Jack Jones
New York Knicks +8
The Knicks would love nothing more than to end the Raptors' season tonight. With a win, Toronto would still need help by the Bobcats beating the Bulls to make the playoffs. The Raptors have been faltering down the stretch, and now with Chris Bosh out for the season, they are doomed. The Raptors have lost 5 of their last 6 games overall.
This has been a very closely contested rivalry over the last 2 seasons. The last 5 games in this series between the Raptors and Knicks have all been decided by single-digits. The Knicks have played well on little rest, going 35-15 ATS when playing their 3rd game in 4 days over the last 2 seasons. Toronto is 2-13 ATS in home games versus terrible defensive teams - shooting pct defense of >=48% since 1996. The Knicks are 23-11 ATS in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons. Take New York.
Info Plays
3* on Dallas Mavericks -6.5
Reasons why the Mavs cover:
1.) System Play. We'll Play On - Home teams (DALLAS) - after successfully covering the spread in 4 or more consecutive games, in a game involving two good teams (60% to 75%). This is a 32-9 ATS System hitting 78% over the last 5 seasons.
2.) The Mavs have gone 4-0 SU & 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games, building great momentum heading into the postseason. The Mavericks try to stave off Phoenix and Utah for the No. 2 seed which guarantees home-court advantage through two rounds Wednesday night when they close their season against the San Antonio Spurs. They get it done emphatically tonight. Bet the Mavs at home.
James Patrick Sports
Hornets vs. Rockets
New Orleans has struggled putting up points as evidenced by their (2-8) ATS Under the Total mark in their past (11) road contests. Houston has gone Under the Total in (13) of (14) April home contests and this series is Under the Total at a (9-2) ATS rate. Big Game James Patrick's Wednesday complimentary selection is Hornets- Rockets Under the Total.
Nelly
Toronto + over Chicago
John Danks is a go-against pitcher for us as he had one of the lowest BABIP averages in the American League last season. Danks will not likely get the same type of luck this season and he had a very misleading first start of the season, allowing only one run, but battling base runners the entire game. Danks allowed hits to the first three batters in that game but somehow got away without allowing a run. Brandon Morrow was very successful as a starter late last season for Seattle and although his first start did not look good with a 9.00 ERA, he allowed just four hits, half as many as Danks allowed in their respective first outings of 2010. Chicago is hitting just .206 in the young season while Toronto has been a consistent run producer, scoring at least three runs in every game. The Jays are 9-1 in the last ten home meetings of this series and this should be another good situation for a Toronto win while catching underdog value on a home team that is off to a great start.