Daily Sports Roundup April 22
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Cavaliers look to put a stranglehold on the Bulls, the Yankees close out their series with the Athletics, the Penguins can finish off the Senators, and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans begins.
Tipping off on the hardwood...
Three games are on tonight’s NBA playoff slate: Cleveland at Chicago, Los Angeles at Oklahoma City, and Phoenix at Portland. Cleveland can make a potential trip to the NBA Finals easier on itself when it tips off with Chicago in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series at United Center tonight. The Cavs want to have fresh legs in the East semifinals against the Celtics or Heat, and a win tonight would go a long away towards achieving that goal. That said, don’t expect Chicago to lay down in its biggest game of the season. The Bulls hung around in their 102-92 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 2 on Monday night, as they covered as 10.5-point underdogs at Quicken Loans Arena.
Meeting up on the diamond...
Today’s American League schedule features Cleveland at Minnesota, Texas at Boston, Tampa Bay at Chicago, Detroit at Los Angeles, and New York at Oakland. The Yankees have picked up right where they left off last season, and should be a safe bet today with CC Sabathia (2-0, 2.84 ERA) taking the bump opposite Dallas Braden (2-0, 2.70 ERA). After allowing five runs over 5 1-3 innings on Opening Day against the Red Sox, Sabathia has given up only one run over 13 2-3 innings since, and is looking like the pitcher that led New York to the World Series last year.
Over in the National League, Ubaldo Jimenez (3-0, 1.29 ERA) makes his first start since his no-hitter when Colorado takes on Washington in the finale of their four-game set at Nationals Park today. Jimenez struck out seven and walked six in no-hitting the Braves in the Rockies’ 4-0 win as -125 favorites at Turner Field last Saturday, and he’ll face veteran Livan Hernandez (2-0, 0.00 ERA). For his part, Hernandez tossed a complete-game shutout in the Nationals’ (+140) 8-0 win over the Brewers last time out. Elsewhere in the NL, it’s Milwaukee at Pittsburgh, Philadelphia at Atlanta, Los Angeles at Cincinnati, Chicago at New York, and Florida at Houston.
Taking a trip around the rink...
Tonight’s NHL playoff schedule includes four games: Philadelphia at New Jersey, Chicago at Nashville, Colorado at San Jose, and Ottawa at Pittsburgh. The Penguins can eliminate the Senators with a win tonight at Mellon Arena, and given the way Sidney Crosby is playing, expect it to happen. Crosby had two goals and two assists to lead Pittsburgh (-130) past Ottawa 7-4 in Game 4 on Tuesday night, as the Pens took a 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. With the outburst in Game 4, Crosby leads the postseason scoring race with four goals and 11 points, and has a playoff-leading +7 rating.
Rounding out the roundup...
Finally, the PGA Tour returns today with the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at the TPC Louisiana. Steve Stricker (10/1) is the favorite in New Orleans, and Ian Poulter (12/1), K.J. Choi (18/1), and Charles Howell III (20/1) will challenge him. Choi in particular figures to be in the mix on Sunday after his impressive performance at the Masters, even if he finished well back of the leaders at last week’s Verizon Heritage. Other players to watch this week include Steve Marino (25/1), Stephen Ames (25/1), Sergio Garcia (35/1), Mike Weir (40/1), and defending champion Jerry Kelly (40/1).
Thursday's Wagering Tips
Lines to keep an eye on
Most sportsbooks are offering the Bulls as 3.5-point underdogs against Cleveland after opening at 4.5. These two teams have split the last four meetings in Chicago.
An opening spread of 2 in favor of the Oklahoma City Thunder has been bet up to 3.5. The Thunder have covered in three of the last four against L.A. and are 2-0 ATS versus the Lakers in their last two home games.
The total in the Brewers-Pirates game has dropped a half run from its opener and now stands at 9. Both starting pitchers have ERAs at 4.90 or higher.
Weather report
The forecast calls for a 70 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms in the Tigers-Angels matchup on Wednesday. A light 10 mph wind will be blowing out to left-center field.
There is a 50 percent chance of precipitation for the Rangers-Red Sox game on Tuesday night.
There is a chance of thunderstorms at the PGA’s Zurich Classic but the rain is expected to hold off until the weekend. Saturday could see the most precipitation and wind will be a factor. Thursday’s forecast for New Orleans calls for a high of 80 degrees and wind out of the south from 10-13 mph.
Who’s hot
The Bulls are 4-1 ATS in their last five games.
New York is on fire right now, winning 8-of-10 and five straight going into Wednesday.
The Flyers are 6-2 SU in their last eight games.
Who’s not
Ottawa is 1-5 SU in its last six outings.
The Cubs have dropped four straight (all as the favorite) going into Wednesday, losing 5.64 units on the moneyline during the streak.
The Lakers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games.
Key stat
18 – Number of consecutive games Marlins first baseman Jorge Cantu had hit safely in going into Wednesday. Florida is 3-1 SU this season when Cantu connects for a home run.
Injuries that shouldn’t be overlooked
The Philadelphia Flyers will be without center Jeff Carter and left wing Simon Gagne for Thursday's potential series clincher versus the New Jersey Devils. Both players suffered right foot injuries in the Game 4 win and are listed as day-to-day. Carter registered two goals on Tuesday and Philly will be shorthanded offensively without these two scorers.
Game of the Day
Phoenix Suns at Portland Trail Blazers (-1.5, 204.5)
Notable quotable
"It's almost like you're on a high school schedule or a college schedule playing twice a week. Baseball gets their whole playoffs and World Series done in like three weeks. Us, it takes us the first round to go three weeks."
-- Magic coach Stan Van Gundy complaining about the number of days off between games in the NBA Playoffs. He said he understands the TV impact behind it but says the nights off can throw teams out of rhythm.
Tips and notes
- Despite winning their first two games of the series, the Lakers aren’t playing that well and Phil Jackson knows it. He told Kobe Bryant before Game 2 to either shoot better or shoot less. Bryant responded with 39 points on 12-of-28 shooting. And now the Zen Master is calling out Lamar Odom. The power forward has posted 4 and 7 points in the series’ two games. Jackson said Odom needed to leave “an imprint in the ballgame.” Bettors might find a low Odom point total prop for Thursday’s game.
- Jake Peavy has been a shell of his former self since being traded to the White Sox. In his first home start of the season, Peavy struggled through five innings, giving up three runs on seven hits and putting four batters on base free of charge. The right-hander said afterward, "I'm cold and we've got no hot water in the showers.” Perhaps reading into this too much but maybe Peavy really is affected by the cold weather in Chicago. He pitched in sunny San Diego all of his career but will face temperatures in the upper 40s on Thursday.
- The Zurich Classic held at TPC Louisiana will demand elite putting from its winner as greens are undulated to the max. Another factor this weekend will be iron play so the long-bombers off the tee won’t have much of an edge. The game of Charles Howell III sets up nicely for this course. He is fifth in scoring average this season and second in total birdies. Howell has six Top 25 results this season, finished T2 last year in this tournament and has four Top 10s in seven career Louisiana events. Howell is getting +1850 odds to win the tourney.