Jack Jones
Toronto Raptors -7.5
The Toronto Raptors have a lot more to play for here than Golden State. The Raptors are trying to fend off the Chicago Bulls for the 8th and final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs, and so far they have been doing a good job of it. The Raptors have won 3 straight games, and they are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. This team is showing that they are mentally tough, and they should have no problem rolling right past a depleted Warriors' team. Golden State is playing several former D-League players right now, and they are without the services of Monta Ellis among others, who is their top scorer. The Warriors' biggest problem right now is that they have no big men inside, which means that Chris Bosh is in line to have one of his best games of the season. The Raptors run their offense through Bosh night in and night out. Golden State has not won back-to-back games since January 8th, and the Warriors are 29-59-2 ATS in their last 90 games following a S.U. win overall.
SPORTS WAGERS
Cleveland –1½ over BOSTON
They’ve only met twice this year and the Cav’s have two victories, one by 20 points and the other by 11. Now the Cav’s are hot, as they have been all year and the C’s are cold, as they have been since about December. In fact, Boston has dropped three straight at home and that includes a loss to the Houston Rockets as a 10½-point favorite. The Celtics remain one of the worst rebounding teams in the Association and the last thing they or anyone else needs is the Cav’s getting second opportunities. Furthermore, this one will be aired nationally and LeBron and the Cav’s in the spotlight sure have a ton more appeal than the aging Celtics in the midst of a funk. The Cav’s are currently on a 30-5 run and the only thing that will prevent them from beating this team this afternoon is a lack of focus and frankly, that’s very likely to occur. C’s are getting way too much credit here. Play: Cleveland –1½ (Risking 2.1 units to win 2).
CHICAGO -½ +1.02 over Calgary
Yes, the Flames have performed very well under pressure and have now put themselves in a position to get in, however, this isn’t the Avalanche they’re playing. Aside from a 5-3 win over Washington recently, the Flames are not scoring goals and that’s a problem. In fact, they’ve scored two or less in four of its past five games and only great goaltending has prevented them from losing most of those games. You might remember that these two met in last year’s playoffs in which the Blackhawks eliminated the Flames in six games. Including that series, Chicago has now beaten the Flames in five straight and in the last two meeting that took place this season, Chicago outscored Calgary 10-2. The Flames are also coming off that huge win in Colorado and although one has to believe they’ll be plenty motivated here, the fact is the Blackhawks are the superior team playing at home where they’re 28-10. Flames can’t beat this team and it’s in their collective heads. Play: Chicago -½ +1.02 (Risking 2 units).
Dan Bebe
BOS -1 vs CLE
The Celtics are a monster value here, coming off that overtime loss to Houston, they are going to want this game badly, and I'm not sure we see the Celtics play any harder than they do in this very game.
The Cavs are coming off a win over the Hawks, and to a certain degree, are just cruising down the stretch. It doesn't look that way because they keep winning, but this isn't a team that is ultra-focused right now, and I realize they can clinch home court throughout the playoffs with another win, but that will come much easier in their next game, at home against the Raptors.
The Cavs are playing just to say they won, but Boston has lost 2 straight to Cleveland, including a meeting where they had a legitimate chance to win before going through a prolonged scoring drought. Not today. Both teams will start slow in the early game, but the Celtics will get a boost of energy from the home crowd, the Cavs don't want to be on the road on Easter, and I expect the motivated Celts to bring home a victory.
SAN +4.5 vs LAL
The Lakers STOMPED the Spurs on the road just a little over a week ago in what turned out to be an horrifically ugly second half for San Antonio. They got nothing going offensively, the Lakers rained in three-pointers, and the Spurs looked hapless.
Yes, we're going back to the well, and the Spurs will battle like crazy to get this one and continue their battle to stay out of the bottom playoff seeds in the Western Conference.
The Spurs are relying pretty heavily on Manu Ginobili, who continues to play some amazing basketball, but they'll need some help from the other guys in this one. We saw another great offensive performance from the Spurs against the Magic in their last game, but against a rested Lakers team? I believe they can do it with defense.
Tim Duncan is going to need to step up and out-play Pau Gasol, and something tells me this is the game where he comes to play. He's been quiet for far too long, and his noticeable absence from any sort of statistical relevance is exactly what kept the Spurs from competing with LA in their last game. Ginobili did his part, as did George Hill, but Duncan was just getting pushed around.
You know damn well Popovich has been on Duncan's case, and reminding him that he has one more chance to prove he's got something left in the tank against these Lakers. I expect the Spurs to play an inspired first 36 minutes, and I expect the Lakers to come back to tie it, and this game ends with a victor on either side of less than 5 points. Hence, I'll take the dog, I'll take the points, and barring some poor rebounding on free throws or a supremely odd conclusion to the game, this one should be a Spurs cover.
DUNKEL INDEX
Golden State at Toronto
The Warriors look to take advantage of a Toronto team that is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games as a home favorite. Golden State is the pick (+8) according to Dunkel, which has the Raptors favored by only 5 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Golden State (+8)
Game 501-502: Cleveland at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 124.287; Boston 120.914
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 3 1/2; 192
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 1 1/2; 193 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-1 1/2); Under
Game 503-504: San Antonio at LA Lakers
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 124.476; LA Lakers 123.152
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 1 1/2; 197
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 6 1/2; 194
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+6 1/2); Over
Game 505-506: Memphis at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 115.782; Orlando 129.366
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 13 1/2; 200
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 10 1/2; 203
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-10 1/2); Under
Game 507-508: Houston at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 117.542; Indiana 120.307
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 3; 206
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 5; 212
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+5); Under
Game 509-510: Golden State at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 113.494; Toronto 118.979
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 5 1/2; 240
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 8; 236
Dunkel Pick: Golden State (+8); Over
Game 511-512: New Jersey at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 109.251; Washington 115.319
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 6; 183
Vegas Line & Total: Washington by 3 1/2; 191
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-3 1/2); Under
Game 513-514: Minnesota at Oklahoma City
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 110.463; Oklahoma City 126.642
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 16; 209
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 12; 207 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (-12); Over
Game 515-516: New York at LA Clippers
Dunkel Ratings: New York 111.272; LA Clippers 110.447
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 1; 213
Vegas Line & Total: LA Clippers by 3; 210
Dunkel Pick: New York (+3); Over
NHL
Calgary at Chicago
The Flames look to build on their 5-0 record in their last 5 games versus teams with a winning record. Calgary is the pick (+170) according to Dunkel, which has the Flames favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Calgary (+170)
Game 51-52: Calgary at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 11.691; Chicago 11.367
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-200); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (+170); Over
Game 53-54: Detroit at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 11.925; Philadelphia 11.420
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+110); Under
Game 55-56: San Jose at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 11.093; Colorado 10.589
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-110); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-110); Over
Game 57-58: Minnesota at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 10.826; Vancouver 10.234
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-230); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+200); Over
MLB
NY Yankees at Boston
The Yankees look to build on their 10-1 record in C.C. Sabathia's last 11 starts with the total set at 9 to 10 1/2 runs. New York is the pick (-105) according to Dunkel, which has the Yankees favored by 1/2 a run. Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-105)
Game 931-932: NY Yankees at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Sabathia) 16.200; Boston (Beckett) 16.060
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-105); Under
Craig Trapp
San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Play: LA Lakers -4.5
This line is all over the place so make sure you search and find this # as its out their. LAL pounded SA just a week ago at SA holding them under 40 points in the 2nd half to win by 9 points going away. SA just does not match up well with the great athletes: Kobe, Odom, Artest, and Brown. Look for SA to keep it close early with great effort. Once that effort settles down it won't be close as LAL make another statement that they are the best in the WEST!