SPORTS ADVISORS
San Antonio (49-26, 37-36-2 ATS) at Cleveland (61-15, 45-31 ATS)
The Cavaliers will try to avoid their first three-game losing streak of the season when they host the Spurs inside the Quicken Loans Arena.
Cleveland had an ugly two-game road trip, falling 109-101 in Washington on Thursday as a 9½-point favorite and then went to Orlando on Friday and got smoked 116-87 as a 3½-point ‘dog for its worst loss of the season. LeBron James put up 26 points and had nine rebounds against the Magic, but none of his teammates were able to manage more than 10 points.
San Antonio got a 126-121 victory in Indiana on Friday, narrowly cashing as a four-point road favorites. The Spurs have won four of their last six but they have been brutal at the wagering window lately, cashing in just three of their last 10 outings.
The road team is on a five-game winning streak (4-1 ATS) in this rivalry, including Cleveland’s 97-86 win in San Antonio back on Feb. 27, cashing as a four-point favorite as San Antonio played without both Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. The Spurs have been victorious in their last three trips to Cleveland, including the final two games of the 2007 NBA Finals in which they won 4-0 (3-1 ATS). The chalk is 5-2 in the last seven series clashes, and the Cavs are on a 5-2 ATS swing when they get the Spurs in Cleveland.
San Antonio is on ATS slides of 2-6 on Sundays and 1-5 after getting one day off, but it is 4-1 ATS in its last five against Eastern Conference squads. Cleveland is just 3-9 ATS in its last 12 overall, 2-6 ATS in its last eight at home and 2-6 ATS in its last eight after getting a day off. However, the Cavs are on positive ATS streaks of 19-9 against Western Conference teams, 7-1 against Southwest Division squads and 52-25-1 following a straight-up loss. Also, for the season, Cleveland is an NBA-best 36-1 SU at home and 25-12 ATS.
The Spurs have stayed under the total in eight of 11 games against Central Division teams, but they have topped the total in five of their last six overall. For the Cavs, the under is on runs of 5-2 overall, 38-14 on Sundays, 4-0 at home and 4-1 against Southwest Division teams.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Phoenix (42-34, 32-42-2 ATS) at Dallas (45-31, 36-40 ATS)
The Suns will try to keep their playoff hopes alive when they visit American Airlines Arena in Dallas today to take on the Mavericks.
Phoenix is on the outside looking in at the Western Conference playoff picture, but back-to-back wins have the Suns going in the right direction. They got a big 114-109 home win over the Rockets on Wednesday, cashing as 1½-point favorites, and then they followed up with Friday’s 139-111 home victory over the Kings, covering as a 14½-point chalk.
Dallas lost at Memphis 107-102 as a seven-point road favorite Friday night. They have gone just 1-4 ATS in their last five overall, and their offense has been very erratic, going anywhere from 128 points to 74 points in their last six contests.
The Mavericks have taken two of three from the Suns this season, including a 112-97 home win back on Dec. 4 as a four-point chalk. The last time these two met was March 10 when the Mavs got a 122-117 win in Phoenix as a six-point pup. However, the Suns are 5-2-1 ATS in the last eight meetings in Dallas.
Phoenix is just 6-14 ATS in its last 20 against teams with a winning home record and 12-27-1 ATS in its last 40 after a spread-cover, but the Suns are on positive ATS streaks of 8-3 overall, 5-2 after a straight-up win and 4-1 when they get a day off. Dallas is just 1-5 ATS in its last six after getting a day off and 0-5 ATS in its last five against teams with winning records, but the Mavs are 14-4 ATS in their last 18 after a non-cover and 6-1 ATS in their last seven against Pacific Division squads.
The Suns have been flying over the total lately, currently riding streaks of 5-1 overall, 8-3 on the road, 7-3 on Sunday, 5-1 against the Western Conference and 5-2 after a spread-cover. Dallas has topped the total in seven of nine at home and four of five against teams with winning records, but it’s on “under” runs of 4-1 overall, 19-7 on Sundays, 5-1 after a non-cover and 4-1 after getting a day off. Finally, the over is 4-1 in the last five clashes in this rivalry..
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
Portland (48-27, 41-34 ATS) at Houston (48-28, 36-39-1 ATS)
The red-hot Trail Blazers carry a four-game winning streak into the Toyota Center in Houston today for a matchup with the Rockets.
Portland is on a 4-0 SU and ATS run, including a 107-72 burial of Oklahoma City on Friday, easily cashing as a five-point favorite. The Blazers have won seven of nine overall (8-1 ATS), including four of five on the road (5-0 ATS). Nate McMillan’s squad has increased its scoring lately, averaging 111 points per game – well above its season average of 99.5 points a game – and shooting 49.8 percent from the floor.
Houston has dropped two straight and three of four (all SU and ATS), including Friday’s 93-81 defeat to the Lakers as 5½-point road ‘dogs. The Rockets have won and covered in their last two at home, but that was against the Clippers and Timberwolves. In their last meaningful game at the Toyota Center on March 18, they beat Detroit 106-101 but failed to cash as a 9½-point chalk.
The Rockets have owned this rivalry lately, winning six of the last seven (3-4 ATS), but the teams have split two games this season with the host winning each time and Portland going 2-0 ATS. The ‘dog is 6-2 ATS in the last eight series clashes.
Portland is on a plethora of ATS streaks, including 5-0 on the road, 6-1 after a spread-cover, 10-4 after getting a day off and 5-0 against Western Conference squads. Houston is just 2-5 ATS in its last seven at home, but is otherwise riding ATS streaks of 35-17-1 after a non-cover, 9-4 after a straight-up loss, 4-1 on Sunday and 4-1 against Northwest Division teams.
For the Blazers, the under is on streaks of 6-2 on the road, 4-1 after getting a day off and 9-4 against teams with winning marks. The Rockets are on “under” runs of 9-4 overall, 11-3 after a non-cover, 4-0 on Sundays and 8-3 against the Western Conference. Also, the under has been the play in four of the last five series meetings in Texas.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Utah (46-30, 37-39 ATS) at New Orleans (47-28, 32-41-2 ATS)
The struggling Jazz limp into New Orleans Arena to face the Hornets, who have dropped three straight overall and seven of eight in this series.
Utah lost in Denver 114-104 on Thursday, coming up short as a five-point ‘dog, then returned home Friday and got bitten by the lowly Timberwolves 103-102 as a whopping 13-point favorite. The Jazz allowed Minnesota to shoot 40-for-75 from the floor and got pounded on the boards, 42-28. Not only have the Jazz come up short in their last three games, but they’re 0-6 ATS in their last six overall and 1-6 SU and ATS in their last seven on the highway.
New Orleans had its modest three-game winning streak snapped Friday night at Golden State, losing 111-103 as a five-point road favorite. The Hornets have topped the century mark in each of their last three games after going nine straight without hitting the 100-point plateau.
Utah has won both meetings against the Hornets this season SU and ATS and seven of the last eight overall (6-1-1 ATS). The Jazz scored an ugly 77-66 win in New Orleans last season as a 5½-point ‘dog, and they’ve won three of the last four played on the bayou (2-2 ATS). The home team is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings between these two, with the chalk going 6-1-1 ATS in the last eight.
It’s all ugly ATS trends for Utah, including 1-6 on the road, 0-6 after a straight-up loss, 0-5 after a non-cover, 0-6 overall, 3-13 on the road against teams with winning home records and 0-5 against Western Conference teams. New Orleans is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 Sunday contests, but just 1-4 ATS in its last five against Northwest Division teams and 2-7 ATS in its last nine after a straight-up loss.
For Utah, the over is on runs of 4-0 overall, 4-0 after a non-cover, 4-1 on the road against teams with winning home records and 4-1 against the Western Conference. Conversely, the Hornets are on a bevy of “under” streaks, including 10-2 overall, 20-8 at home, 11-5 on Sundays, 8-1 after getting a day off, 7-2 against the Western Conference and 10-2-1 against teams with a winning record. Finally, the under is 5-1-1 in the last seven Jazz-Hornets battles overall.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NEW ORLEANS and UNDER
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Atlanta (0-0) at Philadelphia (0-0)
The Phillies will hang their 2008 World Series banner in pregame festivities, then take the field at Citizens Bank Park to face the Braves in the opener of the Major League Baseball season. Brett Myers (10-13, 4.55 ERA in 2008) is set to oppose new Atlanta hurler Derek Lowe (14-11, 3.24).
Philadelphia went 11-3 in the playoffs last season and closed on a 38-15 streak overall and a 21-5 run at home. The Braves finished last year on a 7-15 slide in road contests and were 4-10 in their last 14 on the highway against right-handed starters.
The Phillies were 14-4 against Atlanta last season, but they’re 0-4 in Myers’ last four starts against the Braves, and they’ve lost five straight games to Atlanta with Myers on the hill at home.
Myers went 2-1 for Philadelphia in the playoffs last fall, beating the Brewers 5-2 in the division series, allowing two runs on two hits in seven innings and then beating the Dodgers 8-5 in the NLCS, allowing five runs on six hits in five innings. He pitched well in the World Series, allowing four runs (three earned) in seven innings, but lost to the Rays 4-2 in Game 2.
In the regular season last year, Myers was 7-5 with a 3.01 ERA in 14 home starts. However, he’s 4-8 with a 4.60 ERA in 26 appearances (19 starts) against the Braves, including 0-2 with a 10.38 ERA in two starts last year (both at home).
As a Dodger last year, Lowe gave up just six earned runs in three playoff appearances, beating the Cubs in Chicago in the division series 7-2, allowing two runs on seven hits. He then faced the Phillies twice in the NLCS and gave up three runs (two earned) in a 3-2 loss in Game 1, then got a no-decision in Game 4, allowing two runs on six hits in five innings of a 7-5 defeat.
Lowe was just 5-6 with a 4.42 ERA in 17 road starts last season. On the bright side, the veteran is 4-1 with a 3.02 ERA in his career against the Phillies, including 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two starts at Citizens Bank Park.
The under was 7-3 in the Braves last 10 roadies last season and 39-19-2 in their last 60 on the road against right-handed starters. For the Phillies, the under was 21-8-3 in Myers’ last 32 Sunday starts, 10-4-1 in his last 15 starts overall – including 7-3 in his last 10 at home – and 9-4-1 in his last 14 outings on grass. Finally, four of the last five meetings between these division rivals last year stayed under the total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Marc Lawrence
New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors
The Knicks travel north of the border to take on the Raptors in this right back revenge rematch from yesterday that saw Toronto beat New York, 102-95, at Madison Square Garden. Today, however, the roles reverse with the Raptors dressing up as the favorite. Meanwhile the Knicks will be seeking same season double revenge, a role in which they are 4-1 ATS this season under Mike D'Antoni. With Toronto 0-2 SU and ATS against same season double avenging foes this campaign, look for New York to get their payback here today.
Play on: Toronto
VEGAS EXPERTS
Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets
Losers of two straight, Houston is almost in dire straits here as a loss could knock them down to sixth in the conference. However, a win could put them in fourth, meaning that they could host a home playoff series. Portland is red hot right now with four straight double-digit wins and eight covers in nine tries, but they remain just 17-20 SU on the road. The Blazers have lost three straight in Houston and are just 7-19 ATS off 3 straight covers as chalk.
Play on: Houston
James Patrick Sports
Warriors vs. Kings
The Kings are 5-1 ATS in Sunday action and the Warriors are winless their past 6 meetings in Sacramento and 3-7 ATS in Sunday action. Big Game James Patrick's Sunday complimentary selection in NBA action is Sacramento Kings.
JIM FEIST
PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS at HOUSTON ROCKETS
Take: Under
Both teams know how to play tough defense. Houston is on a 9-4 run under the total, and just held the explosive LA Lakers offense to 93 points, in a 93-81 defeat. They held LA to 39% shooting, and now come home, where they play their best defense. Portland is off another dominant game, adding to their string of blowouts, routing the Oklahoma City Thunder 107-72 on Friday night. They've held two of the last three opponents to 66 and 72 points! Look for a defensive battle in Texas, play the Blazers/Rockets under the total.
DAVE COKIN
SAN ANTONIO SPURS VS CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Take:CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
The Cavaliers figure to come to play today as they're home off two straight losses. Cleveland has not lost three straight all season and the last things they want to do is hit a slump just prior to the start of the playoffs. I think it helps that they are playing a good opponent here, as the Spurs will be sure to get the attention of King James and company. Never easy to lay anything of substance to San Antonio, but I like the Cavaliers to get the money today.
Ben Burns
San Antonio Spurs at Cleveland Cavaliers
Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers got blown out last game. That was at Orlando though. They're back home now, where they've gone an outstanding 36-1. That includes a 8-3 ATS (11-0 SU) mark as home favorites in the -6.5 to -9 range. They're also 5-1 SU/ATS on the season, when coming off a double-digit loss. Consider laying the points.
Jeff Benton
I’m on a 7-2 roll with these complimentary selections, including four straight NBA winners after the Magic got it done in Atlanta on Saturday, For Sunday’s free play we’ll stay in the NBA and back the Cavaliers at home against the Spurs.
You gotta think the Cavaliers and LeBron James in particular are going to be extremely fired up coming into this game after an ugly two-game road trip that began with Thursday’s inexplicable eight-point loss to the lowly Wizards as a 10-point favorite, followed up by Friday’s disastrous 116-87 defeat at Orlando – the Cavs’ worst loss of the season and one that LeBron called “embarrassing.”
Now, 48 hours later, Cleveland gets a chance to redeem itself and reestablish itself as the beast of the Eastern Conference, and it gets to do so against a Spurs team that isn’t exactly playing dominating basketball. San Antonio needed a furious finish to top the Pacers 126-121 on Friday, barely covering as a four-point favorite. Still, San Antonio has split its last 12 games, going just 4-8 ATS. Also, going back to a 97-86 home loss to Cleveland on Feb. 27, the Spurs are just 10-9 SU and 8-11 ATS.
That’s not exactly the kind of record you want to take into Cleveland, where the Cavs have lost just once in 37 tries while going 25-12 ATS despite laying some huge numbers.
Bottom line: With their confidence a bit shaken and their swagger staggered after the horrendous performances at Washington and Orlando, the Cavaliers are going to take the floor today more motivated than they’ve been this entire season. And before a national TV audience, I fully expect LeBron to completely take over this game and guide his team – which is still 52-25-1 ATS in its last 78 games after a SU defeat – to a statement-making convincing victory.
4♦ CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Scott Delaney
Today's Selection
Now on a 16-8 run with complimentary releases and tonight we're in the NBA with a winner on the Trail Blazers getting it done over the Rockets.
Portland is in off four blowout wins - over Utah, Memphis, Phoenix and Oklahoma City - and certainly won’t blow another opportunity to gain ground in the Western Conference against a much-weaker foe tonight.
Portland is averaging more than 110 points on better than 50 percent shooting in those four games, and all four were won by at least 20 points.
Portland comes in on ATS streaks of 5-0 on the road, 6-1 off an ATS win and 8-1 overall.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
Matt Rivers
For Sunday take the points with the Suns.
I do understand that this Phoenix team is not very good and does not defend a lick, but today is literally a win or go home type scenario and with Nash, Shaq, Barbosa and some other talented pieces why not grab this number?
Dirk and the Mavs are certainly a quality squad and especially so at home. However, Dallas is not what it used to be at all and with Josh Howard still a little banged up and with his status in doubt, I am truly not that afraid about what is still a soft Mavs club banging down low with a semi rejuvenated Shaq.
It is certainly conceivable that Phoenix will once again forget to defend anybody and lose this game, but if the Suns do their slim chance at the playoffs is no longer there as they would be fully eliminated. Nash is still very capable and the Suns out on the break are as dangerous as anybody.
Should Phoenix win this game in a hostile environment? Probably not, but with its season on the line and a generous amount of points going our way this situation's good enough to take a shot on Phoenix.
Play: Phoenix
Jake Timlin
I like the Hornets minus the small home chalk. Sure the Hornets are struggling a bit this season, but with the Jazz coming to town New Orleans won’t struggle today. Now when New Orleans will enjoy playing a Utah team that has just 1 win against a winning team in their last 17 or so games. Even better news is the fact that Utah is sliding right won having lost their last three games, including an embarrassing home loss to Minnesota last game out. Meanwhile, for New Orleans given the low number mixed in with their 27-11 home record for the Hornets I like the home team’s chances here. Bottom line here is with Utah struggling against good teams and on the road this season there is no way I see them beating the Hornets on Bourbon Street today. With that take New Orleans minus the small home chalk!
PICK: New Orleans Hornets
Tony Weston
Today's Selection
Sure we were just off a little yesterday as North Carolina and Villanova can’t deliver Over the Total, but that’s fine with me, considering what we’ve been doing lately and what we’re going to do today.
We’re still 8-3 our last 11 Comp Plays and are 16-7 our last 23 freebies.
We’re getting back on the winning track as we’re switching gears and coming at it with the first baseball play of the season as we’re taking the defending world champion Philadelphia Phillies at home against the Atlanta Braves.
Whether it’s at the start of the year or mid-season, the Phillies have owned the Braves and have gotten over in 22 of their last 30 meetings against their NL East rival, including wins in 13 of their last 16 meetings.
Consider also that Philly is 9-3 its last 12 against the NL East and is 21-5 its last 26 home games.
Keep in mind, also, that Atlanta has won only 7 of its last 22 road games and has won only 10 of its last 31 games when installed as an underdog.
The Phillies are also 6-2 in Brett Myers last 8 home starts and will win again with Myers on the mound. Take the champs easily in this one tonight.
3♦ PHILLIES
Karl Garrett
San Antonio at CLEVELAND -6'
Saturday winnner on Toronto outright over New York to make it a 10-2 comp play run.
The G-Man is not sure what he witnessed on Friday night, as Cleveland was absolutely hammered at Orlando, losing their second in a row to the Magic.
Back home things should be a tad different as Cleveland does sport an unreal 36-1 straight up mark. Sure, the linesmakers have made covering the big impost a little tough on the Cavs of late, but this line is in line today against the Spurs.
Since sweeping the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals back in 2007, the Spurs have dropped 2 of the 3 most recent series meetings both straight up, and against the spread, including an 86-97 defeat at home in late February.
With the Cavs coming off back-to-back road setbacks, the G-Man feels Cleveland will come out on a mission in this one, and send the Spurs off to Oklahoma City with a resounding loss.
Lay the points with the host in this one.
3♦ CLEVELAND
Drew Gordon
NY Knicks at TORONTO -5'
Now 8-3 run with Free Play releases, including the Magic over the Hawks 88-82 Saturday! We keep it on the pro Hardwood for another free winner Sunday!
It may not count for much this season, but fact of the matter is the Raptors are playing damn good basketball, winners of 6 straight games SUATS! Some may be expecting the Knicks to bounce back here, after the Raptors handed them the 102-95 home loss in the first game of this home-and-home series, but I'm not one of them.
Herein lies the problem for the Knicks, who are playing garbage ball right now, losers of 10 of their last 11 games, including 4 straight. Surprisingly the issue has been on the offensive side, where the Knicks are scoring just 98 ppg over their last 5 games. They've "improved" somewhat defensively, but overall this is still a team that needs to score points to win. Raptors are red-hot on offense, averaging a hearty 112 on 48% shooting over the same 5-game span, and I just don't see the struggling Knicks offense keeping pace.
From a match up standpoint, the Knicks are going to have a hell of time with the surging Andrea Bargnani, who's really begun to blossom towards the end of the season. Coupled with Bosh and Marion, the Raptors can create enough mismatches to drive the Knicks piss-poor defense crazy. Note, that the Knicks held the Raptors to 40% shooting in yesterday's match up, yet still lost by 7 points... Not a good sign as the series shifts to the Air Canada Centre!
Bottom line, two bad teams clash in this one, but only one is playing with any pride, and that's the Raptors. Not only do they benefit from playing at home, but they're also up against a Knicks team which has thrown in the towel for all intents and purposes. In the end, Raptors protect their house and grab the cash Sunday!
Take Toronto over the NY Knicks in this NBA match up.
2♦ TORONTO
Sports Gambling Hotline
Indiana +1' at OKLAHOMA CITY
Currently on a 5-1 comp play run the last 6 days.
Indiana still thinks they have a shot a making the postseason, and after giving San Antonio all the could handle Friday night at Conseco Fieldhouse, we look for the Pacers to take full advantage of an Oklahoma City squad that has hit the wall.
The Thunder have played more like the THUD-der, as Okie City comes into this one having dropped 6 of their last 8 both straight up, and against the spread. It is clear that this young team can't wait for the end of the season.
Not so with the Pacers who have gone a positive 4-2 both straight up, and against the spread over their last 6 games, and are 19-14-1 against the spread this season when playing with a days rest.
Indiana won the first meeting this season 107-99 at home, but failed to cover as the double-digit favorite. Today's price is must more reasonable on the visitors.
Play on the Pacers this Sunday evening.
2♦ INDIANA