Cavaliers-Magic Lines Preview

The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic will both be trying to pick up a win on Sunday when they battle at Amway Arena in the third game of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Oddsmakers currently have the Magic listed as 1½-point favorites versus the Cavaliers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
LeBron James poured in a game-high 35 points and the Cavaliers held off a late surge to edge the Magic 96-95 on Friday night to even the series at a game apiece.
The Cavaliers failed to cover the 9-point spread, while the 191 points made it OVER the posted total of 189.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas netted 12 points with 15 rebounds for a double-double in the win for Cleveland.
Rashard Lewis tossed in 23 points and grabbed five rebounds in the loss for Orlando.
Team records:
Cleveland: 66-16 SU, 49-33 ATS
Orlando: 59-23 SU, 49-32-1 ATS
Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Orlando are 5-5
After playing Orlando are 8-2
After a win are 8-2

Orlando most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Cleveland are 6-4
After playing Cleveland are 5-5
After a loss are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Cleveland is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
Cleveland is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland’s last 5 games on the road
Orlando is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Orlando is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Orlando is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Orlando is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Next up:
Cleveland at Orlando, Tuesday, May 26
Orlando home to Cleveland, Tuesday, May 26

 

Pirates-White Sox Lines Preview

The Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago White Sox will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at U.S. Cellular Field.
Righthander Ross Ohlendorf will take the mound for the Pirates to start this game. Ohlendorf is 5-3 this season with a 4.31 ERA.
The White Sox will counter Ohlendorf with Clayton Richard. Lefthander Richard has a 4.36 ERA to go along with a 0-0 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the White Sox listed as 135-moneyline favorites versus the Pirates, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Gavin Floyd allowed just two hits over eight scoreless innings, as the White Sox shut out the Pirates 2-0 in Friday’s opener. The White Sox won that game as -140 favorites, while the team’s played UNDER the posted over/under (9.5).
Alexei Ramirez blasted a solo home run, while finishing with two hits and two runs scored. Bobby Jenks turned away the side in the ninth to post his 10th save.
Zach Duke surrendered both runs off six hits over eight innings on the mound. Oddsmakers had the Pirates as +120 underdogs in the contest.
Current streak:
Pittsburgh has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Pittsburgh: 19-23
SU
Chicago
: 18-23 SU
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Chi White Sox are 2-8
After playing Chi White Sox are 5-5
After a loss are 2-8

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 1-9
Before playing Pittsburgh are 5-5
After playing Pittsburgh are 6-4
After a win are 2-8

A few trends to consider:
Pittsburgh is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Pittsburgh is 8-16 SU in its last 24 games
Pittsburgh is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing Chi White Sox
Chi White Sox are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
Chi White Sox are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
Chi White Sox are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games at home
Chi White Sox are 6-13 SU in their last 19 games
Next up:
Chi White Sox home to Pittsburgh, Sunday, May 24

 

Rangers-Astros Odds Preview

The Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Minute Maid Park.
Righthander Scott Feldman will take the mound for the Rangers to start this game. Feldman is 2-0 this season with a 2.17 ERA.
The Astros will counter Feldman with Brian Moehler. Righthander Moehler has a 7.71 ERA to go along with a 1-2 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Rangers listed as 128-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Nelson Cruz belted a game-winning home run in the top of the 10th inning on Friday, giving the Rangers a 6-5 victory over the Astros. The Rangers won the game as a -110 pick’em, while the 11 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (10.5).
Jarrod Saltalamacchia smacked a two-run homer for the Rangers, and Elvis Andrus had a solo home run. Darren O’Day picked up the win in relief, and Frank Francisco collected his 10th save of the season.
Lance Berkman went deep for a three-run homer in the loss for the Astros. LaTroy Hawkins gave up the winning run and was tagged with the loss.
Current streak:
Houston has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Texas: 24-17
SU
Houston
: 18-22 SU
Texas most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Houston are 7-3
After playing Houston are 6-4
After a win are 7-3

Houston most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Texas are 3-7
After playing Texas are 3-7
After a loss are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Texas is 14-5 SU in its last 19 games
Texas is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Houston is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
Houston home to Texas, Sunday, May 24

 

Phillies-Yankees Odds Preview

The Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Yankee Stadium.
The Phillies will give the ball to starter JA Happ in this one. Lefthander Happ is 0-0 this season with a 0.00 ERA.
The Yankees will counter Happ with Andy Pettitte. Lefthander Pettitte has a 4.18 ERA to go along with a 4-1 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Yankees listed as 165-moneyline favorites versus the Phillies, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Phillies stopped the Yankees’ nine-game win streak with a 7-3 victory in the opener of a three-game series on Friday, as +150 underdogs. That game’s 10 runs went UNDER the night’s posted over/under (11).
Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz both hit two-run homers to lift the Phillies. Brett Myers tossed eight innings for the win, and fanned five batters.
Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Mark Teixeira all went deep for the Yankees, who were -170 favorites. A.J. Burnett gave up eight hits and five runs over six innings in the loss.
Current streak:
Philadelphia has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 23-17 SU
New York: 24-18 SU
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 1-9
Before playing NY Yankees are 6-4
After playing NY Yankees are 2-8
After a win are 6-4

New York most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
Before playing Philadelphia are 6-4
After playing Philadelphia are 9-1
After a loss are 4-6

A few trends to consider:
Philadelphia is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Philadelphia is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Philadelphia is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing NY Yankees
NY Yankees are 9-1 SU in their last 10 games
NY Yankees are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games at home
NY Yankees are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games when playing Philadelphia
Next up:
NY Yankees home to Philadelphia, Sunday, May 24

 

Royals-Cardinals Lines Preview

The fans at Busch Stadium will be treated to a interleague game between the Kansas City Royals and the St. Louis Cardinals when they take their seats on Saturday.
The Royals will give the ball to starter Luke Hochevar in this one. Righthander Hochevar is 0-1 this season with a 16.89 ERA.
The Cardinals will counter Hochevar with Kyle Lohse. Righthander Lohse has a 4.66 ERA to go along with a 3-3 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cardinals listed as 170-moneyline favorites versus the Royals, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Todd Wellemeyer combined on a five-hit shutout on Friday, as the Cardinals knocked off the Royals 5-0. The Cardinals won the game as -140 favorites, while the five runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9.5).
Nick Stavinoha and Khalil Greene both drove in two runs to lead the Cardinals. Wellemeyer improved to 4-4 with the win.
Kyle Davies gave up three hits and two runs over six innings in suffering the loss. The Royals were +120 underdogs in that contest.
Current streak:
Kansas City has lost 3 straight games.
St. Louis has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Kansas City:
21-21 SU
St.
Louis: 25-17 SU
Kansas City most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing St. Louis are 7-3
After playing St. Louis are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7

St. Louis most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Kansas City are 5-5
After playing Kansas City are 6-4
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Kansas City is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games
Kansas City is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Next up:
St. Louis home to Kansas City, Sunday, May 24

 

Lakers-Nuggets Lines Preview

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Pepsi Center for the third game of the Western Conference Finals.
Oddsmakers currently have the Nuggets listed as 4-point favorites versus the Lakers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Nuggets outscored the Lakers in the final quarter Thursday night and came away with a 106-103 victory in Game 2 as they evened the series at a game apiece.
The Nuggets won that game as a 5.5-point underdog, while the combined 209 points went UNDER the posted total of 212.5.
Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets with a game-high 34 points and nine rebounds. Chauncey Billups chipped in with 27 points in the win.
Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 32 points and five rebounds.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 65-17 SU, 42-39-1 ATS
Denver: 54-28 SU, 45-36-1 ATS
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Denver are 10-0
After playing Denver are 6-4
After a loss are 9-1

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

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the LA Lakers last 5 games when playing on the road against Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of the LA Lakers last 9 games when playing Denver
LA Lakers are 11-2 SU in their last 13 games when playing Denver
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Denver is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver’s last 5 games when playing at home against LA Lakers
Denver is 11-0-1 ATS in its last 12 games
Next up:
LA Lakers at Denver, Monday, May 25
Denver home to LA Lakers, Monday, May 25

 

Hotter Than Robin Meade, GodsTips Makes it 13-0 With NBA Wise Guys

It’s Memorial Day weekend. Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: Baseball starts up interleague play, the Cavaliers try to bounce back, and the Wings gun for a commanding series lead. The Indianapolis 500 odds are up as are the 2009 WSOP odds. While the World Series of Poker betting lines can’t be exploited for a couple of months, there are several NBA handicappers hotter than a Robin Meade swimsuit competition.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

LeBron James and his Cavaliers will be looking to rebound from a shocking loss in the opener of the East Finals when they host the Magic in Game 2 of the series on Friday night. Cleveland had a 33-19 lead after one quarter of the series opener, but then watched Orlando come back and secure a 107-106 road win. James tossed in 49 points for the Cavs in their first loss of the postseason, while Dwight Howard led the way for the Magic with 30 points and 13 rebounds. The oddsmakers have Cleveland pegged as a 9-point home favorite for Friday night.

 

Yet another NBA sweep as we go to 19-9 the last 28 NBA picks overall.The top NBA tipster of all-time has the Magic-Cavs side and total including the 13th consecutive NBA Wise Guy winner. Make it 13 Wise Guy NBA winners in a row!

GodsTips has had six straight winning days thanks in no small part due to a 13-4 tear with MLB Majors. They’ve added three MLB winners including two Wise Guys! It’s 5-0 in all. Click now to purchase

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

Baseball begins its first interleague sets of the season on Friday night, with the Angels and Dodgers clashing in the NL ballpark in one of the marquee matchups. Jered Weaver is slated to start for the Angels; the righthander is 3-2 on the season with a 2.59 ERA, and he’s allowed just five earned runs over his last 24 innings pitched. Countering for the Dodgers will be lefthander Clayton Kershaw (2-3, 4.60 ERA), who’s coming off a seven-inning, one-hit outing vs. the Marlins.

The New York teams are also involved in featured interleague matchups starting Friday, just not against each other. The Yankees will be at home to face the defending-champion Phillies, with A.J. Burnett (2-1, 5.02 ERA) slated to take on Brett Myers (3-2, 4.50 ERA). The Mets will be on the road at Fenway Park to battle the Red Sox; Johan Santana (5-2, 1.36 ERA) gets the ball for the Mets in that one, while Boston sends Daisuke Matsuzaka (0-1, 12.79 ERA) to the mound.

Also on the diamond on Friday: Baltimore at Washington, Colorado at Detroit, Cleveland at Cincinnati, Tampa Bay at Florida, Toronto at Atlanta, Texas at Houston, Milwaukee at Minnesota, Pittsburgh at the White Sox, Kansas City at St. Louis, Arizona at Oakland, and San Francisco at Seattle. As well, the lone intraleague matchup has San Diego staying home for a series against the Cubs.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

The Blackhawks will try to dig themselves out of a 2-0 series deficit on Friday night when they host the Red Wings in Game 3 of the Western Conference final. Mikael Samuelsson scored the overtime winner in Game 2 on Tuesday as Detroit grabbed a 3-2 victory. Brian Rafalski and Daniel Cleary also scored for the Wings in that contest, while Chris Osgood made 37 saves. Jonathan Toews had both markers for the Hawks, who are pegged as slight -125 home favorites for Friday.

Indy 500 Odds – Top Picks at the Brickyard

The Indy 500 odds are just days away, so we better fire off some picks at IndyCar-like speed! Here are a few names to target at your US friendly sportsbook this weekend.

Scott Dixon
Indy 500 betting line: +350

Pretty tough to go against Dixon. Not only is he the reigning Indy 500 odds winner, he hasn’t finished worse than sixth over his last three trips to the Brickyard. His IndyCar season hasn’t gone particularly well but at win at Kansas leading up to the big race gives him momentum. If safe plays are your thing in betting sports, Dixon is your man.

Helio Castroneves
Indy 500 betting line: +500

Yes, yes, we know. We can’t mention Helio anymore without discussing his Dancing With the Stars prowess. But the truth is that he also deserves respect as a fantastic (and, in fact, our favorite) Indy 500 odds pick this weekend. The two-time winner at the Brickyard (2001, 2002) placed second behind Dixon at Kansas and should race with passion after escaping jail time in his tax evasion case. He’s as good a pick as Dixon and offers better sportsbook value.

Danica Patrick
Indy 500 betting line: +800

What’s that? No Dario Franchitti? Calm down. We know he’s a good pick too, but it just feels right to discuss Danica here (and not just because of her sexy Go Daddy.com commercial! OK, well, maybe slightly because of that). Even though she doesn’t have an Indy 500 odds win under her belt like the aforementioned racers, she’s due. She has two fourth-place finishes and an eighth at the Brickyard plus two top-five finishes this IndyCar season. If you like your sportsbook underdogs, there’s a good chance that Danica’s time to make history is now.

Cubs-Padres Lines Preview

The Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at PETCO Park.
The Cubs will give the ball to ace starter Carlos Zambrano in this one. Righthander Zambrano is 3-1 this season with a 4.50 ERA.
It’ll be ace Jake Peavy toeing the rubber for the Padres in this contest. Righthander Peavy is 3-5 with a 3.82 ERA so far this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Padres listed as 145-moneyline favorites versus the Cubs, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Cubs were swept by the Cardinals, as they dropped the series finale 3-1 on Thursday. Oddsmakers listed the Cubs as +125 underdogs for that contest, while the four runs went UNDER the posted over/under (8.5).
Kosuke Fukudome drove in the only run in a losing effort. Sean Marshall surrendered four hits and three runs over five innings in the loss.
The Padres finished off a three-game sweep of the Giants with a 3-2 win and a sweep of the three-game series on Thursday, as +125 underdogs. The five runs went UNDER the posted over/under (7).
David Eckstein drove in two runs to lead the way. Heath Bell the ninth and earned the victory.
Current streak:
Chicago has lost 4 straight games.
San Diego has won 6 straight games.
Team records:
Chicago: 21-18 SU
San Diego: 19-22 SU
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing San Diego are 9-1
After playing St. Louis are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5

San Diego most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing Chi Cubs are 2-8
After playing San Francisco are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
Chi Cubs are 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing San Diego
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs’s last 6 games when playing on the road against San Diego
Chi Cubs are 3-7 SU in their last 10 games when playing on the road against San Diego
Chi Cubs are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games
San Diego is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
San Diego is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
San Diego is 7-3 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Diego’s last 6 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
Next up:
San Diego home to Chi Cubs, Saturday, May 23

 

Magic-Cavaliers Odds Preview

The Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Quicken Loans Arena in the second game of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cavaliers listed as 9-point favorites versus the Magic, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Magic erased a 16-point deficit and upset the Cavaliers 107-106 in Game 1 of the series on Wednesday.
The Magic won that game as a 8.5-point underdog, while the combined 213 points sailed OVER the posted total of 184.5.
Dwight Howard led the Magic with 30 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double.
LeBron James led all scorers with 49 points, six rebounds, and eight assists for the Cavaliers.
Team records:
Orlando: 59-23 SU, 49-32-1 ATS
Cleveland: 66-16 SU, 49-33 ATS
Orlando most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Cleveland are 5-5
After playing Cleveland are 6-4
After a win are 5-5

Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Orlando are 5-5
After playing Orlando are 7-3
After a loss are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
Orlando is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Orlando is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Orlando is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando’s last 5 games
Cleveland is 20-2 SU in its last 22 games at home
Cleveland is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Cleveland is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Cleveland is 11-2 ATS in its last 13 games
Next up:
Orlando home to Cleveland, Sunday, May 24
Cleveland at Orlando, Sunday, May 24

 

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