Sunday’s Betting Tips
By Covers.com
Who’s hot
NBA: Denver is riding a 4-0 run against the number.
NBA: San Antonio is 20-5-1 against the spread in its last 26 home games.
NHL: New Jersey has won 10 of its last 13.
NHL: Nashville has won seven of its last nine.
MLB: Pittsburgh is 12-4 in Kevin Correia’s last 16 road starts.
Who’s not
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers are 3-11 against the spread in their last 14 home games.
NBA: The over is 5-14 in Memphis’ last 19 overall.
NHL: Philadelphia is 1-4 in its last five games as a favorite.
NHL: The over is 2-5-2 in Phoenix’s last nine home games.
MLB: Houston is 6-17 in its last 23 games in Cincinnati.
Key stat
1 – The Phoenix Coyotes managed just one shot on goal during the third period of Game 1’s 4-3 overtime win over Nashville. The Predators fired 16 shots during that frame at Mike Smith and outshot the Coyotes 42-24 in the game. Phoenix opened as a +100 home underdog in Game 2.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Ray Allen, Boston Celtics - Allen is traveling with the team to Atlanta for the start of their first round playoff series, but it is unclear if he will play in Game 1 on Sunday against the Hawks. Allen has not played for the past two weeks because of a sore ankle. Allen told ESPN.com that he is still day-to-day, but Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he is doubtful that Allen will play on Sunday. "Honestly, I don't think he'll play, but we'll find that out," Rivers said. "He can play, so I'm not saying he's not, and it would be very nice if he does, but he's just not moving well and we'll just find out."
Game of the day
Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Lakers (-4.5, 201.5)
Notable quotable
"Mentally and physically, we're tired. There's no doubt about that. But that's playoff hockey. We played through a lot of adversity in the first round and we pulled it off. We're happy to move on. To win the first round when you haven't been in the playoffs the year before and have been struggling to get out of the first round, it feels good for a day. Then we have to face the Flyers." – New Jersey Devils veteran goaltender Martin Brodeur about the quick turnaround after beating the Florida Panthers in seven games. New Jersey opens its Round 2 series at 3 p.m. ET Sunday at Philadelphia.
Notes and tips
The Houston Astros recalled right-hander Jordan Lyles from Class AAA Oklahoma City on Saturday and will start him on Sunday at the Cincinnati Reds, the club announced. Lyles is 4-0 with a 3.46 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 26 innings for Oklahoma City this season. The Astros placed right-hander Kyle Weiland on the 15-day disabled list on Friday with a sore right shoulder.
Dallas Maverick guard Delonte West might miss Saturday night's playoff opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to an illness. Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle told ESPN Dallas that West had a stomach illness and was vomiting on Friday night. If West is unable to play, he would most likely be replaced in the starting lineup by Vince Carter. West averaged 9.6 points and 3.2 assists in 44 regular season games.
The Philadelphia Phillies moved Jimmy Rollins back to the leadoff spot for Saturday’s game, hoping to give him a spark. The 33-year-old shortstop batted third in all of his other starts this year but was hitting only .216.
Rookie Iman Shumpert of the New York Knicks was carried off the court after suffering a left knee injury in the third quarter of the Knicks' game against the Miami Heat on Saturday. Shumpert was taken to a Miami hospital and was to undergo tests, and a team spokesman told ESPN.com it "didn't look good." Some reports indicate he may have suffered a torn ACL. Shumpert was injured while trying to make a behind-the-back dribble. He clutched his knee and fell to the ground.