The first round of playoff NBA lines offers some mismatches and, while no one would’ve expected it a few months ago, the Spurs vs Mavericks odds are not one of those mismatches. Not only did the two teams split their season series 2-2, both winning a game in the other’s barn, but the Spurs are banged up entering the NBA betting playoffs and the Mavericks may be playing their best basketball of the season right now. So online betting players can‘t totally write this one off as a sportsbook joke.
When assessing the Spurs odds, there’s no getting around the fact that (a) Manu Ginobili is out for the season with a stress fracture in his ankle and (b) Tim Duncan is past his prime, posting his second lowest points and rebounding averages of his career this season. That puts pressure on young (yes, young—can you believe he’s only 26?) Tony Parker to carry the team. Luckily for the Spurs odds, Parker seems more than up to the task. His 22.0 points per game were a career high and, more importantly, he really brought it in last year’s playoffs, averaging 22.4 points per game. He’s ready to be the face of this franchise.
The Mavs won’t go quietly, though. There’s a ton of pressure on them after years of NBA playoff betting flops and it’s pretty likely that a firesale is on the horizon if they fail again. Dirk Nowitzki can still put points on the board and Jason Terry was a revelation as the sixth man this season. They’ll need a special performance from him off the bench for the Mavericks odds to stand a chance.
While the Spurs are somewhat hobbled and the Mavs played them evenly in the regular season, online betting fans should realize that playoff basketball betting is a different beast. We know these Mavericks are playoff chokers and we know these Spurs always elevate their game, so you should make the Gregg Popovich’s Spurs your sportsbook pick in this series.
The Los Angeles Angels will be fighting to snap a losing streak on Thursday when they take on the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Lefthander Joe Saunders will take the mound for the Angels to start this game. Saunders is 1-1 this season with a 2.63 ERA. It'll be Chris Jakubauskas toeing the rubber for the Mariners in this contest. Righthander Jakubauskas is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA so far this season. Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total. The Mariners rocked Los Angeles for seven runs in the seventh inning to defeat the Angels 11-3 on Wednesday, as +110 underdogs. The 14 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8). Ichiro Suzuki blasted a grand slam homer to pace the Mariners. Jarrod Washburn gave up two runs off four hits in six innings for the win. Torii Hunter went 3-for-4 at the plate with a two-run homer for the Angels, who were favored at -130 in that contest. Jered Weaver surrendered four runs over five innings in the loss. Current streak: Los Angeles has lost 2 straight games. Seattle has won 6 straight games. Team records: Los Angeles: 3-5 SU Seattle: 7-2 SU Los Angeles most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Minnesota are 6-4 After playing Seattle are 5-5 After a loss are 6-4
Seattle most recently: When playing on Thursday are 2-8 Before playing Detroit are 6-4 After playing LA Angels are 3-7 After a win are 7-3 A few trends to consider: LA Angels are 14-5 SU in their last 19 games when playing Seattle LA Angels are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games when playing on the road against Seattle LA Angels are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games on the road LA Angels are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games Seattle is 3-7 SU in their last 10 games when playing at home against LA Angels Seattle is 5-14 SU in their last 19 games when playing LA Angels Next up: LA Angels at Minnesota, Friday, April 17 Seattle home to Detroit, Friday, April 17
The Los Angeles Dodgers will be trying to extend a winning streak on Thursday when they take on the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. The Giants will pin their hopes on the pitching of lefthander Barry Zito in this game. Zito has a 0-1 record and a 9.00 ERA this season. Meanwhile, it'll be Eric Stults who starts for the Dodgers. Lefthander Stults is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA so far this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Dodgers listed as 170-moneyline favorites versus the Giants, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Dodgers edged out the Giants 5-4 for a two-game lead in the best-of-three series on Wednesday, as -165 favorites. The nine runs made it OVER the posted over/under (9.5). Matt Kemp went 2-for-4 and drove in a run for the Dodgers. Jonathan Broxton tossed a scoreless ninth inning to earn the victory. Aaron Rowand smacked a three-run homer in a losing effort for the Giants, who were +145 underdogs. Bob Howry gave up two runs in relief to suffer the loss. Current streak: San Francisco has lost 5 straight games. Los Angeles has won 4 straight games. Team records: San Francisco: 2-6 SU Los Angeles: 6-3 SU San Francisco most recently: When playing on Thursday are 2-8 Before playing Arizona are 5-5 After playing LA Dodgers are 5-5 After a loss are 4-6
Los Angeles most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing Colorado are 6-4 After playing San Francisco are 6-4 After a win are 5-5 A few trends to consider: San Francisco is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against LA Dodgers San Francisco is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road San Francisco is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games LA Dodgers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games LA Dodgers are 14-5 SU in their last 19 games at home LA Dodgers are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against San Francisco Next up: San Francisco home to Arizona, Friday, April 17 LA Dodgers home to Colorado, Friday, April 17
The Toronto Blue Jays and the Minnesota Twins will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at The Metrodome. Ace righthander Roy Halladay will take the mound for the Blue Jays to start this game. Halladay is 2-0 this season with a 3.86 ERA. Meanwhile, it'll be ace Francisco Liriano who starts for the Twins. Lefthander Liriano is 0-2 with a 6.94 ERA so far this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Blue Jays listed as 145-moneyline favorites versus the Twins, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Blue Jays belted out 16 hits en route to a 12-2 victory over the Twins on Wednesday, as +130 underdogs. The 14 runs sailed OVER the posted over/under (8.5). Aaron Hill went 4-for-5 at the plate with three RBIs, including a two-run dinger. Scott Richmond tossed 6 1-3 innings for the win, allowing two runs and four hits. Scott Baker surrendered six runs in just four innings in suffering the loss for the Twins, who were -150 favorites. Team records: Toronto: 7-3 SU Minnesota: 4-6 SU Toronto most recently: When playing on Thursday are 4-6 Before playing Oakland are 6-4 After playing Minnesota are 7-3 After a win are 4-6
Minnesota most recently: When playing on Thursday are 6-4 Before playing LA Angels are 4-6 After playing Toronto are 3-7 After a loss are 6-4 A few trends to consider: Toronto is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing Minnesota Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota Toronto is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games Minnesota is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto Minnesota is 1-11 SU in its last 12 games when playing Toronto Next up: Toronto home to Oakland, Friday, April 17 Minnesota home to LA Angels, Friday, April 17
The San Diego Padres and the New York Mets will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Citi Field. The Padres will trot ace Jake Peavy out to the mound in this one. Righthander Peavy has a 1-1 record and a 3.52 ERA this season. Meanwhile, it'll be John Maine who starts for the Mets. Righthander Maine is 0-0 with a 3.60 ERA so far this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Mets listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Padres, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Mets evened their three-game series with the Padres by earning a 7-2 victory on Wednesday, as -190 favorites. That game's nine runs went as a PUSH against the posted over/under (9). Carlos Delgado went 2-for-3 at the plate, including a solo home run for the Mets. Oliver Perez allowed just one run off three hits over six innings to post the victory. Scott Hairston and Adrian Gonzalez knocked in the runs for the Padres, who were +170 underdogs. Kevin Correia surrendered two runs over five innings in the loss. Team records: San Diego: 6-3 SU New York: 4-4 SU San Diego most recently: When playing on Thursday are 7-3 Before playing Philadelphia are 6-4 After playing NY Mets are 6-4 After a loss are 6-4
New York most recently: When playing on Thursday are 4-6 Before playing Milwaukee are 7-3 After playing San Diego are 4-6 After a win are 3-7 A few trends to consider: San Diego is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games San Diego is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing NY Mets San Diego is 8-16 SU in its last 24 games on the road San Diego is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing on the road against NY Mets NY Mets are 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against San Diego NY Mets are 2-4 SU in its last 6 games NY Mets are 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing San Diego Next up: San Diego at Philadelphia, Friday, April 17 NY Mets home to Milwaukee, Friday, April 17
The Chicago White Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at Tropicana Field. The White Sox will give the ball to starter John Danks in this one. Lefthander Danks is 0-0 this season with a 0.00 ERA. Starting this game for the Rays will be Jeff Niemann. The righthander has a 10.13 ERA to go along with a 0-1 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Rays listed as 103-moneyline favorites versus the White Sox, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The White Sox were shut out 9-0 by the Tigers on Wednesday, as +145 road underdogs. That game's nine runs went UNDER the day's posted over/under 9.5. Jose Contreras fell to 0-2, giving up five runs over 5 1-3 innings in the loss. The Rays lost the rubber match 4-3 to the Yankees on Wednesday, as +105 underdogs. That game's seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9.5). Carlos Pena went deep in a losing effort, while Troy Percival surrendered the winning run in relief. Current streak: Tampa Bay has lost 2 straight games. Team records: Chicago: 4-4 SU Tampa Bay: 4-5 SU Chicago most recently: When playing on Thursday are 8-2 Before playing Tampa Bay are 4-6 After playing Detroit are 5-5 After a loss are 3-7
Tampa Bay most recently: When playing on Thursday are 4-6 Before playing Chi White Sox are 7-3 After playing NY Yankees are 1-9 After a loss are 5-5 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Chi White Sox's last 8 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Chi White Sox's last 19 games when playing Tampa Bay Chi White Sox are 2-8 SU in their last 10 games when playing Tampa Bay Chi White Sox are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games on the road Tampa Bay is 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Tampa Bay's last 8 games when playing at home against Chi White Sox Tampa Bay is 8-2 SU in their last 10 games when playing Chi White Sox The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Tampa Bay's last 19 games when playing Chi White Sox Next up: Tampa Bay home to Chi White Sox, Friday, April 17
Divisional bragging rights will be on the line on Thursday when the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals meet at Nationals Park. The Phillies will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Joe Blanton in this game. Blanton has a 0-0 record and a 15.75 ERA this season. It'll be Shairon Martis toeing the rubber for the Nationals in this contest. Righthander Martis is 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA so far this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Phillies listed as 137-moneyline favorites versus the Nationals, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Ryan Howard was 2-for-5 with a three-run shot to lead the Phillies past the Nationals 9-8 on Monday. Philadelphia cashed as -120 road favorites as the teams played over the 9.5-run total listed by oddsmakers. Shane Victorino went yard and had two runs batted in for the Phillies, while Jamie Moyer allowed four runs over six innings to pick up the win for Philadelphia. Adam Dunn was 2-for-4 with a two-run homer for Washington, as Saul Rivera took the loss in relief of starter Daniel Cabrera for the Nationals. Current streak: Philadelphia has won 3 straight games. Washington has lost 7 straight games. Team records: Philadelphia: 4-3 SU Washington: 0-7 SU Philadelphia most recently: When playing on Thursday are 7-3 Before playing San Diego are 3-7 After playing Washington are 7-3 After a win are 7-3
Washington most recently: When playing on Thursday are 4-6 Before playing Florida are 3-7 After playing Philadelphia are 4-6 After a loss are 1-9 A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing on the road against Washington Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games The total has gone OVER in 7 of Washington's last 8 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Philadelphia The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 8 games at home Next up: Philadelphia home to San Diego, Friday, April 17 Washington home to Florida, Friday, April 17
The St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs will meet on the field at Wrigley Field on Thursday in a battle of division rivals. The Cardinals will pin their hopes on the pitching of ace righthander Adam Wainwright in this game. Wainwright has a 1-0 record and a 1.74 ERA this season. Wainwright's opponent in this one will be Sean Marshall. The Cubs lefthander has a 0.00 ERA to go along with a 0-0 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Cubs listed as 115-moneyline favorites versus the Cardinals, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Ryan Ludwick cracked a two-run homer and drove in three runs to lead the Cardinals past the Diamondbacks 12-7 in the rubber match of a three-game series on Wednesday. The Cardinals won that game at EVEN odds, and the combined score sailed OVER the posted over/under (10). Albert Pujols and Chris Duncan drove in two runs apiece for the Cardinals. Joel Pineiro got the win, allowing five runs off nine hits over five innings on the mound. The Cubs were defeated 5-2 by the Rockies last time out, as -215 favorites at home. That game's seven runs went as a PUSH against the posted over/under (7). Derrek Lee homered in a losing effort, while Rich Harden was tagged for four runs off five hits over three innings of work. Team records: St. Louis: 7-3 SU Chicago: 5-3 SU St. Louis most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Chi Cubs are 6-4 After playing Arizona are 6-4 After a win are 8-2
Chicago most recently: When playing on Thursday are 7-3 Before playing St. Louis are 5-5 After playing Colorado are 4-6 After a loss are 6-4 A few trends to consider: St. Louis is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games The total has gone UNDER in 5 of St. Louis's last 6 games when playing Chi Cubs St. Louis is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs St. Louis is 5-14 SU in its last 19 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi Cubs's last 6 games when playing St. Louis Chi Cubs are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing St. Louis Chi Cubs are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games when playing at home against St. Louis Chi Cubs are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games Next up: Chi Cubs home to St. Louis, Friday, April 17
The New York Yankees will be trying to extend a winning streak on Thursday when they take on the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium. The Indians will pin their hopes on the pitching of ace lefthander Cliff Lee in this game. Lee has a 0-2 record and a 9.90 ERA this season. Starting this game for the Yankees will be ace CC Sabathia. The lefthander has a 4.50 ERA to go along with a 1-1 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Yankees listed as 225-moneyline favorites versus the Indians, while the game's total has not yet been posted. The Indians rallied for three runs in the seventh inning and defeated the Royals 5-4 on Wednesday, as -130 favorites. The game's nine runs fell UNDER the posted over/under (9.5). Travis Hafner went 2-for-3 at the plate with one RBI, and Jensen Lewis earned the win in relief. Derek Jeter singled in the winning run to lift the Yankees to a 4-3 victory over the Rays in the rubber match on Wednesday, as -115 favorites. That game's seven runs went UNDER the posted over/under (9.5). Robinson Cano smacked a two-run homer for the Yankees, and Brian Bruney tossed 2-3 innings of relief for the win. Current streak: New York has won 2 straight games. Team records: Cleveland: 2-7 SU New York: 5-4 SU Cleveland most recently: When playing on Thursday are 3-7 Before playing NY Yankees are 7-3 After playing Kansas City are 4-6 After a win are 7-3
New York most recently: When playing on Thursday are 7-3 Before playing Cleveland are 3-7 After playing Tampa Bay are 7-3 After a win are 7-3 A few trends to consider: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing NY Yankees Cleveland is 6-19 SU in their last 25 games when playing on the road against NY Yankees Cleveland is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games Cleveland is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road NY Yankees are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 5 games when playing Cleveland NY Yankees are 19-6 SU in their last 25 games when playing at home against Cleveland The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 7 games at home Next up: NY Yankees home to Cleveland, Friday, April 17
The Houston Astros and the Pittsburgh Pirates will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at PNC Park. The Astros will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Russ Ortiz in this game. Ortiz has a 0-0 record and a 0.00 ERA this season. It'll be Jeff Karstens toeing the rubber for the Pirates in this contest. Righthander Karstens is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA so far this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Pirates listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Astros, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Mike Hampton pitched six shutout innings on Wednesday night, as the Astros downed the Pirates 4-1. The Pirates won the game as a -110 pick'em, while the team's played UNDER the posted over/under (9). Carlos Lee led the Astros with three RBIs, and Hunter Pence drove in the other run. Hampton evened his record to 1-1 with the win. Adam LaRoche went 2-for-4 with a solo home run for the Pirates. Ross Ohlendorf scattered four runs on eight hits over five innings in the loss. Team records: Houston: 2-6 SU Pittsburgh: 4-4 SU Houston most recently: When playing on Thursday are 5-5 Before playing Cincinnati are 6-4 After playing Pittsburgh are 6-4 After a win are 5-5
Pittsburgh most recently: When playing on Thursday are 2-8 Before playing Atlanta are 6-4 After playing Houston are 4-6 After a loss are 6-4 A few trends to consider: Houston is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing Pittsburgh Houston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh Houston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road Houston is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games Pittsburgh is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Houston Pittsburgh is 7-16 SU in its last 23 games at home Pittsburgh is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games when playing Houston Next up: Houston home to Cincinnati, Friday, April 17 Pittsburgh home to Atlanta, Friday, April 17
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