an 0-6 ATS run in back-to-back settings, and just 1-10 ATS in their last 11.
These teams have met twice since the All Star break, with the Jazz winning by a combined 32 points, scoring 237 on 93-156 shooting, a sizzling 59.5 percent clip. They had an amazing count of 66 assists in those wins, while controlling the boards 82-61, all without any player going more than 36 minutes in either game. And in the first of those two encounters the Rockets still had Shane Battier, Carl Landry and David Andersen in uniform. It takes much more than an O.T. game to change that flow.
5* SPORTS
5* Pacers (GOY)
3* Cubs
3* Mets
3* White Sox Under
Teddy Covers
Bobcats
Jazz
Wash/Phil Over
BIG AL
3* Indiana Pacers
JB Sports
2* Pacers
2* Hornets
Jimmy Boyd
5* Phoenix Suns
4* Tampa Bay Rays
3* New Jersey Nets
ATS Financial
3 Units St Louis -140
3 Units Oakland -130
Bob Balfe
New York Yankees +127
Red Sox Nation is definitely excited for the debut of John Lackey tonight. The issue is-Lackey always had issues pitching against New York and will be facing a tough foe in Andy Pettitte (who has gotten the best of Boston throughout his career). New York blew the first game of the series but will take the rubber match tonight, sending a message to their arch rival as well as the rest of the American League. Take the World Series Champions New York
BRUCE MARSHALL
Spurs at Suns
Pick: Suns -6.5
Phoenix has had 3 days off, while San Antonio played last night in Sacramento against the Kings, and "designated shooter" G Manu Ginobili, who's carried the Spurs lately, has shot less than 40% and scored just 13.5 ppg when unrested. Spur HC Gregg Popovich, who is notorious for resting players in second of back-to-back games, will probably play everyone who's healthy in this key matchup, but the Spurs are a losing proposition when unrested. Sun PG Steve Nash has been held to single digits in his last two games, so look for him to break out against depleted Spurs. Play Suns
Dr Baseball
Red Sox
TIM TRUSHEL
Red Sox Under
Cleveland
Will Cover
3* Indiana -10.5
James Patrick Sports
5* Indiana Pacers