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Hawks-Heat Lines Preview

The division rival Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat are set to renew hostilities on Monday when they meet at AmericanAirlines Arena in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series.
Oddsmakers currently have the Heat listed as 5-point favorites versus the Hawks, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Dwyane Wade dropped a game-high 29 points to go with seven rebounds and eight assists to help the Heat defeat the Hawks 107-78 and take a 2-1 series lead with the Game 3 victory on Saturday.
The Heat covered the 4-point spread, but the 185 points went UNDER the posted total of 187.
Jermaine O’Neal chipped in with a double-double, netting 22 points with 10 rebounds for the Heat.
Al Horford shot 5-for-10 from the field with 13 points and seven rebounds for the Hawks.
Team records:
Atlanta: 47-35 SU, 43-37-2 ATS
Miami: 43-39 SU, 41-40-1 ATS
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Miami are 3-7
After playing Miami are 3-7
After a loss are 5-5

Miami most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Atlanta are 7-3
After playing Atlanta are 6-4
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta’s last 7 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta’s last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta’s last 9 games on the road
Miami is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Miami’s last 7 games when playing Atlanta
Miami is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Miami is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games at home
Next up:
Atlanta home to Miami, Wednesday, April 29
Miami at Atlanta, Wednesday, April 29

 

Saturday’s Betting Card and Sports Picks

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Jazz get another visit from the Lakers, the Yankees battle the rival Red Sox, and the Ducks try to swim past the Sharks.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

The Jazz will be looking to tie up their series with the mighty Lakers on Saturday night when those teams play Game 4 of their best-of-seven set in Utah. Carlos Boozer picked up 23 points and 22 rebounds on Thursday night as the Jazz pulled out an 88-86 home win to cut their deficit to 2-1. Kobe Bryant had just 18 points in the defeat. Los Angeles is a 4-point favorite for the Game 4 matchup.

The other three games on the NBA schedule for Saturday are Denver at New Orleans, Atlanta at Miami, and San Antonio at Dallas. The Hornets are favored by 4.5 points at home in their matchup, but they trail the Nuggets 2-0 in the series. The Hawks and Heat are all tied up at one game apiece, with Miami a 4-point favorite on Saturday. Dallas holds a 2-1 advantage in their best-of-seven series with San Antonio, and they’re 3.5-point favorites in their Saturday matinee.

Sports picks…

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Meeting up on the diamond . . .

The Yankees/BoSox series continues at Fenway Park on Saturday afternoon with New York‘s A.J. Burnett taking on Boston‘s Josh Beckett. Righthander Burnett is 2-0 with a 3.20 ERA on the season, and he took a no-decision versus the Indians last time out. Righthander Beckett is 2-1 with a 3.79 ERA on the year; he gave up three earned runs in six innings in a victory over the O’s last time out.

Baltimore will host Texas again on Saturday, while it’ll be Tampa Bay at Oakland, Toronto at the White Sox, Detroit at Kansas City, Seattle at the Angels, and Minnesota at Cleveland. Indians starter Carl Pavano had his first effective outing of the season last time out, giving up one run in six innings against the Yankees.

Over in the National League on Saturday it’ll be Atlanta at Cincinnati, Washington at the Mets, the Cubs at St. Louis, Milwaukee at Houston, Philadelphia at Florida, the Dodgers at Colorado, Pittsburgh at San Diego, and San Francisco at Arizona. The Giants will send Randy Johnson up against his old team once again; the lefthander held the D-Backs scoreless over seven innings in a victory on Sunday.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

The top-seeded Sharks could be playing their last game of the season on Saturday night as they host the Ducks in one of three matchups on the NHL postseason slate. Anaheim cruised to a 4-0 win in Game 4 of this series on Thursday, getting two goals from rookie Bobby Ryan and a shutout from Jonas Hiller. Joe Thornton was -3 for the Sharks, who now trail the Ducks 3-1 in the set.

The Penguins can also close out their first-round set on Saturday, but they failed in their first attempt in Game 5 on Thursday when they fell 3-0 to the Flyers. Martin Biron was the contest’s first star with 28 saves in that victory; Philly hosts Game 6 on Saturday afternoon. The other game on the ice on Saturday is Game 5 between the Flames and Hawks in Chicago, with that set tied up at two apiece.

 

Rays-Athletics Odds Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays and the Oakland Athletics will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Oakland Coliseum.
The Rays will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Matt Garza in this game. Garza has a 1-1 record and a 4.58 ERA this season.
Garza‘s opponent in this one will be Dallas Braden. The Athletics lefthander has a 2.79 ERA to go along with a 1-2 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rays listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Athletics, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Carlos Pena belted two home runs in leading the Rays to a 8-2 win over the A’s in the opener of a three-game series, as -130 favorites. That game’s 10 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8).
Pena went 2-for-5 at the plate with four RBIs for the Rays. Scott Kazmir went six innings on the mound for the win, allowing just two hits in collecting his third victory.
Jack Hanrahan homered in a losing effort for the A’s, who were +110 underdogs. Trevor Cahill gave up eight hits and seven runs in under three innings in the loss.
Current streak:
Oakland has lost 5 straight games.
Team records:
Tampa Bay: 7-10 SU
Oakland: 5-10 SU
Tampa Bay most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Oakland are 5-5
After playing Oakland are 6-4
After a win are 3-7

Oakland most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Tampa Bay are 2-8
After playing Tampa Bay are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oakland
Tampa Bay is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Tampa Bay is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
Oakland is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home
Oakland is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay
Oakland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Oakland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Next up:
Oakland home to Tampa Bay, Sunday, April 26

 

Braves-Reds Lines Preview

The Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Great American Ball Park.
Ace Derek Lowe will be the starting pitcher for the Braves on this day. Righthander Lowe is 1-1 this season with a 3.27 ERA.
The Reds will counter Lowe with Bronson Arroyo. Righthander Arroyo has a 4.19 ERA to go along with a 3-0 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Braves listed as 135-moneyline favorites versus the Reds, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Braves made good use of their opportunities on Friday, as they defeated the Reds 4-3. The Braves won the game at EVEN odds while the seven runs fell UNDER the posted over/under (8.5).
Jeff Francoeur homered for the Braves, and Javier Vazquez threw six innings for the win.
Joey Votto had two hits and drove in one run for the Reds, wo were -120 favorites in that game. Edinson Volquez surrendered three runs over five innings in the loss.
Current streak:
Atlanta has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Atlanta: 8-8 SU
Cincinnati: 9-7 SU
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Cincinnati are 5-5
After playing Cincinnati are 5-5
After a win are 5-5

Cincinnati most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Atlanta are 5-5
After playing Atlanta are 7-3
After a loss are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Atlanta is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
Atlanta is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
Cincinnati is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Cincinnati is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Cincinnati is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
Next up:
Cincinnati home to Atlanta, Sunday, April 26

 

Nationals-Mets Odds Preview

The fans at Citi Field will be treated to a game between the Washington Nationals and the New York Mets when they take their seats on Saturday.
The Nationals will give the ball to starter Daniel Cabrera in this one. Righthander Cabrera is 0-1 this season with a 4.50 ERA.
Starting this game for the Mets will be Michael Pelfrey. The righthander has a 8.10 ERA to go along with a 1-0 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Mets listed as 200-moneyline favorites versus the Nationals, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Mets snapped a four-game losing skid with a 4-3 win over the Nationals on Friday, as -300 favorites. That game’s seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (8).
Luis Castillo had two hits and drove in one run, while scoring another for the Mets. Johan Santana whiffed 10 batters over six innings for the victory.
Jesus Flores smacked a two-run homer in a losing effort for the Nationals, who were +250 underdogs in that game. Scott Olsen gave up nine hits and three runs in the loss.
Current streak:
Washington has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Washington: 3-12 SU
New York: 7-9 SU
Washington most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing NY Mets are 3-7
After playing NY Mets are 1-9
After a loss are 2-8

New York most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Washington are 5-5
After playing Washington are 8-2
After a win are 2-8

A few trends to consider:
Washington is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing on the road against NY Mets
Washington is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing NY Mets
Washington is 3-16 SU in its last 19 games
Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
NY Mets are 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing Washington
NY Mets are 7-3 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Washington
NY Mets are 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home
NY Mets are 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Next up:
NY Mets home to Washington, Sunday, April 26

 

Lakers-Jazz Lines Preview

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at EnergySolutions Arena.
Oddsmakers currently have the Lakers listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Jazz, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Jazz got themselves back into their first-round playoff series by defeating the Lakers 88-86 Thursday night, and now trail the best-of-seven series 2-1. That game’s combined 174 points went UNDER the posted total of 214.
Carlos Boozer led the way with 23 points and 22 rebounds for a double-double for the Jazz.
Lamar Odom netted 21 points with 14 rebounds to complete a double-double for the Lakers.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 65-17 SU, 42-39-1 ATS
Utah: 48-34 SU, 39-43 ATS
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Utah are 8-2
After playing Utah are 7-3
After a loss are 8-2

Utah most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing LA Lakers are 4-6
After playing LA Lakers are 5-5
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 8 of the LA Lakers last 9 games when playing Utah
LA Lakers are 9-2 SU in their last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the LA Lakers last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of the LA Lakers last 8 games
Utah is 17-2 SU in its last 19 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Utah’s last 9 games when playing LA Lakers
Utah is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Utah’s last 14 games at home
Next up:
LA Lakers home to Utah, Monday, April 27
Utah at LA Lakers, Monday, April 27

 

Hawks-Heat Odds Preview

Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Saturday when the Atlanta Hawks and the Miami Heat meet at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Oddsmakers currently have the Heat listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Hawks, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Heat rebounded from a Game 1 loss and defeated the Hawks 108-83 and evened the first-round playoff series on Wednesday, as 5.5-point underdogs. That game’s 181 points went UNDER the posted total of 184.
Dwyane Wade tossed in a game-high 33 points to go with five rebounds and seven assists for the Heat.
Josh Smith netted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Hawks.
Team records:
Atlanta: 47-35 SU, 43-37-2 ATS
Miami: 43-39 SU, 41-40-1 ATS
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 1-9
Before playing Miami are 3-7
After playing Miami are 3-7
After a loss are 6-4

Miami most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Atlanta are 7-3
After playing Atlanta are 5-5
After a win are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta’s last 6 games when playing Miami
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta’s last 8 games on the road
Atlanta is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Miami
Miami is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami’s last 6 games when playing Atlanta
Miami is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games at home
Miami is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Next up:
Atlanta at Miami, Monday, April 27
Miami home to Atlanta, Monday, April 27

 

Spurs-Magic Odds Preview

The San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks will meet on the court at American Airlines Center on Saturday in a battle of division rivals.
Oddsmakers currently have the Mavericks listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Spurs, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Mavericks got out to an early lead and never looked back as they crushed the Spurs 88-67 on Thursday, as 5-point underdogs. That game’s 155 points went UNDER the posted total of 191.
Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks with 20 points and seven rebounds, while Josh Howard added 17 in the win.
Fabricio Oberto had 10 points and four rebounds in the loss.
Team records:
San Antonio: 54-28 SU, 40-40-2 ATS
Dallas: 50-32 SU, 40-42 ATS
San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 9-1
Before playing Dallas are 8-2
After playing Dallas are 9-1
After a loss are 8-2

Dallas most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 9-1
Before playing San Antonio are 6-4
After playing San Antonio are 6-4
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Antonio’s last 5 games on the road
San Antonio is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
San Antonio is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
San Antonio is 8-15 ATS in its last 23 games when playing Dallas
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Dallas is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas’s last 5 games at home
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Next up:
San Antonio home to Dallas, Tuesday, April 28
Dallas at San Antonio, Tuesday, April 28

 

Nuggets-Hornets Lines Preview

The Denver Nuggets and the New Orleans Hornets will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at New Orleans Arena.
Oddsmakers currently have the Hornets listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Nuggets, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Nuggets were in control of Game 2 on Wednesday, as they cruised to a 108-93 victory over the Hornets and now lead the best-of-seven first-round playoff series 2-0. The Nuggets easily covered the 6.5-point spread, and the combined score made it OVER the posted total of 199.
Chauncey Billups led the way for the Nuggets, tossing in 31 points to go with four rebounds and four assists. Carmelo Anthony added 22 points and nine rebounds in that win.
David West had a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Hornets.
Team records:
Denver: 54-28 SU, 45-36-1 ATS
New Orleans: 49-33 SU, 35-45-2 ATS
Denver most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing New Orleans are 7-3
After playing New Orleans are 6-4
After a win are 8-2

New Orleans most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Denver are 8-2
After playing Denver are 2-8
After a loss are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
Denver is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver’s last 6 games on the road
Denver is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing New Orleans
Denver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New Orleans’s last 9 games at home
New Orleans is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Orleans’s last 7 games when playing Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of New Orleans’s last 21 games
Next up:
Denver at New Orleans, Monday, April 27
New Orleans home to Denver, Monday, April 27

 

NBA Playoff Odds: Picks

The top experts in NBA picks preview Saturday’s games from the standpoint of beating the NBA odds. Records quoted are against the spread.

Denver-New Orleans

The Nuggets are 3-13 as a playoff underdog. However, they enter on a 10-3 spread run to the Western Conference.

The Hornets are 8-1 as a playoff favorite of 4.5 or less. They are 16-5 their last 21 against the Vegas odds at home against teams with a winning record. Conversely they are 0-5 to the Northwest Division.

Denver has gone under 10-1 on the road versus an opponent with a home winning percentage of .600 or greater. 

San Antonio-Dallas

The Spurs are 2-8 their last ten versus an opponent with a winning percentage of .600 or greater.

The Mavericks are 2-11 after allowing less than 75 points their last game. Dallas is 19-9 in the series.

Dallas has gone under 9-0 in the postseason as a favorite of 4.5 or less.

Atlanta-Miami

The Hawks are 2-7 off a double digit loss at home. The Heat are 9-2 as a favorite of 4.5 or less. Miami is also 20-43 to the sportsbooks off a straight up win. Miami has covered 12-of-15 in the series.

Lakers-Jazz

The Lakers are 1-6 as a postseason favorite. The Jazz are 4-15 as an underdog.

The Lakers have gone under 13-3 off an ATS loss.  

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