SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA PLAYOFFS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(7) Chicago (42-41, 43-39-1 ATS) at (2) Boston (62-21, 43-40 ATS)
Having pulled off a stunning Game 1 upset of the defending champions Saturday, the Bulls now try to take a commanding 2-0 lead in this best-of-7 series, which resumes at TD Banknorth Garden.
Chicago point guard Derrick Rose scored 36 points – tying an NBA record for a playoff debut – and also contributed 11 assists and four rebounds as the Bulls outlasted Boston 105-103 in overtime as a nine-point underdog. The Bulls shot just 42.7 percent from the field, including missing 14 of 17 tries from beyond the three-point arc, but they went 20-for-22 from the foul line and held Boston to just 39.4 percent shooting overall. They also had a 53-45 rebounding edge.
Boston, which went 13-1 SU at home in last year’s playoffs on the way to its 17th NBA title, got 29 points, nine rebounds and seven assists from point guard Rajon Rondo, while Paul Pierce added 23 points in the Game 1 defeat. However, sharpshooter Ray Allen was a disaster, misfiring on 12 of 13 field-goal tries (0-for-6 from three-point land) and finishing with just four points.
The Celtics entered the playoffs on an 8-1 SU run and had won nine straight home games. The Bulls are on a 6-1 SU run going back to the regular season, but they’ve alternated spread-covers in their last seven contests. Also, despite stealing Game 1 in Boston, Chicago remains just 4-9 in its last 13 road outings (6-7 ATS).
The Bulls have now scored consecutive upset wins over Boston in the last month after losing the previous six meetings overall (all as an underdog) and going 0-7 ATS in the previous seven. Prior to Game 1, the Celtics had won and covered four straight home games against Chicago in the past two seasons, winning by margins of 18, 16, 23 and 25 points.
Boston has topped the century mark in three straight and nine of its last 10 games, while the Bulls have done so in 17 of their last 22 contests, putting up 107 ppg during this stretch.
For the season, the Celtics are 35-7 SU at home (21-21 ATS), while Chicago is 14-28 on the highway (21-20-1 ATS).
The Bulls are now 8-2-2 ATS in their last 12 first-round playoff games, including 4-0 ATS in the last four. They’re on additional pointspread hot streaks of 13-3-1 against wining teams, 7-2 as an underdog, 5-1 as a road ‘dog and 5-2 as a pup in the postseason. Meanwhile, Boston has still covered in seven of its last 11 overall and six of its last seven after one day off, but otherwise the C’s are mired in ATS slumps of 5-12 at home (all as a favorite), 1-6 against the Central Division, 2-6 after a loss and 2-8 when laying between five and 10½ points.
Game 1 soared over the posted total, making the over 6-2 in the last eight meetings between these teams in Boston. Also, the Bulls are on “over” stretches of 5-1 in first-round playoff games, 14-6 as an underdog, 7-3 against the Atlantic Division and 4-0 as a playoff pup, while Boston carries “over” trends of 7-1 overall, 21-6 at home, 6-0 as a favorite, 16-5 versus the Eastern Conference, 5-1 in first-round playoff contests and 7-0 after a SU defeat.
ATS ADVANTAGE: CHICAGO and OVER
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(6) Dallas (51-32, 41-42 ATS) at (3) San Antonio (54-29, 40-41-2 ATS)
The Mavericks will try to steal a second game in San Antonio when they meet the Spurs in Game 2 of this best-of-7 Western Conference series inside the AT&T Center.
Dallas rallied from an 11-point first-quarter deficit to score a 105-97 win as a four-point underdog on Saturday and take a 1-0 lead in the series. Josh Howard led the way for the Mavs with 25 points and Dallas had six players with double-digit points, while the team committed only seven turnovers. The Mavericks have now won eight of their last 10 (6-4 ATS) but they are still just 2-4 (SU and ATS) in their last six road games.
Saturday’s loss ended a four-game winning streak for the Spurs (2-3 ATS), who got huge games from their two superstars Tony Parker (24 points, eight assists) and Tim Duncan (27 points, nine rebounds). San Antonio lost despite shooting 47 percent from the field and making 11 of 14 three-pointers, but the Spurs allowed the Mavs to shoot at a 53.8 percent clip.
The road team continues to dominate this series, going 15-6 ATS in the last 21 clashes, and the underdog is on a 16-5 ATS run in those 21 contests. Dallas is 18-8 ATS in the last 26 overall meetings with the Spurs, including a 10-2 ATS run in San Antonio.
Dallas is in the postseason for the ninth straight season, however it has failed to get out of the first round the last two years, losing to Golden State in six games (1-5 ATS) in 2007 and then falling to New Orleans in five games (2-3 ATS) last season.
The Spurs are in the playoffs for the 12th straight year and they’ve gotten past the first round in eight of those seasons. They ousted Phoenix in five games in last year’s opening round (2-2-1 ATS) then needed seven games to get past New Orleans in the semifinals (4-3 ATS) before losing to the Lakers in five games (2-3 ATS) in the conference finals.
Including Saturday’s result, San Antonio is 28-14 at home this season (17-24-1 ATS), and Dallas is 19-23 on the highway (22-20 ATS).
The Mavericks are on ATS runs of 5-2 overall, 16-5 as a playoff ‘dog, 4-1 after a straight-up win and 5-0 in their last five playoff games as a dog of five to 10½ points, but they are on ATS slides of 6-12 after a spread-cover, 3-7 in opening-round playoff games and 4-7 against Southwest Division foes. The Spurs are on ATS streaks of 18-5-2 ATS as a playoff chalk, 7-2-1 on Mondays and 23-8-1 in playoff games as a favorite of five to 10½ points, but they’re now just 2-9 ATS in their last 11 home games and 5-12 ATS in their last 17 as a chalk.
Even though Saturday’s contest went over the total, the under is still 5-2 in the last seven meetings between these division rivals in San Antonio.
Dallas has topped the total in five of their last six as a playoff ‘dog, but the Mavs are on “under” runs of 8-0 on Mondays, 12-3 as a ‘dog, 10-3 as a road ‘dog and 12-5 on the road. For the Spurs, the under is 4-1 in their last five as a favorite and 19-7 in their last 26 on Mondays, but the over is 6-1 in their last seven at home and 5-0 in their last five coming off a loss.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DALLAS
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Florida (11-1) at Pittsburgh (6-6)
The Marlins take a seven-game winning streak and baseball’s best record to Pittsburgh when they open a three-game series against the Pirates at PNC Park. It will be a battle of young hurlers as lefty Andrew Miller (1-0, 6.43 ERA) takes the mound for Florida against Ross Ohlendorf (0-2, 4.91).
Florida is 6-0 on its first round trip of the season, including a thrilling three-game weekend sweep in Washington, with all three wins coming in the team’s last at-bat. After posting extra-innings victories of 3-2 on Friday and 9-6 on Saturday, the Marlins scored four runs in the top of the ninth Sunday to steal a 7-4 win. Florida, which has allowed four runs or fewer in nine of its 12 games in 2009, is 22-6 dating to last season and 16-5 in its last 21 against right-handed starters. Its last four victories have been in come-from-behind fashion.
Pittsburgh’s bid for a three-game weekend sweep of Atlanta fell way short Sunday when it lost 11-1 at PNC Park. It was a rare poor outing for Pirates pitching, which had posted consecutive shutouts of the Braves on Friday (3-0) and Saturday (10-0) and had surrendered two runs or fewer in six of its previous eight contests. Pittsburgh has won five consecutive series-openers, but it is otherwise in slumps of 17-39 as an underdog, 7-20 as a home ‘dog and 4-17 against southpaw starters.
These teams met just five times last year – all in April – with Florida winning three of the contests. Still, the Marlins are just 6-13 in their last 19 games at PNC Park.
Miller lasted just 4 2/3 innings in his first start of the season at Atlanta on Wednesday, giving up four runs on four hits, but the Marlins still rolled to a 10-4 victory. Miller also has made two relief appearances this year, giving up a run in 2 1/3 innings. Prior to Wednesday’s rout of the Braves, the Fish had lost five straight games with Miller on the hill, including four straight on the road.
Ohlendorf was a tough-luck loser in his season debut at St. Louis on April 9, pitching six shutout innings before giving up two runs in the seventh and losing 2-1. However, the right-hander was not nearly as sharp in his first home outing Wednesday against Houston, yielding four runs on eight hits in five innings, losing 4-1. Pittsburgh is 1-5 in Ohlendorf’s last six starts, including three straight defeats at home.
Neither Miller nor Ohlendorf have faced their respective opponents in their brief big-league careers. Miller is 5-9 with a 6.08 ERA in 27 lifetime road outings (19 starts), while Ohlendorf is 0-3 with a 6.28 ERA in four games (three starts) at PNC Park totaling only 14 1/3 innings.
Miller’s last four starts (all on the road) have topped the total, while Ohlendorf’s last four have stayed below the posted price.
For the Pirates, the under is on streaks of 4-2-1 overall (all at home), 4-1 against lefty starters and 12-5-1 against teams from the N.L. East, but eight of their last 11 Monday contests have gone over the total. Meanwhile, the under is 6-3 in Florida’s last nine road games, but otherwise the club is on “over” stretches of 12-1 as a favorite, 5-1 as a road chalk and 15-5-2 on Monday. Lastly, the over is 5-2 in the last seven head-to-head battles between these clubs.
ATS ADVANTAGE: FLORIDA and OVER
DUNKEL
Chicago at Boston
The Bulls are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a road underdog and look to take advantage of a Boston team that is just 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games as a home favorite between 5 and 10 1/2 points. Chicago is the underdog pick (+8 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Celtics favored by only 4. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+8 1/2).
Game 717-718: Chicago at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 119.632; Boston 123.713
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 4; 198
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 8 1/2; 196
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+8 1/2); Over
Game 719-720: Dallas at San Antonio
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 120.285; San Antonio 123.621
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 3 1/2; 191
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 6; 189
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+6); Over
MLB
San Diego at Philadelphia
The Phillies look to build on their 6-0 record in the last 6 games that Jamie Moyer has started as a home favorite between -150 and -200. Philadelphia is the pick (-155) according to Dunkel, which has the Phillies favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-155).
Game 901-902: Atlanta at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Lowe) 15.671; Washington (Zimmerman) 14.516
Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-150); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-150); Under
Game 903-904: Florida at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Miller) 15.188; Pittsburgh (Ohlendorf) 15.683
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+105); Under
Game 905-906: San Diego at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Correia) 14.366; Philadelphia (Moyer) 15.999
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-155); 10
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-155); Under
Game 907-908: Cincinnati at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Arroyo) 14.477; Houston (Hampton) 15.587
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Houston (-145); 8
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-145); Under
Game 909-910: Colorado at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Marquis) 13.614; Arizona (Garland) 14.300
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 11
Vegas Line: Arizona (-120); 10
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-120); Over
Game 911-912: Baltimore at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Hendrickson) 14.347; Boston (Masterson) 15.350
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1; 11
Vegas Line: Boston (-200); 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-200); Over
Game 913-914: Oakland at NY Yankees
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland (Eveland) 15.054; NY Yankees (Pettitte) 15.912
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-200); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-200); Over
NHL
Washington at NY Rangers
The Rangers are coming off a 1-0 win in Game Two and look to build on their 8-3 record in their last 11 games after allowing 2 goals or less in the previous game. New York is the underdog pick (+115) according to Dunkel, which has the Rangers favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (+115).
Game 1-2: Boston at Montreal
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 11.411; Montreal 11.721
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (+115); Under
Game 3-4: Washington at NY Rangers
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 11.508; NY Rangers 12.316
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (+115); Under
Game 5-6: Chicago at Calgary
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 10.980; Calgary 12.005
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Calgary (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (-145); Under
BIG AL
San Diego Padres at Philadelphia Phillies
At 7:05pm our member selection is on the San Diego Padres and the Philadelphia Phillies 'over' the total. Lefthanded veteran starter Jamie Moyer has not pitched particularly well this season (1-1 with a 6.55 ERA), and takes to the mound tonight to battle the Padres and righthander Kevin Correia. After promising seasons in 2006 and 2007, mostly as a long reliever/spot starter, San Diego decided to give Correia the chance to be a full-time starter in 2008, and the results were not good as he went 3-8 with an ERA of 6.05 and a horrific WHIP. But the Padre coaches seem to be determined to make Correia a full-time member of their rotation so they are giving him another chance this season. After two starts, the latest experiment has not been a total disaster, but there are signs that he could implode again at any time. Take the 'over'.
Play on: OVER
Cajun Sports
Colorado Rockies vs. Arizona D-Backs
Play: Colorado Rockies
Chase Field will be the site of tonight’s National League battle between the host Arizona Diamondbacks and the visiting Colorado Rockies. Both teams have struggled to start the 2009 campaign but the Rockies were able to take two out of three from the Diamondbacks at Chase Field to start the season. Arizona won the first game between these two on opening night but then proceeded to lose the final two of the series. Colorado will send Jason Marquis to the bump with his 2-0 record and ERA of 1.93 (1-0 / 1.29 ERA on road) in hopes he can once again end a three-game skid for the Rockies. In his last start, the right-hander halted Colorado’s three-game losing streak by allowing one run on five hits in seven innings of work in a 5 to 2 win at Wrigley Field over the Chicago Cubs. He will be facing an Arizona lineup that is last in the NL with runners in scoring position batting only .211; the Diamondbacks have scored two or fewer runs in eight games this season. Arizona will send John Garland to the hill with his 1-1 record and an ERA of 8.44. In his last outing he gave up seven runs on seven hits in just 3 2-3 innings of work versus St. Louis with the Diamondbacks losing 12 to 7. Arizona’s bullpen has struggled as well with an ERA of 6.55 overall and 6.89 at home in 31.3 innings of work allowing 27 runs on 38 hits and blowing two save opportunities. Our TPR (Team Performance Ratings) Index has Colorado with a slight edge and our Player Performance Ratings Index shows a huge advantage for the Rockies with tonight’s pitching matchup. The combination of offensive and defensive numbers projects the Rockies winning this contest with an average score of 4.8 to 3.0. With another solid outing by Jason Marquis and the Rockies bats able to take advantage of weak pitching from the Diamondbacks they should be able to end their three-game slide on Monday night in the desert.
Graded Selection: 2* Colorado Rockies 5 Arizona Diamondbacks 3
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Atlanta w/Lowe
The Braves open a 3-game series with the Nats when they send Derek Lowe to the mound in the nation's capitol tonight. Lowe has come up big in this series where he is 5-1 with a 2.41 career ERA. With Washington reeling after losing all three games with 9th inning leads against the Marlins this past weekend, look for Atlanta and Lowe to continue their winning ways at the Nationals expense this evening.
Scott Spreitzer
Colorado Rockies at Arizona Diamondbacks
Prediction: Over
The Diamondbacks return to Arizona where the games have been very high scoring this year. In fact, the Overs cashed their tickets two-thirds of the time on the season opening home stand. Jon Garland is pitching for the hosts. He has an ERA of 8.44 this season and an ugly WHIP of 1.88. Note that both of his starts were on this field. Jason Marquis of Colorado had great stats. But he was pitching in cold weather with the wind blowing-in both times he took the mound! This isn?t chilly Wrigley Field or Denver. This is a hitter?s paradise in the desert. I think the market total is lower than it should be because people are placing too much weight on the great start of Marquis. You have to adjust for context. I expect both offenses to score a lot of runs and the Over trend in this park to continue. Each starting pitcher is vulnerable and both bullpens have struggled. Note also that Arizona?s offense is a tea kettle about to go off after a quiet weekend in chilly San Francisco. Get ready for some scoring! The Over in the Colorado/Arizona game is the play.
Jimmy The Moose
Boston Bruins at Montreal Canadiens
Prediction: Over
The team's have played over the total in the first two games of the series. Each of their first two games saw a total of 6 goals scored. Boston has played the over in their last 5 games. The over is 5-1 in their last 6 road games. The over is 11-5 in their last 16 games following a win. The over is 9-1-1 in Montreal's last 11 divisional games. The over is 4-0-1 in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games. In the last 11 meetings between the clubs the over is 7-3-1. Play the over.
JIM FEIST
ATLANTA BRAVES / WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Take Under
It's tough to see where the offense is going to come from in this game. Atlanta is struggling and has never faced Washington starter Jordan Zimmermann before. Atlanta has injuires on offense. After being swept at home by the surging Marlins (outscored 21-7), the Braves sank lower on the road, outscored 13-0 by the Pirates in the first two games of a nine-game trip. At least the Braves go with a good starter in sinker specialist Derek Lowe (2.81 ERA). Washington is a great pitchers park and the Nats don't have much offense. Play the Braves/Nationals under the total.
DAVE COKIN
CINCINNATI REDS / HOUSTON ASTROS
Take HOUSTON ASTROS
Mike Hampton was strong last start for Houston, an indication that the lefty can still thrive if he can find a way to stay healthy. Whether or not he can accomplish that feat is highly questionable given his history, but for now Hampton could prove to be a nice asset for Houston. Bronson Arroyo had it working last start as well for the Reds, but his lifetime ERA at the Maid is 6.05. I'm siding with Hampton and the Astros to win the series finale.
Jeff Benton
Still on a 16-8 run with freebies despite Sunday’s bad call on the Hornets. We’ll get back on track Monday and back the Nationals as a home underdog against the Braves.
Obviously, it’s been an ugly start to 2009 for Washington, which has lost 10 of its first 11 games, including three brutal home losses over the weekend to the Marlins (the Nats lost two games in extra innings and then blew leads of 3-1 and 4-3 in Sunday’s 7-4 loss to the Fish). But I look for this team to get a huge shot in the arm – literally and figuratively – tonight as highly-touted rookie Jordan Zimmerman makes his big-league debut.
Zimmerman, a 22-year-old right-hander and second-round pick in 2007, has electric stuff, which he used to build a rock-solid resume in the minor leagues (15-5, 2.81 ERA in 39 career appearances). I always like backing high-upside pitchers making their debuts because they have an advantage over hitters that veteran pitchers don’t – namely, opposing teams simply don’t have as detailed a scouting report on the newbies as they do on the veteran hurlers.
Now, I can’t ignore how horrific Washington’s bullpen has been this season. And since there’s no way in hell that Zimmerman is going the distance tonight, that bullpen will come into play tonight. But at least give the Nats this much credit: They’re not standing pat with their relievers, as two guys were cut and a third was sent down to Triple-A after Sunday’s debacle against Florida.
Will the replacements be any better? Time will tell, but they certainly can’t do much worse. And if Zimmerman does his job like I think he will against Atlanta’s inconsistent offense, and the Nats put some runs on the board against Derek Lowe, who is coming off a terrible start, we could be OK. Finally, the Braves are only .500 on the season themselves, and they’re in the midst of a tough nine-game road trip. They also lost their last six games in D.C. last year. Take the nice plus money with the home team in this one, as the Nats aren’t going to lose 10 of 11 all season long.
3♦ WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Matt Rivers
For Monday take the coin back with the Padres.
No I am not at all sold on this red hot San Diego team nor is Kevin Correia any good. But with that said you do have to respect how the Padres are playing great great ball right now. This will not be kept up at as as the talent level is just not there but who is Jamie Moyer and the struggling Phils to be laying this price!?!?!?
Sure Philadelphia is a talent laden beast of a team led by MVP calibre players in Rollins, Utley and Howard. But Charlie Manual's squad is just not playing at a very high level right now. Yes the Phillies came back nicely yesterday but one game does not mean all that much to me and if anything I love backing teams off of bad losses as the Padres are today. The World Series Championship team was fully clicking unlike this bunch which has not really gotten off of their collective feet as of yet.
Neither pitcher really should be able to last more than five innings today and despite pretty much have the inferior everything I can't help but take back some coin with a San Diego team that is really starting to believe. These guys continue to win games in crazy fashion and right now at this point in the season seem to have a little destiny of their side. That will go away as 162 games is too much for this mediocre at the very best club but right now at this point with their confidence level as high as it is I will ride that wave for sure!
Jake Timlin
Back to the diamond tonight where I have won 9 of my first 11 freebie selections this season after winning pair of NBA selections over the weekend.
Now to make it 10 of 12 I say go with the Marlins tonight in Pittsburgh. I mean given the Marlins amazing 11-1 start to the season and with the Pirates fresh off an 11-1 loss at home yesterday Florida seems like a bit of an easy call. Wait thanks to the Marlins averaging 6 plus runs per game this year and now facing Ohlendorf who is 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA in two starts this season Florida at today’s price tag is a huge No Brainer even with Olsen pitching. So backing what is the league’s best team I say take the Marlins as they improve to 12-1 on the season thanks to an easy win over the Pirates.
PICK: Florida Marlins
Sports Gambling Hotline
Chicago at BOSTON
Sunday comp play winner on the Lakers minus the points. Now 13-8 the last 3 weeks with our comp plays.
Game Two from Boston, and we are backing another high-scoring game between the Bulls and the Celtics.
Saturday's meeting went OVER the posted total, as these teams have now played HIGH the last 3 times they have met. In fact, 5 of the last 7 series meetings between the clubs have landed OVER the posted price.
Another stat that points to a high-scoring affair is the Bulls 14-6 OVER mark the last 20 games in which they have been installed as the underdog. Also consider the C's have been OVER in 7 of their last 8 dating back to the regular season, and Boston is also 21-6 OVER the posted price their last 27 on the parquet.
Based on the numbers listed above, we will ride the OVER once again in this Chicago-Boston series.
Play the HIGH.
4♦ OVER
Karl Garrett
Dallas +5' at SAN ANTONIO
NBA side winner tonight, as the G-Man likes the Mavs plus the points to once again give San Antonio fits.
Dallas scored the outright upset on Saturday night, as the Mavericks looked to be the fresher, healthier team, and should be again tonight.
San Antonio has been a money-burner against the spread on their home floor of late, as they have covered just 2 of their last 11 home games.
Throw in the fact the series underdog has gone 19-7 against the spread the last 26 meetings, and the road team is now on a 15-6 spread run with the Mavericks road win in Game One, and all the numbers the G-Man is looking at point towards another Dallas cover.
Take the points in Game Two, as the road-underdog trend continues.
2♦ DALLAS
Bobby Maxwell
Dallas at SAN ANTONIO -6
Tonight's FREE winners comes from the NBA hardwood as we play the Spurs at home to get the win and cover over the Mavericks.
This was one of the strangest games on Saturday as the Spurs looked great in the first quarter, building an 11-point lead and hitting everything and then the Mavs, who usually fade down the stretch, stepped up and dominated the second half to get the win and steal Game 1 in San Antonio.
Tonight, the Spurs won't fade in the second half. Their superstars and their coach won't allow it. They are going to play defense tonight and you'll see the Mavs are quite as focused since they've already taken the home-court advantage from the Spurs.
Dallas hasn't gotten out of the first round of the playoffs the last two seasons and they went just 3-8 ATS in their first round games the last two years. And the Mavs are on ATS slides of 6-12 after a spread-cover and 4-7 against Southwest Division teams. They aren't really built for the playoffs with their dependence on outside shooting and lack of rebounding.
The Spurs will defend well tonight and rebound the ball. They are on ATS uns of 18-5-2 as a playoff favorite, 7-2-1 on Mondays and 23-8-1 as a playoff favorite of 5 to 10 1/2 points. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker dominate this one tonight. Play the Spurs.
4♦ SAN ANTONIO