Heat-Hawks Lines Preview

The Miami Heat and the Atlanta Hawks will meet on the court at Philips Arena on Wednesday in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.
Oddsmakers currently have the Hawks listed as 5½-point favorites versus the Heat, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Mike Bibby dropped 15 points to lead the Hawks past the Heat 81-71 to even their series at two games apiece on Monday night.
Atlanta cashed as 4.5-point road underdogs as the teams played under the 186-point total set by oddsmakers.
Joe Johnson added 14 points for the Hawks, who got 13 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks from Josh Smith in the payday.
Dwyane Wade went for 22 points, seven assists, and six boards for Miami, while Jermaine O’Neal had 20 points and six rebounds for the Heat.
Team records:
Miami: 43-39 SU, 41-40-1 ATS
Atlanta: 47-35 SU, 43-37-2 ATS
Miami most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Atlanta are 7-3
After playing Atlanta are 6-4
After a loss are 6-4

Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 7-3
Before playing Miami are 2-8
After playing Miami are 3-7
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Miami’s last 8 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Miami is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Miami is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Atlanta’s last 8 games when playing Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Atlanta’s last 6 games
Atlanta is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta’s last 5 games when playing at home against Miami
Next up:
Miami home to Atlanta, Friday, May 1
Atlanta at Miami, Friday, May 1

 

Baseball Betting – Tuesday MLB picks

As the MLB odds rage on, a few teams predicted to be top contenders find themselves on the wrong side of .500. Can the Yankees, Rays or Twins get back on track at the sportsbook tonight?

Yankees vs Tigers odds—Phil Hughes (NR) vs Edwin Jackson (1-1. 2.77): Tonight, 7:05 p.m. ET
MLB lines: Yankees -105, Tigers -115

The only easy pick in tonight’s Yankees vs Tigers line is the OVER; both starting pitchers are primed to get rocked in this one. Phil Hughes hasn’t pitched in the majors yet this season; he still has the potential to become a top-of-the-rotation starter, but he hasn’t yet proven he’s ready to be a reliable major league pitcher. Consider him guilty until proven innocent in this one. Jackson’s offshore sportsbook odds don’t look much better; he’s been great so far in 2009 baseball betting but Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher both have sparkling track records against him.

Both starters should struggle tonight but MLB betting fans may as well go with the more experienced starter here. Pick the Tigers.

Betting online pick: Tigers -115

Rays vs Twins odds—James Shields (2-2 3.67) vs Francisco Liriano (0-4, 7.06): Tonight: 8:10 p.m. ET
MLB lines: Rays -124, Twins +104

You look at Francisco Liriano’s numbers, blink, rub your eyes, and look again, but the ugly stats don’t disappear. No one saw his horrible start in baseball betting coming and, as is understandable with any pitcher who had Tommy John surgery, fans of sports betting online are starting to wonder if he’s still healthy. My advice: think of tonight as Liriano’s last chance to prove that he’ll be OK. Every career stat relating to the Rays vs Twins odds sets up Liriano for success; he’s 2-0 with a 0.57 ERA against the Rays and he’s 10-5 with a 2.33 ERA at the Metrodome. If he can’t win under these ideal circumstances, it’s time to shelf him in baseball betting for a while. James Shields hasn’t been too good against the Twins over his career – especially against power-swinging righty killer Jason Kubel. Kubel is swinging a heavy bat these days and is six for 10 against Shields all time, so baseball betting fans shouldn’t be surprised if he takes Shields for a ride again tonight.

Betting online pick: Twins +104

Rangers-Caps, 4 NBA Playoff Games Headline Tuesday Betting

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Bulls try to get ahead of the Celtics, the Capitals try to finish off the Rangers, and the Twins continue to take on the Rays.

Arlen Specter switching parties good for gambling rights…

Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter is switching parties, going from a left-leaning Republican to the Democratic Party. Because Democrats have actually positioned themselves to the right of the Republican Party when it comes to personal responsibility and creating additional forms of revenue, this is good news for those who want to lift Prohibition II, the war on gambling rights.

Tipping off on the hardwood  . . .

Top sportsbooks are taking wagers on Geelong AFL, NBA playoff odds, NHL odds and MLB odds.   


There are two NBA playoff games in each of the conferences on the Tuesday night schedule, with the East featuring Chicago at Boston and Philadelphia at Orlando, and the West giving us Dallas at San Antonio and Houston at Portland.

The two East series are knotted up at two games apiece. In Boston the Celtics will be looking to bounce back from a 121-118 road overtime loss on Sunday, as Derrick Rose led the Bulls’ attack with 23 points and 11 boards. Oddsmakers like Boston in Game 5 on Tuesday, as they’re pegged as 7-point home favorites. The Sixers got back into their series on Sunday as well, edging the Magic 84-81 in Philadelphia. Andre Miller led a balanced Sixers offense with 17 points in the win.

In the West both series could end on Tuesday night, as Dallas and Houston both hold 3-1 edges in the sets. The Mavericks rolled past the Spurs 99-90 at home in Game 4 on the weekend, as Josh Howard poured in 28 points in the victory. Still, San Antonio is favored by 5.5 points in Game 5. The Rockets got 21 points and 12 rebounds from Yao Ming in their 89-88 home win over the Trail Blazers in Game 4 Sunday. Brandon Roy tossed in 31 points in a losing cause for Portland.

Sports headlines…

A day after signing the top undrafted free agent, California University of PA Vulcan QB Brian McCabe, the Pittsburgh Steelers have cut linebacker Larry Foote. McCabe will be the best player who was overlooked in the 2009 NFL draft says OffshoreInsiders.com  CEO Joe Duffy. The fact Duffy graduated from Cal PA is a mere coincidence.

Sports picks…

It surprised nobody that Stevie Vincent’s historic play on the Denver Nuggets was a historic blowout. Stevie knows what others do not.

Underdog Denver wins 121-63 as The Great One goes to 4-0 all time with pro basketball guarantees and all four covered by 22 or more points. You don’t know what Stevie knows as he sweeps thanks to the Hawks going under. He’s now 23-7 in pro basketball with all picks.

Today Stevie debuts his baseball picks. To celebrate, a huge one-day sale. Stevie’s weekly, monthly and 100-day passes are automatically DOUBLED today only to commemorate betting Opening Day in baseball. Get two pro baseball and a pro basketball burial. Click now to purchase


Meeting up on the diamond . . .

Francisco Liriano will be looking to shake off his early-season struggles on Tuesday night when his Twins play host to the Rays in American League action. The lefthander has started the season 0-4 with an ugly 7.06 ERA, and he gave up seven earned runs over four innings vs. the Red Sox last time out. The Rays will counter with James Shields; the righthander is 2-2 with a 3.67 ERA this year.

Also on the Junior Circuit slate for Tuesday: the Angels at Baltimore, Boston at Cleveland, the Yankees at Detroit, Oakland at Texas, Toronto at Kansas City, and a doubleheader between Seattle and the White Sox in Chicago. Projected M’s starter Felix Hernandez is undefeated at 3-0 so far this year, posting a 3.12 ERA over his 26 innings of work.

Meanwhile, the National League schedule for Tuesday includes Florida at the Mets, Houston at Cincinnati, St. Louis at Atlanta, Pittsburgh at Milwaukee, San Diego at Colorado, the Cubs at Arizona, the Dodgers at San Francisco, and Washington at Philadelphia. The Nats will have to contend with Phillies ace Cole Hamels in that one, although the lefthander is just 0-2 with a 9.69 ERA this year.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

The National Hockey League offers up a pair of Game 7’s on Tuesday night, with the Rangers and Washington and Carolina at New Jersey. The Capitals tied up their first-round series at three games apiece on Sunday, blowing past New York 5-3. Tom Poti had a goal and three assists in that win, and Simeon Varlamov made 29 saves. Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist allowed five goals on 20 shots.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes forced a deciding game in their series with the Devils by blanking New Jersey 4-0 on Sunday. Cam Ward made 28 stops for the shutout in that contest, while Ray Whitney scored a goal and added three assists to pace Carolina‘s attack. Eric Staal had two markers for the Canes. Martin Brodeur took the loss in nets for the Devils, stopping just 33 of 37 Carolina shots.

Mariners-White Sox Lines Preview

The Seattle Mariners and the Chicago White Sox will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at U.S. Cellular Field in the first game of a doubleheader.
The Mariners will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Chris Jakubauskas in this game. Jakubauskas has a 0-2 record and a 8.31 ERA this season.
Jakubauskas’s opponent in this one will be Bartolo Colon. The White Sox righthander has a 6.13 ERA to go along with a 1-1 record this season.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Mariners lost to the Angels 8-0 as a +135 underdog on Sunday. The eight runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (9).
Jarrod Washburn took the loss for Seattle after giving up six runs on eight hits in 5 1-3 innings.
The White Sox lost to Toronto 4-3 as a +140 underdog on Sunday. The seven runs scored fell UNDER the posted over/under total (9).
Paul Konerko drove in a pair of runs for the White Sox and Brian Anderson was 3-4.
Team records:
Seattle: 12-7
SU
Chicago
: 9-9 SU
Seattle most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 8-2
Before playing Chi White Sox are 3-7
After playing LA Angels are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Seattle are 6-4
After playing Toronto are 4-6
After a loss are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
Seattle is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle’s last 5 games when playing Chi White Sox
Seattle is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle’s last 6 games on the road
Chi White Sox are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi White Sox’s last 5 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chi White Sox’s last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Chi White Sox’s last 12 games at home
Next up:
Chi White Sox home to Seattle, Tuesday, April 28

 

Cubs-Diamondbacks Lines Preview

The Chicago Cubs and the Arizona Diamondbacks will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at Chase Field.
The Cubs will trot ace Carlos Zambrano out to the mound in this one. Righthander Zambrano has a 1-1 record and a 4.85 ERA this season.
Starting this game for the Diamondbacks will be Yusmeiro Petit. The righthander has a 4.50 ERA to go along with a 0-1 record this season.
Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Diamondbacks, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
Dan Haren went the distance to earn the victory, as the Diamondbacks tripped up the Cubs 7-2 on Monday night.
Arizona won as -150 home favorites as the game played over the 8.5-run total listed by sportsbooks.
Haren knocked in two runs for the Diamondbacks, while Chris Young went 2-for-5 with two runs batted in for Arizona.
Alfonso Soriano and Mike Fontenot both went deep for Chicago, as Ted Lilly was tagged for five runs over five innings to take the loss for the Cubs.
Current streak:
Arizona has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Chicago: 9-9 SU
Arizona: 8-11 SU
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-3
Before playing Arizona are 4-6
After playing Arizona are 6-4
After a loss are 4-6

Arizona most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Chi Cubs are 6-4
After playing Chi Cubs are 5-5
After a win are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chi Cubs’s last 6 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chi Cubs’s last 6 games on the road
Chi Cubs are 4-8 SU in their last 12 games when playing Arizona
Arizona is 7-1 SU in their last 8 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Arizona’s last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona’s last 5 games when playing at home against Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Arizona’s last 10 games
Next up:
Arizona home to Chi Cubs, Wednesday, April 29

 

Rockets-Trail Blazers Lines Preview

The Houston Rockets and the Portland Trail Blazers will both be gunning for a victory on Tuesday when they meet at Rose Garden in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Rockets defeated Portland 89-88 as a 5-point favorite in Game 4 on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (182).
Yao Ming scored 21 points and had 12 rebounds for Houston, while Luis Scola chipped in with 17 points and eight rebounds in the win.
Brandon Roy led the Trail Blazers with 31 points and LaMarcus Aldridge had 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Team records:
Houston: 53-29 SU, 40-41-1 ATS
Portland: 54-28 SU, 46-36 ATS
Houston most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
After playing Portland are 7-3
After a win are 6-4

Portland most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 5-5
After playing Houston are 5-5
After a loss are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Portland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Portland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston’s last 5 games on the road
Houston is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
Portland is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Portland’s last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Portland’s last 6 games when playing at home against Houston
Portland is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games

 

Mavericks-Spurs Lines Preview

The fans at AT&T Center will be treated to a game between the Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs when they take their seats on Tuesday for Game 5 of this first-round playoff series.
Oddsmakers currently have the Spurs listed as 5-point favorites versus the Mavericks, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Mavericks took a 3-1 series lead over the Spurs with a 99-90 win at American Airlines Center in Game 4 on Saturday.
Dallas covered as a 4.5-point home favorite in that contest while the final score played over the 188-point total.
Team records:
Dallas: 50-32 SU, 40-42 ATS
San Antonio: 54-28 SU, 40-40-2 ATS
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 7-3
After playing San Antonio are 6-4
After a win are 6-4

San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 8-2
After playing Dallas are 8-2
After a loss are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Dallas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Dallas is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Dallas is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Antonio’s last 8 games at home
San Antonio is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games at home
San Antonio is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Dallas
San Antonio is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games at home

 

76ers-Magic Odds Preview

The Philadelphia 76ers and the Orlando Magic will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at Amway Arena in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.
Oddsmakers currently have the Magic listed as 8½-point favorites versus the 76ers, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Magic defeated Philadelphia 84-81 as a 4.5-point favorite in Game 4 on Sunday. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (192).
Dwight Howard scored 18 points and grabbed 18 rebounds for Orlando, while Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu each netted 17 points in the win.
Andre Miller led the 76ers with 17 points and Thaddeus Young had 15 points.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 41-41 SU, 36-44-2 ATS
Orlando: 59-23 SU, 49-32-1 ATS
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 4-6
Before playing Orlando are 7-3
After playing Orlando are 3-7
After a loss are 4-6

Orlando most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 6-4
Before playing Philadelphia are 5-5
After playing Philadelphia are 8-2
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia’s last 6 games on the road
Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia’s last 7 games when playing Orlando
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Orlando’s last 6 games
Orlando is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando’s last 5 games at home
Orlando is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games at home
Next up:
Philadelphia home to Orlando, Thursday, April 30
Orlando at Philadelphia, Thursday, April 30

 

Bulls-Celtics Lines Preview

The Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics will both be trying to pick up a win on Tuesday when they battle at TD Banknorth Garden in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.
Oddsmakers currently have the Celtics listed as 8-point favorites versus the Bulls, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Bulls edged Boston 121-118 as a 3-point home favorite on Sunday and tied up the first-round series. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (202.5).
Derrick Rose scored 23 points to go along with 11 rebounds and nine assists for Chicago, while Ben Gordon added 22 points in the win.
Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 29 points and Rajon Rondo had a triple-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
Team records:
Chicago: 41-41 SU, 42-39-1 ATS
Boston: 62-20 SU, 43-39 ATS
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 8-2
Before playing Boston are 7-3
After playing Boston are 6-4
After a win are 7-3

Boston most recently:
When playing on Tuesday are 8-2
Before playing Chicago are 7-3
After playing Chicago are 8-2
After a loss are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago’s last 6 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
Chicago is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Chicago is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston’s last 5 games at home
Boston is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston’s last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston’s last 6 games when playing Chicago
Next up:
Chicago home to Boston, Thursday, April 30
Boston at Chicago, Thursday, April 30

 

NBA Betting: Houston-Portland Odds Picks

Those looking at Kentucky Derby odds are wary about getting ahead of themselves, and basketball betting players should be concerned about the same thing on Tuesday night, when Houston can clinch their first-round series on the road when they take on Portland, the youngest team in the playoffs. The Trail Blazers are the sportsbook favorites at home, and they’ll have to work fast to put a missed chance behind them from Game 4.

Rockets vs Trailblazers odds – April 28, 9:30 PM ET

The Rockets shot 39.8% from the floor, but 9-of-16 from three-point land in an 89-88 win in Game 4 at home. Yao Ming led the way with 21 points and 12 boards while playing 44 minutes, and Luis Scola added 17 points and eight boards for the Rockets, who outrebounded the Trailblazers 43-41, and only committed nine turnovers. Ron Artest had a rough shooting night, going 5-of-20 for 12 points, but he handed out nine assists.

The Trail Blazers led by six points heading into the final quarter, they made all 17 of their free-throw attempts, and still couldn’t put the Rockets away. Brandon Roy had a game-high 31 points, including 13 of Portland’s 17 free throws, and they also had a slight chance when Houston’s Kyle Lowry missed a pair of free throws with 1.2 seconds left, but they couldn’t get another shot off. LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 points and 10 boards for the Trail Blazers, who will be a force in future playoffs, but they’ve made too many mistakes in this series to head to the next round.

Basketball betting odds have the Trail Blazers as a 5.5-point favorite at home, and they should be confident after losing both games in Houston by a combined four points. Back at home, the Trail Blazers should be more relaxed, and it’s imperative that they get out to a good start. For the Rockets, they’ve played their best when Yao gets out of the gate quickly, and he broke out in Game 4 after struggling with double teams in the previous two games. The pace should be picked up in Portland, where the Trail Blazers like to get out and run, so players who are into betting online should consider the over with a total of 182. Take the Trail Blazers to keep their season alive with a basketball betting win on Tuesday.

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