The Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic will both be gunning for a victory on Tuesday when they meet at Amway Arena in the third game of the NBA Finals.
Most sportsbooks currently have the Magic listed as 4-point favorites versus the Lakers, while the game’s total is sitting at 198 at BetUs Sportsbook, our top sportsbook based on customer satisfaction.
The Lakers defeated Orlando 101-96 in overtime as a 6.5-point favorite in Game 2 on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (202).
Kobe Bryant scored 29 points and added with eight assists for the Lakers, while PauGasol chipped in with 24 points and 10 rebounds in the win.
Rashard Lewis scored a game-high 34 points to go along with 11 rebounds and seven assists for Orlando and HedoTurkoglu netted 22 points.
Team records: Los Angeles: 65-17 SU, 42-39-1 ATS Orlando: 59-23 SU, 49-32-1 ATS
Los Angeles most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 6-4 Before playing Orlando are 3-7 After playing Orlando are 6-4 After a win are 5-5
Orlando most recently: When playing on Tuesday are 9-1 Before playing LA Lakers are 5-5 After playing LA Lakers are 4-6 After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider for sports wagering: The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 5 games when playing on the road against Orlando The total has gone UNDER in 10 of the LA Lakers last 12 games LA Lakers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games LA Lakers are 18-5 SU in their last 23 games when playing Orlando The total has gone OVER in 5 of Orlando’s last 5 games when playing at home against LA Lakers Orlando is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home Orlando is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home Orlando is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games
Next up: LA Lakers at Orlando, Thursday, June 11 Orlando home to LA Lakers, Thursday, June 11
Game 5 of the Red Wings Penguins odds wasn’t exactly another heart-stopping chapter in a classic series, was it? The Pens lost their cool, the Wings smelled blood, and their power play helped them rout the Pens 5-0. Are the Pens broken? Will Detroit take Game 6 and win the Cup?
Red Wings Penguins odds – Game 6 Tuesday, June 9 at 9:00 p.m. ET Stanley Cup betting lines: Red Wings +110, Penguins -130
When you give the Red Wings’ power play in inch, it’ll take a mile—that’s the harsh lesson the Penguins learned in Game 5. They were disciplined early in the series and minimized Detroit’s damage with the main advantage, but the wheels fell off in Game 5. The Pens got down early, became frustrated and began taking dumb penalties. The raucous Detroit crowd seemed to suck the life out of the Pens; note that most of their penalties were stick infractions (slashing, high-sticking, tripping), and that means they were sluggish and not moving their feet. Even Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin lost focus, each taking some pretty bad penalties.
Notice how every Pens’ penalty seems to be on Henrik Zetterberg? His smothering defensive shadowing frustrates the Pittsburgh forwards, not to mention NHL betting fans who had Pittsburgh winning Game 5, and Zetterberg got a big boost by Pavel Datsyuk’s return. Though he wasn’t 100 per cent, Datsyuk showed offensive creativity, setting up two goals, and he took defensive pressure off Zetterberg. The Wings will be that much tougher to beat with him in the lineup.
Do the Pens still have a hope at the offshore sportsbook? Well, they are a much different team at home in Stanley Cup betting, as it seems the home support helps them work harder—not to mention cleaner—on defense. Marc-Andre Fleury got the hook in Game 5, but those goals weren’t his fault and he always seems to play well at home. The Pens certainly have some demons to conquer, but that storyline should play out in Game 7. Pittsburgh has been the better team at Mellon Arena and should fight back with a spirited effort Tuesday night.
The Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at STAPLESCenter in the second game of the NBA Finals.
Oddsmakers currently have the Lakers listed as 7-point favorites at BetEDversus the Magic, while the game’s total is sitting at 202 at Bodog Life.
Kobe Bryant poured in a game-high 40 points as the Lakers ran over the Magic 100-75 in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series on Thursday.
The Lakers easily covered the 6-point spread, but the 175 points fell UNDER the night’s posted total of 205.5.
Bryant also grabbed eight rebounds and dished out eight assists in that win.
Dwight Howard had a double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds for the Magic in the loss.
Who will cover? Let’s go to the power of 620 sports services behind every selection for the answer.
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Team records: Orlando: 59-23 SU, 49-32-1 ATS Los Angeles: 65-17 SU, 42-39-1 ATS
Orlando most recently: When playing on Sunday are 7-3 Before playing LA Lakers are 6-4 After playing LA Lakers are 4-6 After a loss are 7-3
Los Angeles most recently: When playing on Sunday are 7-3 Before playing Orlando are 3-7 After playing Orlando are 6-4 After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Orlando’s last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers Orlando is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Orlando’s last 7 games Orlando is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 5 games at home LA Lakers are 15-2 SU in their last 17 games at home LA Lakers are 11-2 SU in their last 13 games when playing at home against Orlando The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 6 games when playing at home against Orlando
Next up: Orlando home to LA Lakers, Tuesday, June 9 LA Lakers at Orlando, Tuesday, June 9
The French Open Men’s Final 2009 is in progress as we file this report, NFL betting is just around the corner, Summer Bird pulls the Belmont upset, the Red Wings take a 3-2 lead over Pittsburgh, and the top NBA bettor and MLB handicapper is unleashing Sunday.
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Lakers try to handle the Magic for the second straight game, and NASCAR’s top drivers hit the track in the Pocono 500.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The Magic will be looking to bounce back from an embarrassing Game 1 defeat on Sunday night when they take the court in Los Angeles for the second game of the NBA Finals. Orlando was pounded 100-75 in the opener by the Lakers on Thursday night, with Dwight Howard scoring just 12 points and Jameer Nelson contributing six points off the bench in his return from injury. Kobe Bryant led the Los Angeles attack with 40 points in that easy victory, and Pau Gasol chipped in with 16 points. Oddsmakers have listed the Lakers as 6.5-point faves for Sunday.
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Meeting up on the diamond . . .
Tim Lincecum (4-1, 3.01 ERA) will get the ball for the Giants on Sunday afternoon as they again play on the road against the Marlins. Righthander Lincecum was last tagged with a loss on April 12 vs. the Padres, but San Francisco is still just 1-3 over his last four outings. Florida counters with Ricky Nolasco (2-5, 9.07 ERA); the righty has given up 16 runs in his last 5 2-3 innings.
Also on the NL schedule for Sunday: the Cubs at Cincinnati, the Mets at Washington, Milwaukee at Atlanta, Pittsburgh at Houston, Colorado at St. Louis, and Arizona at San Diego. As well, the Dodgers will host the Phillies in the primetime matchup, with Los Angeles‘ Randy Wolf (3-1, 3.21 ERA) taking on Philly’s Antonio Bastardo (1-0, 1.50 ERA). Bastardo won his debut on Tuesday.
Over in the American League on Sunday the Rays and Yankees continue their series in New York, with Matt Garza (4-4, 3.67 ERA) taking on Joba Chamberlain (3-1, 3.71 ERA). Also on the AL slate for Sunday: the Angels at Detroit, Kansas City at Toronto, Texas at Boston, Cleveland at the ChiSox, Baltimore at Oakland, and Minnesota at Seattle, with Kevin Slowey (8-1, 3.97 ERA) going for the Twins.
Rounding out the Roundup . . .
Pocono Raceway will host the Sprint Cup Series on Sunday, with the drivers competing in the 2009 Pocono 500. Jimmie Johnson is pegged as the 4/1 Vegas favorite to visit victory lane on Sunday, followed by Kyle Busch at 5/1, and Jeff Gordon at 7/1. Standings leader Tony Stewart is listed at 10/1 odds to get the win along with Denny Hamlin, with Carl Edwards at 12/1. Kasey Kahne, who won the 2008 Pocono 500, is pegged at 15/1 odds to repeat as the champion on Sunday.
The drivers of Formula 1 will be in Istanbul on Sunday for the Turkish Grand Prix. Brawn-Mercedes driver Jenson Button will be looking to win his fourth straight race; Button has taken the checkered flag in five of the six F1 events so far this season and holds a 16-point lead on teammate Rubens Barrichello in the drivers championship. Felipe Massa won the Turkish Grand Prix last season, with Lewis Hamilton finishing in second place, and Button ending up well back in 11th place.
Finally, the WNBA continues its 2009 opening weekend with four games on the Sunday schedule: Atlanta at Washington, Connecticut at New York, Minnesota at Indiana, and Sacramento at Seattle. Everyone but New York played on Saturday.
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Stanley Cup final continues in Detroit, the WNBA tips off its season, and Mine That Bird guns for a Belmont Stakes win.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA Finals are idle on Saturday, leaving the day’s hoops spotlight for the opening of the WNBA season. There are six games on the WNBA’s slate, including Washington at Connecticut; the Sun are the biggest favorite on the day, giving eight points at home to the Mystics. Rounding out the schedule: Seattle at Sacramento, Indiana at Atlanta, Chicago at Minnesota, San Antonio at Phoenix, and Detroit at Los Angeles. The Sparks are 2/1 Vegas favorites to claim the title.
Meeting up on the diamond . . .
The Phillies and Dodgers will kick off the National League slate on Saturday afternoon with a 4:10pm ET contest in Los Angeles. Joe Blanton (4-3, 5.86 ERA) will take the mound for Philadelphia, with the righthander having won each of his past three outings. Los Angeles will counter with Hiroki Kuroda (1-1, 2.53 ERA). The righthander has made just two starts in ’09, returning from the DL on June 1.
Elsewhere around the National League in baseball betting on Saturday: San Francisco at Florida, the Mets at Washington, Pittsburgh at Houston, the Cubs at Cincinnati, Milwaukee at Atlanta, Colorado at St. Louis, and Arizona at San Diego. D-Backs starter Max Scherzer (2-4, 4.47 ERA) was pounded for eight runs in 3 2-3 innings in his last outing versus Atlanta. Josh Geer (1-1, 5.44 ERA) starts for the Padres.
Over in the American League on Saturday the Rays and Yankees continue their series in New York, with David Price (1-0, 3.00 ERA) taking on CC Sabathia (5-3, 3.46 ERA). As well, it’ll be Kansas City at Toronto, Cleveland at the White Sox, Minnesota at Seattle, the Angels at Detroit, Texas at Boston, and Baltimore at Oakland. Righty Jason Berken (1-1, 2.25 ERA) will get the ball for the Orioles. See the MLB odds at Sports Betting Sportsbook
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
The Stanley Cup final is knotted up at two games apiece as the series heads back to Detroit for Game 5 on Saturday night. The Penguins grabbed their second straight win over the Red Wings in Game 4 on Thursday, getting a goal and an assist each from Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 37 of 39 Detroit shots in the win, while Wings counterpart Chris Osgood made 27 saves. Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk sat out Thursday with his bad foot.
Rounding out the Roundup . . .
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With Rachel Alexandra taking a pass on Saturday’s Belmont Stakes the favorite to win the third jewel of horse racing’s Triple Crown is Mine That Bird. Jockey Calvin Borel will be back on Mine That Bird for the Belmont Stakes after he rode Rachel Alexandra to victory in the Preakness Stakes. Borel and Mine That Bird combined to win the KentuckyDerby last month, meaning the jockey has a chance to sweep the Triple Crown events. The top challenger for Saturday’s race at BelmontPark is expected to be Charitable Man, with Dunkirk the third favorite.
Here are the Vegas odds and the Belmont Stakes 2009 morning line. It’s a huge day in horse racing as Calvin Borel tries to prove Kent Desormeaux wrong and become the first jockey ever to win the Triple Crown on two different horses. GodsTips, anchor of OffshoreInsiders.com has the top four finishers.
Mine That Bird is the heavy favorite, with steam money comning in on Charitable Man, leapfrogging Dunkirk as the second favorite.
Did the Penguins inspire French Open betting finalist Roger Federer? He fought back to win his semifinal match, perhaps inspired by Pittsburgh‘s comeback to even up its series with the Detroit Red Wings. After four games in which the home team controlled the play, the Penguins and Red Wings are tied 2-2 and down to a best-of-three series. Can the Penguins keep their momentum going and steal a game on the road?
Penguins vs Red Wings odds – Game 5 Saturday, June 6 at 8:05 p.m. ET Stanley Cup betting lines: Penguins +135, Red Wings -155
As good as the Red Wings looked in Games 1 and 2, it looks like they’re really starting to tire. They’re not a ridiculously old team, but many of them have been around for a long time—Chris Osgood, Tomas Holmstrom, Nicklas Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Kris Draper, Kirk Maltby—you get the idea. The younger Penguins showed a real spring in their step in Games 3 and 4, feeding off the home crowd and doling out lots of big hits. The young Penguins checkers – Jordan Staal, Maxime Talbot, Tyler Kennedy—have really energized the team with their tenacious efforts.
The Wings simply have no answer for Evgeni Malkin. He’s dominating the series, using his size, strength and stride, and no Red Wing physically matches up to him. He has seven points in the series and 35 in the NHL betting playoffs—the highest total by any player other than Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux or Paul Coffey in one playoffs. Detroit did, however, succeed at the sportsbook early in the series by containing Sidney Crosby. Fantastic two-way player Henrik Zetterberg smothered Sid the Kid while also chipping in offense. However, Zetterberg could only go so long without Pavel Datsyuk in the lineup; playing too many minutes, he really tired in Games 3 and 4, and Crosby was unleashed as a result. He joined Malkin to run wild on the Wings and scored the game-winner in Game 4.
The Wings certainly have a shot to rebound going home, but they’re in trouble. The Penguins have their confidence back and seem way fresher and more physical. With Crosby and Malkin hitting their stride, Detroit has to get its own offense going to match them. Their snipers have to do much more—did you know Tomas Holmstrom hasn’t scored in 16 playoff games? With only one day off between games, the Wings won’t regroup in time for Game 5. The Pens will keep pushing and steal one in Hockeytown.
The Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at STAPLESCenter in the opening game of the NBA Finals.
Oddsmakers currently have the Lakers listed as 6-point favorites versus the Magic at Bodog Life, while the game’s total is sitting at 206 at BetUs.
Dwight Howard poured in 40 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for a double-double as the Magic dominated the Cavaliers 103-90 to win the Eastern Conference title last time out.
The Magic covered the slight 2-point spread in that contest, while the combined score pushed the posted total of 193.
Kobe Bryant poured in a game-high 35 points as the Lakers defeated the Nuggets 119-92 last Friday to win the Western Conference title.
The Lakers won that game as 5.5-point underdogs, while the combined score made it OVER the posted over/under (209.5).
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Team records: Orlando: 59-23 SU, 49-32-1 ATS Los Angeles: 65-17 SU, 42-39-1 ATS
Orlando most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing LA Lakers are 5-5 After playing Cleveland are 6-4 After a win are 6-4
Los Angeles most recently: When playing on Thursday are 8-2 Before playing Orlando are 2-8 After playing Denver are 6-4 After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider: Orlando is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Orlando’s last 6 games Orlando is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing LA Lakers The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando’s last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 5 games at home LA Lakers are 14-2 SU in their last 16 games at home LA Lakers are 10-2 SU in their last 12 games when playing at home against Orlando The total has gone UNDER in 8 of the LA Lakers last 10 games
Next up: Orlando at LA Lakers, Sunday, June 7 LA Lakers home to Orlando, Sunday, June 7
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The NBA Finals start in Los Angeles, the Stanley Cup final continues in Pittsburgh, and Tiger Woods gets back in action.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The oddsmakers have Kobe Bryant and company pegged as 6-point home favorites for Thursday night’s opening contest of the NBA Finals (with the total at 206 points at BetUs Sportsbook ). The Lakers dispatched the Nuggets in six games in the Western Conference Finals, with Bryant tossing in 35 points in the series clincher last week. The Magic, meanwhile, got past the Cavaliers in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals, as Dwight Howard powered his way to 40 points in that set’s finale. Tipoff for Thursday night is 8pm ET; Game 2 is set for Sunday night in L.A.
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Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter will try to continue his impressive comeback on Thursday night when his team closes out their home series with the Reds. Righthander Carpenter has allowed just two earned runs over 29 innings of work so far this season, putting him at 3-0 with an 0.62 ERA. Taking to the mound for the Reds will be Aaron Harang, who is 5-5 with a 4.19 ERA on the season. Harang gave up eight runs in 4 1-3 innings in a loss to the Brewers last time out.
Also on the National League schedule for Thursday: the Mets at Pittsburgh, San Francisco at Washington, the Cubs at Atlanta, Milwaukee at Florida, Colorado at Houston, and Philadelphia at the Dodgers. Meanwhile, the American League offers up the Angels at Toronto, Boston at Detroit, Texas at the Yankees, Cleveland at Minnesota, Kansas City at TampaBay, and Oakland at the White Sox. ChiSox ace Mark Buehrle (6-1, 2.71 ERA) will get the ball in that matchup. See the MLB odds
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
The Penguins doubled up the Red Wings 4-2 on Tuesday night, and they now head into Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final at home on Thursday trailing just 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. Max Talbot scored twice for the Pens in Game 3 (once into an empty net), while Kris Letang and Sergei Gonchar had singles. Evgeni Malkin had three assists in the win, and Sidney Crosby picked up his first point of the series. Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen replied in the loss for the Wings, who were once again without the services of forward Pavel Datsyuk.
Rounding out the Roundup . . .
Finally, Tiger Woods will be a part of the field at this week’s PGA Tour stop, The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield. Woods won this event three consecutive times from 1999 to 2001, and Vegas oddsmakers have him pegged as the 5/2 favorite to get a fourth title. Kenny Perry has also won the Memorial three times (including last year), but he’s back at 20/1 odds this time around. Paul Casey is behind Tiger at 12/1 odds, with both Padraig Harrington and Jim Furyk at 15/1 odds. Zach Johnson and Ian Poulter are then tied with Perry at 20/1 odds to win.
The Belmont Stakes odds are just days away, yes, but don’t forget about MLB odds either! There are some very exciting National League pitching matchups between contending teams on Thursday, so let’s make some winning picks.
Reds vs Cardinals odds: Aaron Harang (5-5, 4.19) vs Chris Carpenter (3-0, 0.62) Thursday, June 4 at 8:15 p.m. ET
Eat your heat our, Zack Greinke. Chris Carpenter obviously hasn’t pitched as many innings as his cross-state counterpart Greinke has, but the results have been extremely impressive so far. With just two earned runs in 29 innings pitched, he’s been the NL’s most dominant pitcher, albeit in limited action due to injury. Do the young Reds have a chance against him on Thursday? Hardly. He’s given up 0.0 runs in two home starts this MLB betting season and most current Reds hitters (a) have never faced him or (b) have done nothing against him. Aaron Harang seemed to have turned the page on his ugly 2008 when he posted a 3.09 ERA in April, but it’s been downhill since then. He got bombed in May (5.15 ERA), he gets bombed on the road (5.87 ERA) and he gets bombed in night games (5.81). You get the picture.
Phillies vs Dodgers odds: Cole Hamels (3-2, 5.21) vs Clayton Kershaw (3-3, 4.34) Thursday, June 4 at 10:10 p.m. ET
Even with young Clayton Kershaw on the mound, the first-overall Dodgers should be slight sportsbook favorites at home to the Phillies, so now’s your chance to win some money by picking the Phillies. Cole Hamels’ season stats still look ugly, but he’s slowly rounding into his All-Star form. In his last six starts, he’s allowed three earned runs or less five times. He also was masterful against the Dodgers his last time out against them, striking out nine and allowing one run over seven innings. He’s still having trouble keeping the ball in the park, so he’s a good bet to serve one up, but he should pitch well enough to win on Thursday. Kershaw’s stuff is nasty and he’s only really getting hurt by walking guys at a ridiculously high rate, but the patient, powerful Phillies lineup did a number on him last time and could repeat its success. The Phillies’ MLB odds look good.
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