Dave Malinsky
6* Yankees Over
4* Orlando
4* Tampa/Florda Under
4* Milw/Minny Under
3* Cubs RL +1.5
Primetime Sports Advisors
Detroit -139
Dodgers -117
Dodgers R/L +181
Over 10 Baltimore -101
Over 10 Marlins +118
ATS Lock Club
4 Units Magic
Financial
4 Units MAgic/Cavs Over
Stephen Nover
Orlando at Cleveland
PICK: Orlando +9
When are the oddsmakers going to give the Magic their due? It should be obvious by now that the Magic are a tough matchup for the Cavaliers. Orlando has defeated Cleveland in nine of the past 12 meetings.In four head-to-head games this season, Orlando has out-scored Cleveland by 37 points, The only time the Magic lost to the Cavs, the Magic had the lead on this court in the final minute.Sure LeBron James is a tough matchup for Orlando. But Dwight Howard inside is a tough matchup for Cleveland.It's hard enough for the Cavaliers to win, let alone cover a spread this large.
Pittsburgh at Chicago
PICK: Chicago
The White Sox should be fired-up after allowing an embarrassing 20 runs yesterday in a thrashing to the Twins.The White Sox have a lot of power when they play at U.S. Cellular Field. The Pirates can't match that power.I'm not a fan of Pirates starter Zach Duke. He has pitched well so far this season, but I don't like him in this setting. He has a 6.75 career ERA versus the White Sox.White Sox starter Gavin Floyd is having a rough year. I'm looking for him to turn things around quickly, though. He has a 1.46 lifetime ERA against the Pirates in two starts.
BEN BURNS
Main Event
I'm playing on Cleveland and Orlando to finish UNDER the total. As a result of the high-scoring (107-106) Game 1, we're getting a few extra points to work with this evening. Additionally, we should be getting a very determined effort from the Cleveland defense. The Cavaliers learned that Lebron scoring 49 points wasn't enough and that they're going to need to win by elevating their defensive level of play. Keep in mind that the Cavs had the best defense in the league this season. Orlando wasn't too shabby on the defensive side of the ball either. Led by the Defensive Player of the Year (Howard) they ranked third in the Eastern Conference. Even with Game 1 finishing above the total, the Cavs have still seen the UNDER go 14-6 their last 20 home games. Note that the Cavs have also seen the UNDER go 10-5 the last 15 times that they were trailing in a playoff series and 18-11 this season, after scoring 105 or more points in their previous game. Even with Game 1 finishing above the total, the Magic have still seen the UNDER go 11-5 their last 16 road games. They've allowed 92 points or less in five of The Magic have also seen the UNDER go a profitable 60-32-1 the past few seasons after scoring 105 or more in their previous game. That includes a 24-13 record in that situation this season. Even with Game 1 finishing above the total, eight of the last 12 meetings between these teams have fallen below the total. I expect a much different style of game from the opener and look for this evening's game to do the same. *Main Event
Personal Favorite
I'm playing on CHICAGO. The White Sox got embarrassed yesterday, losing by a lopsided 20-1 score. Adding insult to injury, they were spurned by San Diego ace Jake Peavy, who refused to be traded to Chicago. The White Sox are a perfect 3-0 this season after allowing their previous opponent to score double-digits though and I expect them to bounce back and start their Interleague campaign with a victory. Let's take a look at the three other times that the Sox allowed opponents to reach double-digits and how they responded. On 4/10, they were beaten 12-5 by the Twins. The following day, they won by a score of 8-0. On 4/21, the Sox were beaten 10-2 by the Orioles. The following day, they responded with a 8-2 win. A few days later, they were beaten by a score of 14-0? How did they answer? With a 10-2 victory the next day! It's true that Duke brings the better stats (from this season) to the table. However, it's also true that Floyd has been much better against today's opponent. Duke has a poor 6.75 ERA in two starts against the sox, giving up 18 hits and nine runs in 12 innings. Floyd, on the other hand, is 2-0 with an outstanding 1.46 ERA against the Pirates. Like the Sox, the Pirates lost yesterday. However, while the Sox were getting destroyed, the Pirates blew a 9th inning lead. That's often more difficult to "bounce back" from. The Pirates are now an awful 67-116 (-21) on the road the past few seasons. During the same stretch, the Sox are 103-80 (+9.7) here at home. That includes a 7-2 against NL opponents here at U.S. Cellular Field last year, including a sweep of the Pirates. Look for the Sox to show some pride and bounce back with a much-needed victory. *Personal Favorite
Annihilator
I'm playing on WASHINGTON. The Nationals finally were on the right side of a comeback win yesterday, coming back in the ninth inning and avoiding the sweep against the Pirates. That victory was especially sweet given that the bullpen came through with a few scoreless innings of work. I expect the Nats to carry that positive momentum into tonight's game against the "rival" Orioles, a team they match up well against. Note that Orioles' road record is even worse than Washington's home record and that they bring a 4-game losing streak into tonight's game. Their bullpen is every bit as bad as Washington's. It's true that Zimmerman's ERA is pretty ugly. That's been due to some problems in the 1st inning. After getting out of the 1st inning, he's actually pitched well. I expect him to get those "issues" worked out and look for him to deliver a quality effort here. Note that the Orioles have only scored one first inning run in their last four games. The fact that Zimmerman, who has a 2-1 record, has 32 K's (with only 11 walks) in 34 innings, shows the type of solid stuff that he's got. Naturally, he'll have the advantage of facing Baltimore for the first time. On the other hand, some of the Nationals have seen Hill before. He last pitched here on July 4th, 2007 and was rocked for 10 hits and six runs in six innings, a 9.00 ERA and 1.83 WHIP. The Nationals, who have won three of their last five against southpaws, have won seven of the last 10 meetings with the Orioles. I look for them to start this series off with a victory. *MLB Annihilator
Blue Chip
I'm playing on Toronto and Atlanta to finish UNDER the total. The Braves have been fortunate to avoid Roy Halladay over the years. In fact, this will be the first time that the Jays' ace has started against Atlanta. He did make a relief appearance against the Braves back in 1999. Overall, Halladay is 17-8 with a solid 3.12 ERA in 29 starts and four relief appearances against teams from the "Senior Circuit." Halladay remains one of the very best in the business and he's clearly on top of his game right now. Indeed, he's 8-1 on the season including a perfect 4-0 record with an outstanding 1.86 ERA and 1.103 WHIP on the road. Over his last three starts, he has a remarkable 1.12 ERA and 0.833 WHIP. Kawakami goes for the Braves and he'll also have the advantage of starting against the Jays for the first time. While he doesn't bring the type of numbers to the table as Halladay, he has allowed three earned runs or less in three straight starts and he's allowed four earned runs or less in six of his seven starts overall. Five of those seven games stayed below the total. Two of three 2008 meetings between these teams stayed below the total with those games averaging 6.33 combined runs. Two of those games were shutouts, most recently a 1-0 pitcher's duel. I expect another well-pitched affair. *Blue Chip
Scott Delaney
20 DIME RED SOX - Daisuke Matsuzaka toes the slab tonight for the Red Sox in this interleague opener, as he makes his long-awaited return to the mound after being on the disabled list since April 15 with a right shoulder strain. And while I admit Johan Santana has been pitching quite impressively for the Mets, I have to believe Dice K is the value play tonight.
I know the right-hander was 0-1 with a 12.79 ERA in two starts early this season, but he’s reportedly looked sharp in his Minor League rehabilitation outings. Making his third rehab start with Pawtucket on May 15 at Toledo, he threw five innings (48 of the 70 pitches were for strikes), and yielded two runs on three hits while striking out nine. The key for us tonight against a Mets team that comes in off a West Coast road trip and still hasn’t been home in a while, is that Matsuzaka pitch in and out and back and forth with his fastballs to get the Mets chasing. And then when he has them where he wants ‘em, he can mix in his cutter, slider, changes and splits. As long as he’s comfortable with his out-pitches, there shouldn’t be much going on with New York’s lineup.
Remember, this is a guy who refuses to give in to batters, and has no problem going right after them with his slider. That works well against the Mets. And with his boys on a three-game win streak and Santana sporting a 1-3 mark and 6.89 ERA in his career at Fenway Park, I’ll take the home pup here.
10 DIME ORLANDO MAGIC - Wednesday night’s win meant nothing. It was simply an attention grabber. And make no bones about it, coach Stan Van Gundy likely told his troops there is plenty left to prove. And trust me, since the Magic are an impressive 11-1 ATS the last 12 meetings, they’re going to have no problem getting their point across in Game 2.
It shouldn’t be hard to carry the momentum over, as Orlando outscored the Cavaliers, 59-43 in the second half, by shooting 59 percent in the second half. More importantly, Orlando's bench outscored Cleveland's, 22-5.
So, rather than the Magic facing a must-win situation in Game 2, it’s the Cavaliers who will be playing under a tremendous of pressure when the two take the floor tonight. Hey, that’s two straight road games nobody expected the Magic to win: at Boston in Game 7 of the conference semis and in Game 1 of the conference finals
And here’s an important point to make: Lebron James shined in Game 1 with a game-high 49 points, hitting 20-of-30 shots while scoring from every corner of the court. And his teammates supported him in the first half as well. But the Magic had the wherewithal to hang in there, erase the deficit and win outright.
Four of the last five outright road wins in this Eastern Conference battle has been by Orlando, so I’m taking the points tonight.
Marc Lawrence
100% NBA Super System Fan Appreciation Play!
Play: Cleveland Cavaliers
When Cleveland plays host to Orlando in Game Two of the Eastern Conference finals tonight they will so so knowing they are 10-0 SU and ATS at home in games off a loss this season. In addition, teams off a one-point home playoff loss are 5-0 SU and ATS as a favorite of more than 4 points when facing a .580 or greater opponent in the post-season since 1990. Look for the Cavs to even things up with a big effort here tonight.
DOC
4-Unit Play Take Orlando/Cleveland OVER 188
We had the under in Game 1 here but we will change our way of thinking since we have not had great success so far in this series and the over looks like a real value tonight. The last two meetings have both gone over 200 and the last three meetings have all surpassed this total. Orlando has really seemed to have found an answer to this No. 1 Cleveland defense and they have averaged 104 PPG against them in four meetings this season. Both teams average 100 PPG this season and we just see the offenses featured again as both teams really attacked the basket in Game 1. In the first game there was only one quarter where the teams didn’t score over 50 and they scored 49 in the third so it wasn’t just one fluke quarter that sent this one over the total.
Vegas Sports Informer
3 Unit Play. Take Chicago White Sox (-120) over Pittsburgh
The White Sox lost 20-1 on Thursday! I think that Ozzie will be getting into some people's faces and throwing out a lot of swearing in his broken English. The Pirates won three of four from Washington. But that was the Nationals. The White Sox should find some offense today. The White Sox have won the last five meetings at home, Pittsburgh is 10-32 when Zach Duke is a road underdog and the Pirates are just 12-45 in interleague road games.
2 Unit Play. Take L.A. Dodgers (-125) over L.A. Angels
The Dodgers have been the best home team in the league so far this year so it's great to get them on short odds. They had a day off on Thursday to get ready and I think that they are a better team without Manny than the Angels are without Vlad. The Dodgers are 43-14 at home and the home team is 15-5 in the L20 in this series.
Matt Fargo
8* NBA STAR ATTRACTION *58.4% ATS RUN*
Magic at Cavaliers
Pick: Magic +9
The knee jerk reaction by many here will be to jump on the home team based on the simple fact that the Cavaliers lost Game One and that was only their third loss at home on the entire season. There is no way Cleveland loses two in a row to begin this series. Well, I for one am not buying into that and I do in fact believe that the Magic have a legitimate shot of winning another one here. I mentioned in the writeup of that first game that the line was completely off and that we would not see a number that high again in this series. However, with Cleveland dropping that opener, the linesmakers were forced to put another big number on the Cavaliers not because they wanted to but because they had to. This is another revenge game for Cleveland but that revenge is hard to put into place when the matchups are favoring one side. Cleveland thrives on its defense but that defense finds itself in a tough spot as it will be stretched out against Orlando. The Magic are one of the most prolific three-point shooting teams in the league as they broke the team record for most three-pointers made (817) in a season. They have six players in their rotation dangerous from long range and had nine players on their roster that took more three-pointers than free throws. When those shots fall, they cannot be beat. The Magic went 9-20 in Game One (45 percent) from behind the arc and overall they shot 55.1 percent from the floor. In the four meetings this season, Orlando is shooting 49.8 percent and that is no fluke. Cleveland just does not match up well plain and simple. This is now a double revenge spot for the Cavaliers but they fall into a situation that does not bode well. Play against home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points that are playing with double revenge and playing just their fifth game or fewer in 14 days. This situation is 37-13 ATS (74 percent) over the last five seasons with the average point differential being just -0.8 ppg. 8* Orlando Magic.
Jason Johnson
Orlando at Cleveland
Play: Orlando +9
In case our friends in Vegas forgot, Orlando beat the Cavs outright in game one as nine point underdogs. I can't figure out how they've come back with the same number for game two but I do know that I'm going to take full advantage of it.Dwight Howard alone keeps the Magic in every game thanks to his strong rebounding which limits opponents second chance points. He's good for 15 & 15 tonight and while Cleveland gets the win at home, the Magic will get the cover.
Jimmy Boyd
NBA Eastern Conference Finals TOTY
Orlando at Cleveland
Play: Under 188.5
The public is all over the over here and that is exactly where the sportsbooks want it. We saw a total score of 213 points in Game 1, and odds makers only raised the total 4.5 points? Exactly. Adjustments are going to be made by both teams on the defensive end, and you can expect to see the Cavs team which is only allowing 87.7 ppg at home tonight. Orlando is 19-6 UNDER after a close win by 3 points or less over the last 3 seasons, 10-1 UNDER after a game where they made 55% of their shots or better over the last 2 seasons, and Cleveland is 14-2 UNDER after covering 6 or 7 of their last 8 against the spread this season. The Under is 11-4 in Magic last 15 road games vs. a team with a winning home record and 8-1 in Cavaliers last 9 playoff games as a favorite of 5.0-10.5. 7 of 11 games over the last 3 seasons have gone Under in this matchup. Bet the Under!
Savannah Sports
3* Cleveland Over 188
3* NY Yankees -155
3* LA Dodgers -125
3* Toronto -156
3* Cincinnati Over 10.5
Root
Chairman - Clev. Cavs.
Millionaire - Tampa Bay
Insiders Circle - LA Dodgers
Kelso
10 units Magic