Daily Sports Roundup April 13
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Celtics take on the Bulls, while the Yankees play host to the Angels, and the Dodgers get a visit from the D-Backs.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA offers up just four games on Tuesday on the second-last day of its regular season, with Utah at Golden State, Sacramento at the Lakers, Denver at Phoenix, and Boston at Chicago. The Bulls moved into the driver's seat in the race for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference with a 104-88 road win over the Raptors on Sunday night. Joakim Noah picked up 18 points and 19 rebounds for Chicago in that contest, while Derrick Rose poured in 26 points. The Celtics last played on Saturday in Milwaukee, pulling out a 105-90 road win. Boston and Chicago have met three times this year; the Celtics have won twice.
Meeting up on the diamond . . .
On the American League slate for Tuesday it'll be Kansas City at Detroit, Tampa Bay at Baltimore, the White Sox at Toronto, Oakland at Seattle, and the Angels at the Yankees. Los Angeles is scheduled to go with Ervin Santana on the road against the Yankees on Tuesday night; righthander Santana was tagged for the loss by the Twins in his first start of the season, giving up four earned runs on five hits over his six innings of work. The Yankees will counter with Andy Pettitte; lefthander Pettitte picked up a no-decision in his season debut against the Red Sox last week despite surrendering just one earned run over six innings pitched.
As well, there are just four games on the National League schedule for Tuesday, with Cincinnati at Florida, the Mets at Colorado, Pittsburgh at San Francisco, and Arizona at the Dodgers. Ian Kennedy will get the ball for the Diamondbacks in their matinee on Tuesday; righthander Kennedy took a no-decision against the Padres in his first start of the season, allowing three earned runs on six hits over five innings of work while fanning eight. The Dodgers will hand the ball to Clayton Kershaw on Tuesday; lefthander Kershaw was roughed up by the Pirates last week, surrendering three earned runs on five hits over just 4 2-3 innings pitched.
Tuesday's Wagering Tips
Line off the board
Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls – Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce are both questionable for rest. If the Hawks lose on Monday the Celtics will be in position to move into a tie for third place in the Eastern Conference standings.
Lines to keep an eye on
The total in the Kings-Lakers game has dropped one point from its opener and now stands at 198.5. Eight of the last 10 games in this series have gone over the posted total.
The Jazz have moved to 7.5-point favorites against the Warriors after opening at 6.5. Utah has covered in two straight in this series.
The Diamondbacks-Dodgers total has jumped from an opener of 8 up to 8.5.
The opening moneyline for the Angels-Yankees game in New York had the home team favored at -155 but now that number has elevated to as high as -180 on some boards.
Weather report
There is a 30 percent chance of rain for the Royals-Tigers day game on Tuesday and wind is expected to blow in from left field at 13 mph.
There could be a plethora of runs scored in the Mets-Rockies game with wind projected to blow out to right field at 24 mph.
The forecast for the Reds-Marlins game calls for a 40 percent chance of rain and wind blowing in from left-center at 20 mph.
Who’s hot
The Giants are 5-1 this season, earning 4.19 units on the moneyline.
Golden State is 6-4 SU and ATS in its last 10 outings, winning four of those games as underdogs.
Who’s not
Los Angeles is 4-6 SU and ATS in its last 10 games.
The White Sox are 2-4 on the season, dropping 2.89 units on the moneyline.
Key stat
8-0 – Celtics record against the Bulls when Kevin Garnett plays.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
On Monday, the Orioles placed starting second baseman Brian Roberts on the 15-day DL. Roberts strained his abdominal muscle attempting to steal a base last Friday. Roberts is a two-time All-Star but was only batting .143 through four games this season, he hit .283 with 79 RBIs last year. Julio Lugo has started in place of Roberts and Baltimore has scored two runs in two losses without him. Justin Turner was recalled from Triple-A to take Roberts’ roster spot.
Game of the Day
Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics
Notable quotable
"The refs are like cops, and I'm on the Most Wanted list. My picture is in every cop station around the league. For every tech (they give me), they get a gold star. Five stars, and they get promoted.''
-- Magic center Dwight Howard said. Howard is one technical shy of receiving the league mandated one-game suspension and Orlando hopes it doesn’t come in the playoffs.
Tips and notes
- While the Bulls have to win in order to maintain their lead over Toronto for the final playoff spot, the Celtics aren’t going to lay down on Tuesday. Boston is in a tight race with the Hawks for the third spot in the Eastern Conference so it needs this win as well. Paul Pierce said after Sunday’s game that the Celts “have to get some momentum going as we head into the playoffs.”
- Even after getting Don Nelson the coaching wins record, the Warriors haven’t given up on the season. Golden State defeated the Thunder on Sunday night after trailing by 20 points in the first half. The Warriors rarely give up in contests, having won five games after being down by 18 or more and 13 down by double digits. Keith Smart, who handled the coaching duties in the OKC game, said the team “went small” which allowed them to open up the floor. The Jazz could be in for a run and gun, close game on Tuesday.
- After the Nuggets dropped five of six on March 29, Chauncey Billups said he hadn’t “been doing a good enough job of leading the team in game situations and even out of game situations” and needed to recommit himself in that role. Since Billups admitted “he had to do more”, Denver has gone 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS including wins over the Thunder, Lakers and Trail Blazers. Mr. Big Shot averaged 20.6 ppg in those five games.