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Magic-Celtics Lines Preview

The Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics will both be trying to pick up a win on Monday when they battle at TD Banknorth Garden in the opening game of their second-round playoff series.
Oddsmakers currently have the Celtics listed as 3-point favorites versus the Magic, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Magic scored 60 points in the first half and went on to eliminate the 76ers from the postseason with a 114-89 victory in Game 6 in the first round last time out.
The Magic won that game as 6-point underdogs, and the combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 187.
Rashard Lewis led the Magic with 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Rafer Alston added 19 points and nine rebounds in the win.
The Celtics held the Bulls to just 11 points in the second quarter and managed to pull out a hard-fought 109-99 victory in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series last time out.
The Celtics managed to cover the 5.5-point spread, while the combined score made it OVER the posted total of 196.
Ray Allen led the Celtics with 20 points and seven rebounds, while Paul Pierce had 20 points to go with nine rebounds in the series-clinching win.
Team records:
Orlando: 59-23 SU, 49-32-1 ATS
Boston: 62-20 SU, 43-39 ATS
Orlando most recently:
When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing Boston are 8-2
After playing Philadelphia are 8-2
After a win are 5-5

Boston most recently:
When playing on Monday are 6-4
Before playing Orlando are 9-1
After playing Chicago are 7-3
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando’s last 5 games
Orlando is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando’s last 5 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Orlando’s last 11 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston’s last 5 games at home
Boston is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Boston’s last 9 games
Boston is 17-4 ATS in its last 21 games when playing at home against Orlando
Next up:
Orlando at Boston, Wednesday, May 6
Boston home to Orlando, Wednesday, May 6

 

Sports Handicappers Win With Celtics Over Bulls, Focus on Hawks-Heat

Today in the Daily Sports Betting Roundup: The Nuggets and Mavericks launch the second round of the NBA playoffs, and the Red Sox and Rays battle in Tampa.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

The second round of the NBA playoffs begins on Sunday afternoon, with the Mavericks on the road to take on the Nuggets in Denver. Dallas beat San Antonio 106-93 in their series clincher on Tuesday night, with Dirk Nowitzki scoring 31 points in that contest. Denver bounced New Orleans with a 107-86 victory on Wednesday night, with Carmelo Anthony leading the way with 34 points. The oddsmakers opened the Nuggets as 5-point home favorites for Game 1 on Sunday, with that line quickly moving to 5.5 points. The total is 206.5 points.

As well, the first round of the postseason will conclude on Sunday, with the Hawks hosting the Heat in Atlanta in a deciding seventh game. Miami forced a Sunday meeting by taking Game 6 98-72 at home on Friday night. Dwyane Wade was good for 41 points in that victory, while Jermaine O’Neal sat out with a mild concussion. Mike Bibby tossed in 20 points in a losing cause for the Hawks.

 

Sunday sports picks…

European bettors are collecting on Barcelona-Chelsea Champions League results and betting the Jurgen Klinsmann props. American bettors cleaned up at the sportsbooks with Pacquiao beating Hatton and the Kentucky Derby 2009 upset.

But as President Obama said, “Let’s look to the future, not the past.” The difference is The Great One Stevie Vincent actually means it.

Stevie is 25-10 in pro basketball as the winning does not stop. You do not know what Stevie knows. He hit with Chicago over as his only pro basketball pick. Stevie hit his only previous Level 5 in pro baseball and is 3-1 with Level 4 and 5 plays.

Just his second Level 5 of the pro baseball season, plus get the Miami/Atlanta over/under Level 5 as well. Click now to purchase his entire card for just $40 USD.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

Brad Penny will take his 2-0 record but ugly 8.66 ERA to the mound on Sunday afternoon when his Red Sox complete their road series in Tampa Bay. The righthander was pounded for seven runs (four earned) in just 2 2-3 innings in a start against the Indians on Tuesday, but he escaped with a no-decision. The Rays will counter with James Shields, who is 2-2 with a 3.74 ERA in five outings.

The Yankees will host the Angels again on Sunday afternoon, while Cleveland is in Detroit. As well, it’ll be Baltimore at Toronto, Kansas City at Minnesota, and Oakland at Seattle, with the Rangers hosting the White Sox in the primetime matchup. John Danks (2-1. 2.74 ERA) is slated to get the ball for Chicago in that 8:05pm ET contest, while Matt Harrison (1-2, 7.89 ERA) will pitch for the Rangers.

Over in the National League on Sunday the Dodgers will send Chad Billingsley to the mound at home against the Padres; righthander Billingsley is 4-0 with a sparkling 2.14 ERA on the season. Elsewhere it’s Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, the Mets at Philadelphia, St. Louis at Washington, Houston at Atlanta, Arizona at Milwaukee, Florida at the Cubs, and Colorado at San Francisco to finish the slate.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

There are two Game 2’s on the National Hockey League playoff schedule for Sunday, with Anaheim at Detroit and Carolina at Boston. The defending-champion Red Wings got a late goal from Nicklas Lidstrom in Game 1 on Friday night in a 3-2 win over the Ducks. Lidstrom tallied twice in that contest, and Johan Franzen had the other Detroit goal. Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne had the goals for Anaheim, while Jonas Hiller stopped 34 of the 37 Red Wings shots.

The Bruins had no trouble taking a 1-0 lead in their second-round series on Friday night, rolling to a 4-1 win over the Hurricanes. Boston got two goals from Marc Savard and singles from David Krejci and Michael Ryder in the victory, while Tim Thomas made 26 saves. Jussi Jokinen had the lone Hurricanes goal late in the first period, while Cam Ward was victimized for four goals on 24 shots.

Sports headlines…

Manny Pacqiao knocked out Ricky Hatton in the second round…The Boston Celtics knocked out the Chicago Bulls in seven games, another GodsTips Wise Guy winner…50-1 long shot Mine the Bird beat the odds to win the Kentucky Derby…Hall-of-Game QB Jack Kemp is dead at age 73…Kyle Busch sweeps Richmond, his car sparkling like it just came out of the Surf City Garage…Several long distance races are going on around the country including the Flying Pig Marathon, Pittsburgh Marathon, Broad Street Run, and the NYC Bike Tour.

White Sox-Rangers Odds Preview

The Chicago White Sox and the Texas Rangers will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Rangers Ballpark.
The White Sox will give the ball to starter John Danks in this one. Lefthander Danks is 2-1 this season with a 2.74 ERA.
Danks’s opponent in this one will be Matt Harrison. The Rangers lefthander has a 7.89 ERA to go along with a 1-2 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the White Sox listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Rangers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Rangers got up by eight runs and held on for a 9-6 victory over the White Sox on Saturday, as -135 favorites. That game’s 15 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (11.5).
Hank Blalock belted a three-run homer and drove in four runs to lead the Rangers. Brandon McCarthy allowed three hits and one run over five innings in the win.
A.J. Pierzynski smacked a grand slam for the White Sox, who were +115 underdogs in that game. Jose Contreras gave up seven runs off seven hits in 3 1-3 innings of work in the loss.
Team records:
Chicago: 12-11 SU
Texas: 11-12 SU
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Kansas City are 5-5
After playing Texas are 5-5
After a loss are 7-3

Texas most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Seattle are 6-4
After playing Chi White Sox are 5-5
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Chi White Sox are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against Texas
Texas is 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox
Next up:
Chi White Sox at Kansas City, Monday, May 4
Texas at Seattle, Monday, May 4

 

Marlins-Cubs Odds Preview

The Florida Marlins and the Chicago Cubs will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Wrigley Field.
The Marlins will give the ball to ace starter Ricky Nolasco in this one. Righthander Nolasco is 1-2 this season with a 6.58 ERA.
It’ll be ace Carlos Zambrano toeing the rubber for the Cubs in this contest. Righthander Zambrano is 2-1 with a 4.64 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 172-moneyline favorites versus the Marlins, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Cubs starter Ted Lilly went eight solid innings, giving the Cubs a 6-1 win over the Marlins at Wrigley Field Saturday.
Lilly pitched eight innings, allowing one run on five hits and striking out 10 batters. Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee hit his second home run of the season while shortstop Ryan Theriot also hit a home run and had two RBI on the day.
Marlins outfielder Cody Ross scored Florida’s lone run on a solo home run in the fifth inning. Stater Anibal Sanchez went just four innings after allowing six runs on nine hits.
Chicago won as a -130 home favorite while the final score played under the 10-run total.
Current streak:
Florida has lost 2 straight games.
Chicago has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Florida: 14-10
SU
Chicago
: 12-11 SU
Florida most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 3-7
Before playing Cincinnati are 3-7
After playing Chi Cubs are 6-4
After a loss are 3-7

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing San Francisco are 6-4
After playing Florida are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Florida is 14-6 SU in their last 20 games when playing Chi Cubs
Florida is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Florida is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing Chi Cubs
Florida is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games
Chi Cubs are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing Florida
Chi Cubs are 6-14 SU in their last 20 games when playing Florida
Next up:
Florida home to Cincinnati, Monday, May 4
Chi Cubs home to San Francisco, Monday, May 4

 

Red Sox-Rays Odds Preview

The division rival Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays are set to renew hostilities on Sunday when they meet at Tropicana Field.
The Red Sox will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Brad Penny in this game. Penny has a 2-0 record and a 8.66 ERA this season.
Penny‘s opponent in this one will be James Shields. The Rays righthander has a 3.74 ERA to go along with a 2-2 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rays listed as 150-moneyline favorites versus the Red Sox, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Red Sox snapped a two-game losing skid to the Rays with a 10-6 win on Saturday, as -120 favorites. That game’s 16 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (9).
Kevin Youkilis and Nick Green drove in three runs apiece to lead the way for the Red Sox. Tim Wakefield gave up five runs over five innings in getting the victory.
Evan Longoria and Carlos Pena drove in two runs each for the Rays, who were +100 underdogs. Jeff Niemann surrendered six runs over three innings in the loss.
Team records:
Boston: 15-9 SU
Tampa Bay: 10-15 SU
Boston most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 9-1
Before playing NY Yankees are 7-3
After playing Tampa Bay are 3-7
After a win are 8-2

Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Baltimore are 7-3
After playing Boston are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Boston is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games
Boston is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Boston
Tampa Bay is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against Boston
Tampa Bay is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games at home
Tampa Bay is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games
Next up:
Boston at NY Yankees, Monday, May 4
Tampa Bay home to Baltimore, Monday, May 4

 

Angels-Yankees Lines Preview

The Los Angeles Angels and the New York Yankees will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Yankee Stadium.
Joe Saunders will be the starting pitcher for the Angels on this day. Lefthander Saunders is 3-1 this season with a 3.41 ERA.
Starting this game for the Yankees will be Philip Hughes. The righthander has a 0.00 ERA to go along with a 1-0 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Yankees listed as 153-moneyline favorites versus the Angels, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Angels weathered a ninth-inning storm from the Yankees to win 8-4 at Yankee Stadium Saturday.
The Angels bullpen allowed three runs in the final frame but saved a stellar effort from starter Matt Palmer, who went over six innings and allowed just one run on three hits. First baseman Kendry Morales went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
Jorge Posada hit a two-run home run in the ninth as a pinch hitter. Yankees starter C.C. Sabathia gave up four runs on eight hits in just under seven innings on the mound.
Los Angeles won as a +241 road underdog while the final score played over the 10.5-run total.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 10-13 SU
New York: 13-11 SU
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Oakland are 5-5
After playing NY Yankees are 7-3
After a win are 2-8

New York most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 7-3
Before playing Boston are 5-5
After playing LA Angels are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
LA Angels are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games
LA Angels are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing NY Yankees
LA Angels are 4-8 SU in their last 12 games on the road
LA Angels are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees
NY Yankees are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home
NY Yankees are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games
NY Yankees are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Angels
NY Yankees are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games when playing LA Angels
Next up:
LA Angels at Oakland, Monday, May 4
NY Yankees home to Boston, Monday, May 4

 

Mavericks-Nuggets Odds Preview

The Dallas Mavericks and the Denver Nuggets will both be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Pepsi Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Nuggets listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Mavericks, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Dirk Nowitzki went for 31 points and nine rebounds to lead the Mavericks past the Spurs 106-93 to win their series 4-1 on Tuesday night.
Dallas cashed as 5-point road underdogs as the game played over the 188.5-point total listed by oddsmakers.
The Nuggets clinched their first-round playoff series with a convincing 107-86 win over the Hornets last time out. The Nuggets covered the 10.5-point spread, while the combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 197.5.
Carmelo Anthony shot 13-for-25 from the field with 34 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Team records:
Dallas: 50-32 SU, 40-42 ATS
Denver: 54-28 SU, 45-36-1 ATS
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Denver are 8-2
After playing San Antonio are 7-3
After a win are 7-3

Denver most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Dallas are 5-5
After playing New Orleans are 8-2
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Dallas is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Dallas is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Dallas’s last 20 games when playing Denver
Dallas is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games on the road
Denver is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
Denver is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Dallas
Next up:
Dallas at Denver, Tuesday, May 5
Denver home to Dallas, Tuesday, May 5

 

Heat-Hawks Lines Preview

The division rival Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks are set to renew hostilities on Sunday when they meet at Philips Arena.
Oddsmakers currently have the Hawks listed as 5-point favorites versus the Heat, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Heat dominated the first half and went on to defeat the Hawks 98-72 last time out and forced a Game 7 in their first-round playoff series. The Heat covered their 5-point spread, while the combined score went UNDER the posted total of 182.5.
Dwyane Wade led the way with a game-high 41 points, and Michael Beasley added 22 in the win.
Mike Bibby scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Hawks.
Team records:
Miami: 43-39 SU, 41-40-1 ATS
Atlanta: 47-35 SU, 43-37-2 ATS
Miami most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
After playing Atlanta are 6-4
After a win are 3-7

Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
After playing Miami are 3-7
After a loss are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Miami’s last 10 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami’s last 7 games on the road
Miami is 16-8 ATS in its last 24 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami’s last 6 games
Atlanta is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Miami
Atlanta is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Atlanta’s last 10 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta’s last 8 games

 

I Want Revenge Scratched Means A Long Shot Will Win!

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Celtics play host to the Bulls, the Sprint Cup Series races at Richmond, and I Want Revenge guns for glory at the Derby.

Run For the Roses…

Bombshell, I Want Revenge has been pulled from the Kentucky Derby and the odds are now tight to win. The Kentucky Derby post time is 6:04 EST. For those who miss out on the Mass Mega Millions, the Ohio lottery or the Michigan lottery, you have a realistic chance to make money now thanks to I Want Revenge being scratched!

The 2009 Kentucky Derby morning line has Friesan Fire now the favorite at +250. General Quarters, Dunkirk, and Pioneer of the Nile are literally neck and neck at +500.

Grandmaster sports handicapper Joe Duffy says that a long shot was going tol show at the 2009 Kentucky Derby, but with the scratch, this horse will now win. He has the top four finishers at OffshoreInsiders.com, plus the Bulls-Celtics side and tons of MLB all for $17. Click now to purchase


Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

Having staved off elimination in triple overtime in Game 6 on Thursday night the Bulls will try to complete the series upset on the road in Boston on Saturday night when they take on the Celtics in a winner-takes-all Game 7. John Salmons had a team-high 35 points for the Bulls on Thursday, while Derrick Rose was good for 28 points and seven assists. Ray Allen poured in 51 points in the 128-127 Boston loss, and Paul Pierce tossed in 22 points for the Celtics. Boston opened as a 6-point home favorite for Saturday’s matchup, with the total pegged at 195 points.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

CC Sabathia returns to the hill for the Yankees on Saturday afternoon looking to square off his record at 2-2. The big lefthander fell to 1-2 last time out, allowing four earned runs on six hits over eight innings in a loss to the Tigers. Sabathia’s opponent on Saturday afternoon will be the Angels and starter Matt Palmer. The righthander won his only start of the season, beating the Tigers back on April 23.

Elsewhere on the American League schedule for Saturday it’s Baltimore at Toronto, Cleveland at Detroit, Boston at Tampa Bay, Kansas City at Minnesota, the White Sox at Texas, and Oakland at Seattle. The M’s will go with Jarrod Washburn on Saturday; he’s 3-1 with a 3.42 ERA in four outings on the season.

Over in the National League the Mets and Phillies will continue their series in Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon, with Oliver Perez (1-2, 9.31 ERA) meeting Jamie Moyer (3-1, 5.09 ERA). As well, it’ll be St. Louis at Washington, Florida at the Cubs, Houston at Atlanta, Colorado at San Francisco, Arizona at Milwaukee, and Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, with San Diego at the Dodgers to complete the night.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

It’s Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin vs. Alexander Ovechkin on Saturday afternoon as the Penguins and Capitals begin their second-round series in Washington. The Penguins dispatched state rival Philadelphia in six games in the first round, while the Capitals came back to bounce the Rangers in seven games in their opening-round set. Ovechkin has three goals and seven points in seven playoff games, while Crosby and Malkin have a combined 17 points in six games.

The other game on the National Hockey League schedule for Saturday is a Game 2 matchup between the Hawks and Canucks in Vancouver. The Canucks took a 3-0 lead in Game 1 on Thursday night, but needed goals late in the third period from Sami Salo and Ryan Johnson to get the 5-3 win. Patrick Kane had two goals for the Hawks in the failed comeback, while Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 22 of 26 Vancouver shots. Roberto Luongo made 28 saves in nets for Vancouver.

Rounding out the Roundup . . .

Horse racing gets the spotlight treatment on Saturday as the Kentucky Derby, the first jewel of the Triple Crown, is contested at Churchill Downs. I Want Revenge was pegged as the 3/1 morning line favorite in the No. 13 gate, with Dunkirk (No. 15 gate) and Pioneerof the Nile (No. 16 gate) both listed at 4/1 odds, and Friesan Fire (No. 6 gate) just back of them at 5/1 odds. The rest of the 20-horse field was pegged at 15/1 odds or higher. Post time for the 135th Derby will be 6:04pm ET.

As well, the Sprint Cup Series will race under the lights at Richmond International Raceway on Saturday night in the Russ Friedman 400. Jimmie Johnson has taken the checkered flag in three of the past four races at Richmond, but he’s just the second favorite at 5/1 odds to get the win on Saturday. Kyle Busch tops the odds list at 4/1 heading into the weekend, with Denny Hamlin at 6/1, Tony Stewart at 7/1, and Jeff Gordon at 8/1. Defending champion Clint Bowyer is 18/1.

Padres-Dodgers Odds Preview

The San Diego Padres will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Saturday when they take on the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
The Padres will give the ball to starter Chris Young in this one. Righthander Young is 2-1 this season with a 5.74 ERA.
The Dodgers will counter Young with Randy Wolf. Lefthander Wolf has a 4.31 ERA to go along with a 1-1 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Dodgers listed as 165-moneyline favorites versus the Padres, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Russell Martin drove in the only run of the ballgame on Friday, as the Dodgers got past the Padres 1-0. The Dodgers won the game as -140 favorites, while the team’s played UNDER the posted over/under (8).
Jonathan Broxton tossed the ninth and came out with the victory.
Duaner Sanchez allowed the winning run on the mound for the Padres, who were +120 underdogs.
Current streak:
San Diego has lost 3 straight games.
Los Angeles has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
San Diego: 11-12 SU
Los Angeles: 16-8 SU
San Diego most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing LA Dodgers are 3-7
After playing LA Dodgers are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6

Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
Before playing San Diego are 6-4
After playing San Diego are 5-5
After a win are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
San Diego is 4-11 SU in their last 15 games when playing LA Dodgers
San Diego is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
San Diego is 1-7 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers
San Diego is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
LA Dodgers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home
LA Dodgers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against San Diego
LA Dodgers are 14-5 SU in their last 19 games
LA Dodgers are 11-4 SU in their last 15 games when playing San Diego
Next up:
LA Dodgers home to San Diego, Sunday, May 3