Bryan Power
Milwaukee @ Washington
PICK: Washington +8.5
Though the Bucks are catching the Wizards off a SU dog win in Chicago Monday night (as 12-point underdogs!), laying this number with a Milwaukee team that has a losing road record is pure insanity. As the playoff race intensifies, the Bucks have been slumping, losing three of four, including 105-99 at home to Indiana on Saturday. The three days off will make the Bucks an attractive wager to some, but not me as the Wiz have won three of their last five.
Jack Jones
Phoenix Suns +4
While the Oklahoma City Thunder have been at or near the top of the West all season, Phoenix (32-29) had the conference's third-worst record two months ago. The Suns have one of the worst records since the All-Star Break, going 18-9 in their last 27 games. That includes an 11-2 home record.
"People had us for dead beginning of the season, middle of the season, All-Star break," forward Jared Dudley said. "And we've worked our butts off, we've played through it, guys have learned their roles and I think we're ready to do it."
Phoenix would be the No. 8 seed in the West if the season were to end today, but they are far from in. I believe the Suns have shown that they have the mental toughness to play well in this circumstance, and they have the leadership behind Steve Nash to finish strong.
Oklahoma City has proven to be vulnerable down the stretch as they try and earn that No. 1 seed in the West. The Thunder have lost five of their last nine, going 3-6 ATS during that stretch. Their only wins have come against non-playoff teams in the Timberwolves, Kings, Raptors and Bucks.
The Thunder are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record. The Suns are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 home games, including 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a home underdog. Phoenix is 19-8 ATS in their last 27 games overall. Bet the Suns Wednesday.
Lenny Del Genio
Lakers at Warriors
Prediction: Over
We're not ones to recklessly hurl accusations, but the Warriors are blatantly tanking and defense has become purely an option for Mark Jackson's team. They have gone Over in four straight games, surrendering at least 112 points in every game, all losses. That should sit just fine w/ a Lakers team off its worst home loss of the season to San Antonio last night. All three meetings between these teams have gone Over this season as have 22 of the prior 29 matchups here is Oakland.
Frank Jordan
Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Francisco Giants
Play: San Francisco Giants
The Giants bounced back nicely last night after taking a shellacking on Monday with a 4-2 victory. Tonight they look for the series win with Matt Cain on the hill who is coming off a complete game one hitter with 11 strikeouts. Things won't be easy as they are facing Cliff Lee who is 0-1, but has gotten a total of three runs of support in two games. Look for a good old fashion pitchers duel in this one with Cain and the Giants coming up big late winning 2-1. Play San Francisco
WUNDERDOG
Toronto at Miami
Pick: Toronto +12.5
Just about two weeks ago the Heat dispatched of this same Toronto Raptors on the road by 12 points. There is little reason to think the Heat are going to deliver the "A" game for this one, especially with a game here tomorrow night vs. the Chicago Bulls. They won't be emptying the tank tonight. Toronto is 18 games below the .500 mark and, to their credit, are playing hard. They have done a much better job than most bad teams when playing the big boys. The Raptors own a 9-3 ATS mark this season as a double digit dog and catch their heat at the right time here with Chicago on deck. The Raptors are also flying under the radar at 7-1 ATS n their last eight vs. a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600. Play on Toronto.
NHL Predictions
Penguins / Flyers Over 6.5
I've taken the OVER in this series in all three games, and we have gone 3-0 playing the OVER. Unfortunately the oddsmakers have gotten up to speed and the total has moved from 5.5 to 6 and now to 6.5 for tonight's game. I won't do a full write up, as nothing much has changed since my 5 star pick write up on the OVER for Game 1, but I will note that the totals so far have been 7, 13, and 12. The Penguins will be without a key piece in James Neal, but I still believe that both teams won't have much troubles scoring. We will go 1 unit on the OVER.
Vegas Experts
Vancouver at Los Angeles
Play: Vancouver
#1 seed Vancouver was looking good heading into the postseason with the most points earned during the regular season, but now find themselves up against it trailing 3-0 to LA. But we think the Canucks can take this one as we note Vancouver's 10-1 record coming off back-to-back losses, and will be playing their hardest with their season on the line. Take the road side here in Game Four.
SPORTS WAGERS
NEW JERSEY +8½ over New York
The 7th placed Knicks own a cozy a 2½-game lead on the 9th place Bucks (Sixers in 8th, one game behind) but with five games still remaining, they’re certainly not safe yet with Milwaukee having a game in hand and playing in Washington tonight. The Nets are not playoff bound but they won’t need much motivation to spoil the fun against this hated rival. It sets up well for host. New York is coming off back-to-back games against Miami and Boston. Both those games were featured TV games and now the Knicks will play their third game in four days. They’re still without Amar'e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin. The Nets have some injuries too, most notably to Devon Williams and Brook Lopez, who are both out, while Gerald Wallace is doubtful. Still, New Jersey is also off games against Boston and Miami too but it’s not the same, as the Heat and Celtics don’t get amped up for the Nets like they do against New York. The Nets lost by just three to Miami but they have three wins over their past six with other two losses occurring against Boston and Philly. Nonetheless, the Nets will show up here and give it their all. An outright win would not surprise. Play: New Jersey +8½ (Risking 2.04 units to win 2).
Steve Janus
Charlotte Bobcats +12.5
I believe this is one of the few times where its worth taking a shot on the Bobcats to cover the spread. Chicago is expected to be without Luol Deng (doubtfull) and possibly Derrick Rose (questionable). While I still think the Bulls have enough talent to win the game without those two, I think the Bobcats are going to come to play tonight.
Charlotte needs to win one of their final six games to avoid finishing the season with the worst winning percentage in NBA history. No player wants to be associated with that label. Getting the Bulls without their two best players, should light a fire under Charlotte that they could win this game.
With a huge game against the Heat on the schedule for tomorrow, I expect the Bulls to do just enough to win this game. They aren't going to want to waste any energy on a team like the Bobcats. Chicago is just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite of 11.0 or greater.
Kyle Hunter
Rays vs. Blue Jays
Play: Under 8
David Price has an excellent history against the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto's hitters are a combined 37 for 180 against Price for a .206 batting average. Brandon Morrow has been superb against the Rays as well. Tampa Bay's hitters are a miserable 20 for 117 against Morrow, which translates to a .177 batting average. Both of these pitchers are coming off less than stellar starts, and I think they'll both bounce back in this one. Take the under.
David Banks
Oklahoma City Thunder-3.5
The Oklahoma City Thunder (44-17, 33-28 ATS) have suddenly gone just 4-5 straight up and 3-6 against the spread their last nine games, going 4-0 straight up vs. losing teams and 0-5 vs. teams with winning records. They will need to remedy that here vs. a Phoenix Suns team (32-29, 33-28 ATS) that is still scrapping for a playoff spot when these clubs meet at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, AZ on Wednesday night at 10:00 ET.
The Thunder once appeared to have the top seed in the Western Conference all to themselves, but their seemingly lackadaisical play as of late combined with the nearly perfect basketball being played by the San Antonio Spurs now has San Antonio actually ahead of Oklahoma City by eight percentage points heading into play on Tuesday, as the Spurs have a one game lead in the loss column and two games in hand. Yes the Thunder will get several more breaks when San Antonio rests its veteran Big Three a few more times before the end of the season, but still, Oklahoma City's recent penchant for coming up short vs. winning teams has to be disconcerting. The latest setback was an ugly 92-77 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers as a three-point road favorite on Monday, and the Thunder will be a road favorite vs. another team with a winning record here again, and the Suns will be a fully motivated opponent also. Remember that as enormously talented as Oklahoma City is, this is still a very young team that may just be showing some immaturity right now. It would serve the Thunder best to get things turned around quickly, as they may not yet have the ability to flip the switch and elevate their play once the playoffs start like some more veteran teams can do.
The Suns are playing some pretty good basketball right now as they are 7-3 both straight up and against the spread, and because that streak includes a humongous road win vs. the Houston Rockets last Friday, Phoenix currently owns the eighth and final playoff spot in the West despite being in a flat-footed tie with the fading Rockets by virtue of the tiebreaker. The Suns are coming off of a 125-107 home blowout of the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday, and even though that leaves them at a mediocre 18-11 straight up and 17-12 ATS at home for the season, Phoenix has done a much better job of protecting its home court as late, going 6-1 both straight up and ATS in the last seven games in the desert with the only loss coming to the now top-seeded Spurs. With that said, they have had difficulty with Oklahoma City in recent meetings, so this might be an opportunity for the Thunder to turn things around vs. winning teams.
You see, the Thunder have won the last five head-to-head meetings between these clubs straight up including both meetings this season. Granted this is the first encounter in Phoenix in 2012 as the first two matchups were in Oklahoma City where the teams actually split 1-1 ATS. However, the Thunder do not mind making this trip given that they are 3-0 both straight up and ATS in their last three ventures into the desert.
Ross King
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets
Play: Denver Nuggets -3
Denver after beating Oklahoma City Monday helped the Clippers clinch a playoff spot for the first time in 6 years.They also helped their own cause as they moved into 6th with Dallas and two games ahead of both Houston and Phoenix.Denver looks for the 5th win in the last 6 at home.Clippers have been on fire winning 12 of 14 and back in January they snapped a 9 game losing streak in Denver.Clippers are 28-49 since 1995 after 3 or more consecutive wins.Clippers are 18-35 the last 3 seasons versus good offensive teams scoring 99 points or more per game in the second half of the season.Denver is averaging 107.8 points per game in their last 5 games and lead the NBA with an average of 103.6 per game.Denver has more on the line tonight and as hot as the Clippers have been expect them to fall short of their 6th straight win and expect some revenge from that January meeting.
Jeff Scott Sports
4 UNIT PLAY
POWER ANGLE PLAY
Philadelphia -109 over SAN FRANCISCO: Gotta love the Phils here and it is backed by an 85% Power Angle at the end of writeup. Cliff Lee has p[itched very well in his two starts, witha 3.46 ERA and an 0.69 WHIP, but poor run support has him at 0-1 and the Phils at 0-2 in his his starts, but if their was ever a team for him to get back on track vs it is the Giants.In 4 regular season meeting with then Giants, Cliff is 4-0 with an 0.82 ERA vs them, while he is 3-0 with an 0.72 ERA in 3 regular season meetings in this park. He should really have little problems tonight with a San Fran team that has averaged just 3.2 rpg in their own park, compared to 5.5 rpg on the road. Matt Cain has not had great success vs the Phils, as he is 1-4 with a 4.17 ERA vs in 7 regular season starts vs them, while in this park he is 0-2 with a 4.76 ERA in 3 regular season starts vs them. The Phils were stymied last night vs Bumgarner, but they have still been hitting better of late, with a .270 average in their last 5 games and should be able to bunch hits together and get a few runs off Cain in this one. The Phils still aren't scoring alot of runs, but tghey shouldn't have to tonight with as dominant as Lee has been vs this team. The Offense will come up with just enough runs to get the win here. POWER ANGLE FOR THIS PLAY--- The Phils are 23-4, since 2008, if their line is within 20 cents of a PK and it's the last game off a series and they are NOT off a 1 run-win.
3 UNIT PLAYS
Boston/ Texas Over 9: Google News Play. Yes Derek Holland has been solid out the gate here, and he has a .294 ERA in 3 starts vs Boston, but the Boston offense is playing well right now as they have scored 34 runs with a .312 BA, plus 19 walks over their past five contests, while they are hitting .349 and scoring 9.9 r/9 at home vs lefties at Fenway on the year. Josh Becket really pitched well here, as he is 7-2 with a 2.58 ERA in his last 15 starts here, but he hasn't had great success vs the Rangers, with a 5.03 ERA in 8 starts vs them overall and a 7.79 ERA in 3 starts here. Tonight he will face a Rangers offense that is just on another planet right now, hitting .308 and scoring 7.4 rpg in their last 5 games, while on the road this year they have averaged 8 rpg and have hit .338. This park is taylor made for Boston to take on lefties, while the powerful offense should score plenty off Beckett, who has struggled vs them here. I don't see how this game doesn't hit 10 runs.
MIAMI -130 over Chicago: Google News Play. Matt Garza has had a nice start to his year and he has pitched well vs Miami (3-1 with a 3.90 ERA in 5 starts), but the Fish bats are waking up as they have hit .275 with 19 runs scored during their last four games and Matt hasn't done well on the road the last few years, going 18-26 with a 4.53 ERA in his last 61 starts on the road. Mark Buehrle pitched very well in his first 2 starts as he has a 3.65 ERA in those games, but an 0-2 record. Miami should get a few more runs for him here to help him get a win in his first home starts for his new team. Mark is 5-4 with a 4.15 ERA vs the Cubs overall, but 2-0 with a 1.82 ERA in his last 4 starts vs them. The Cubs are reeling right now and that should allow this hot Miami offense to tag Garza for enough runs to get mark his first win as a member of the Fish.
NY Yanks/ Minnesota Under 9.5: (Added) Not Normally do I take an Under play in a Yankee home game, but I will do so here. Jason Marquis is making his first start in a twins uniform. He pitched just 3 games last year due to injuries, so I look for him to be up in this one. He has faced the Yanks once (2005) and threw 8 innings, allowing just 1 ER on 6 hits in that outing. Hiroki Kuroda had a rough first outing of the year on the road vs the Rays, but then came back in his 1st home game to allow the Angels 0 runs on 6 hits in 8 innings of work. The Yanks offense is always strong, but they could struggle vs Marquis today. Yankee hitters, not named Ibanez or Jones are hitting just .243 with 1 HR in 37 career AB's vs Marquis. On the other side we have a twins team that is hitting just .207 on the road this year, while they have just 2 players that have faced Kuroda (Doumit and Willlingham) and those two have hit just .143 in 21 AB's vs him. Advantage pitcher there. Just don't see this one hitting 10 runs as both Pitchers should get tyhe better of the hitters.
Milwaukee/ LA Dodgers Under 7.5: (Added) 7 of the last 8 in this series has gone under the total and I see another one here. Neither Pitcher has been that sharp in the early going as both have high ERA's, but that'[s not going to last. Zack Greinke does have a 6.75 ERA in the early going, but that's due tom the 8 runs he allowed at Chicago, but in his first start at home he allowed 0ER on 4 hits in 7 innings vs a powerful Cardinals lineup.Zack is now 12-0 with a fine 2.86 ERA Miller Park in his career and he has always been a solid home pitcher as he is 48-28 with a very fine 3.45 ERA in his career at home as a Royal or Brewer, plus Zack is a very solid early season pitcher as he has a 2.40 ERA in 27 March/ April starts. Chris Capuano has a 5.40 ERA in his 2 starts and while his career ERA is 4.40, he does have a 3.93 ERA in March April, so he is a pretty good early season Pitcher as well. Chris has pitched here as a member of the Brewers and he has an ERA of 4.03 in 71 games (60 starts) here. The Dodgers will struggle vs Zack in this one, while the Weak hitting (.227) will not score a lot off of Capuano.
2 UNIT PLAYS
ATLANTA -127 over NY Mets: Jair Jurrjens has had a rough start to the year so far, with an 0-1 mark and a 7.71 ERA, but I feel that will turn around today. He is 8-5 with a 3.15 ERA in 14 career starts vs the Mets, including a 4-1 mark with a 2.32 ERA in his last 5 starts vs them here. R.A. Dickey is 2-4 with a 3.31 ERA in 8 career starts vs the Braves and 0-1 wit h a 3.56 ERA in 3 starts here. he Beat the Braves in NY Last week, but today they will get some revenge.
COLORADO -148 over San Diego: (Added) I had San Diego pegged as a bad team to start the year and they are playing that way, as they are 3-8 on the year and 1-4 on this current trip. with the Offense the Rockies have, they have a chance to be a sleeper in the west. Clayton Richard is 1-3 with a 5.05 ERA in 9 starts vs the Rockies and 0-2 with a 7.89 ERA in 4 starts at Coors. Rockies get a big home win here.
Tampa Bay +105 over TORONTO: (Added) The Rays took a tough one on the chin last night as they lost 7-3, but they should get it back tonight behind Price. David is 9-2 with a very nice 2.06 ERA in 12 career starts vs the Jays, while in 3 starts here he is 3-0 with a 3.46 ERA. Last year Brandon Morrow faced the Rays 4 times and he was 2-2- with a 3.38 ERA in those starts, but in his own backyard he was 0-2 with a 6.74 ERA vs them. Facing him should help this Rays offense get going some tonight. The Rays have hit just .251 and have scored just 3.7 rpg, but they have put up 5 rpg in Price's first 2 starts, so I expect him to have good run support here. David Price is better than his 4.82 ERA would indicate and he should get back to dominating this team as the Jays are just not hitting all that well. The Jays are scoring alot (5.4 rpg), but not hitting all that well (.226). This team needs a lot of baserunners and then pow with HR, but Price had a very nice 1.14 WHIIP last year, so he really doesn't put a lot of extra men on base. The Rays should not be under .500 this year and with a very good outing from Price, they should get back to the .500 mark here. Take the Dog. KEY TREND--- Tampa Bay is 9-0 when David Price starts a game after a game in which they scored first but lost.
1 UNIT PLAYS
Cleveland +113 over SEATTLE: (Added) The Indians are playing very well right now, especially offensively as they have hit .317 and have scored 9.4 rpg in their last 5 games. Pitching has been an issue for them so far, but not from Derekl Lowe, who is 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA to start the year and he went 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in 1 starts vs the M's last year. Seattke is reeling right now and Cleveland should capitalize with another solid road win here.
St LOUIS -122 over Cincinnati: I was one of those expecting the Reds to take this division and they still may, but I also knew that the Cards would not take as big a fall as many thought, with the loss of Pujols. The Cards are 4th in scoring (5.4 rpg) and 1st in hitting (.293), plus they have the better starter tonight with Garcia over Latos. Too much offense from the Cards in this one as they take another one from the team that was favored to win the division.