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Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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09-01-17 | Braves +1.5 v. Cubs | Top | 0-2 | Loss | -125 | 4 h 2 m | Show |
The pitching matchup: Mike Foltynewicz (10-10 & 4.84 ERA) gets the nod for Atlanta up against the veteran John Lackey (10-10 & 4.98 ERA). Foltynewicz has been a nice surprise for the Braves in 2017 (more later), although he does limp in on a four-start losing streak. Foltynewicz has faced the Cubs just once, back in August of 2015, and it wasn't pretty. He was pounded for seven runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings at Chicago. Lackey returned from the break to go 5-0 in his first six starts (Cubs were 6-0) but he has struggled badly in his last two outings, allowing 10 ERs on 15 hits in just 10 innings (that's a 9.00 ERA). Lackey improved to 2-1 in five career starts (his teams are3-2) against the Braves on July 18, when he gave up one run on five hits in five innings at Atlanta. The pick: Lackey's last two outings have both been on the road, so he's hoping a return to Wrigley (he's allowed three runs or less in his last four home starts) will help him turn things around. He may, but I "have a feeling" with Foltynewicz. As noted above, he's on a four-start win-less streak but after allowing 20 runs on 25 hits and nine walks over 11 2/3 innings of three consecutive starts, he showed signs of breaking out of his funk Sunday, when he allowed one run on four hits over five innings in a 3-0 setback against Colorado. Foltynewicz has been "under the radar" all season, with Atlanta going 13-12 in his starts, giving him a plus-$495 moneyline mark which ranks 23rd among all starters. Take Atlanta and the 1 1/2 runs for an 8* play |
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08-31-17 | Ravens v. Saints -2.5 | Top | 14-13 | Loss | -110 | 75 h 19 m | Show |
The set-up: The Baltimore Ravens are one of four NFL teams looking to complete a perfect 4-0 preseason, as they head to New Orleans off a 13-9 home win over Buffalo in Week 3 win that gave them a 3-0 SU & ATS record. The Saints are 2-1 SU & ATS, after a 13-0 home win over Houston last Saturday. Both teams are hoping to return to the playoffs in 2017, after going 8-8 (Baltimore) and 7-9 (New Orleans) in 2016. Baltimore: The Ravens are 3-0 despite the fact that Joe Flacco has not taken a snap in the preseason. Ryan Mallett led the team with 58 yards on 8 of 10 passing while Josh Woodrum completed 8 of his 13 pass attempts for 55 yards and a TD in last week's win. Flacco is dealing with a back injury and he and the rest of the starters will sit this one out. Backup QB Ryan Mallett and third-stringer Josh Woodrum will continue to handle duties under center on Thursday. New Orleans: Chase Daniel led the Saints with 108 yards on 9 of 12 passing while Drew Brees completed 11 of 15 for 76 yards in last week's win. It should be noted that with Drew Brees at the helm, New Orleans managed to score only three points while gaining 124 yards against Texans. The pick: In a rare twist, the Saints may actually play some starters in their fourth and final preseason contest. After all, RBs Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson have not taken the field yet and the offense looked flat in last Saturday’s date with Houston. With that in mind, I'm making the Saints a 10* play. |
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08-31-17 | Steelers +4.5 v. Panthers | Top | 17-14 | Win | 100 | 75 h 50 m | Show |
The set-up: The Steelers are 2-1 SU & ATS this preseason and play their final game Thursday night at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte against the Carolina Panthers (also 2-1 SU & ATS). The Steelers advanced to last year's AFC championship game before losing to the Pats, while Carolina followed a 15-1 regular season and Super Bowl appearance in 2015, by laying an egg in 2016 with a 6-10 record. Pittsburgh: Most of Pittsburgh's starters will be rested in an effort to be ready for the team's regular season Week 1 visit to Cleveland (note: Browns are a surprising 3-0 this preseason) but that's not much of a change, considering the Steelers haven’t played their starters much anyway this preseason. Big Ben's backup, Landry Jones, is coming off a game in which he completed 21 of 31 passes and he’ll get majority of the snaps again, with rookie Joshua Dobbs (Tenn.) playing in the fourth quarter Carolina: Cam Newton didn't play all that much last week but the team seems convinced that he is ready to go. However, seeing some good production from backups Derek Anderson and Joe Webb would be a nice 'safety blanket.' Rookie RB Christian McCaffrey has had his moments this preseason and expect him to be a significant contributor to Carolina's offense in 2017. A bigger key could be the fact that Carolina’s patched up offensive line looks to be coming together. The pick: Carolina may go off as the biggest favorite here in Week 4 and I ask why? Pittsburgh has allowed just 14.7 PPG this preseason and Landry and Dobbs are a better QB duo in this contest than Anderson and Webb. Pittsburgh is the deeper team and that makes them an 8* play plus the points in this game. |
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08-31-17 | Buffalo +28 v. Minnesota | Top | 7-17 | Win | 100 | 1729 h 31 m | Show |
The set-up: The Buffalo Bulls kick off their 2017 season with a road trip to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Head coach HC Lance Leipold led the Bulls to a 5-7 season in his first year at the school but the Bulls clearly regressed in 2016, falling to 2-10, which included a season-opening home loss to Albany (as a three-TD favorite!). It would seem that there is no way to go but up in 2017. Minnesota has been to five consecutive bowl games, after back-to-back 3-9 seasons in 2010 and 2011. P.J. Fleck, who worked a minor miracle at Western Michigan, represents a 180-degree turn from previous “old school” coaches Tracy Claeys and Jerry Kill in Minneapolis. Fleck now moves to a bigger stage with his “row the boat” attitude. Buffalo: Buffalo was terrible on both sides of the ball last season, ranking 126th in averaging 16.5 PPG, while allowing and 32.0 PPG. The good news is, 14 starters return (plus both kickers) but the Bulls do have a long way to go. QB Tyree Jackson returns and at 6-7, 245-lbs, he can be an imposing presence. It sure will help that four OL starters are also back. Eight starters return from LY's pourus defense. Is it a "glass half full" outlook or, “same-old, same-old?” Minnesota: Fleck used his ingenuity on the field and his youthful enthusiasm on the recruiting trail to raise the Broncos to new heights. As noted, Minnesota's been to five straight bowl games and last year's nine wins marks the second-most wins in a season since the school entered the Big 10 back in 1953 (the 2003 team went 10-3). This is NOT a "re-build." The first hurdle for Fleck will be finding an answer at QB. Will it be RS senior Conor Rhoda for one season, 6-5 RS soph QB Demry Croft, or juco Neil McLaurin for a few seasons, or one of five freshmen QBs for down the road? RBs Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks combined for 1808 rushing yards and 21 TDs last season, the top two TEs are back and the left side of the OL is a wall with T Donnell Greene and G Garrison Wright. The Gophers ranked 22nd in points allowed (22.1 per) in 2016 but just five starers return. The key returnees are LBs Jonathan Celestin (2nd with 80 tackles LY) and Blake Cashman (led the team with 7½ sacks), plus safeties Duke McGhee and Antoine Winfield Jr. The pick: I'll note that Buffalo is on a 2-17 SU run in road openers, with seven straight losses by an average margin of 19 PPG. However, please note that the line is this contest opened with Buffalo about a four-TD favorite. Sure, Minnesota was 6-1 SU last season at home but note that the Gophers were 0-5 ATS as a home favorite against FBS opponents in 2016. Take those 'monster' points and make Buffalo a 10* play. |
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08-27-17 | 49ers +5 v. Vikings | Top | 31-32 | Win | 100 | 13 h 56 m | Show |
The set-up: The final game of NFL preseason action goes Sunday night at US Bank Stadium, as the 1-1 San Francisco 49ers meet the 1-1 Minnesota Vikings. The Niners surprised the Chiefs 27-17 in KC in Week 1 but then lost badly at home in Week 2, 33-14 to the Broncos. Minnesota beat the Bills 17-10 in their opener but then fell to the Seahawks last Friday by a score of 20-13. That defeat was just Minnesota's second in 15 preseason game sunder head coach Mike Zimmer. San Francisco: The 49ers finished 2-14 last season and Chip Kelly was fired after just one season,replaced by Kyle Shanahan. Some notable signings in the off-season by the Niners concentrated on an offense which averaged only 19.3 PPG in 2016 (27th). Those signings included WR DeAndre Carter, WR Pierre Garcon, QB Brian Hoyer, FB Kyle Juszczyk, WR Aldrich Robinson and RB Tim Hightower. Brian Hoyer is taking over as the new starter with C.J. Beathard and Matt Barkley fighting for the backup role. RB Carlos Hyde had a solid 2016 season, rushing for 988 rushing yards while averaging 4.6 YPC. Not sure what to make of the team's defense though, as the 49ers allowed 30.0 PPG in 2016, to rank dead-last in the NFL. Minnesota: The Vikings were an early season surprise in 2016, opening 5-0 but in the end the team finished 8-8 and out of the playoffs. It was quite a collapse and it will be interesting to see how the team responds in 2017.Sam Bradford is the starting QB and Case Keenum was signed to backup Bradford until Teddy Bridgewater returns. A.P. is no longer around but it looks like FSU's Dalvin Cook (rushed for 1765 yards with Florida State in 2016), will be the starter. The offense must improve, after averaging 20.4 PPG (23rd). The Minnesota defense was very good in 2016, giving up an average of just 19.2 PPG (6th). The pick; I noted Minnesota's preseason record under Zimmer at the top but I'm not so sure we can expect more of teh same from the Vikings. Expect to see a heavy dose of first-team starters in this one on both sides and I want all the points I can get in this one. Make San Francisco a 10* play. |
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08-26-17 | Colts +6 v. Steelers | Top | 19-15 | Win | 100 | 19 h 47 m | Show |
The set-up: The Indianapolis Colts 0-2 (0-2 ATS) visit Heinz Field for a Week 3 preseason contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers 2-0 (2-0 ATS). Indianapolis is coming off a disappointing 8-8 season in 2016 which saw them finish third in the AFC South and the Colts, still playing without QB Andrew Luck, have scored a modest 29 points in their two losses. The Steelers won the AFC North with an 11-5 record in 2016 and advanced to the AFC championship game where they lost 36-17 to the Patriots. Pittsburgh opened the preseason with a 20-12 win at the NY Giants and followed with a 17-13 home win over the Falcons, the defending NFC champs. Indianapolis: Andrew Luck had shoulder surgery over eight months ago and while reports having him back to throwing the football, Jim Irsay told the Indianapolis Star that there is no guarantee that he will be back in time for the regular season. The Colts have scaled back the playbook for backup Scott Tolzien, who got the start and completed 10 of 14 passes for 70 yards and led his team to a FG in one of his five drives at the helm in last week's loss to the Cowboys. The Colts' lone TD came on a pass from Stephen Morris, who finished 11-for-15 for 111 yards and the score. The Indy D was terrible though, allowing 489 total yards (328 through the air)! Pittsburgh: The Steelers found themselves trailing the Atlanta Falcons 13-3 at halftime last week but rallied in the second half with two TDs to pull out the four-point comeback victory. Rookie QB Josh Dobbs (Tennessee ) got the start for the Steelers, completing 10 of his 19 passes for 70 yards and an interception. However, it was un-drafted free agent QB Bart Houston who would provide the winning touchdown pass. However, Pittsburgh's offense was able to generate just 189 total yards. The pick: Bell has still not reported but Big Ben should see extended playing time, after sitting out last week. Yes, the Steelers are a deep and well-coached unit (nothing new there) but I expect a good effort here from the Colts. Tomlin's an intense coach but after a 2-0 start, what's the big deal about beating the Luck-less 0-2 Colts? Surprise! Make the Colts a 10* play. |
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08-26-17 | Oregon State +2.5 v. Colorado State | Top | 27-58 | Loss | -110 | 1604 h 2 m | Show |
The set-up: The Oregon State Beavers, coming off a 4-8 season, will play the Colorado State Rams (7-6 in 2016) at Fort Collins, in the Ram's new on-campus stadium (yet to be named). It's rare that a Pac-12 team visits a MWC school and this marks Oregon State's first-ever visit to Fort Collins, as the two schools meet for just the third time ever (last meeting was in Corvallis back in 1975!). Oregon State: The Beavers are off a 4-8 season but that was an improvement from the 2-10 record the school posted in head coach Gary Anderson's first year at Corvallis (2015). However, the former Utah State and Wisconsin head coach is feeling quite optimistic heading going into 2017. The Beavers finished their season with impressive wins against Arizona and Oregon. The season-ending win over the University of Oregon, which allowed OSU to finish ahead of the Ducks in the Pac-12 North, provided a singular, long-lasting pleasure in Corvallis, which has helped fuel this year's optimism. Utah State transfer QB Darell Garretson started the first six games of 2016 for the Beavers, going 2-4 SU in a mixed performance (50.0% with three TDs and four INTs), before suffering a fractured ankle. That forced Marcus Maryion into action, with the then-sophomore also going 2-4 SU, but with a much stronger arm. He completed 59.4% with 10 TDs and five INTs. He threw five TD passes in the win over Arizona and had one TD pass plus 81 yards rushing in the win over Oregon). That said, Jake Luton, a JUCO transfer, has been named the starter for opening day. Oregon State will rely heavily on RB Ryan Nall, who finished last season with 13 TDs and 951 rushing yards. To compete in the Pac-12, OSU will have to improve offensively, after averaging 26.2 PPG (105th in the nation). The defense has allowed more than 30.5 PPG (last year's average) in four consecutive seasons, as well as an average of about 440.0 YPG in that span, as well. Colorado State: The Rams have gone 7-6 in each of Mike Bobo's first two years at CSU, with both years ending in a bowl loss. The Rams finished the season strong winning four of their last five regular season games. The offense averaged 35.5 PPG on 462.5 (217.8 rushing and 244.7 passing). Dual threat QB Nick Stevens (64.2% with 19 TD passes) completed 75% in four straight games last year and accounted for five scores in 61-50 loss to Idaho in the Potato Bowl. WR Michael Gallup (76 catches for 1,272 receiving yards and 14 TDs) is Stevens' top weapon plus RBs Dalyn Dawkins (919 rush yards) and Izzy Matthews (734 yards & 13 TDs) are both back. The defense returns eight starters from a unit that allowed 30.4 PPG (81st) on 419.2 YPG (69th). The pick: The Rams have won their last four home openers, as part of a current 20-3 run in home openers plus Oregon State visits Fort Collins looking to end a steak of 13 consecutive road losses. However, the modest pointspread alerts us to that fact that Oregon State is no longer a pushover. I'm a big fan of Gary Andersen and it was in his third year at Utah State that he got that program turned around. 2017 is his third year in Corvallis and I expect Oregon Sate to spring the minor upset, jump-staring what could be a 3-0 start for the Beavers in 2017 (home games with Portland St. and Minnesota are up next). Make OSU a 10* play. |
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08-24-17 | Panthers +1 v. Jaguars | Top | 24-23 | Win | 100 | 55 h 46 m | Show |
The set-up: The Carolina Panthers and Jacksonville Jaguars are both 1-1 as the two teams get set to square off in this Week 3 meeting Thursday night at EverBank Field. As most know, Week 3 games are typically called "dress rehearsal" contests. However, Cam Newton has yet to dress for the first two games, as the Panthers are being extra cautious with his shoulder. As for the Jags, they couldn't generate any offense in their 12-8 loss to the Buccaneers last week, and after the game head coach Doug Marrone voiced his displeasure with Blake Bortles. It appears the Jags now have a battle brewing for the starting QB role in the last two weeks of the preseason. Carolina: Head coach Ron Rivera confirmed Tuesday that his star QB will take first snaps against the Jacksonville Jaguars, barring a setback with Newton's surgically repaired shoulder. That said, Newton is only expected to play about eight to 10 snaps against the Jaguars. So far, Derek Anderson (11 of 17 for 164 yards with one TD and one INT) and Joe Webb (12 of 20 for 195 yards with three TDs and one INT) have seen the most work. After a brief appearance by Newton, those two should be competing for the backup role. The Panthers have shown great promise on the offensive side, combining for 54 points in two games, despite no Newton. Jacksonville: Clearly, the Jags are becoming frustrated with Blake Bortles but do they have a Plan B? Chad Henne has had very little success in the NFL, posting 58:63 TD to INT ratio and 75.5 QB rating in his career to-date. As for Brandon Allen, he's in his second season (from Arkansas) and has yet to attempt an NFL regular season pass. The pick: The 'talk' is that moving on from Bortles would breathe life into the entire Jacksonville team from a confidence standpoint. However, I just don't see that considering the options Jacksonville currently has. After scoring 31 points in an upset of the Pats, the Jags 'laid an egg' with an eight-point effort vs. Tampa Bay. This hardly 'feels' like a team ready for a dress rehearsal. I'm making the Panthers a 10* play. |
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08-21-17 | Giants v. Browns +1.5 | Top | 6-10 | Win | 100 | 33 h 54 m | Show |
The set-up: It's Monday Night Football on ESPN at FirstEnergy Stadium, as the 0-1 New York Giants and the 1-0 Cleveland Browns wrap up NFL Week 2 preseason action. The Giants ended a four-year playoff drought in 2016 by finishing 11-5 and earning wild card berth. However, the team's postseason hopes were dashed in a 38-13 loss at Green Bay. The postseason has eluded the Browns for 14 straight years, after they finished 1-15 in 2016. Cleveland has had 13 losing season in that span and hit rock bottom with last year's franchise-worst record. |
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08-20-17 | Falcons v. Steelers +3 | Top | 13-17 | Win | 100 | 16 h 11 m | Show |
Atlanta: Matt Ryan saw limited action last week but made the most of it, going 3 for 3 with 32 yards and a TD. RB Devonta Freeman caught that 15-yard TD pass from Ryan but had just one rushing attempt, as did the backfield partner, Tevin Colemn (the two combined for four rushing yards). Simms, who owns just 39 regular season pass attempts in his NFL career (none since 2014), saw the most action at QB (10 of 20 for 104 yards). The Atlanta D had two 'picks' but also allowed two TD passes in the fourth quarter of the three-point loss. Pittsburgh: The Steelers won 20-12 last week but made just 10 FDs and gained a pathetic 226 yards. Fourth-round pick Joshua Dobbs saw the bulk of the game action at QB, going 8 for 15 with 100 yards, a touchdown but also two INTs. Pittsburgh's D led the way to victory, coming up with seven sacks, two takeaways (1 INT & 1 fumble) but consistently were able to stall New York possessions, holding the Giants to four FGs. The pick: Neither team showed much on offense in their respective Week 1 games and it's expected that both teams' starters will not see significant action until the third game of the preseason. That leaves me with the better defensive team which is the Steelers. Make Pittsburgh |
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08-18-17 | Vikings v. Seahawks -3.5 | Top | 13-20 | Win | 100 | 21 h 19 m | Show |
The set-up: Friday features just one NFL preseason contest, the Minnesota Vikings traveling to Seattle to take on the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. The Vikings are off a 17-10 Week 1 win at Buffalo, as the team improved to an almost hard to believe 13-1 record in preseason contests under Mike Zimmer. Meanwhile the Seahawks opened their 2017 preseason schedule with a 48-17 pasting over the now-LA Chargers last Sunday, ruining the Chargers "return to LA" (Chargers played the AFL's 1960 season in LA before moving to San Diego in 1961).
Minnesota: Staring QB Sam Bradford saw very little action in Week 1 (5 for 7 for 35 yards) as Case Keenum saw the bulk of the workload and completed 11 of 16 passes for 121 yards. Taylor Heinicke completed three passes and a touchdown but also threw an interception. A.P. is now in New Orleans and second round pick Dalvin Cook (FSU) had five carries for 13 yards but also caught 4 balls out of the backfield for 30 yards. The Minnesota defense was solid, allowing 309 yards of total offense and just 10 points. Minnesota's preseason record under Zimmer is mind-boggling but I'm backing Seattle in this one, after the team's outstanding Week 1 effort. I don't believe Minnesota can match Seattle's 'firepower.' Make the Seahawks a 10* play. |
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08-17-17 | Edmonton v. Winnipeg +1 | Top | 26-33 | Win | 100 | 31 h 22 m | Show |
The set-up: The 7-0 Edmonton Eskimos look to keep their perfect record intact when they visit the 5-2 Winnipeg Blue Bombers Thursday at Investors Group Field. QB Mike Reilly is completing 72.7 percent of his passes for 2,329 yards with 13 TDs and four INTs. He leads an offense which ranks first in YPG (429.3 per) and first in passing yards(332.7 YPG). The Eskimos average 29.1 PPG (3rd-best) but just one of the team's seven wins have come by more than seven points (an 11-point win), hence the team's mediocre 3-3-1 ATS mark. The defense allows 333.9 YPG to also rank third-best. Winnipeg is 5-2 SU & ATS and enters off three straight wins, scoring 41, 33 and 39 points, respectively. QB Matt Nichols completes 68.9 percent of his passes for 2,024 yards with 13 TDs and four INTs. Winnipeg scored just 10 points in losing its second game of the season but has scored 33 points or more in its other six games. Defensively, the Blue Bombers allow 31.6 PPG (8th) on 402.1 YPG (7th). |
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08-17-17 | Bucs v. Jaguars +1.5 | Top | 12-8 | Loss | -110 | 31 h 52 m | Show |
The set-up: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost 23-12 at Cincinnati last Friday and tonight will travel to play in Jacksonville against the Jaguars (on ESPN), who won 31-24 last Thursday in New England. The Buccaneers lost to the Bengals in their preseason opener after being outscored 17-3 in the second half. However, QB Jameis Winston looked sharp with nine completions on 13 attempts and WR Mike Evans had four receptions for 58 yards. Jacksonville QB Blake Bortles had just five pass attempts in the upset of the Pats but backups Chad Henne and Brandon Allen combined for 224 passing yards and two TDs. RB Corey Grant stole the show with 120 rushing yards and one TD on just eight carries, while Leonard Fournette didn’t exactly impress with nine rushes for 31 yards and a one-yard TD run. Tampa Bay: The team's offensive starters are fine and will be even better once RB Doug Martin gets back on the field after his suspension. A worry here is that backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick played poorly, completing 6 of 13 for just 45 yards and one INT. Don't expect to see much of Winston in this one (he'll get more time in Week 3), meaning inexperienced QBs like Griffin and Liufau may get extra reps, as it's possible Tampa Bay is questioning whether Fitzpatrick is the team's No. 2 QB. Jacksonville: The Jaguars have to be pleased with what they showed in their first preseason game. Yes, it's just an "exhibition game" but there could be a feeling of "building off beating the champs." The Jags did rack up 447 total yards in the game and that was with little or no contributions from the team's expected top-two offensive players, QB Bortles and first-round draft pick RB Leonard Fournette (LSU). The pick: I'm expecting Winston to see very little action and after the former Heisman Trophy-winner, Tampa Bay's QB rotation is troublesome. The Jags have a losing culture which needs to be turned a round and following an upset of the Pats in Foxboro, a win in front of the home fans (against an in-state rival like the Bucs), would be good 'medicine.' Make the Jags an 8* play. |
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08-13-17 | BC -2 v. Saskatchewan | Top | 8-41 | Loss | -110 | 21 h 47 m | Show |
The set-up: The 5-2 BC Lions visit Mosaic Stadium on Sunday to take on the 2-4 Saskatchewan Roughriders. The BC Lions are unbeaten against all CFL teams not named Edmonton, which by the way is a perfect 7-0. Jonathon Jennings began the season as BC's No. 1 QB but was injured in Week 4. Veteran Travis Lulay took over and threw for 436 yards in that Week 4 contest. He's completing 73.7% of his passes and averaging 359.3 YPG while lead the Lions to 35.3 PPG. Defensively, BC is allowing 27.7 points and 397.3 yards per game. The Roughriders have split their last four games, including 30-15 at BC last week. Saskatchewan enters this contest 2-4. QB Kevin Glenn is completing 70.7 percent of his passes for 1,784 yards with 11 TDs and six INTs. |
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08-12-17 | Titans v. Jets +2.5 | Top | 3-7 | Win | 100 | 127 h 28 m | Show |
The set-up: Week 1 of the 2-017 NFL preseason continues with three games on Saturday, including the Titans visiting the Jets at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Tennessee is coming off a 9-7 season and while the Titans missed the playoffs for the eight consecutive year, it was Tennessee’s first winning season since 2011. Meanwhile, the Jets stumbled to a 5-11 record in 2016 (last-place in the AFC East) and missed the postseason for the sixth consecutive year. Tennessee: The Titans lost a few notable players in TE Anthony Fasano, G Chance Warmack and WR Kendall Wright but was also busy, signing SS Johnathan Cyprien, G Tim Belito and CB Logan Ryan, while retaining QB Matt Cassel and TE Phillip Supernaw. Tennessee went 3-1 in the preseason last year but stumbled out of the gate in the regular season, losing three of their first four games. However, the Titans recovered to win four of their final five to end up 9-7, tied with the Texans atop the AFC South (Houston won the tie-breaker). If QB Marcus Mariota (3426 yards, 26 TD, 9 INT plus 349 rushing yards and two TDs) been healthy in the final two games, things may have been different. If he can play all 16 games this season, the Titans are in good shape. The running game is in good hands with the tandem of DeMarco Murray (293 carries, 1287 yards, 4 TD, 53 catches, 377 yards, 3 TD) and Derrick Henry (110 carries, 490 yards, TD, 13 cathches, 137 yards). The Titans bolstered their receiving corps via the draft and free agency. In the draft, Tennessee picked WRs Corey Davis in the first round and Taywan Taylor in the third round plus added TE Jonnu Smith with a third round selection. Eric Decker was signed as a FA after the Jets cut him. NY Jets: Head coach Todd Bowles is back for his third year. The Jets were 3-5 at the midway point before losing six of their seven, before a meaningless Week 17 win over to finish 5-11. Gone are QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, WR Brandon Marshall and WR Eric Decker, as well as longtime center Nick Mangold. Darrelle Revis, David Harris, Marcus Gilchrist and Calvin Pryor are gone from the defense. Bowles will oversee a rebuilding process this season but will he be around to see it completed? The QB position will be a three-way battle between grizzled veteran Josh McCown, former second-round pick Christian Hackenberg and former fourth-round pick Bryce Petty. The 'winner' joins aging Matt Forte (218 carries, 813 yards, 7 TD) and Bilal Powell (131 carries, 722 yards, 3 TD, 58 catches, 388 yards, 2 TD) in the backfield. When it comes to the receiving corps, the Jets feature a host of unproven ones. The pick: The Titans have a shot at the 2017 playoffs while the Jets are going nowhere. However, for this meaningless contest, I prefer the Jets who have a real QB 'battle,' while the Titans look forward to the opening of the regular season, as they can't afford to open by losing three of their first four, again. Make the Jets a 10* play. |
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08-11-17 | Bucs +2 v. Bengals | Top | 12-23 | Loss | -110 | 103 h 28 m | Show |
The set-up: The Cincinnati Bengals host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1 preseason action Friday night from Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. The Buccaneers are viewed as a team on the rise by many with QB Jameis Winston entering his third season. The Bucs were 6-10 in Winston's rookie season but went 9-7 last year, ending a run of five consecutive losing seasons Cincinnati is led by QB Andy Dalton, coming off a season in which he threw for 4206 yards with 18 TDs and just eight INTs, although the Bengals missed the playoffs for the first tim e since 2010, going just 6-9-1. Tampa Bay was 2-2 in last year’s preseason, while Cincy posted a 1-3 record. Tampa Bay: Winston threw 28 TD passes in 2016 (up from 22) but his interception total also rose from 15 to 18 (The Bucs need to see that number fall not rise, in 2017). WR Mike Evans is blossoming into an elite pass-catcher, with receptions for 1,321 receiving yards and 12 TDs. DeSean Jackson joins as a FA plus the Bucs also added a few promising receivers in the draft. Tampa Bay’s featured RB Doug Martin will be suspended the first three weeks of the season meaning Jacquizz Rodgers could see a bulk of the carries to start the regular season (Rodgers is an able replacement). The Buccaneers averaged 22.1 PPG (19th) and allowed 23.1 PPG (15th). Both figures need to improve. Cincinnati: When healthy, A.J. Green is one of the NFL's top WRs. The Bengals have depth at RB in Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill plus bolstered their running game by drafting the controversial Joe Mixon with their second round pick. Cincinnati's defense showed great improvement as the 2016 season progressed (finished eight overall in scoring D at 19.7 PPG). Has the Bengals' 'playoff window' closed? The offense must average more than the 20.3 PPG of last season (ranked 23rd). The pick: Like most preseason Week 1 games, we will see little from the respective No. 1 QBs for each team, Winston and Dalton. Tampa Bay's backup is veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, who is good at winning meaningless games. Meanwhile, A.J. McCarron has not played in a regular season game since 2015 plus third stringer Jeff Driskel wasn't much of a college QB. Make Tampa Bay a 10* play. |
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08-10-17 | Vikings v. Bills | Top | 17-10 | Win | 100 | 79 h 59 m | Show |
The set-up: The Minnesota Vikings had 'tongues wagging' by opening teh 2016 season 5-0 SU & ATS. However, after a Week 6 bye, the Vikings lost their mojo, losing four in a row SU & ATS. The team never recovered, losing eight of its final 11 games to finish teh season 8-8 (9-7 ATS). Minnesota is out to prove its hot start wasn’t a fluke and that the Vikings can challenge the Packers for the division title (we'll see). The Bills gave up on Rex Ryan and would finish 7-9, extending to 17 seasons, the NFL's longest playoff drought. The Bills have employed nine different head coaches during their playoff drought and I wish Sean McDermott "the best of luck," as he's been named the 20th head coach in team history. Minnesota: It’s a new era in Minnesota, as Adrian Peterson is no longer roaming the backfield. The Vikings will feature Jerick McKinnon, rookie Dalvin Cook, Bishop Sankey and Terrell Newby running behind fullback C.J. Ham. QB Sam Bradford completed 71.6 percent of his passes last season with 20 TDs and just five INTs but rarely threw downfield. That has to change. Buffalo: Tyrod Taylor is entering his third season as Buffalo’s starting QB and he has passed for more than 3,000 yards in each of the past two years and has 37 TD passes against just 12 interceptions during that span, yet most feel he isn't truly Buffalo's answer at the position. Buffalo was a force on the ground last season as LeSean McCoy had a bounce back season (1,267 yards / 5.4 YPC / 13 TDs) behind an excellent OL. However, the he oft-injured Sammy Watkins remains a big question mark at WR. The pick: Word is that he Vikings are doing the best they can to avoid preseason injuries but one can't ignore that they have played to win these relatively meaningless contests. Minnesota went undefeated in the preseason in 2016 and is 12-1 SU in its last 13 preseason outings dating back to 2013. Make the Vikings an 8* play. |
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08-05-17 | Saskatchewan v. BC -7 | Top | 15-30 | Win | 100 | 10 h 25 m | Show |
The pick: The BC Lions have had no problems so far this season, except for going 0-2 vs.the Edmonton Eskimos. Then again, Edmonton stands at 6-0 on the season. BC played and beat Saskatchewan in each of the last two weeks of the 2016 season, outscoring the Roughriders by a combined score of 65-24! Saskatchewan has moved the ball and scored points at home here in 2017 (38.2 PPG in three contests) but has scored a total of just 26 points (13.0 per) in two road losses. Expect more road woes for the Roughriders in this one. Make BC a 10* play |
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08-03-17 | Cowboys v. Cardinals | Top | 20-18 | Loss | -110 | 56 h 46 m | Show |
The set-up: The NFL is back in action for the first time since last February's thrilling Super Bowl, as the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals meet in Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game at Canton, Ohio. After cancelling this game last year due to poor playing conditions, the Pro Football Hall of Fame was determined not to let it happen again. The stadium was overhauled thanks to a $10 million donation from Tom Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints and now the namesake of the Canton venue. The time frame for major renovations was limited and Kevin Shiplett, VP of Operations and Facilities at the Hall of Fame, joked: “It will be done, but just don’t brush up against any walls because the paint may be fresh.” There is a chance of scattered thunderstorms for Thursday evening in Canton, so weather could be a factor. Dallas: The Cowboys were the far superior team last year due to the emergence of rookies Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott. This dynamic duo led the Cowboys to 13 wins, their highest total since 2007, but as been the case for some time now, the Cowboys lost their first playoff game. Arizona: The Cardinals entered the 2016 season off back-to-back playoff appearances, including coming off a 13-3 regular season in 2015, which ended with an NFC championship game loss. However, at 7-8-1 in 2016, the team ended a run of three consecutive seasons of double-digit wins. The pick: As is custom in an early preseason game, you can expect to see a ton of unknowns on the field attempting to earn recognition from coaching staffs and carve out a spot on the final roster. Neither coach is expected to really care about the final score and will instead opt to get as many reps from as many guys on the fringe as possible. In particular, Arizona will be without two of three most impactful offensive players, as head coach Bruce Arians is electing to keep QB Carson Palmer and WR Larry Fitzgerald sidelined in order to keep their preseason workload light (don't expect to see too much of RB David Johnson, either). Both Arians and Dallas' Jason Garrett boast losing records during the preseason but Garrett has only a total of four wins in 13 attempts over the past four preseasons. Five of the last six Hall of Fame games have been low-scoring affairs, with only the Cowboys vs. the Miami Dolphins showdown in 2013 going over 40 points. Points will be at a premium in this contest, especially since these players have had extremely little time to prepare together as a team. I'm making Arizona a 10* play. |
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08-03-17 | Calgary -4.5 v. Toronto | Top | 41-24 | Win | 100 | 55 h 16 m | Show |
The set-up: The 4-1-1 Calgary Stampeders visit the 3-3 Toronto Argonauts at BMO Field on Thursday. Bo Levi Mitchell is completing 63.9 percent of his passes for 1,832 yards with 10 TD passes and three interceptions. He leads an offense that ranks No. 1 in total yards (425.5 per) and is the CFL's highest scoring team (35.5 PPG). That goes perfectly with a defense that leads the CFL in allowing a modest 20.2 PPG. Toronto Argonauts averages 421.7 YPG (second) but yards haven't translated into points, as the Argonauts are averaging only 25.3 PPG (ranks 7th of 9 teams). QB Ricky Ray is completing 69.2 percent of his passes for 2,282 yards with nine TD passes and just three interceptions. Toronto is allowing 27.2 points and 361.3 yards per game. |
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07-29-17 | Hamilton +13.5 v. Calgary | Top | 1-60 | Loss | -115 | 58 h 30 m | Show |
The 0-4 (0-3-1 ATS) Hamilton Tiger-Cats will look for their first win of the 2017 season Saturday night at McMahon Stadium against the 3-1-1 (2-3 ATS) Calgary Stampeders. QB Zach Collaros is completing 61.8 percent of his passes for 1,041 yards with three TD passes and four interceptions. Hamilton ranks 9th in passing yards and 8th in rushing yards, leaving them 9th overall at 310.2 YYPG, as well as being the league's lowest scoring team at 22.3 PPG. If the team's lack of offense weren't enough, Hamilton is allowing 35.2 points (8th) and 488.2 yards per game (9th). Calgary is a solid offensive team, ranking third in both poinst scored (30.6 per) and YPG (411.4). QB Bo Levi Mitchell is completing 63.9 percent of his passes for 1,635 yards with nine TDs and three interceptions. Calgary's defense allows just 24.0 PPG, second-best in the league. |
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07-24-17 | White Sox +1.5 v. Cubs | Top | 3-1 | Win | 115 | 4 h 7 m | Show |
The set-up: The Chicago Cubs’ took the rubber match of their three-game series with the Cards 5-3 last night on ESPN and have now won eight of nine since returning from the break. The team's starting pitching has been a big reason for Chicago's surge, with seven quality starts in those nine games, as Chicago starters own a 2.41 ERA. With the help of a Milwaukee slump (Brewers have lost seven of eight), the Cubs have moved into a tie with Brewers atop the NL Central. Anyone not see this coming? The Cubs now get set to play a home-and-home four-game series with their crosstown rivals the Chicago White Sox, who limp in on nine-game losing streak (0-8 since the break). The White Sox own the AL's worst record as the meet the Cubs at Wrigley Field Monday and Tuesday before heading back home to the South Side on Wednesday and Thursday. |
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07-22-17 | Saskatchewan v. Calgary -10 | Top | 10-27 | Win | 100 | 58 h 10 m | Show |
The set-up: The 1-2 Saskatchewan Roughriders will take on the 2-1-1 Calgary Stampeders Saturday at McMahon Stadium. The Roughriders are off their first win of the season (37-20 at home over Hamilton), after opening 0-2. Saskatchewan lost 17-16 at Montreal to start the season but QB Kevin Glenn has thrown for 728 yards and six TDs the last two games, leading the Roughriders to 40 points (lost by three in OT) and 37 (17-point win). The Saskatchewan defense has allowed 326.0 YPG (first) but 26.7 PPG, which ranks fifth. Calgary is 2-1-1, having played three of their first four away from home. QB Bo Levi Mitchell is completing 65 percent of his passes for 1,382 yards with seven TD passes and just two INTs in 163 pass attempts. Calgary allows more than 90 YPG than Saskatchewan (419 to 326) but about the same amount of points, 27.5 per to 26.7. |
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07-20-17 | Yankees v. Mariners +1.5 | Top | 4-1 | Loss | -150 | 15 h 46 m | Show |
The set-up: The Seattle Mariners open a four-game home series with the NY Yankees having won six of their last seven games to reach the .500 mark (48-48). Seattle now sits just 1 1/2 games behind the 48-45 Yankees, who currently hold down the second wild-card spot. The Mariners completed a 5-1 road trip with a 4-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday and now have their next 10 contests scheduled for Safeco Field. New York lost to Minnesota 6-1 on Wednesday, one day after acquiring third baseman Todd Frazier (0-for-1, hit by pitch) and relievers David Robertson (didn't pitch) and Tommy Kahnle (one scoreless inning) from the Chicago White Sox. The Yankees are counting on this trade to kick-start a winning streak, as since mid-June, the Yankees have been in a funk (10-22 their last 32 games). |
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07-19-17 | Montreal v. Ottawa -4.5 | Top | 19-24 | Win | 100 | 13 h 35 m | Show |
The set-up: The 2-2 Montreal Alouettes will play the 0-3-1 Ottawa Redblacks Wednesday night at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa. Montreal has played three of its first four at home, losing its lone road game 23-19 at Edmonton (note: Eskimos are 3-0 to start the 2017 season). QB Darian Durant is completing 66.4 percent of his passes for 940 yards with four TD passes and four INTs but is somewhat helped by the league's top rushing attack (109.2 YPG). The bigger help is a Montreal defense allowing a league-best 21.2 PPG. The Redblacks are still looking for their first win of the season after a 0-3-1 start. QB Trevor Harris is completing 71.5 percent of his passes for 1,379 yards with eight TD passes and just two INTs. He leads an offense which has played well, averaging 29.0 PPG (4th-best). However, Ottawa's defense has allowed the most points (123) in the league and its 30.8 PPG average ranks 7th of nine teams, ahead of two teams that have played just three games. The pick: The Alouettes are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games but Ottawa has won five of the last six meetings against Montreal. Yes, Ottawa is win-less but along with a 31-31 tie, the three losses have come by 4, 1 and 2 points! The Redblacks aren't nearly as bad as their record and are, as the saying goes, "due!" Maybe, overdue? Make Ottawa an 8* play. |
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07-14-17 | Ottawa +6 v. Edmonton | Top | 21-23 | Win | 100 | 84 h 50 m | Show |
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07-13-17 | Toronto +3 v. Winnipeg | Top | 25-33 | Loss | -110 | 59 h 31 m | Show |
The set-up: The 2-1 Toronto Argonauts and 1-1 Winnipeg Blue Bombers meet Thursday at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg. Toronto QB Ricky Ray has completed 70.1 percent of his passes for 1,199 yards with four TDs and just one interception. He may have had just one TD pass in last week's home win over Hamilton but he threw for 506 yards and did not throw an INT in 41 pass attempts, while leading the Argos to 32 points. The defense was excellent, holding the Tiger-Cats to 15 points on 258 yards with just 12 FDs. Toronto is allowing 22.7 points and 361 YPG after three games (more on that later). Winnipeg opened with a 43-40 OT win at Saskatchewan but then returned home to lose 29-10 to Calgary. QB Matt Nichols threw for 331 yards with four TDs and just one INT in beating the Roughriders but was not nearly as good against Calgary, with two INTs and one TD pass, while leading the Blue Bombers to just 10 points! |
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07-08-17 | Hamilton +1.5 v. Saskatchewan | Top | 20-37 | Loss | -110 | 108 h 0 m | Show |
The set-up: The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders meet Saturday in CFL action at Mosaic Stadium in Saskatchewan. Both teams are looking for their first win of 2017, as Hamilton has opened 0-1 and Saskatchewan 0-2. The Tiger-Cats lost 32-15 at Toronto in Week 1 and took last week off. Zach Collaros won the starting QB job but threw for a modest 242 yards in Week 1, without a TD pass and one INT. Running games are not the most important aspect of any CFL team but Hamilton will need to improve on its 16 yard rushing effort against the Argonauts! It's been "close but no cigar" for the Roughriders to open the 2017 season. They lost 17-16 at Montreal in Week 1, then lost 43-40 (in OT) at home to Winnipeg in Week 2. QB Kevin Glenn is completing 72 percent of his passes for 675 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. The running game has averaged 61.5 yards per contest. The defense played well in Week 1 but then allowed 43 points on 430 yards in Week 2 (team also allowed 261 return yards). |
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07-07-17 | Calgary -3 v. Winnipeg | Top | 29-10 | Win | 100 | 82 h 21 m | Show |
The set-up: The Calgary Stampeders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers meet Friday in CFL action at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg. The Stampeders have opened the 2017 season with back-to-back games against Ottawa, winning 43-39 at home in Week 1 and then playing to a 31-31 tie in Week 2 at Ottawa. QB Bo Levi Mitchell is completing 63.3 percent of his passes for 671 yards and is off to a great start with seven TD passes without an INT (he has 37 TD passes over his last 19 games). However, Calgary's defense is not off to a good start, allowing 35 points and 461 yards per game. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers didn't play in Week 1 but were able to outlast the Saskatchewan Roughriders 43-40 in double overtime last week on the road. QB Matt Nichols is off to a strong start, completing 63.9 percent of his passes last week for 331 yards with four TDs and just one interception. |
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07-01-17 | Winnipeg v. Saskatchewan +1 | Top | 43-40 | Loss | -110 | 105 h 2 m | Show |
The set-up: The CFL's second week concludes Saturday night when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders meet at Mosaic Stadium in Saskatchewan. The Blue Bombers will be making their 2017 debut in this game, after finishing 11-7 last year and losing in the West semifinals. Matt Nichols returns at QB after throwing for a modest 18 TDs last season. The Blue Bombers averaged 27.6 PPG but allowed 25.2 PPG, so it's no surprise the team was 10-8 ATS. The Roughriders are looking to even their 2017 record at 1-1, after losing 17-16 in Week 1 to the Montreal Alouettes. QB Kevin Glenn completed 70.5 percent of his passes against Montreal for 298 yards (one TD and one INT) but the offense produced just 16 points. The pick: Winnipeg won seven of nine road games last season (also 7-2 ATS) and then lost (but covered) in a 32-31 loss at BC in the playoffs. Does that mean the Blue Bombers are the play? Not so fast. The Roughriders have a game under their belts (it's Winnipeg's first game since November of 2016) and the team's "D" put forth an excellent effort. Montreal was held to just 17 points on 16 FDs at home. In a near pick'em contest, I'll make the home team an 8* play. |
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06-30-17 | Montreal +8.5 v. Edmonton | Top | 19-23 | Win | 100 | 82 h 52 m | Show |
The set-up: The Montreal Alouettes eked out a 17-16 win in Week 1 at Saskatchewan, while the Edmonton Eskimos edged the BC Lions 30-27 on the road. The two teams meet Friday at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. Montreal QB Darian Durant passed for 233 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Edmonton QB Mike Reilly tortured opposing defenses in 2016 with 5,554 passing yards, as well as finishing second in the league in both TD passes (28) and rushing TDs (9). He passed for 315 yards, two TDs and zero INTs in the three-point win over the Lions. |
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06-30-17 | BC +1 v. Toronto | Top | 28-15 | Win | 100 | 79 h 3 m | Show |
The set-up: The BC Lions and Toronto Argonauts meet Friday at the BMO Field in Toronto. The Lions lost 30-27 at home in Week 1 to Edmonton and look for their first victory of the season, tonight. The Lions scored 27 points last week but QB Jonathon Jennings didn't have a TD pass (no INTs, either), while passing for a modest 264 yards. Toronto opened with an easy 32-15 win over Hamilton and while QB Ricky Ray had just one TD pass, he didn't throw an INT, completed 78 percent of his passes and threw for 506 yards! |
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06-25-17 | Hamilton -3.5 v. Toronto | Top | 15-32 | Loss | -105 | 56 h 54 m | Show |
The set-up: The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts meet Sunday in CFL action at the BMO Field in Toronto. The Tiger-Cats are hoping for a better season in 2017, after finishing 7-11 last year and then losing 24-21 to Edmonton in the East Semifinal. Hamilton has possibly the best 1-2 QB punch in the league with Zach Collaros and Jeremiah Masoli both playing well last season and proving they can lead the team. However, it looks as if Collaros will be the go-to guy this year now that he's finally healthy. Toronto has nowhere to go but up after finishing with a CFL-worst 5-13 record (Saskatchewan was also 5-13). The Argonauts scored only 383 points last year (21.3), with only Saskatchewan scoring less (350 points). On defense, no team allowed more points than Toronto's 568 (31.6 per). If Ricky Ray stays healthy, Toronto's offense will be in good hands. However, while Ray has more than 54,000 career passing yards, he has played just 12 games the last two years. The fact that the Argonauts lost their top-two receivers from a year ago is also a concern, even though Ray is healthy to open the 2017 season. |
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06-22-17 | Saskatchewan +7 v. Montreal | Top | 16-17 | Win | 100 | 31 h 39 m | Show |
The set-up: The Saskatchewan Roughriders (West Division) ended last year with losses in their last three games and finished 5-13. However, they were a much more respectable 9-9 ATS. That said, the Roughriders pretty much have nowhere to go but up. They allowed 530 points (only the East's Toronto allowed more in giving up 568) and no team in the CFL scored fewer points than Saskatchewan's 350. QB Darian Durant, who is a two-time Grey Cup champion, is gone and finding a new starting QB among Kevin Glenn, Brandon Bridge or Marquise Williams will be a priority. The Roughriders open their season in Montreal tonight, against the Alouettes. Montreal plays in the East and despite winning their final three games finished 7-11 last year, a season in which none of the four teams in the East were able to finish with a winning record. Durant, who threw for more than 3,800 yards last season, is now Montreal's starting QB. I'm sure he'd love to have a big game against the ex-teammates. The pick: It's no surprise that the West is the much tougher division (four of the West's five teams topped .500, with only Saskatchewan under. 500) and Saskatchewan went 7-3 ATS over its last 10 games, overall (4-1 ATS in their last five road games). Having a consistent and reliable QB such as Durant makes Montreal a better team in 2017 but I have no interest in laying points (about a TD) with a team which is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 home games. Make Saskatchewan a 10* play. |
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06-21-17 | Tigers +1.5 v. Mariners | Top | 5-7 | Loss | -180 | 29 h 39 m | Show |
The set-up: Kyle Seager's game-winning RBI double in the 10th gave Seattle a 5-4 over Detroit last night, following Monday's 6-2 triumph. It was the Mariners' third straight win and the team which opened the 2017 at 2-8 is now 36-37. However, playing in the AL West with Houston, Seattle finds itself 12 1/2 games out of first. There is good news though, as Seattle is part of a log-jam for the No. 2 wild card spot, as eight teams are within two games of that final playoff spot. Detroit is sinking with four straight defeats and nine in 12 games, falling to 32-38. There are two games left in this series and word is, Detroit manager Brad Ausmus' seat is getting pretty 'hot.' The pitching matchup: Justin Verlander (4-4 & 4.50 ERA) gets the start for Detroit and James Paxton (5-2 & 3.23 ERA) for Seattle. One of Verlander's top outings of the 2017 season was a no-decision against the Mariners on April 27, when he allowed an unearned run and five hits over seven innings. However, Verlander is win-less in five starts since defeating Texas back on May 20, going 0-1 (team is 2-3). Verlander is 10-8 with a 3.09 ERA in 21 career starts against Seattle (Tigers are 11-10). Paxton posted a 1.69 ERA through his first eight starts (he was 5-0 but Seattle 5-3) but he's allowed 11 runs on 15 hits over just 7 2/3 innings in the consecutive poor starts, posting a 12.91 ERA. Paxton struck out nine and gave up four hits in seven scoreless innings to defeat Detroit 8-0 back on April 26 and is now 2-1 with a 2.80 ERA in four career starts against the Tigers (team is 2-2). The pick: Seattle has been waiting for Paxton to deliver on his potential and a strong start to 2017 suggested, this would be the year. However, one has to show some concern after two brutal outings. As for Veralnder, he may be win-less his last five starts but over his last four starts, he owns a respectable 3.43 ERA. I'm taking the 1 1/2 runs and making the Tigers a 6* play. |
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06-15-17 | Mariners +1.5 v. Twins | Top | 2-6 | Loss | -195 | 13 h 42 m | Show |
The set-up: The Mariners have scored a total of 27 runs in winning two of the first three games of this four-game series against the Twins. Seattle's offense has been consistently good for awhile now, as the team has scored five or more runs in 11 of its last 12 victories and caps this series Thursday afternoon in Minnesota having won 12 of its last 17. The team's 2-8 start to 2017 seems behind them and a win here gets them to .500 (Seattle sits 33-34). The Twins also have scored 27 runs in the first three games of this series but 20 of them came in Tuesday's victory, when they recorded a franchise-record 28 hits. Minnesota scored just three and four runs in the two losses and now are only 13-20 at Target Field in 2017. However, Minnesota's 20-9 road record leaves them 33-29 on te season, good enough for a two-game lead over the Indians in the AL Central race for first place. |
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06-01-17 | Cavs v. Warriors -7 | Top | 91-113 | Win | 100 | 130 h 17 m | Show |
The set-up: The same two teams (Cavs & Warriors) meet in the NBA Finals for the third straight year, something that's never happened before. With Steve Kerr's health issues, the Warriors are led by Mike Brown, who formerly coached LBJ and the Cavs from 2005-2010. Brown (and of course, LBJ) led the Cavs to the Finals in 2009 (got swept by the Spurs), in just his second year with the team and then to 66 wins and 61 wins in his final two seasons. He was fired and coached the Lakers for two years before returning to Cleveland for the 2013-14 seas onbut LBJ was in Miami by then. The Cavs won just 33 games and Brown was fired again, Circumstances have Brown now facing off against his ex-team and head coach Tyronn Lue, making it the first time two black head coaches have faced each other in an NBA Finals since 1975 (Al Attles and KC Jones!). Golden State: Curry's been the Warriors' best player this postseason, averaging 28.6-5.5-5.6. Durant has fought through some minor injury issues (he missed two games) to average 25.2 & 7.8, while Green has been a major force, averaging 13.9-7.8-7.2 and playing shut-down defense. Lagging behind this postseason has been the fourth member of this "team of All Stars," Klay Thompson, who after averaging 22.3 PPG (on 46.8% shooting) during the season, has averaged 14.4 PPG on 38.3% shooting. However, Thompson is an outstanding defender and his defense (along with Green's) could easily be a key to this series. The pick: The Warriors haven't lived down the memory of blowing a 3-1 lead in last season's Finals and with the addition of Durant, are a better team this season than last. I noted at the top that these Finals feature the best of each conference but considering the West (in Golden St, SA & Hou) owned the three-best regular season records and Cleveland actually won fewer games than Boston in the East, one could argue that the Warriors are clearly the superior team (won 16 more games, 67-to-51) and deserve to be a solid favorite. There's no doubt that LBJ will be primed for the challenge but remember, Curry has a lot to prove as well, as does Durant. Curry under-performed when the Warriors won in 2015 and last year was downright bad in The Finals. As for Durant, if after joining the Warriors to form this "Super Team," what's his excuse if the Warriors don't win? I always try to avoid picking a series winner (my job is to pick the series game-by-game and here's a tid-bit that has me on Golden St. Like most, I feel the East has nowhere near the overall talent of the West and the last NINE times an Eastern Conference team has opened an NBA Finals on the road, it has gone 0-9 SU & ATS! Make the Warriors a 10* play. |
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06-01-17 | A's +1.5 v. Indians | Top | 0-8 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 23 m | Show |
The set-up: The A's snapped a four-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory Wednesday night in Cleveland. However, it marked just the team's eighth road win of the 2017 season Oakland is 8-19 on the road and 23-29 overall, already 14 games back of Houston in the AL West (Astros own MLB's best record at 38-16). The A's will wrap up a seven-game road trip Thursday afternoon against the Cleveland Indians, who are 27-24 and in a virtual tie with the 26-23 Twins for first in the AL Central. However, Cleveland has struggled at home so far in 2017, going just 11-14 (Indians were 53-28 at home in 2016, plus-$1230 vs.the moneyline). |
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05-25-17 | Cavs v. Celtics +11 | Top | 135-102 | Loss | -115 | 13 h 35 m | Show |
The set-up: It wasn't a cakewalk but the Cavs won Game 4 against the Celtics, 112-99. The Celtics actually led by 10 points at the half but Cleveland shot 71 percent in the second half to take a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. Kyrie scored a playoff career-high 42 points, LBJ overcame four fouls in the first half to add 34 points and Love produced his fourth consecutive double-double with 17 & 17. The Celtics now need to win at home, where they lost the first two games of this series by an average of 28.5 points, to stay alive. "We're humble enough to know that we haven't played well at home, and we want to give our home crowd a better outing than we did the past two games," forward Jae Crowder told reporters. "We're right there where we want to be, we're locked in." Cleveland: Irving tweaked an ankle in Game 4 but he didn't seem to be the least bit affected, scoring 33 of his points during an impressive 19-minute stretch. LBJ overcame early foul trouble to make 15-of-27 shots after suffering through a poor Game 3 in which he scored only 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting. As noted, Love's been brilliant, averaging 24.5 & 12.8 through four games. However, an area of concern for Cleveland has to be the fact that its bench has contributed just nine (Game 3) and seven (Game 4) points! Boston: Game 3 hero Marcus Smart (27 points) returned to earth with a thud in Game 4, going 1 of 9 for eight points. Olynyk got the Game 4 start and had 15 points. He had 15 off the bench in Game 3, after scoring just two total points in the first two games! Crowder battled through a groin injury in Game 4 and produced 18 points and eight rebounds. He is averaging 15.5 points and 7.8 rebounds in the series. Thomas is done for the year and winning three straight is not a realistic hope for Boston. The pick: However, the Celtics recovered from a 21-point deficit to win Game 3 in Cleveland and incredibly, had the Cavs in a 16-point hole in the second quarter of Game 4, a contest in which almost all thought the Cavs would dominate. Cleveland head coach is warning his team about looking ahead to the Warriors. "(The Celtics are), like I told you guys before, it's like we're preparing for a whole new team. Like, we didn't know what they were going to run. Isaiah (Thomas) goes down and they're running a totally different offense than we prepared for so it's been tough on us. And defensively, they're a lot better. They don't have a lot of weak links to go to, to go at." The Celtics pulled off the improbable comeback upset in Game 3 and are more than capable of at worst, taking the Cavs to the wire in this one. Take the points and make Boston a 10* play. |
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05-21-17 | Celtics +17 v. Cavs | Top | 111-108 | Win | 100 | 13 h 40 m | Show |
The set-up: The Cleveland Cavaliers have had their way with the Celtics in both games in Boston, winning 117-104 (wasn't as close as the final) and 130-86 (it was as bad as the score indicates). They now return home and look (expect?) to take a 3-0 series lead when they host the Celtics in Sunday's Eastern Conference finals' matchup. Things have gone from bad to worse for Boston since that Game 2 blowout, as PG Isaiah Thomas (hip) has been ruled out for the rest of the postseason. |
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05-18-17 | Reds +1.5 v. Cubs | Top | 5-9 | Loss | -120 | 4 h 45 m | Show |
The set-up: The Chicago Cubs likely knew that after winning the team's first World Series in 2017, after a 108-year drought, that repeating would be no walk in the park. However, the Cubs surely didn't expect to be only 20-19 as they got set to play their 40th game of a 162-game schedule. The Cubs have overpowered the Reds in the first two games of this series, outscoring them 16-10 to improve to 4-1 against their National League Central rivals this season. The Reds have now lost five in a row to fall below .500 (19-20) and will try to avoid a sweep this afternoon against the Cubs, who hope to complete their first series sweep of the 2017 season. |
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05-17-17 | Cavs v. Celtics +5 | Top | 117-104 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 40 m | Show |
The set-up: The Cleveland Cavaliers have rolled to eight straight wins this postseason, averaging 114.5 PPG. After failing to cover their first two games against the Pacers, the Cavs are 5-0-1 or 6-0 ATS their last six. In fact, Cleveland has now won 11 straight playoff games since being down 3-1 against the Warriors in last year's Finals, going 8-2-1 or 9-2 ATS with some guy LeBron averaging 34.9-9.7-7.8. Boston was considered the weakest No. 1 seed in a long time (maybe ever, since the league went to a 16-team playoff format) and right away, lost its first two home games in the first round, against the 41-41 Bulls (No. 8 seed). However, Rondo's injury gave the Celtics 'life' and they won and covered the final four games of that first-round series. Against Washington, the home team won all seven games (6-1 ATS) and Boston now draws the defending champs but has the homecourt edge. Cleveland: The Cavaliers haven't played since May 7 and hope to continue to ride the red-hot duo of forward LeBron James (34.4-9.0-7.1) and PG Kyrie Irving (23.8 & 5.8 APG) as they look to shake off the rust. Head coach Tyronn Lue says he hopes to get PF Kevin Love more involved in this series after he averaged just 13.8 points and 9.1 rebounds during the first two rounds. Love did averaged 23.7 points and 13 rebounds in three games against the Celtics this season (Cavs took three of the four). However, the Cavs may need more help from outside of their "Big Three," as Channing Frye is the fourth-best scorer at 8.8 PPG this postseason for Cleveland. Boston: The Celtics just survived a tough seven-game series against the Wizards to reach the conference finals for the first time since 2012. That series just ended Monday and now it's the defending champs on one days' rest. Boston knows it will be a huge underdog in this series. "We gotta get ready for the defending champs, we know that," PG Isaiah Thomas said after Monday's game. "The good thing about it is we've got homecourt advantage, so we're going to be ready on Wednesday to try to take care of home court. We know it's going to be tough but at this point, anything can happen, we really believe that." Thomas has carried Boston through most of the playoffs in an inspiring manner, averaging 25.4 PPG and APG this postseason. He had 29 points, 12 assists and just two turnovers in the Game 7 win over the Wizards and has had four 30-point outings (including 52 in Game 2 vs. Washington). Kelly Olynyk established a playoff career-best with 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting in the Game 7 win over the Wizards but the unsung Horford is also having a very good postseason, averaging 16.1-7.5-5.8 while shooting 64.0 percent. The pick: It's hard for most to ignore the Cavs going into Boston late this regular season (on April 5) and just 'toying' with the Celtics. LBJ had 36-10-6 in a 114-91 Cleveland win. However, let's not forget that the Warriors found themselves down 23 points in the third quarter of their Game 1 against the Spurs after a long rest and that game was in Oakland! I'm going to take the home dog and make Boston a 10* play. |
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05-15-17 | Wizards v. Celtics -4.5 | Top | 105-115 | Win | 100 | 33 h 23 m | Show |
The set-up: Two of the four second round series ended in four-game sweeps (Cavs and Warriors) while the Spurs took out the Rockets in six games, but this Washington/Boston series will need all seven games to be decided. That should come as no surprise as the home team won all four matchups during the regular season and through six games of this playoff series, has come out on top each time. The first five games saw the home team also cover but then in Game 6, the Wizards eked out a 92-91 win over the Celtics. Boston squandered a five-point lead in the final minute of Game 6, saw John Wall nail a three-pointer with 3.5 seconds left on the clock to give Washington the lead and then got victimized by some fuzzy clock management in the final seconds of the contest. After Wall's three-pointer, Kelly Oubre Jr. used Washington's foul to give with 2.7 seconds remaining, according to the NBA's Last Two Minute report,but Boston only got 1.7 seconds left on its final chance as Isaiah Thomas heaved up a three-point attempt that missed the mark. On to Game 7. Washington: Wall is averaging 26.3 points and 10.2 assists in the series and combines with Bradley Beal to form a backcourt that is not afraid to take the big shots. Beal scored a series-best 33 points in Friday's win but is still trying to find his shot from long range while shooting 26.3 percent from beyond the arc in the series. Washington's frontcourt continues to give uneven efforts. Gortat has rebounded well all series (11.7 per) but in the last three games, has scored a total of just 17 points. SF Otto Porter Jr. averaged 15.8 points on 60 percent shooting in the first five games of the series but went scoreless on 0-of-5 shooting in Game 6. PF Morris was a "no-show" in Games 1 and 5 (both Boston home wins) but in Washington's three home games (all wins), he's averaged 14.0 & 8.7. Sixth man Bogdanovich has shot erratically, scoring 32 points in Games 3 and 4 (on 11 of 19 shooting) but averaging just 5.0 PPG in the other four games on 6 of 20 shooting. Boston: Isaiah Thomas is not complaining about Monday's situation. "To have Game 7 back in Boston in the Garden," Thomas told reporters after the game 6 loss. "If you had said that back in October, that there'd be a Game 7 in the second round, a lot of people probably wouldn't even believe that. So we're excited. I mean, it hurts right now because we just lost. We have nothing to hold our heads down about, we're going to take a few days to figure out our adjustments and win Game 7."Thomas had 33 points in Game 1 and then exploded for 53 points in Game 2. However, he is averaging just 19.3 points on 39 percent shooting in the four games since. Then again, Thomas is getting plenty of help the last two games from SG Avery Bradley, who followed up a playoff career-high 29 points in Game 5 with 27 in Game 6 and is 22-of-37 from the floor in that span. Center Al Horford was in line to be the "hero" in Game 6 (his 'bank' shot gave Boston a two-point lead with 10 seconds left) but Wall's three-point shot ruined that scenario. Still, Horford has been very good for Boston this postseason, averaging 16.2-7.6-5.8 while shooting 64.2% from the floor. The pick: It's another Game 7 at the legendary Boston Garden (now the TD Garden) and the Celtics sure have history behind them (Celtics are 18-3 all-time at home in Game 7s). However, all those banners in the rafters won't help this team, which has no connection to the past. Washington's history doesn't bode well, as the Wizards will be trying to reach the conference finals for the first time since 1979,. Forget ancient history, just look at this season. The home team has won all 11 meetings between the two teams and over the first 10 (prior to Game 6), the home team had covered each time. Stick with the home team here and make Boston a 10* play. |
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05-15-17 | Senators +1.5 v. Penguins | Top | 0-1 | Win | 100 | 33 h 18 m | Show |
The set-up: Were the defending Stanley Cup champs a little flat in Game 1 against Ottawa, after taking out the Presidents' Trophy-winning Caps in seven games? Flat or not, Pittsburgh fell to Ottawa in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals by the score of 2-1 in OT. Bobby Ryan set up Jean-Gabriel Pageau for the series-opening goal and then Pageau returned the favor on the Ryans overtime game-winner at 4:59 of OT. Ottawa is now 5-2 on the road this postseason. While Pittsburgh saw Evgeni Malkin register his league-leading 19th playoff point with his third-period goal, head coach Mike Sullivan insisted his team needs to generate more shots after mustering only 17 at even strength in the series opener. Ottawa: Ryan had been taken to task for a career-worst regular-season point total of 25 (13 goals, 12 assists) but has erupted for 11 points (five goals, six assists) in the playoffs, with nine of them (four goals, five assists and three game-winning tallies) coming in seven road games. Pageau scored only 12 goals while playing in all 82 regular-season games but has a team-leading eight postseason goals, with seven coming in the last six contests! Craig Anderson stopped 27 of 28 shots in Saturday's Game 1 and is now 9-4 witha 2.37 GAA and .917 SP this postseason. Pittsburgh: Captain Sidney Crosby ia as about as even keel as they come and commented bout the Game 1 loss saying, "There were some good looks there. They're not going to give you anything but we worked hard to get our chances and we've got to bury them whean we get them." The Penguins won 17-of-23 faceoffs in the third period of the series opener but was only able to tie the score. More troubling is the fact that Pittsburgh came up empty on five chances on the power play, extending its rut to 0-for-10 in the last three contests. Crosby only had two shots in 23:32 of ice time. The pick: Yes, Pittsburgh is 5-0 in Game 2 of a series dating back to last season's playoff run but as I noted in taking the Senators in Game 1, this team just keeps playing one-goal games. Ottawa's 2-1 OT win in Game 1 makes it 10 one-goal games in the Senators' 13 playoff games, so far. Ottawa has six wins in the extra session, pushing the club one shy of matching the 2002 Carolina Hurricanes and 2003 Anaheim Ducks and four behind the 1993 Montreal Canadiens for most during a playoff season.Take the 1 1/2 goals and make the Senators a 10* play. |
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05-14-17 | Spurs v. Warriors -10 | Top | 111-113 | Loss | -110 | 31 h 53 m | Show |
The set-up: The Spurs owned the second-best record West at 61-21 (and in the entire NBA, as well) and will meet the No. 1 seed Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference finals starting this afternoon in Oakland. The Warriors went 67-15 during the regular season and have won all eight playoff games, outscoring opponents on average, 115.3-to-98.8 PPG. After rolling over Portland and Utah in the first two rounds, the Warriors also have the advantage of being well-rested, with an entire week off between series. Conversely, the Spurs didn't have an easy time in either of their series, as they were tied at two-all against both the Grizzlies and the Rockets, before winning both Game 5s at home and then their respective Games 6's as well, at Memphis and Houston. San Antonio: Kawhi Leonard is nursing a sprained left ankle that kept him out of the clinching Game 6 win over the Houston Rockets on Thursday but the good news for the Spurs is that Leonard will have had a full four days off before Sunday's opener. He is expected to play against Golden State today. Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge took a more prominent role in Leonard's absence in Game 6 at Houston. He produced his best performance of the postseason with 34 points and 12 rebounds, well above his average 16.8 points and 8.0 rebounds this postseason. PG Tony Parker (quadriceps tendon) is out for the rest of the playoffs and the Spurs will likely start Patty Mills, with rookie Murray also seeing increased "PT." Also, SG Jonathan Simmons averaged 13.2 points against the Rockets, after averaging only 3.6 in the first round against Memphis. Golden State:Golden Curry (27.1) and Durant (23.3) have played very well so far, although the team's third "big scorer," Klay Thompson, has struggled. Thompson averaged 22.3 points during the regular season but has reached 20 points just twice in the first eight playoff games, averaging 16.3 PPG on 40.7% shooting. However, Draymond Green is picking up the scoring slack, averaging 14.9 PPG (on 51.2% from three-point range) plus adding 8.5 RPG and 9.1 APG while always playing great defense. The pick: The Spurs took two of three from the Warriors during the regular season, with one of those wins being a 129-100 stunner on opening night at Golden State. Hard to believe taht the Warriors won't be well aware of that and with no Parker and a less than 100 percent Leonard, the Spurs don't figure to stay withing 'shouting distance' of the Warriors here in Game 1. Lay the points and make the Warriors a 10* play. |
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05-13-17 | Senators +1.5 v. Penguins | Top | 2-1 | Win | 100 | 11 h 43 m | Show |
The set-up: Two-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson guided the Senators to six-game series victories over Boston and the New York Rangers despite playing with two hairline fractures in his left heel. He raised his team-high point total to 13 (two goals, 11 assists) by recording game-winning goals in the series opener and clincher against New York. The Senators are making their first trip to the conference finals since 2007 and just their third trip in franchise history. Awaiting them for Game 1 of this series in Pittsburgh are the Penguins. Pittsburgh is the defending champs and the Penguins are looking to become the first team since the Detroit Red Wings in 1997-98 to repeat as champions. Pittsburgh needed just five games to dispatch Columbus in the first round but after taking a 3-1 lead over Washington, the Penguins were extended to a seventh game before taking out the Presidents' Trophy-winning Caps (again!) with a 2-0 Game 7 victory. Evgeni Malkin (NHL-leading 18 points in the playoffs) and rookie Jake Guentzel (league-best nine goals), have led the way. Ottawa: Head coach Guy Boucher has 'played the underdog card' in each of his team's first two series and while that assessment could have been debated against the Bruins and Rangers, Boucher's Senators are clearly the underdog in this series. Karlsson is the team leader in points, as well as being the 'heart' of this team, but note that Jean-Gabriel Pageau recorded six of his team-leading seven goals versus the Rangers on the heels of being limited to only 12 goals on the season and one in the first-round series against the Bruins. Craig Anderson has been publicly shredded for his questionable puck-handling decisions in these playoffs but he owns a respectable 2.49 GAA and .914 save percentage. Pittsburgh: The Penguins were out-played and out-shot by the Caps for most of the series but in the end, came out as the winner. A big reason was the play of Marc-Andre Fleury, who saved his best for Game 7 at Washington, recording a 29-save shutout. He's hasn't put up Rinne-like numbers this postseason but he's got a 2.55 goals-against average and .927 save percentage (.927). Head coach Mike Sullivan has stated that Fleury "deserves the opportunity to play" even though regular-season starter Matt Murray has returned to health. "If we traded (Fleury), we wouldn't be in this room right now," Pittsburgh GM Jim Rutherford said of the veteran, who was the subject of trade rumors throughout the season. "You'd be in another city. If not for our goalie, we wouldn't have won that series (against Washington)." The pick: The Penguins have won three of four postseason meetings with the Senators but note that this season, Ottawa captured two of the three meetings against Pittsburgh, with Karlsson erupting for seven points (one goal, six assists) in those three games. Yes, Pittsburgh has enjoyed comfortable wins by two or more goals on five occasions this postseason but Ottawa has seen nine of its 12 playoff games decided by just one goal, including the first eight the Senators played. Take the 1 1/2 goals and make the Senators an 8* play. |
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05-13-17 | Padres v. White Sox +1.5 | Top | 4-5 | Win | 100 | 11 h 33 m | Show |
The set-up: The Padres posted a 6-3 victory in the opener of this three-game IL series in Chicago, winning for just the second time in nine games. In the process, they sent the White Sox to their sixth consecutive loss and ninth setback in their last 11 games.Chicago has been outscored 34-18 during its six-game slide and has given up at least six runs in seven of its last 11 contests. The series continues tonight in Chicago. The pitching matchup: Trevor Cahill (3-2 & 3.06 ERA) goes for San Diego and Dylan Covey (0-3 ERA 8.28 ERA) for Chicago. Cahill comes in having won each of his last three decisions, giving up just one earned run over 18 1/3 innings during those outings. He allowed just one hit over 5 1/3 scoreless frames against Oakland in his last turn but received an early hook due to a season-high five walks. Cahill is 1-3 with a 4.53 ERA in nine career appearances (eight starts / teams are 2-6) against the White Sox. Covey has been treated rudely in his first season in the majors and has allowed six runs in each of his last two starts. He has served up seven HRs in 25 innings, including three when the New York Yankees torched him for eight runs and 10 hits in five innings on April 19. Covey has a horrendous 1.92 WHIP and opposing batters are hitting .349 against him.
The pick: Maybe it's a stretch to side with the White Sox (and Covey) but note that Cahill has struggled on Chicago's South Side, with a 7.32 ERA in five games (four starts). I expect both starters to struggle but will side with Chicago's bullpen, whose 2.29 ERA is the second-best in all of MLB (San Diego's ranks 26th at 5.12). Take the 1 1/2 runs and make Chicago a 10* play. |
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05-12-17 | Celtics +5 v. Wizards | Top | 91-92 | Win | 100 | 12 h 13 m | Show |
The set-up: The Boston Celtics are one win away from advancing to the Eastern Conference finals but will that victory come in Washington? So far, the home team is 5-0 SU & ATS this series, after the teams did the exact same thing in their regular season series, with the home team posting a 4-0 SU & ATS mark. The only 'twist' to Boston's Game 5 win was that for once (in a home win), the Celtics didn't rely completely on Isaiah Thomas. With Washington's defensive focus squarely on the 5-9 All-Star PG, Boston's Avery Bradley recorded a playoff career high 29 points (25 in the 1st half, alone) plus frontcourt players Horford (19-6-7) and Crowder (18 & 8) also has excellent games. The Wizards shot only 38.5 percent as teeam and while Wall had 21 points, he had just four assists ending his NBA record streak of 11 consecutive playoff games with at least 20 points and seven assists! Boston: Thomas showed his skills as a facilitator in Game 5, becoming a screen-setter and passer, which kept the Wizards off balance. It's likely Boston will need more of the same from Thomas in Game 6 but while the Celtics can't expect another 29-point game from Bradley, they will need strong play from him on both ends of the floor, offensively and defensively, Al Horford is shooting 69.4 percent from the floor, including 58.8 percent from three-point range in the series and it would be nice if he could keep that up. Washington: The Wizards had all the momentum going into Game 5 after winning the previous two games by a total of 46 points but were flat as a pancake in Game 5. "It started with the focus," Wizards head coach Scott Brooks told reporters. "That was our No. 1 mistake. We didn’t have the focus that it would have taken to win in this building." Shooting guards Beal and Bojan Bogdanovic (off teh bench) combined to go 8-of-26 from the floor, including just 1-of-8 from beyond the arc. Washington used a 22-0 run in Game 3 and a 26-0 spurt in Game 4 to create separation in a pair of home wins but failed to get the defensive stops that led to those runs in Game 5. "All we can do is focus on Game 6 at home," Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal told reporters. The pick: The question then becomes, will the Wizards be able to regain their composure and swagger? I took the Spurs (even without Kawhi) last night and watched Houston fail miserably in attempting to bounce back from its Game 5 loss. Other than Wall, the remainder of Washington's starters have been erratic throughout the entire series, As for the bench, we saw Kelly Oubre Jr. return from a one-game suspension following a Flagrant 2 foul in Game 3 to score 13 points off the bench but Washington's other reserves shot 3 of 16 from the floor in Game 5. I just have ZERO faith in Washington, especially laying points. Make Boston a 10* play. |
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05-11-17 | Spurs +7.5 v. Rockets | Top | 114-75 | Win | 100 | 12 h 9 m | Show |
The set-up: The Spurs took a 3-2 lead in this series by winning Game 5 in OT (110-107), with All-Star small forward Kawhi Leonard on the bench due to a left ankle injury. Manu Ginibili "turned back the clock" with his best game of the series, which included a line of 12-7-5 and then capped his performance with a block of Harden's possible game-tying three-point attempt at the OT buzzer. Harden had 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in Game 5 but it wasn't enough..He was just 4-of-15 from three-point range plus Gordon, inserted into the starting lineup for Game 5, shot 4 of 13 from the floor (11 points) and reserve guard Lou Williams score only six points on 3 of 10 shooting. San Antonio: Leonard vows he'll be in the starting lineup tonight saying, "Yeah, I'm going to be able to play," when asked during Wednesday's off-day media availability. Patty Mills also figures to draw the start at PG for the second straight game, after scoring 20 points and knocking down five 3-pointers in Game 5. Then there is PF LaMarcus Aldridge, who scored 18 points and added 14 rebounds on Tuesday, recording his first double-double of the series. Houston: Head coach Mike D'Antoni not only "went small" by starting Gordon, he also opted for just a seven-man rotation, with veteran center Nene (groin) done for the postseason. Ryan Anderson and Lou Williams being the only reserves to play in Game 5. Anderson had a strong game with 19 points but as noted already, Williams shot poorly. In Houston's three losses this series, Williams has gone 5 of 21 (23.8%) from the floor, scoring a total of just 10 points! The pick: The results of D'Antoni's decision to go with a seven-man rotation were NOT good. Harden and Gordon each played 43 minutes, Beverley was out there for 41 minutes and Ariza for 40 minutes. As fatigue mounted, offensive execution waned. Down the stretch, the Rockets began standing around and settled for tough shots instead of challenging the Spurs' scrambling defense. "Probably got tired," D'Antoni said of the lack of pace and production. "We just couldn't quite push it. We had our opportunities with about three minutes to go in the game to knock a couple 3s down I thought were good shots. We just didn't make the big play at that moment." You think! I've noted often that this year's San Antonio team does not have the depth of past editions and now Parker is out plus Leonard may be too, or playing at less anna 100 percent. However, the Spurs still have Popovich plus a champion's mentality entering a game of this magnitude. In contrast, Houston's D'Antoni is no Popovich (who is?) plus are the Rockets really ready for prime time? The Spurs are 3-1 at Houston in 2016-17, going 2-0 in the regular season while splitting the two games in this series thus far. Take the points and make the Spurs a 10* play. |
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05-10-17 | Wizards v. Celtics -4 | Top | 101-123 | Win | 100 | 11 h 18 m | Show |
The set-up: The Warriors just finished off the Jazz (Monday) in a four-game sweep, a series in which the visiting team covered all games. That's something you rarely see. The Boston (No. 1 seed) and Washington (No. 4 seed) series continues tonight with what's so far, been a more traditional series, as home court has held. The Celtics won Games 1 and 2 at home to open things up, covering both games, although Boston needed OT (plus 53 points from Thomas) to do so. The series shifted to Washington for Games 3 and 4 and in a YUGE understatement, the momentum has shifted. The Wizards won Games 3 and 4 by a combined 46 points and used a 22-0 in the first quarter of Game 3 and a 26-0 run in the third quarter of Sunday's game to go from being into an 0-2 'hole' to blowing out the Celtics for a second straight game, sending the series back to the TD Garden tied at two-all. Washington: "We played inspired basketball for each other," Wizards coach Scott Brooks, who called the 26-0 run in Game 4 his team's best stretch of the season, told reporters. "Defensively we were in the right position. ... We didn't make silly mistakes that we made early in the game, and it pays off." The Wizards go where PG John Wall takes them, as he's averaging 27.8 points, 12.3 assists and 2.8 steals in the series. However, SG Bradley Beal played his best game of the series on Sunday with 29 points. Forwards Porter (18 & 8) and Morris (16 & 10) also played well, as did Bogdanovich off the bench for the second straight game (had 13 points in Game 4, after getting 19 in Game 3). Boston: PG Isaiah Thomas scored 33 points in Game 1 and then 53 in Boston's OT win in Game 2. However, points were much harder to come by for him in Washington, where he averaged just 16.0 points in the two losses. SG Bradley is hurting with a hip pointer and scored only five points on Sunday, plus is shooting just 34.0 percent for the series. Key frontcourt players Horford and Crowder have been hit-and-miss, something head coach Brad Stevens knows all too well. "We played pretty good in stretches but then two stretches killed us on this trip to D.C.," Stevens said after Game 4. "One in the first quarter (in Game 3), one in the third quarter (in Game 4). We have to play better throughout the whole game (in Game 5). The pick: The Wizards were in both of the games played in Boston but could never "finish the job." After two dominating home wins, will the Wizards "get it right" in Boston? Thomas suggested after Game 4 that he wasn't getting the benefit of foul calls while going without a free-throw attempt in the loss. "The refs were allowing them to hold and grab and do all those things," Thomas told reporters. "I think, especially in the third quarter, I might have hit the ground five or six straight times, and I'm not the one that likes hitting the ground. ... I can't be allowed to be held and grabbed every pin-down, every screen." Something tells me that Thomas will not only play MUCH better in Game 5 but that he'll also be getting some of the calls he failed to get in Washington. This series has not just been home court-dominated in the playoffs but the home team won all four games played during the regular season as well, with Boston winning and covering the two regular season games in the TD Garden against the Wizards. Make Boston a 10* play. |
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05-09-17 | Braves +1.5 v. Astros | Top | 3-8 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 57 m | Show |
The pitching matchup: Atlanta will send Bartolo Colon (1-3 & 6.27 ERA) to the mound to face Houston's Charlie Morton (3-2 & 3.97 ERA). The 43-year-old vet is not off to a good 2017 start and was knocked around in his last two outings, allowing 11 ERs on 17 hits in just nine innings against Milwaukee and the NY Mets. He's allowed just one run in two of his six starts this season but at least four runs in the other four. However, he's got a decent history against Houston, going 8-3 with a 3.45 ERA in 12 career starts (teams are 8-4). Morton spent the first nine years of his career in the NL (beginning with Atlanta as a rookie in 2008) but has found the AL to his liking so far, a he comes in looking for his third straight win after posting a total of 20 strikeouts in 13 innings against Oakland and Texas. He owns 39 strikeouts in 34 total innings in 2017. He's made five all-time starts against the team he began his career against, going 2-2 with a 3.96 ERA (teams are 3-2). The pick: Colon's not in prime form so far but he's got a good history against the Astros. Meanwhile, the Braves will likely be motivated against an ex-teammate, who has really been nothing more than a journeyman in his big league career so far, and that's being nice. Morton owns a career 49-73 record (.402), with a 4.51 ERA, 1.44 WHIP plus opponents have batted .276 against him. Take the 1 1/2 runs and make Atlanta an 8* play. |
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05-09-17 | Rockets +5.5 v. Spurs | Top | 107-110 | Win | 100 | 12 h 52 m | Show |
The set-up: While first the Cavs and now the Warriors have made short work (four-game sweeps) of their respective second round series, the other two series are both tied at two-all. Both the second-seeded Spurs and third seeded Rockets in the West and the top-seeded Celtics and fourth-seeded Wizards have turned their series into a best-of-3 situation. While the Bos/Was series has seen the home team go 4-0 SU & ATS, this SA/Hou series has seen each team win a game on the others home court with each home team also owning a blowout home victory. Houston: The Rockets drained 19 three-pointers in their Game 4 victory, turning a close game into a 125-104 rout by scoring 68 second-half points! "This is a big stage they did it on," Houston head coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters. "We have a lot of work left, but there's no reason why we can't go down to San Antonio and repeat the performance." The Rockets did just that in Game 1, making 22 three-points (on a record 50 attempts!) in a 126-99 road win. However, Houston suffered a huge blow in Game 4, as backup center Nene suffered a torn left groin and will miss the rest of the playoffs. Nene and starter Clint Capela were giving Houston solid production in the middle and the Rockets will be forced to use power forwards Montrezl Harrell and Ryan Anderson at center. The good news for Houston is that after averaging just 16.5 PPG over the first two games of this series, MVP-candidate James Harden has averaged 35.5 points over the last two contests. San Antonio: The Spurs must now "turn the page" after missing (in a big way) an opportunity to come back to San Antonio up 3-1. The point guard situation is a huge issue (problem?), after the season-ending quadriceps injury to Tony Parker in Game 2. Rookie Dejounte Murray started the past two games and averaged five points and 1.3 assists while backup Patty Mills averaged 12.5 points and 3.5 assists but made just 8-of-21 FG attempts. Star SF Kawhi Leonard scored just 16 points in Game 4 after averaging 27 over the first three games plus PF LaMarcus Aldridge is enduring a mostly quiet series (and postseason), save for his 26-point outburst in Game 3 (on 12 of 20 shooting). Pau Gasol, a two-time NBA champions while with the Lakers, has also been a non-factor, averaging just eight points in the series with just one double-digit effort in four games. The pick: The Rockets looked lost in Game 2 on the road and Game 3 at home, but played a complete game on Sunday. Harden scored 28 points and handed out 12 assists in the win but maybe even more importantly, the Houston bench stepped up, getting 22 points from guards Eric Gordon and 13 from Lou Williams, after the entire reserve unit scored just 10 points in its Game 3 loss. Bottom line in this series just may be that Houston is the better team. However, since moving to the AT&T Center in 2002, the Spurs are 81-28 (.743) in home playoff games, giving them the most such wins by any team in the league during that time span. That said, the Spurs have not been a great home team this season, going 35-11 SU (including the postseason) but just 23-23 ATS. Meanwhile, the Rockets are 27-18 ATS on the road. Take the points and make Houston a 10* play. |
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05-07-17 | Celtics +5 v. Wizards | Top | 102-121 | Loss | -115 | 10 h 30 m | Show |
The set-up: The Washington/Boston series is the highest-scoring second round series (games have averaged 229 points) and it's also the lone series in which the home team has won and covered each game, after the Wizards emphatically announced they are still in the series with a blowout win in Game 3. However, the Wizards need to keep the intensity without the technicals. Washington rolled to a 116-89 win in a Game 3 but the contest featured eight technical fouls, three ejections and one flagrant foul that came when Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. reacted to a hard screen by Boston's Kelly Olynyk by running and shoving him to the ground. Oubre is suspended for Game 4. The Celtics overcame big early deficits to win each of the first two games of the series but never recovered after a 22-0 run led to Washington taking a 39-17 lead after the first quarter of Game 3. Boston: "I think that it’s a lot less about talking about it and just doing it," Boston head coach Brad Stevens told reporters of the need for better starts. "That’s the bottom line: We have to play better out of the gate than we’ve played. And that’s not just (Game 3); that’s all three games of this series and a few of the games during the regular season." PG Isaiah Thomas had 53 points in Game 2 but was limited to 13 points in 29 minutes in Game 3 and did not start the second half while staying in the locker room undergoing dental work. Boston's entire team shot poorly in Game 3, making just 35.1 percent from the floor, including going only 10 of 32 on threes. Washington: John Wall reminded all that there is another PG in this series beside Thomas, scoring 24 points and handing out eight assists. However, it was a team effort by Washington in Game 3, as all five starers scored in double digits (Gortat had a double-double with 13 & 16) plus Bogdanovic finally made some 'noise' with 19 points off the bench, including shooting 4 of 7 on threes.The pick: The Wizards finally made their strong start hold up in Game 3 (led 39-17 after the 1st quarter) and clearly turned up the physicality. However, as noted, Washington needs to find a balance. Also, Bradley Beal needs to find his shooting touch, as he's shooting only 27.4 percent from three-point range in the postseason, including just 2-of-13 over the last two games of this series. Brooks made the needed adjustments in Game 3 and it's now Stevens' turn. Stevens has done a great job coaching this team, as the Game 3 loss ended a 6-0 ST & ATS run for Boston. I expect the road team to break through for the first time in this series and I'll make Boston an 8* play. |
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05-07-17 | Cavs v. Raptors +7.5 | Top | 109-102 | Win | 100 | 8 h 35 m | Show |
The set-up: The Cleveland Cavaliers needed six games to beat the Toronto Raptors in last year's Eastern Conference finals, although the four wins came by an average margin of 28.5 PPG. The two teams are meeting a round earlier this season and after sweeping the Pacers in the first round, the Cavs now own a 3-0 series lead over the Raptors in this series. Cleveland won Game 1 by "just" 11 points but note that the Cavs led by 22 points entering the fourth quarter in that contest. Cleveland then won Game 2 by the score of 125-103 and then Game 3 by 115-94. Cleveland received some much-needed rest after sweeping the Indiana Pacers in the opening round and will receive another break if it can close out the Raptors on Sunday. Toronto was outscored 36-17 in the fourth quarter of Game 3 when it needed a supreme 12 minutes to make it a series and will likely be without starting point guard Kyle Lowry (ankle) for the second consecutive contest. "I'm probably doubtful, honestly," Lowry told reporters on Saturday. "I don't think I'll be able to play. ... It's not looking great, but I'm not giving up on it." Cleveland: "For myself, I just focus on that game," Cavaliers forward LeBron James said after Game 3. I don't really think about the sweep, I don't think of anything but how can I as leader of the ballclub put our guys in a position to be successful." The Raptors haven't come close to stopping LBJ, who is averaging 36.3 points and shooting 60.4 percent from the floor in the series. He has been superb overall in seven games this postseason with averages of 34.3 points, nine rebounds, 7.3 assists and 2.4 steals. Toronto: SG DeMar DeRozan produced a career playoff-best 37 points in Game 3, after he had scored just five points on 2-of-11 shooting in Game 2. It looks like Lowry will be out again, so DeRozan will need another huge effort. Cory Joseph started for Lowry in Game 3 and was awful, scoring only four points (on 2-of-12 shooting) with six assists in 33 minutes. He'll have to do better and so will every other Raptor getting "PT" in Game 4. The pick: Maybe I'm just "spitting into the wind" but the Raptors were 2-for-18 on 3-point shots on Friday, missing their first 12 of the game. That's far from typical. "I thought we did an excellent job of moving the basketball, finding the right person," Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said. "But again, it's something we've done, knocking down 3s all year and, for whatever reason, it's escaping us right now." Casey added, " ... At one point, we were one of the better offensive teams in the league, depending on the 3s, knocking down the 3, and now we have to transfer it from regular-season basketball to playoff basketball." Make Toronto an 8* play. |
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05-06-17 | Warriors -5 v. Jazz | Top | 102-91 | Win | 100 | 31 h 40 m | Show |
The set-up: The Warriors haven't really been tested yet by Utah in taking the first two games of this series but in winning by 12 and 11 points, Golden State is 0-2 ATS. The Jazz fell behind by six points after the first quarter in Game 1 and the fell behind by 18 points after the first period in Game 2. Utah has yet to lose complete touch in any of the first two games but the Jazz haven't really threatened yet, either. Golden State: The Warriors' hot start in Game 2 was led by Draymond Green, who knocked down four of his five 3-pointers in the first quarter and finished with 21 points before leaving after a scary fall in the fourth quarter. However, he seemed unconcerned about the injury following the contest. "I knew my knee was just locking up a little bit," Green told reporters. "I had it before. A little tweak. It wasn't like this huge sigh of relief because I kind of knew exactly what it was from the jump. But it's always good to know you're OK." Utah: The Jazz know they need to get off to a better start at home. "I do think we have to start the game better," Utah head coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "Hopefully we can do that at home. But we also want to try and be ahead at the end. If you don't start well, you're climbing an uphill battle. I think that means being more aggressive on offense. If you're not, they really capitalize going the other way." Gordon Hayward scored a game-high 33 points in Game 2 after slumping to 12 points on 4-of-15 shooting in Game 1 but PG George Hill sat out Game 2 with a toe injury and remains day-to-day. Joe Johnson was a star against the Clippers (15.7 PPG) but he's scored just a total of just 19 points in two games against the Warriors, shooting 7 of 18 from the floor (38.9%). Also, Favors made big contributions off the bench in support of and in relief of Gobert against LA, but has been a non-factor against the Warriors. The pick: The Warriors made comments prior to the series about wanting to face the Clippers instead of the Jazz in the second round due to the more varied nightlife options in Los Angeles. That could mean that the lack of nightlife on the road will keep the Warriors focused on Game 3! The Warriors have played very efficiently offense, handing out 32 assists on 40 FGs in Game 1 and 33 assists on 42 FGs in Game 2. They have shot a combined 49.1 percent from the floor through two games and defensively, have forced 14.5 turnovers per game while averaging 22 points per game off of turnovers. The Warriors are too good for the Jazz. Make Golden State a 10* play. |
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05-05-17 | Cavs v. Raptors +3.5 | Top | 115-94 | Loss | -115 | 11 h 54 m | Show |
The set-up: The Cleveland Cavaliers needed six games to beat the Toronto Raptors in last year's Eastern Conference finals, although the four wins came by an average margin of 28.5 PPG. The two teams are meeting a round earlier this season and after sweeping the Pacers in the first round, the Cavs have again opened their series with the Raptors by easily winning Games 1 and 2 of this series at home. Game 1's margin was 'just" 11 points, although let's note that the Cavs led by 22 points entering the fourth quarter in that contest. Cleveland led by 18 heading into the fourth quarter of Game 2 and extended the lead to win by 22. The Cavaliers are 6-0 in this year's postseason and have averaged 1115.3 PPG. Toronto had its hands full with Milwaukee (won in six games) and now hope its deja vu against the Cavs. Cleveland steamrolled Toronto in the first two games of last season's playoffs as well, before the Raptors thrived in their home environment and won the next two contests at Air Canada Centre. |
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05-04-17 | Celtics +5.5 v. Wizards | Top | 89-116 | Loss | -109 | 12 h 51 m | Show |
The set-up: It's been the "Isaiah Thomas Show" in the first two games of this second round series between the top-seed Celtics and fourth-seeded Wizards. Washington opened Game 1 on a 16-0 run but lost by 12 and then scored 42 points in the first quarter of Game 2 (led by 13), only to lose (and fail to cover) in OT, 129-119. Thomas has persevered through personal tragedy to score 33 points in Game 1 and then 53 points in Game 2 (one shy of Hondo's franchise record for a single playoff game), with 29 of his points coming in the fourth quarter and OT. Washington PG John Wall collected 40 points and 13 assists for the Wizards in Game 2, after scoring 20 points with 16 assists in Game 1, but he's been overshadowed by Thomas. "It was a heck of a basketball game," Washington head coach Scott Brooks told reporters. "Two teams played their hearts out. Two great players played well. I thought both teams competed, played their hearts out, nothing to be ashamed of. We lost both games. Now we got to go home and take care of Game 3." Boston: Sure, Thomas has been the definitive star but center Al Horford had 21-9-10 in Game 1 and then 15 & 12 in Game 2. SF Crowder has averaged 19.0 & 6.5 in the first two games and Thomas' backcourt partner Bradley, has averaged 16.0 PPG, although he has shot just 13-of-36 from the floor in the series. Who knows what might have been if Rondo hadn't gotten hurt after Chicago took a 2-0 lead? However, we do know that Boston has now won six in a row, averaging 112.2 PPG. Washington: John Wall darted, dashed and dished from all over the court in Tuesday's Game 2 but nothing was enough to conquer Boston's Thomas. It sure didn't help that after scoring 27 points and shooting 4-of-7 on threes in in Game 1, Bradley Beal went 1-of-9 from three-point range in Game 2 while scoring only 14 points. Washington led 110-104 with 2:43 remaining in regulation but couldn't close out the Celtics. "It was tough. We had opportunities to win this game," Wall said. "Last 2/3 minutes, (we) had the opportunities to make shots, but we missed some good looks. They came down and made some tough shots. They made shots that we missed." The pick: Will playing on familiar turf help Washington's defenders better deal with the 5-foot-9 Thomas? Washington did win both home regular-season games against Boston but I'm not stepping in front of this Boston 'train,' led by Thomas 'the conductor.' Boston head coach Brad Stevens was just 2-10 in this playoff career after the Celtics lost the first two games against Chicago at home. However, he has since led Boston to six consecutive wins and covers. Can you say SEVEN in a row? Make the Celtics an 8* play. |
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05-03-17 | Raptors +8 v. Cavs | Top | 103-125 | Loss | -115 | 11 h 35 m | Show |
The set-up: The Cleveland Cavaliers played very poor team defense in going 10-14 from March 1 through the end of the regular season but the team's answer to that come the playoffs has been...Outscore its opponents. The Cavs have averaged 113.4 PPG in winning their first five playoff games, scoring a low of 106 and high of 119. Second-seeded Cleveland made it a four-game sweep of the Indiana Pacers in the opening round and built a 12-point lead after one quarter against the Raptors, then took a 22-point lead into the 4th quarter in cruising past the Raptors 116-105 on Monday. Cleveland knocked off the Raptors in last season's Eastern Conference finals when its four victories were by an average of 28.5 points and Toronto players know they need to prevent a landslide. "We've just got to play defense and not let them go up and down and do what they do, play defense for 48 minutes," Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry told reporters after Game 1. "We got to find ways to limit their spurts." Toronto: The Raptors could tinker with the lineup by going back to guard Norman Powell instead of center Jonas Valanciunas, which was how they won the last three games of their first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks. However, Powell may have had 12 points in Game 1 off the bench, but shot just 3 of 11. Or they could swap P.J. Tucker with DeMarre Carroll. Tucker had 13 points and 11 boards off the bench Monday. DeRozan and Lowry were fairly quiet (combined 39 points) but the bottom line is, the team must shoot better than 43.8% from the floor, including only 10 of 26 on threes. Cleveland: LBJ had 35 points and 10 rebounds in the opener and needs just 25 points to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (5,762 points) for second place on the all-time postseason scoring list. He also has 88 career 30-point outings in the postseason, matching Kobe Bryant for second place on the all-time list. The records just keep falling. PG Kyrie Irving had 24 points and a career playoff-best 10 assists in Game 1 plus center Tristan Thompson collected 14 rebounds to raise his playoff average to 11.6 and he has reached double digits in all five of Cleveland's playoff games. The pick: Will the Cleveland 'express' just keep rolling? Losing Game 1 of a playoff series is hardly new for Toronto, as the Raptors now own a 1-12 record all time in those contests. History doesn't exactly bode well here either, as they are 1-5 in Game 2s on the road in postseason play. However, maybe Toronto can gain some measure of hope in noting that In their five playoff losses to Cleveland dating back to last year's conference finals, Game 1 on Monday was the closest. If the Raptors want any chance in this series, a win tonight is almost a must. Take the points and make Toronto a 10*. |
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05-02-17 | Wizards v. Celtics -5.5 | Top | 119-129 | Win | 100 | 11 h 10 m | Show |
The set-up: The Washington Wizards jumped out to a 16-0 lead in Game 1 but by game's end, the Celtics had their fifth straight playoff win (and cover!) since losing the first two games (at home!) of their first round series against the Bulls. Washington was outscored 71-42 in the second and third quarters, as Boston went on to a 123-111 victory. Thomas led the way with 33 points plus Crowder (24 & 6) and Horford 21-9-10) each had their best games of the 2017 postseason. Washington shot 50 percent as a team but made 10 three-pointers, compared to Boston's 19. Washington: Power forward Markieff Morris went down in the first half of Game 1 with an ankle injury and while he insisted after the contest that he would play Game, others are skeptical after he was seen noticeably limping and reportedly struggled to put on his shoe over the swollen left ankle. Wall had 20 points and 16 assists but wasn't dominate. SG Beal scored 27 points on Sunday and is now averaging 29.3 in the last four games. However, Washington knows it has to defend the three better. "Their 3-point shooting is a problem," head coach Scott Brooks said of the Boston Celtics, who tied a franchise record with 19 treys in Game 1. Bradley Beal added; "We gave up 19 threes, on the road. ... It's just a matter of us defending, man." Boston: Isaiah Thomas flew home to Tacoma, Wa., on Saturday for his sister's funeral and flew back across the country in time for the game, during which he delivered 33 points. "I mean, it's tough but it's the playoffs," Thomas told reporters. There's no excuses. I decided to play and I just tried to give it all I got for my team, and we came out with the win." Brad Stevens depends on Thomas but had to be even more thrilled with the play of both Crowder and Horford (see above). The pick: The Celtics may not yet be ready to challenge the Cavs but for now, Boston seems to be establishing itself as at least, the East's second-best team and by a significant margin. Boston owns five straight wins and covers this postseason, winning by a margin of nearly 14 PPG (108.4-to-94.6). Make Boston an 8* play. |
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05-01-17 | Rockets +6 v. Spurs | Top | 126-99 | Win | 100 | 13 h 59 m | Show |
analysis by 12 pm et |
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04-30-17 | Jazz v. Clippers -3.5 | Top | 104-91 | Loss | -105 | 18 h 39 m | Show |
The set-up: The Jazz and Clippers each finished the regular season 51-31, so it only seems fitting that the teams will play a Game 7 (only first round series to go the distance) to decide which team will advance to meet the Golden State Warriors. The Clippers will get to play Game 7 at home, due to having won the season series between the two teams. It's been a back-and-forth series plus one that's been influenced by injuries. First it was Utah center Rudy Gobert going down in the first minute of Game 1 and then LA's Blake Griffin was injured in Game 3. Gobert returned in Game 4 but Griffin is out for the remainder of LA's postseason. Gobert twisted his left ankle late in Friday's Game 6 (LA won to force Sunday's contest) but X-rays ruled out a serious injury, so he will be available for Game 7. Utah: Utah SF Gordon Hayward has four 20-point outings in the series and is averaging 27.4 PPG, not including his Game 4 stint, which was limited to nine minutes due to food poisoning. Gobert is averaging 13.7 points and 11 rebounds since returning in Game 4.. Reserves Joe Johnson and Rodney Hood were having superb series until Game 6, when the Jazz squandered a great opportunity to close out the Clippers. Johnson had nine points on 3-of-9 shooting and Rodney Hood had four points on 2-of-10 shooting. LA Clippers: PG Chris Paul registered 29 points and eight assists in Friday's 98-93 do-or-die victory at Utah to even the series. "He is as competitive as a human being as I've ever been around," Clippers head coach Doc Rivers told reporters. "When you put that with the talent and the will, that's why he has performances like this in big games." This is a common refrain when people talk about Paul but is it an accident that he's never been on a team that has won a second round playoff series? No Griffin is not good news but center DeAndre Jordan has averaged 14 points and 13.8 rebounds in the series, while recording a double-double in each contest. The pick: The Clippers (as well as Paul) have had a checkered playoff resume but the Jazz haven't won a playoff series since 2010. However, bottom line is this. Home teams are 101-25 (.802) all-time in Game 7s. Dating back to to 1990, home teams are 52-14 SU and 39-25-2 ATS (60.9%) in Game 7s. Make the Clippers a 10* play. |
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04-28-17 | Clippers +6 v. Jazz | Top | 98-93 | Win | 100 | 14 h 19 m | Show |
The set-up: The Los Angeles Clippers scored only 58 points through three quarters in Game 5 and a 34-point final period was not enough for them to win on their home floor, as the Jazz pulled out a 96-92 win. The Jazz now own a 3-2 series heading back to Salt Lake City for Game 6 and will have a chance to win the franchise's first playoff series since downing the Denver Nuggets in a first-round series back in 2010. "It's no secret our back's against the wall, down 3-2," PG Chris Paul told reporters after Game 5. The Clippers have to win tonight and then back at Staples Center in Game 7, or it will be yet another underachieving postseason for that "other team from LA." LA Clippers: Regarding his team being down 3-2, Chris Paul added after Game 5, "Fortunately we've got a lot of guys in the locker room who had to do this a couple of years ago. We've got to do what we've got to do." However, the loss of power forward Blake Griffin (toe) is a huge loss and it's been magnified with Marreese Speights starting in his place in Games 4 and 5. Speights made just 2 of 8 shots for five points in Game 4, then missed his only three shots in Game 5, scoring just one point. Clippers guard Jamal Crawford exploded for 25 points in Game 4 but he then disappeared in Game 5, going 2 of 8 for four points. J.J. Redick finally got untracked with 27 points in Game 5 but over the first four games, he was only 10 of 29 from the floor (34.5%) while averaging 7.8 PPG. Utah: Gordon Hayward scored a career-high 40 points in Game 3 (a Utah loss) but due to food poisoning, was a non-entity in Game 4 (played only nine minutes) before being sent home at halftime. However, he was back on his game in Tuesday's victory as he contributed 27 points and eight rebounds. The return of center Rudy Gobert has also been a huge plus for the Jazz, as Utah's defense has turned up a notch since his return, with Gobert averaging 13.0 & 12.0 in Utah's Game 4 and 5 wins. Then there is veteran Joe Johnson, who averaged 9.2 points in the regular season but has increased that to 18.2 while leading a young squad. "These guys have never been in this situation. We have to go home with a business mindset and not be overconfident but confident enough." Let's also not forget backup SG Rodney Hood, who is averaging 17 points over the past two games (both Jazz wins), after averaging 8.0 PPG over the first three contests. The pick: Chris Paul has never advanced past the second round of the playoffs, in a carer that many believe is HOF worthy. Now it's seems highly unlikely that either the Clippers or Jazz will have much of a chance against the Warriors in the second round but the last thing Paul needs on his pathetic postseason resume is another first round loss. "This team is not going to quit, I can tell you that," Clippers head coach Doc Rivers told reporters after the Game 5 loss. "You could see it in the locker room." All the pressure is on the Jazz in this one and Utah not only has to win but win by a margin to "collect the cash" in this one. Expect Chris Paul to come up big. Take the points and make the Clippers a 10* play. |
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04-27-17 | Spurs -4 v. Grizzlies | Top | 103-96 | Win | 100 | 34 h 5 m | Show |
San Antonio: How things have changed for the Spurs. Manu Ginobili is a four-time NBA champion and averaged 14.7 points in 198 career playoff games prior to this postseason. However, he had gone scoreless on a combined 0-of-15 shooting in the first four games of the series, before breaking out for 10 points on 4-of-6 in Game 5. Lucky for the Spurs, they have Kawhi Leonard, who some think is the league MVP, not Westbrook or Harden. Leonard is averaging 31.6 PPG on 57.6 percent shooting in the series, including 54.2 percent from three-point range. He's basically carrying the Spurs, who are not the same supremely talented and deep group of past editions. Memphis: PG Mike Conley has been a dominant force on the offensive end the last four games, averaging of 27.3 points on 53.5 percent shooting. Big men Marc Gasol (19.6 & 6.8) and Zach Randolph (13.2 & 7.6) have also been good but the drop off is dramatic after that, as the 40-year-old Vince Carter is the team's fourth-leading scorer at just 8.6 PPG. The pick: The home team is undefeated in nine overall meetings this season between these two teams but the Spurs have a championship pedigree, while the Grizzlies have nothing but playoff mediocrity to draw from. If the Spurs lose here, it's back to San Antonio for a Game 7 on Saturday and assuming they win, they'd have to host the well-rested Rockets in Game 1 of the next series on Monday. That's not something "Pop" will want for his overachieving team. Make the Spurs a 10* play. |
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04-26-17 | Bulls v. Celtics -8 | Top | 97-108 | Win | 100 | 13 h 12 m | Show |
It's not often we see the No. 1 seed in a conference lose the first two games of a series at home, especially when that No. 1 seed is matched against a No. 8 seed. However, the Bulls surprised the Celtics 106-0102 in Game 1 and then stunned them with a 111-97 victory in Game 2. However, Celtics have turned the tables on the Bulls by winning Games 3 and 4 in Chicago. The Celtics' back-to-back wins in Chicago came after Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo was sidelined with a fractured thumb, Boston PG Isaiah Thomas, whose playoff experience has been dominated by the grief of losing his sister in a car accident prior to the series, had his best game of the series in Game 4. However, Chicago head coach Fred Hoiberg claims that Thomas carries the ball repeatedly. The teams meet tonight in Boston, as the Celtics try to become the first home team to win a game this series. Chicago: Rondo has shed his cast and could potentially return for a Game 6 or Game 7. The Bulls need him, as after shooting 46.7 percent and averaging 25 assists in two wins at Boston, Chicago shot just 40.1 percent with 16.5 assists in the two games without Rondo at home. While the team waits on a possible Rondo return, Isaiah Canaan will be thrust into the starting lineup for Game 5 after emerging to score 13 points in 34 minutes of Sunday's loss. Jerian Grant and Michael Carter-Williams have failed miserably in trying to replace Rondo in Games 3 and 4. Jimmy Butler remains Chicago's star, averaging 24.8-7.3-5.0 in the series. Boston: There can be little doubt that Rondo's injury gave Boston 'life,' but don't discount Brad Stevens' coaching. He made the decision "to go small" after Game 2, including the insertion of Gerald Green into the starting lineup. Green scored 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting to go along with seven rebounds in Game 4 while regular starter Amir Johnson did not see a single minute of action, after playing only six minutes in Game 3. The pick: Rondo was originally ruled out for Wednesday but USA Today reported Tuesday night that he might attempt to play in Game 5. As I noted in taking the Celtics in Game 4, Boston may be a VERY weak No. 1 seed but Chicago is one weak team, especially with no Rondo. Before Game 3, Stevens owned a 2-10 playoff record, the worst in NBA history for any coach with at least 10 decisions. Now, the picture is brighter and his team delivers a third straight win is this series, with room to spare!. Make Boston an 8* play |
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04-25-17 | Jazz +3 v. Clippers | Top | 96-92 | Win | 100 | 35 h 44 m | Show |
The set-up: The Jazz and Clippers were each 51-31 during the regular season but LA earned the home court edge in this first round series due to a tiebreaker. After four games, the series is tied at two-all, with each team winning once on its opponents' home court. However, the series has been overshadowed by key injuries to both Utah center Rudy Gobert and LA power forward Blake Griffin. Gobert went down in the first minute of Game 1 but returned in Game 4 to score 15 points and grab 13 rebounds. Griffin was lost in Game 3, when the Clippers won in Utah but he's now out for the rest of the playoffs. Utah: Gobert's return was huge boost for the Jazz but the team's best player, SF Gordon Hayward, was limited to just nine minutes in Utah's Game 4 win, due to food poisoning. He took IV fluids prior to the game but to no avail. Hayward scored a career-high 40 points in Game 3 and is expected to give it a go tonight at Staples Center. Swingman Joe Johnson came up again big in the Game 4 win, scoring 28 points on 12-of-17 shooting. He also nailed the game-winner in Game 1 at the buzzer and heads into tonight's game averaging 19.3 PPG in the series.
LA Clippers: Will the Clippers' luck ever change? Griffin's absence inside during LA's fourth-quarter collapse in Game 4 was noticeable and magnified by Marreese Speights' poor effort (five points on 2-of-8 shooting). Los Angeles will likely be relying on the backcourt play of Paul (27 points in Game 4), Jamal Crawford (25 points) and J.J. Redick for the remainder of the series. However, while Crawford made 5-of-7 three-pointers on Sunday, he had missed all 11 he attempted during the first three games. As for Redick, he's averaged only 7.8 PPG in thed series (down from averaging 15.0 PPG during the regular season!), making only 34.5% from the floor, including 26.7% on threes. The pick: I believe the Clippers are headed for another playoff disappointment. Why wait until the second round to get blown out by the Warriors? Take the points and make the Jazz a 10* play. |
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04-24-17 | Wizards +2.5 v. Hawks | Top | 101-111 | Loss | -107 | 13 h 56 m | Show |
The set-up: The Hawks did not play particularly well at home during the regular season but came up with a huge home effort in Game 3, beating the Wizards 116-98. Atlanta couldn't control Wall in Games 1 and 2 (the PG had 32 points in each contest) and while the Hawks did shut him down in Game 3 either (Wall had 29), Atlanta did do a much better against the remainder of Washington's team. Also, the Hawks did a much better job of matching Washington's physicality here at home, led by Millsap's 29 points, 14 rebounds and five assists. PG Dennis Schroder continued his fine play as well, with 27 points and nine assists (he's averaging 25 points and eight assists after three games). Washington: Wall was 10 of 12 from the floor and 8 of 10 from the FT line in Game 3 but his teammates shot a combined 27 of 77 (35.1%). Washington SG Bradley Beal appeared to break out of his own slump with a big fourth quarter in Game 2 but fell off again in Game 3 while totaling 12 points on 6-of-20 shooting, including 0-of-6 from three-point range. Markieff Morris accused Millsap of being soft after the Hawks forward complained about the physical nature of the first game but Morris may want to shut up and just play better. He's totaled just 12 points on 5-of-17 shooting in the last two games. Atlanta: Millsap and Schroder have been Atlanta's key players but center Dwight Howard has failed to score in double figures in any of the first three games, averaging a woeful 6.0 PG, He is averaging RPG but one wonders if Atlanta can win this series with Howard providing no offense. Prince has averaged 14.0 PPG on 62.1% shooting but Atlanta's only other double digit scorer in this series is Hardaway (11.3), and he's shooting 29.4% from the floor, including under 20 percent on threes. The pick: Regarding the Morris/Millsap yapping, "It definitely got personal now," Millsap said. "I don't care. So what? Take this loss and go back to the hotel and be ready for the next game." As noted, the Hawks have been a mediocre home team all season and with Gortat outplaying Howard in the middle, the Washington center is averaging 10.0 & 9.7, I'm on the side of the Wizards to take control of this series by winning Game 4. Make Washington a 10* play. |
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04-23-17 | Celtics -2.5 v. Bulls | Top | 104-95 | Win | 100 | 31 h 57 m | Show |
The set-up: The 41-41 Bulls were able to sneak into the playoff field as the East's No. 8 seed, getting the nod over the 41-41 Heat by virtue of a tiebreaker. The Bulls then went into the tD Garden and won Game 1 106-102 over the top-seeded Celtics (53-29 on the season), before rolling over the Celtics in Game 2, by a score of 111-97. However, with Chicago PG Rajon Rondo ( in the 1st two games) out with a broken thumb in Game 3, the Celtics coasted to a 104-87 victory on Friday night. The series continues in Chicago on Sunday with Rondo out indefinitely with a fractured right thumb, Boston: Four of Boston's five starters scored in double digits in Game 3 with Boston connecting on 17 three-pointers, after making just 18 of 59 (30.5%) in the first two games. PG Thomas scored 16 points in Game 3, nearly 13 below his season average, but handed out nine assists. However, others around him became more involved offensively, namely fellow guard Avery Bradley (15 points, 4-of-6 from three-point range), who had shot 10 of 28 (35.7%) in the first two games. Bradley also had seven rebounds, seven assists and spent much of the game shutting down Butler and Wade on the defensive end. Backup PG Terry Rozier, a non-factor in the games in Boston, emerged in Game 3 to provide 11 points in 23 minutes off the bench. Chicago: Swingman Jimmy Butler averaged 26 points in the two wins at Boston but was held to 14 points on 7-of-21 shooting in Friday's loss. The Bulls shot just 39.3% as a team, including 6 of 21 on threes. Rondo's backups, Jerian Grant and Michael Carter-Williams, combined for eight points, three assists and seven turnovers. Head coach Fred Hoiberg may just want to run the offense more through Butler and Dwyane Wade. Center Robin Lopez has been a real surprise for Chicago, averaging 14.7 points on 70.4 percent shooting, while adding 8.3 RPG (he has 16 offensive rebounds in the series!) The pick: Falling behind 3-1 may be a hill too high to climb for Boston, so Game 4 could be considered a "must win." The Celtics have been a decent road team this season (24-18 SU and 24-16-2 ATS including Game 3 of this series) and the bottom line is, Chicago is every bit a .500 team. Yes, Boston may be the weakest No. 1 seed in a long time (ever?) but as we saw in Game 3, they are a better team than the Bulls. Make Boston an 8* play. |
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04-22-17 | Spurs -3.5 v. Grizzlies | Top | 108-110 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 13 m | Show |
The set-up: The Memphis Grizzlies were beaten badly in San Antonio, getting held to 82 points in each loss. Head coach David Fizdale's postgame rant about the officiating cost him some money but it may have also given the Grizzlies a spark. The Grizzlies led by a modest four points at the half but outscored the Spurs 31-17 in the third quarter and won 105-94. PG Conley had 24 points and Gasol and Randolph (now starting) each had 21. The Spurs shot 47.2 percent for the game but played uninspired basketball. San Antonio: Here's how Manu Ginobili told it. "Pop got upset with the guys starting the quarter, sat them, and the whole momentum changed," he told reporters. "In playoff games, especially on the road, a two-minute mental "something" can become a 10-point deficit. That's what happened. We were in good shape at the half. Not playing well, not shooting great, down four on the road, and it was a good situation. It was OK for us. We had that moment there in which the whole game changed." In the end, none of San Antonio's starters ended up playing more than 30 minutes in the loss. Memphis: The Grizzlies shot 50.6 percent from the floor and made 9 of 22 three-pointers last time out. Fizdale made just one lineup change for Game 3, inserting veteran forward Zach Randolph into the starting lineup to add a stronger interior presence. Randolph responded by scoring 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting and grabbing eight rebounds. "It felt good out there to start and get a rhythm and get in a rhythm out there faster," Randolph told reporters. "It felt good out there." Fizdale complained about the officiating but he also knew this. "The Spurs were punking us. Let’s be real about it," Fizdale told reporters. "Those first, probably out of the first eight quarters, they just bullied us for like five and a half of those and you’re not going to beat the Spurs letting them dictate everything. We had to match it. Otherwise we were going to get pummeled and I was just really proud of how the way we stepped up and took the challenge."
The pick: Memphis should be confident for Game 4, as the Grizzlies did win both home games over the Spurs in the regular season by 15 and eight points. However, Thursday's win snapped a a 10-game postseason losing streak for Memphis! The Spurs surely don't want this series going back to San Antonio tied at two-all. Make San Antonio a 10* play. |
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04-22-17 | Blues +1.5 v. Wild | Top | 4-3 | Win | 100 | 8 h 28 m | Show |
The set-up: The Minnesota Wild avoided a sweep of their Western Conference first-round series against the Blues by winning 2-0 in Game 4. The teams are back in Minnesota for Game 5 on Saturday afternoon. The Wild had only managed three goals in losing the first three games of the series but their two goals on Wednesday were good enough, as Devan Dubnyk turned aside all 28 shots he faced. St Louis: The Blues appeared to take their foot off the gas in Game 4 and the Wild limited their quality chances. Some good news may be on the way, though. Paul Stastny (foot) skated with the top line at practice on Friday and could be in the lineup for the first time since March 21. St. Louis also needs leading scorer Vladimir Tarasenko to get things going. He leads the team with 16 shots in the series but has yet to score, managing only two assists in four games. Minnesota: “We just said coming into the game, we need to win one game and this is the only thing that matters,” Dubnyk told reporters. “This was our Stanley Cup. And it’s gonna be the same thing on Saturday, because if not, it’s over, and we’re not gonna think any further ahead than that.” Charlie Coyle has stepped up with a goal in each of the last two games and Martin Hanzal netted his first of the postseason in the Game 4 victory. Zach Parise leads the team with three points while Jason Zucker, who scored a career-best 22 goals in the regular season, has yet to notch a point despite pacing the Wild with 18 shots. The pick: After going 27-11-3 on home ice during the regular season, the Wild lost the first two of this series in OT. Can (will?) Minnesota win here at home and send the series back to St. Louis? I Maybe so but St. Louis goalie Jake Allen has stopped 140 of the 145 shots he has faced in the series. Take the 1 1/2 goals and make the Blues an 8* play |
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04-21-17 | Clippers v. Jazz +1.5 | Top | 111-106 | Loss | -105 | 31 h 34 m | Show |
The set-up: The Clippers and Jazz each finished the regular season at 51-31 and after two games of their first round playoff series, they are tied at one game apiece. However, the edge resides with the Jazz, who won Game 1 at Staples Center to steal away the home court advantage. However, before losing 114-108 in Salt Lake City on March 13, the Clippers had won nine in a row at Utah. The Jazz remain without center Rudy Gobert, who is still recovering from hyperextending his knee on the first possession of the series opener. It could take a while before he is game-ready again. LA Clippers: Losing Game 1 at home with the Jazz playing without Gobert just added to the Clippers' playoff lore of disappointment followed by disappointment. "We had a couple of days being pretty pissed off," PF Blake Griffin told reporters after scoring 24 points in the Game 2 win. "Our spirit [tonight] was great." Griffin helped fuel the interior dominance that led to a 60-38 scoring advantage in the paint and a 47-39 edge on the glass as the Clippers exploited the absence of Gobert. Center DeAndre Jordan had his share of issues with Gobert and the Jazz during the regular season but took control of the shorthanded Jazz in Game 2, recording 18 points on 9-of-11 shooting and 15 rebounds. PG Chris Paul figures to be successful regardless of who is on the court and he is averaging 23 points, 10.5 assists and three steals while shooting 55.9 percent from the floor in the series. Utah: The Jazz fell behind early in Game 1 and were outscored 29-18 in the first quarter in Tuesday's loss, a trend they need to reverse at home. "The first quarter is what really got us, and they hit us a little bit, set us back in Game 1, as well," forward Gordon Hayward told reporters following a 20-point effort. "We definitely have to be better in the first quarter, but besides the first quarter we played them pretty even." Veteran swingman Joe Johnson, who hit the game-winner in Game 1 while scoring a team-high 21 points, added 13 points off the bench and forward Derrick Favors also finished with 13 points and seven rebounds while starting in place of Gobert. The pick: The Clippers' three main stars all had strong performances in Game 2 (see above). However, through two games, shooting guards J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford have combined to go 12-for-37 from the floor (32.4%), including 1-for-14 from three-point range. The Jazz were able to win in LA without Gobert, so it's no stretch for them to win here at home without him, where they were 29-12 SU on the season. Make Utah a 10* play. |
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04-21-17 | Maple Leafs +1.5 v. Capitals | Top | 1-2 | Win | 100 | 28 h 39 m | Show |
The set-up: The Caps delivered a four-goal first period in Game 4 and hung on for a 5-4 win to even this first round series at one apiece. It's now the always pivotal Game 5, when a seven-game series is tied at two-all. The Capitals had an NHL-high 118 points in the regular season, while the Maple Leafs' 95 points made them the "last team into the playoff field." Toronto: Head coach Mike Babcock feels his team should be optimistic heading into Friday's Game 5. "If you'd told our guys at the start of the series it would be 2-2, they'd all do a cartwheel if they knew how. I couldn't do it, I'd hurt my back," Babcock said on Thursday. Toronto was not ready to play at the start of both Games 3 and 4. The Maple leafs were able to overcome Game 3's sluggish start (won 4-3 in OT) but that four-goal first period in Game 4 proved too much of an obstacle to overcome. Youth is being served by the Maple Leafs, as Toronto has five rookie goal-scorers thi series to join the 2007-08 New York Rangers as the only teams over the last 25 years of the playoffs to accomplish that feat. Washington: The Caps, the President's Trophy winners, have had their hands full with the upstart Leafs, in part because the Capitals feel Toronto has gotten most of the favorable bounces in the series, leaving them feeling helpless at times. "We're becoming really mentally tough in this series," Washington coach Barry Trotz said Thursday. "They've got some strange goals, and that sometimes can play on your mind a little bit." T.J. Oshie has been 'killing' Toronto, highlighted by him recording his third career postseason multi-goal performance on Wednesday. Oshie is riding a six-game playoff point streak (four goals, five assists) dating to last year while fellow forwards Nicklas Backstrom (two goals, three assists) and captain Alex Ovechkin are enjoying three-game point and goal streaks, respectively. The pick: Here's the rub. Washington is best-known for its past playoff failures and now it's a best-of-three series. It sure doesn't help that Braden Holtby is hardly playing like a reigning Vezina Trophy winner, having allowed 12 goals allowed, a 3.37 goals-against average and an .897 save percentage, in the last three contests. Washington's two wins in the series have each come by just one goal, a 3-2 OT win in Game 1 and Game 4's 5-4 win. Take the 1 1/2 goals with Toronto and make teh Maple Leafs an 8* play. |
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04-20-17 | Raptors +1.5 v. Bucks | Top | 77-104 | Loss | -105 | 12 h 9 m | Show |
The set-up: The Raptors saw the Bucks come into Air Canada Centre for Game 1 of this series and win by 14 points. That was not exactly something new, as the Raptors are now 0-9 in opening games of first-round playoff series (also just 1-11 in Game 1s of any series). However, the Raptors did bounce back to win their first two playoff series last postseason after losing Game 1 and Toronto was able to even this series in Game 2 by winning 106-100 (non-cover). The series now shifts to Milwaukee for the next two games and the pressure is now on the Bucks to 'hold serve.' Toronto: After an 'ugly' Game 1 (2 of 11 for four points), PG Kyle Lowry scored 22 points and backcourt mate Demar DeRozan has averaged 25 points and 7.5 rebounds in the first two games. However, the 'star' of Game 2 for Toronto was its pressure-packed defense which held Giannis Antetokounmpo to shoot 9-of-24 from the floor, despite scoring 24 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. "The Greek Freak" made 13-of-18 shots in Game 1! The Raptors rely heavily on their two All Star guards but let's not forget Serge Ibaka, the trade deadline pickup from Orlando, who has averaged 17.5 & 10.5 in the first two games, while shooting a team-best 48.3% from the floor. Milwaukee: Antetokounmpo knows he will need to make adjustments to deal with Toronto's change in defensive tactics. "They didn't allow me to go in the paint," he told reporters. "Every time I drove the ball, everybody was sucking into the paint. They were more physical. I still have to make the right plays and try to find my teammates." While Antetokounmpo struggled in Game 2, it was good news that SG Khris Middleton scored 20 points, after struggling to 10 on 4-of-15 shooting in the opener. Head coach Jason Kidd's rotation changed slightly down the stretch in Game 2 as he left Tony Snell on the bench while using PGs Malcolm Brogdon and Matthew Dellavedova in tandem. The move raised some eyebrows, but Kidd insisted that it was just a matter of matchups and rhythm and nothing against Snell, who played only 21 minutes. The pick: Could it be as simple as this? The Raptors shot 5-of-23 in the opener from three-point range and lost by 14. They were 14-of-29 from three-point range in Game 2 and won by five. The Bucks are hoping to capitalize on a raucous home-court advantage to pull ahead in the series, but Kidd has been urging his young squad to not get too comfortable in front of its home crowd. "You can't think about having two games at home," Kidd said. "You have to stay in the moment. We're all excited to be home. For us, we had an opportunity in Game 2. We had some good looks at the end, but the ball didn't fall for us. We're focused on the first possession of Game 3 and trying to find a way to win." The Milwaukee Bucks haven't won a playoff series since the 2000-01 season and I'm backing the more playoff-tested Raptors in this one. Make Toronto a 10* play. |
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04-19-17 | Hawks v. Wizards -5 | Top | 101-109 | Win | 100 | 12 h 2 m | Show |
The set-up: The Wizards own a strong starting-five and all reached double digits in the team's 114-107 Game 1 win over the Hawks. All-Star PG John Wall scored a playoff career-high 32 points to go with 14 assists and while SG Bradley Beal went 2-of-11 from three-point range, he added 22 points. Washington was able to pull off the seven-point win despite sending the Hawks to the free-throw line 39 times (Atlanta made 32). "The difference in the game was we were playing basketball and they were playing MMA," Atlanta forward Paul Millsap told reporters. "They were physical. When the game is like that, we have to match their physicality. But again, we've got to go get some moves and bring them back to the court." Washington likely has no intention of letting up after watching its aggression lead to 69 second-half points in the Game 1 win. Atlanta: Head coach Mike Budenholzer knows his team can't commit 21 turnovers again, or allow 25 fast-break points! "Transition. Same since day one. If we do not get back, it is going to be hard for us to win games, so they took advantage of that," Hawks guard Tim Hardaway Jr. said. "John Wall is a blur out there, and when you have (Beal) and Otto Porter out there ... when he is in transition, those are his outlets. You know he puts so much pressure whenever he has those outlets and he knocks those shots down, it is kind of hard to (cover him)." The Hawks have spent the past two days of practice focusing on correcting just that. We'll see. Also, the Hawks are going to need more than seven points from center Dwight Howard, who had finished the regular season with a streak of 13 straight double-digit scoring efforts. Washington: The Wizards trailed 48-45 at halftime in Game 1 but with Wall in control, the Wizards outscored Atlanta 38-28 in the third quarter and led by as many as 15 points in the fourth. Help came in the form of 22 points from Beal and 21 from Morris, who also had four blocked shots. The Wizards could always use some extra help off the bench and they anticipate having center Jason Smith (knee) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee) available for Game 2, as both returned to practice Tuesday after sitting out Monday's session. The pick: Washington's Game 1 win lifted them to 31-11 SU at home this season and that's after opening the season 5-6 SU at home. Atlanta lost Game 1 to Washington in the 2015 Eastern Conference semifinals before recovering to win the series on six games. However, that Atlanta team was the East's No. 1 seed, while this year's edition is a No. 5 seed, which ended the regular season on a 6-10 run. Make Washington an 8* play. |
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04-18-17 | Jazz +9 v. Clippers | Top | 91-99 | Win | 100 | 15 h 34 m | Show |
The set-up: Utah center Rudy Gobert (14.0 & 12.8) had a breakout season in 2016-17 and was a huge reason the Jazz returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2012. However, he suffered a knee injury on the opening possession Saturday's Game 1 against the Clippers. The game was an emotional roller coaster for the Jazz but all's well that ends well and veteran reserve Joe Johnson's buzzer-beater lifted the Jazz to a 97-95 victory in the opener of this best-of-seven series. Meanwhile, the Clippers are left to wonder just how they lost the homecourt advantage in the series by falling to a Utah team in Game 1 at Staples Center playing without its starting center? "The series doesn’t start until somebody loses at home," guard Chris Paul told reporters after producing 25 points and 11 assists. "I guess that [loss] started it. … Now we've got to see what we're made of." Utah: Gobert's status for the rest of the series is in doubt. "I don't think we're ready to say today, tomorrow, a week, two weeks," head coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "I think it's literally that wide open." Johnson led all Utah scorers with 21 points plus Favors added 15 points off the bench, as well. Utah's best player, SF Gordon Hayward (21.9 & 5.4), had 19 & 10, and the team's new PG, George Hill (16.9 & 4.2 APG), added 16 points. Utah's reserves outscored LA's 47-20! LA Clippers: The Clippers are insisting that there is no need to panic following the Game 1 loss."A lot of guys have played enough playoff games to know it's truly a series," forward Blake Griffin told the Los Angeles Times. "Everybody says that. But we've been up 2-0 several times and lost a series [to Portland]. We've been up 3-1 and lost a series [to Houston]. We've lost a first game and won a series. So it doesn't really matter, you know?" Griifin must be in denial. The Clippers' playoff history is filled with nothing but failure and as for Chris Paul, who so many think so much of, he's never even played on a team which has won a second round playoff series. Let that sink in! Griffin (26 & 7), Paul (25 & 11 assists) and Jordan (10 & 15) all had good stats but the Clippers struggled to free up their shooters, as guards J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford combined for 15 points on 7-of-19 shooting, including 1-of-7 from three-point range. Then there was LA's bench getting pummeled by Utah's, 47-20! The pick: Should LA bounce back and take Game 2? The Clippers should but I'll take the points and make Utah an 8* play. |
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04-17-17 | Grizzlies +11 v. Spurs | Top | 82-96 | Loss | -108 | 21 h 20 m | Show |
The set-up: The Spurs allowed the Grizzlies to score 30 points in the first quarter of their Game 1 series but Memphis never had more than 19 points in any of the final three quarters, with An Antonio pulling away for a 111-82 win. "They just took over the game," Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph told reporters. "They started to hit shots and put pressure on us. We couldn’t get the ball where we wanted to get it. We just couldn’t get shots." A 19-0 run over a five-minute span bridging the third and fourth quarters turned the reasonably tight contest into a rout.Kawhi Leonard (25.5 & 5.8) not surprisingly led all Spurs with 32 points plus Popovich had to like Parker (just 10.1 PPG on the season) looking 'young again" with 18 points in minutes. Memphis: The key to San Antonio disrupting Memphis was getting PG Mike Conley out of his rhythm. Parker helped in that regard, as Conley (20.5 & 6.3 APG) managed just 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting. "They forced other guys to handle the ball," Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale told reporters. "We went over it, we expected it, but we just didn't respond well to it. I thought Mike missed some chippies in there in the paint. But give them credit; they really turned the game around defensively against us." In an overall poor offensive effort by Memphis, the bright spot was center Marc Gasol (19.5 & 6.2), who scored 32 points on 11-of-18 shooting. San Antonio: Leonard and PF LaMarcus Aldridge (20 points / six rebounds) were the only players to log more than 25 minutes for San Antonio on Saturday, so "Pop's" team will be well rested. "The best part was the team keeping its composure, not going off in different directions and just trying to do what he planned execution-wise on both ends of the floor," Popovich said. "I thought we got better as the game went on." The pick: The Spurs rested their starters for the entire fourth quarter, which could be a huge advantage in a series that is expected to be a physical one between grind-it-out teams. Still, Memphis was awful after the first quarter, yet trailed just 74-64 with 1:53 to play in the third quarter. Memphis scored only 33 points in the second half and missed nine of its 10 three-point attempts after halftime. Memphis will be better in Game 2. The Spurs were just 19-22 ATS at home during the regular season and I'll take the points here with The Grizz. Make Memphis an 8* play. |
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04-16-17 | Thunder +7 v. Rockets | Top | 87-118 | Loss | -110 | 24 h 41 m | Show |
The set: The OKC Thunder against the Houston Rockets (Westbrook vs. Harden) is one of two excellent opening round series in the West. The Jazz and Clippers is the other and that one didn't disappoint Saturday night, with the Jazz edging the Clippers 97-95 on a game-winning buzzer beater! Westbrook and Harden are the two leading MVP candidates (Kawhi seems left out and I'm not sure why?) and for that reason alone, this has to be the first round's most appealing. The Thunder went 47-36 (No. 6 seed) and the Rockets had a 55-27 regular season mark, giving them the West's No. 3 seed but also note that Houston also owns a better record than any team in the East, as well Oklahoma City: Westbrook led the NBA in scoring (31.6), ranked third in assists (10.4) and was 10th in rebounding (10.7) to join Oscar Robertson (1961-62) as the lone players to average a triple-double over an entire season. He also had 42 triple-doubles during the season to break the Big O's single-season record of 41. OKC was 33-9 in his triple-double games but head coach Billy Donovan is well aware that OKC will need more than Westbrook to advance in the playoffs. There is no doubt that Oklahoma City is armed to the teeth with bigs in Steven Adams, Enes Kanter, Taj Gibson and Domantas Sabonis. Houston. The Rockets were just 41-41 last season with Harden and the unhappy Howard not meshing. With Howard gone to Atlanta, Harden made this "his team" and Houston won 14 more games this season. Harden finished second in scoring (29.1), led the NBA in assists (11.2) and averaged 8.1 rebounds during the regular season and he is eager to compete with the tenacious Westbrook. Houston set an NBA record with 1,181 three-point FGs, an average of 14.4 per game. Harden (262) led the way, while backup SG Eric Gordon (246) and forward Ryan Anderson (205) all over 200. SF Trevor Ariza (190), just missed that mark. The pick: Here's the rub. While the Rockets "fill the air" with three-point attempts, they finished just 15th in three-point percentage (35.7). The Thunder led the NBA in rebound percentage (53.4) but managed only a plus-1.8 rebounding margin against the Rocket, losing three of four. Obviously, OKC.was unable to overwhelm the Rockets with its advantage in size and bulk during the regular season. However, Houston was unable to stop Westbrook, who averaged 36.3 points, 9.3 assists and nine rebounds against Houston. Meanwhile, Harden experienced some struggles against OKC, averaging just 20.5 points on 34.3 percent shooting. Like with the Jazz/Clippers, the points could be YUGE. Make OKC a 10* play in Game 1. |
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04-16-17 | Hawks v. Wizards -5 | Top | 107-114 | Win | 100 | 16 h 36 m | Show |
The set-up: The 49-33 Washington Wizards did win the franchise's first division title since the 1978-79 season in winning this year's Southeast title but the Wizards enter the playoffs having lost five of eight. The team's late-season "mini slump" (just 8-9 since March 13th) saw them fall to the East's No. 4 seed and the team will open the postseason with Southeast Division rival, Atlanta. The 43-39 Hawks know all about poor play the last 1 1/2 months, as they lost nine of 11 from Mar. 13 through Apr. 2nd, before the return of All-Star power forward Paul Millsap helped the team turn things around. The Hawks secured the No. 5 seed with four straight wins, then lost their meaningless regular season finale at Indiana, while resting most of the its key players. . Atlanta: Millsap (18.1 & 7.7) scored over 20 points in two of the four games after his return but was limited to an average of 16 points on 41.5 percent shooting in three games against Washington this season. Center Dwight Howard was pretty much a forgotten man this season but averagd a double-double at 13.5 points and 12.7 boards. He will playing in his 90th career playoff game in Tuesday's Game 2. on Tuesday. Dennis Schroeder (17.9 & 6.3 APG) ably replaced Teague at PG and no player on the Hawks benefited more from Korver's trade to the Cavs than Hardaway, who was one of the NBA's most improved players this season (ended the season averaging 14.5 PPG). Injuries shook up the team's lineup the second half of the season and the Hawks are expected to start SG Tim Hardaway and SF Taurean Prince, while bringing former starters SF Thabo Sefolosha and SF Kent Bazemore off the bench. Washington: The Wizards own a clear backcourt advantage with Wall (23.1 & 10.7 APG) and Beal (23.1), plus all three frontcourt players average in double figures. Center Gortat (10.8 & 10.4) is surrounded by forwards Morris (14.0 & 6.5) and Porter (13.4 & 6.4) . A lack of scoring off the bench was addressed at the trade deadline, with the acquisition of Bojan Bogdanovic, who averaged 12.7 PPG in 26 games with Washington. Backup center Ian Mahinmi (calf) will not be available for the start of the series. The pick: Neither team was very impressive after the All-Star break but both have All-Star talent. Washington lost its first meeting with Atlanta this season but then won the final three meetings, giving them five wins over the last seven between the two rivals. The Wizards also have the revenge card on their side, having lost the series 4-2 to the Hawks in 2015 but note, Atlanta was the East's top-seed in that season. At least for Game 1, it's all Washington. Make the Wizards a 10* play. |
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04-15-17 | Bucks +7 v. Raptors | Top | 97-83 | Win | 100 | 27 h 48 m | Show |
The set-up: The Toronto Raptors ended the regular season on a four-game winning streak and while they did catch the Cavs at 51-31, Cleveland earned the No. 2 seed due to its series win over Toronto. So, the third-seed Raptors open the 2017 playoffs against the 42-40 Milwaukee Bucks, who are the East's No. 6 seed. The Bucks finished above .500 for the first time since going 46-36 in 2009-10 and the team is looking to halt a stretch of six consecutive first-round playoff exits. The Raptors reached the East Finals last year (lost 4-2 to the Cavs) and are expecting another sustained postseason run. However, the Cavs will almost assuredly be waiting for them in the second round, if Toronto beats Milwaukee. Toronto is the clear favorite to do just that, as the Raptors were 3-1 against the Bucks this season and have won 13 of the past 15 meetings between the two clubs. Milwaukee: All-Star small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will be counted on to carry Milwaukee in the postseason, just like in the regular season. He became the fifth player in NBA history to lead his team in scoring (22.9), rebounding (8.8), assists (5.4), blocked shots (1.9) and steals (1.6) in the same season. The Bucks were expected to fall out of the playoff race after losing Jabari Parker (20.1 & 6.1) to a torn ACL on Feb. 8th. However, just the opposite happened. The Bucks lost their first game without Parker, allowing 122 points the Lakers, but from then on won 21 of their final 30 games. The return of last years leading scorer Khris Middleton (18.2) was surely huge, as he averaged 14.7 PPG in 29 games, plus rookie guard Brogdon (10.2 & 4.2 APG) has played well enough to be considered for ROY honors. Toronto: The Raptors are led by their All Star backcourt of DeRozan (27.3 & 5.2) and Lowry (22.4-4.8-7.0) but the addition of Serge Ibaka could be the difference in this year's anticipated second-round showdown with Cleveland. Ibaka has averaged 14.2 & 6.8 in his 23 games with Toronto and gives center Valanciunas (12.0 & 9.5 plus a team-best 55.7% shooting percentage) some much-needed inside help. The pick: Yes, the Raptors are favored to win this series but it's not as if Toro pnto has a long history of playoff successes. In fact, the Raptors lost Game 1 of each of their playoff series last year. Take the points and make Milwaukee an 8* play. |
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04-13-17 | Rays +1.5 v. Yankees | Top | 2-3 | Win | 100 | 11 h 7 m | Show |
The set-up: The Yankees opened the 2017 season losing two of three in Tampa to the Rays and then losing two of three in Baltimore to the Orioles. However, after 8-1 and 8-4 wins Monday and Wednesday against the Rays here in the Bronx, the Yanks go for a three-game sweep in their opening series at home in tonight's game against Tampa. Tampa Bay opened its 2017 season by taking five of seven at home over New York and Toronto but are looking for the team's first road win of the season tonight, after getting outscored 16-5 while going 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and committing four errors in the first two games of this series in the Bronx. The pitching matchup: Matt Andriese (0-0 & 9.00 ERA) gets the nod for Tampa and Luis Severino (0-0 & 7.20 ERA) for New York. Andriese is Tampa's fifth starter, as of now. However, he may need to put together a few strong performances to keep his hold on that role after allowing five runs (four earned) and seven hits against Toronto last Friday. He was 8-8 with a 4.37 ERA in 29 appearances in 2016 (19 starts) and went 2-6 with a 6.03 ERA after the All-Star break last season. He's made three career starst vs. the Yankees, going 1-2 with a 7.43 ERA. Severino kept his team in the game during his first start of the season (allowed four runs and six hits with six strikeouts and a walk over five innings in a 6-5 loss to Baltimore last Friday) but he's still searching for the form he displayed in 2015 when he was 5-3 with a 2.89 ERA in 11 starts as a rookie. He is 3-1 with a 3.47 ERA in seven appearances (three starts / team is 2-1 and his ERA is 5.17!) against Tampa Bay. The pick: The Rays have dropped their last eight series in New York but haven't been swept at Yankee Stadium since losing four straight here back in September 2009. Severio is a liability and I won't ignore that he owned a 5.83 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over 22 appearances in 2016, including 11 starts. In fact, the Yankees were 2-9 in his starts, going minus-$714 against the moneyline. Take the 1 1/2 runs with Tampa Bay and make them an 8* play. |
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04-12-17 | Mavs v. Grizzlies -7.5 | Top | 100-93 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 31 m | Show |
The set-up: The 32-49 Dallas Mavericks have limped to the finish line, as they have dropped five in a row and nine of 10, including a 109-91 loss to Denver in their home finale Tuesday. The 43-38 Memphis Grizzlies are locked into the seventh seed in the West and will open the playoffs against the Spurs but first, they get their final tune-up when they host the Mavericks on Wednesday in the regular-season finale for both teams. Dallas: The Mavs are resting players, even though all have nothing but free time on their hands starting April 13th. Leading scorer Harrison Barnes (19.2) and guard Wesley Matthews (13.5) both sat against the Nuggets while the team gave a ceremonial spot on the bench to former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. Several other Mavs are expected to sit out Wednesday, including star forward Dirk Nowitzki (14.2), who scored 21 points against Denver. Memphis: The Grizzlies aren't exactly racing to the finish line themselves, with four losses in their last five games. Head coach David Fizdale gave his reserves loads of playing time in the team's last game, although he has suggested that he might take a different approach in the finale Wednesday. "I don't even know if we're giving a guy the game off," Fizdale told reporters. "We want to keep them in rhythm and keep the cardio up and still let them get the contact and execution and all the stuff you get with playing a real game." The pick: Memphis will be making its seventh consecutive playoff appearances, which represents the league's third-longest active playoff streak (Spurs have made 20 in a row and the Hawks, 10 straight). Everything points to Memphis showing some interest in this one,m while the Mavs 'mail it in.' Make Memphis a a 10* play. |
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04-11-17 | Thunder +4 v. Wolves | Top | 100-98 | Win | 100 | 19 h 40 m | Show |
The set-up: Russell Westbrook now stands alone in the NBA record books with 42 triple-doubles on the season. Westbrook's triple-doubles equate to winning for the Thunder, who are 33-9 when he records a triple-double and just 13-25 when he doesn't. The 45-34 Thunder are locked in to the West's No. 6 seed, playing tonight in Minnesota and back home tomorrow against the Nuggets. Meanwhile, The 31-49 Minnesota Timberwolves are limping to the finish with four straight loses on a just-concluded road trip, including a 110-109 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. Oklahoma City: Westbrook scored 50 points and added 16 rebounds plus 10 assists in Sunday's 106-105 victory over the Denver Nuggets, capping the record-breaking triple-double with a game-winning, 36-foot three-pointer as time expired. "I only know one way to play, honestly," Westbrook told reporters. "I don't know any other way to play. When I get on the floor, I try to leave everything I have, regardless of seedings, records, the time of day, whatever. It doesn't matter to me. Basketball is basketball, and I try to go out there and leave it all on the floor." Minnesota: There are wif any teams more disappointing this season than the Timberwolves. A season filled with promise and moments of hope ends without the playoffs for the 13th straight season. Minnesota received standout play from second-year center Karl-Anthony Towns (25.1 & 12.2) and third-year scoring wing Andrew Wiggins (23.7) plus got a big step forward from PG Ricky Rubio (11.1 & 9.1 APG). However, mainly due to defensive inefficiencies (106.6 PPG ranked 18th), the Timberwolves are locked out of the postseason, again. The pick: Head coach Billy Donovan said he will let Westbrook decide if he wants to play in either of the final two regular-season games. Westbrook has just one triple-double in three contests against Minnesota this season while averaging 26.7 points, 11.7 assists and eight rebounds. Yes, the Timberwolves beat the Thunder 96-88 back on Jan. 13 but that comes after losing 26 of the previous 30 meetings with them. Make OKC an 8* play. |
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04-10-17 | Jazz v. Warriors -8 | Top | 105-99 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 9 m | Show |
Utah: The Jazz enter Monday with a record identical to the Clippers' but sit in the No. 5 spot due to its head-to-head tiebreaker disadvantage. Making things even more difficult is that Utah finishes the regular season against the top two teams in the West, Golden State and San Antonio. "We don't really care," Jazz point guard Shelvin Mack told the Salt Lake Tribune regarding the team's desire for home-court advantage. "We're not going to get the No. 1 overall seed. So at some point, we're going to have to win a game on the road." Word is that Utah is more concerned with being healthy heading into the playoffs and All-Star small forward Gordon Hayward (quadriceps), shooting guard Rodney Hood (rest) and power forward Derrick Favors (rest) all are candidates to sit on Monday. Golden State: Durant made his return on Saturday and collected 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in 31 minutes. "It felt normal again," Durant told reporters. "I'm a basketball player. I love playing basketball. That's my favorite thing to do. So, to feel like I’m part of the team, to feel like I’m a part of this energy that we have, it feels great." Curry averaged 26.9 points and 7.8 assists with Durant out of the lineup, including a pair of 42-point performances in his last three games. Curry is expected back from a knee contusion on Monday, meaning Curry and Kevin Durant will take the floor together for the first time since Durant went down with a knee injury on Feb. 28 The pick: The Warriors no longer are playing for anything after locking up the top seed throughout the playoffs but they have two regular-season games to find the chemistry the team enjoyed prior to the injury to K.D. The Warriors have won seven straight at home over the Jazz, dating to April 2013. That streak includes four consecutive victories by 15 or more points, capped by a 104-74 spanking in December. Make Golden State an 8* play. |
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04-09-17 | Thunder +4.5 v. Nuggets | Top | 106-105 | Win | 100 | 9 h 31 m | Show |
The set-up: The 45-34 Oklahoma City Thunder play in Denver on Sunday, up against the 38-41 Nuggets. OKC is locked into the No. 6 seed (and a meeting with Harden and the Rockets in the 1st round), while the Nuggets are 1 1/2 games back of the Blazers for the No. 8 seed and have just three games left.Oklahoma City: The story of the thunder's season has been Westbrook chasing the Big O's record-setting 1961-62 season, Westbrook secured a triple-double average for the season Friday in Phoenix, he failed to record one in that game and remains tied with Oscar Robertson for the most in a season in NBA history with 41. The Thunder have won the first two meetings with the Nuggets *(will paay them again Wednesday in OKC) with Westbook averaging 34 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists. My main goal since I got here, especially this season, is to win a championship," Westbrook told reporters after Friday's loss. Is there anyone alive who thinks the Thunder have a one percent chance of winning the NBA title this season?Denver: "I feel very optimistic," head coach Michael Malone told the media after Friday's 122-106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. "It's funny, we lose a game in Charlotte (on March 31) and read things and everybody is ready to say we're done. We're not done. We don't listen to that noise. That's all a distraction." That's a nice sentiment but the Nuggets are in a tough spot. That said, even if Denver doesn't make the playoffs, it has to be optimistic for the future with young standouts like rookie guard Jamal Murray (9.7), who posted a personal-best 30 points against New Orleans. Forward Nikola Jokic (16.6 & 9.8) has five straight double-doubles and nine in the last 10 games
The pick: Oklahoma City has won eight straight meetings with Denver and gets a 'triple-double' here, the win, the cover and Russell's 42nd triple-double of the season. Make OKC a 10* play. |
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04-08-17 | Pacers -4 v. Magic | Top | 127-112 | Win | 100 | 8 h 39 m | Show |
The set-up: The 39-40 Indiana Pacers are currently in the East's playoff field but just barely. Home wins this week over the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks, which marked the team's first back-to-back wins since early February, have the Pacers and Bulls tied at 39-40, with the Heat lurking at 38-41, one game behind in the No. 9 spot. The Pacers play in Orlando tonight, against the 28-51 lottery-bound Magic. The Magic snapped a five-game slide with a 115-107 win over the NBA-worst Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday but sit tied with the Philadelphia 76ers for the fourth-worst record in the NBA. " Indiana: From the "strange but true" category of NBA life, Indiana got a boost in the last two games from the return of Lance Stephenson, who has energized the home crowd and is proving to be a key member of the rotation off the bench. He was part of Pacers' teams that went to the conference finals in 2013 and 2014. In the team's two home wins this week, he combinied with Aaron Brooks to form a potent backcourt on the second unit. "With Lance and Aaron Brooks in the game together, we have the versatility to move them from point to wing," Indiana coach Nate McMillan told reporters. "Aaron is a good three-point shooter and with Lance at the point, that gives us another option on the wing." You can't make this stuff up! Orlando: The Magic are coming to the end of their season and are intent on building chemistry heading into the summer and looking ahead to next season. PF Aaron Gordon and PG Elfrid Payton are developing a strong connection. "It's something that is growing with us and we want it to keep growing through the summer," Payton told the team's website of the chemistry he has with Gordon. "We're definitely trying to make an imprint and establish a way that we’re going to play. We’re finding an identity and we’ve got to just continue to get that defensive identity down." Payton and Gordon combined for 43 points on 17-of-29 shooting in Thursday's win over Brooklyn. Gordon (12.5 & 5.0) is averaging 20.0 & 9.6 his last five games and Payton (12.7-4.7-6.4) is averaging 15.4-6.8-10.2 over the same time frame. The pick: From "Ripley's Believe it or Not," we have Stephenson is averaging 8.3 points, two rebounds and 3.7 assists in 22 minutes per game in three appearances for the Pacers so far. Pacers PF Thaddeus Young has also recorded a double-double in two straight and three of the last five contests. plus as always, Paul George (23.3 & 6.6) leads the charge. Make the Pacers an 8* play. |
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04-07-17 | Spurs +6.5 v. Mavs | Top | 102-89 | Win | 100 | 10 h 58 m | Show |
The set-up: The 60-18 San Antonio Spurs are now locked into the West's No. 2 seed and will sit most of their starters when they visit the 32-46 Dallas Mavericks on Friday. All-Star small forward Kawhi Leonard, center Pau Gasol and power forward LaMarcus Aldridge will rest while others will sit out due to nagging injuries. The Mavericks were eliminated from postseason contention awhile back and have lost six of their last seven games after closing a five-game trip with setbacks at Sacramento and the LA Clippers. Dallas is missing SG Seth Curry, who sat out the last three games with a shoulder injury and remains day-to-day.San Antonio: The Spurs will likely face the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs and are beginning to "rest up" for the playoffs. San Antonio is also expected to sit shooting guards Manu Ginobili (quad) and Danny Green (quad), along with point guard Dejounte Murray (groin) on Friday. Dallas: Future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki finds himself overseeing a young roster as his career winds down, and he is trying to impart some wisdom to his younger teammates. "Obviously, when you start a season 3-17 or 4-17, you're behind the 8-ball," Dirk Nowitzki said. "So there's always a possibility in the back of your mind, but we kept fighting. You got to give the boys credit. With how many injuries we had this year, and still we try to fight and make runs. Dallas experienced an uptick after a horrid start, but now it is all about preparing for next season and picking up more lottery ping-pong balls.
The pick: The Spurs have often played very well in games like this (when significant players have been kept on the bench) plus the Mavs have no reason to win anymore. The Mavericks snapped a seven-game losing streak in the overall series with a 105-101 comeback win in January, which ended a Spurs' run of 117 straight wins at home when leading by least 10 points at the half. Dallas had lost 12 in a row in San Antonio going back to 2010. Despite the loss, San Antonio has still won 21 of the last 26 regular-season matchups, including three straight and seven of the last nine in Dallas. Even with the "second team" playing, make the Spurs a 10* play. |
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04-06-17 | Celtics -1 v. Hawks | Top | 116-123 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 19 m | Show |
The set-up: The 50-28 Boston Celtics limp into Atlanta for tonight's game with the 39-38 Hawks, licking their wounds form a 114-91 thrashing at the hands of the Cavs last night in Boston. As for the Hawks, they are barely clinging to a playoff spot, having lost nine of their last 11. Boston: The Celtics really covet the No. 1 overall seed in case of a potential Game 7 against the Cavaliers in the postseason, so the blowout loss was a huge setback. PG Isaiah Thomas (29.1 & 5.9 APG) had 26 points against Cleveland (he has topped 20 in 13 of his last 14 contests) but shot just 1 of 8 from three-point range. Boston was a combined 7 of 33 (21.2%) from beyond the arc and defensively, had no answer for LBJ (36-10-6). Love added 15 & 16 and Kyrie 19 and five assists. Is it "back to the drawing board" for the Celtics? Atlanta: All-Star power forward Paul Millsap (18.1 & 6.3) returned from an eight-game absence due to a knee issue on Sunday but scored just 14 points on 4-of-14 shooting in a 91-82 loss to lowly Brooklyn. Millsap won't be operating at full strength but has had time to recover from Sunday's contest with a three-day stretch without a game. The Hawks are currently clinging to the No. 6 seed but are only 1 1/2 games ahead of Chicago, Miami and Indiana, who are all at 38-40. The pick: Expect the Celtics to bounce back after last night's hugely disappointing effort (Atlanta is not Cleveland!). The struggling Hawks are 1-8 ATS their nine at home and look for them to play the perfect foil. Make Boston an 8* play. |
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04-05-17 | Mavs +12 v. Clippers | Top | 101-112 | Win | 100 | 12 h 31 m | Show |
The set-up: The 32-45 Dallas Mavericks have been eliminated from playoff contention and visit LA having lost five of their last six games. Dirk Nowitzki (14.4 & 6.7) missed Tuesday's 98-87 loss to Sacramento after his Achilles' tendon flared up during Sunday's victory over Milwaukee. The Mavericks hope to have his services against the LA Clippers, who at 47-31, are now just one game behind the fourth-place Utah Jazz with four remaining for both teams. Dallas: Head coach Rick Carlisle is hoping the night off against the Kings will help alleviate the soreness for Dirk. "He is feeling better," Carlisle told reporters after the loss in Sacramento. "Could be most likely a game-time decision. The signs are good at this point." However, there is more bad news for Dallas, as Seth Curry (12.8) will likely will miss his third straight game due to a shoulder injury. Wesley Matthews (13.7)missed the Sacramento contest due to rest but should play here.
LA Clippers: The Clippers are headed toward a first-round playoff matchup with the Jazz but the team with home-court advantage will be teh favorite to win that matchup, as both teams have won more than two-thirds of their home games (Jazz are 27-12 at home and the Clippers 26-12). Los Angeles hasn't played since Saturday so the team should be well rested. The Clippers play three of their final four games at home but the road contest is at San Antonio and one of the homes games is against Houston. That makes this game vs. Dallas a must. |
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04-05-17 | Nuggets +9 v. Rockets | Top | 104-110 | Win | 100 | 9 h 2 m | Show |
The Denver Nuggets have won two straight while the Portland Trail Blazers have lost their last two. The 37-40 Nuggets are in Houston tonight and with a win over the Rockets, can move into a tie with the 38-40 Blazers for tehepot in the West (Blazers are idle). The Rockets are 52-25, after ending a three-game losing streak with Monday’s 123-116 victory at Phoenix. Houston is locked into the West's No. 3 seed and won Monday's game without three starters in the lineup. Denver: The Nuggets have gotten back in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West by winning back-to-back road games. They edged the Heat 116-113 in Miami on Sunday and then won 134-131 at New Orleans on Tuesday. Denver used just eight players with Will Barton (foot) and Jameer Nelson (calf) out at New Orleans, but seven of the eight scored in double figures. The team shot 53.5 percent from the floor. Center Nikola Jokic (16.6 & 9.7) had 21 points and 12 rebounds for his fifth double-double to go along with a pair of triple-doubles in the last 10 contests while Danilo Gallinari (leading scorer at 17.9) is averaging 28.5 points over the past two games. PG Emmanuel Mudiay (11.0 & 4.0 APG) has received more playing time the last two games with Nelson out and averaged 16 points and eight assists after scoring 23 total points in March. Houston: MVP candidate James Harden (sore wrist), Ryan Anderson (ankle) and Trevor Ariza (personal) all missed Monday’s victory at Phoenix. "It’s what you’re paid for,” Houston head coach Mike D’Antoni told reporters of his patchwork lineup. “They came out, as professional as heck. They got the job done. That’s what we just talked about.” Harden (29.2-8.1-11.2), who is averaging 33 points and 10 assists in three wins against Denver this season, could sit out another game or two to help his wrist recover for the playoffs. The pick: How D'Antoni handles his rotation on Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets at Toyota Center remains to be seen. However, we know Denver desperately needs this one (Nuggets still have two more road games left on this five-game trip), while the Rockets No. 1 priority has to be getting healthy for the playoffs. Make Denver a 10* play |
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04-04-17 | Bulls v. Knicks +4 | Top | 91-100 | Win | 100 | 9 h 16 m | Show |
The set-up: The 38-39 Chicago Bulls have won four in a row and six of eight, playing their way back into the Eastern Conference playoff field. They travel to Madison Square Garden for tonight's game against the 29-48 NY Knicks, who have dropped 10 of their last 13 and have been a playoff afterthought for quite awhile now.
Chicago: The Bulls seemed ready to fall out of playoff contention but are making a late-season surge, despite trading away solid contributors like Gibson and McDermott, while also shutting down their second-leading scorer (Wade) for the season. All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler (23.9-6.2-5.5) has carried the team as of late, coming off a 39-point effort in Sunday's 117-110 win at New Orleans. He's getting help on the perimeter recently from PG Rajon Rondo, who is back in a featured role after bouncing in and out of the rotation for most of the season. Rondo just missed a triple-double with 10 points, nine rebounds and nine assists on Sunday and is averaging 15 points, 9.5 rebounds and 9.8 assists during the team's current four-game winning streak. Where has all this come from? Rondo's averaging just 7.8-5.1-6.7 on the season. NY Knicks: New York announced on Sunday that PG Rose (18.0 & 4.4 in 64 games) would undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. The former MVP is a free agent this summer and is already a veteran of ACL surgery on the left knee and meniscus surgery on the right knee. He has publicly said that he wants to return next season but who knows? Along with losing Rose for the season, the Knicks have also recently begun reducing All-Star Carmelo Anthony's minutes. Anthony (22.5 & 5.9) has missed four of the last six games but is expected to play tonight. The pick: This game with the Knicks is the first of five remaining games against non-playoff teams for Chicago. Hard to argue with Chicago's recent success but the Bulls are just 15-23 SU on the road this season. New York has won the first two meetings with Chicago, taking a 117-104 win in Chicago back on Nov. 4 and posting a 104-89 win on Jan. 12 in New York. Chicago as a road favorite?? Make the Knicks a 10* play. |
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04-04-17 | Nets v. 76ers -1 | Top | 141-118 | Loss | -102 | 8 h 16 m | Show |
The set-up: The 18-59 Brooklyn Nets will visit Philadelphia to take on the 28-49 76ers, as the teams conclude their season series (76ers have won each of the first three meetings). The Nets finished February with their 16th straight loss to fall to 9-49 but they are a respectable 9-10 since the start of March and are coming off wins in both contests of a two-game homestand over the weekend. The Sixers lost 113-105 in Toronto on Sunday, their third straight defeat, as they come to the end of another 'lottery' season.
Brooklyn: Center Brook Lopez (20.8 & 5.4) led the way by scoring 30 points in Saturday's 121-111 win over Orlando and then added another 29 points in a 91-82 triumph over Atlanta on Sunday. PG Jeremy Lin (13.7 & 5/1 APG) chipped in 15 points, six rebounds and six assists against Atlanta, and he and Lopez have fueled Brooklyn's relative hot streak. Since returning from a hamstring injury after the All Star break, the Nets are 8-12 in games that Lin has played in. They are 11-21 (.344) in the 32 games he's played in this season which may not sound like much, until one notes that the Nets are 7-38 (.156) in games he hasn't played in!Philadelphia: The 76ers lost Robert Covington and Jahlil Okafor for the season to knee injuries last week, after earlier seeing Joel Embiid (knee) and Jerryd Bayless (wrist) ruled out for the year as well. Of course, the top overall pick in the 2016 draft (Ben Simmons), has been out for the entire season after breaking a foot in training camp. "We are kind of just dropping like flies, man," point guard T.J. McConnell told Philly.com on Sunday. "We are just giving new opportunities to new guys. We have to continue to play hard. You'd be surprised in the month of April what playing hard will do for you." The pick: No doubt that the Nets are playing their best ball of the season and will be motivated to avoid a series sweep at the hands of the 76ers but I've been riding Philly lately and ahas rewarded its backers to the tune of going ATS its last . Make Philadelphia a 10* play. |
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04-03-17 | Blazers +2 v. Wolves | Top | 109-110 | Win | 100 | 11 h 5 m | Show |
Rogers' complete analysis by 12 pm et (10*) |
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04-02-17 | Nuggets +4 v. Heat | Top | 116-113 | Win | 100 | 8 h 22 m | Show |
The set-up: The 35-40 Denver Nuggets have lost three straight and five of seven. That slump, coupled with Portland's late rush (), has Denver falling 2 1/2 games back of the Blazers for the West's No. 8 seed. Denver had been sitting on that eighth spot for a long time but now the Nuggets are running out of time (just seven games left in their season). The 37-39 Miami Heat know all about battling for a playoff spot. The Heat are one of three teams in the Eastern Conference with identical 37-39 records, and only two of them will make the postseason. Due to tiebreakers, the Chicago Bulls are in seventh place, the Heat are eighth and the Indiana Pacers are ninth. The Bulls are 6-4 over their last 10, the Heat are 5-5 and the Pacers are 3-7. Denver: The Nuggets have allowed an average of 119.7 points during a three-game losing streak, including 122 in each of the first two games of their five-game road trip. Denver got outscored 52-35 in the paint and allowed Charlotte to make 17 three-pointers in Friday's 122-114 loss. "Definitely losing like this the last two it makes it tough, but we still have to do our job," forward Danilo Gallinari told the media. "Have fun with each other, have fun playing basketball and keep focusing on our job every game." Denver's five starters combined to score 95 points and shoot 56.1 percent but its four reserves were 8-for-24 from the floor. Losing is not fun, especially when a playoff spot is slipping away. Miami: The Heat lost 98-94 at home to the sad-sack Knicks on Friday, the team's fourth loss in seven games. Is this a "must win" game for Miami? Maybe not but the Heat have a three-game road trip up next, visiting the Hornets on Wednesday before going to Toronto and Washington. They then return home to finish the regular season with a game against Cleveland. PG Dragic (20.1 & 5.9 APG) and center Whiteside (16.8 & 14.1) have led this team all season, with Whiteside having recorded 52 double-doubles on the season. The pick: The Knicks Friday came into AmericanAirlines Arena on Friday with a 28-47 record and without the services of two of their top three scorers in Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose. Plus, Joakim Noah and Lance Thomas, who have started 61 games combined this season, were unavailable. Still, the Heat couldn't defnd their home court. Make Denver an 8* play. |
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04-02-17 | Hornets v. Thunder -4.5 | Top | 113-101 | Loss | -110 | 5 h 13 m | Show |
The set-up: The 35-41 Charlotte Hornets have six games left and currently sit two games back of the East's final playoff spot. They will be in OKC on Sunday, taking on the 43-32 Thunder, who are 2 1/2 games back of the Clippers for the West's No. 5 seed. However, the Thunder are hoping to move closer to clinching the West's No. 6 seed with a win, as they are currently 1 1/2 games better than the No. 7 Grizzlies. Charlotte: The Hornets got a much-needed 122-114 win against Denver amade 17 three-pointers.Frank Kaminsky () led the way with five and has made multiple three-pointers in four consecutive games, shooting 20-of-35 (57.1%) from the floor in the last three outings. PG Kemba Walker () had 31 points on Friday and has 23 assists versus just three turnovers in the last four games. The Hornets are currently on the outside looking in on the playoffs and need every win they can get. Charlotte is two games behind the Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat for seventh and eighth place in the East. With only two spots open for the five teams in contention, Charlotte is in "must win" mode from here out. Oklahoma City: The Thunder fell Friday at home to Spurs, as Russell Westbrook (31.8-10.6-10.4 was not up to his MVP form. He shot just 8-of-22 in Friday's loss, although he still finished with a triple-double (35-15-12), his 39th of the season, two shy of the all-time record. The Thunder got 16 points from Victor Oladipo (16.3) against San Antonio and 13 from Steven Adams (11.6 & 7.6) and it's an ongoing issue. They continue to look for a consistent second option alongside Westbrook. Enes Kanter (14.5 & 6.9), who splits time at center with Adams, has scored in double figures in 16 of the last 17 games with six double-doubles over that stretch. The pick: Still, this team is just too reliant on Westbrook. Want a perfect example? Westbrook dominants the ball, especially in the fourth quarter, leaving no other playmakers. Westbrook is averaging 10.4 APG but the next closest on the team is Victor Oladipo at 2.5 per game. That said, the Thunder can handle a team like Charlotte here at home, without much trouble. Look for Westbrook to dominate with his sixth straight triple-double and for OKC to win and cover. Make OKC an 8* play. |
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04-01-17 | Oregon +5 v. North Carolina | Top | 76-77 | Win | 100 | 81 h 44 m | Show |
The set-up: North Carolina cruised through its first two games but needed a 12-0 run at the end of the game to get past Arkansas 72-65, before edging Kentucky 75-73 when Maye knocked down the game-winner with .3 seconds left on the clock. The 31-7 Tar Heels (the South's No. 1 seed) will square off against the 33--5 Oregon Ducks, the Midwest's No. 3 seed. The Ducks eked out a 69-68 win over Michigan in the Sweet 16, then shocked top-seeded Kansas in its 'backyard' (Kansas City) in the Elite 8, winning 74-60 as a 6 1/2-point underdog. Oregon: The Ducks' Dillon Brooks (16.3) was the Pac-12's player-of-the-year but the unquestioned star of Oregon's Final 4 run has been guard Tyler Dorsey (14.5). He hit the game-winner in the round of 32 against Rhode Island and has averaged 24.5 PPG in four NCAA wins. In fact, going back to Oregon's three Pac-12 tourney games, he's topped 20 points in seven straight! The loss in the Pac 12 tourney of center Boucher (11.8 & 6.1) for the rest of the year was supposed to derail Oregon but that hasn't been the case, even though Brooks has been underwhelming, so far. The 6-9 Bell (10.9 & 8.6) has been terrific, averaging 12.5 PPG and 12.5 RPG along with 12 blocks after four games (he's pulled down double-digits in rebounds in six consecutive games). North Carolina: The Tar Heels own a national-best rebounding margin of plus-13 per game and they are rebounding nearly 42 percent of their missed shots. Making that stat even more devastating is that North Carolina is a good shooting team, connecting on 47.2 percent (44th). When starting guard Williams was lost for the season in mid-Feb, Carolina began starting PG Berry (14.6-3.1-3.6) with the 6-6 Pinson (6.0-4.2-3.7), the 6-8 Jackson (18.2 & 4.7), the 6-10 Meeks (12.3 & 9.3) and the 6-9 Hicks (12.1 & 5.4). The 6-10 Bradley (7.3 & 5.1), the 6-8 Maye (5.8 & 4.0) and guard Britt (4.6) contribute off the bench. Roy Williams may have the most complete team left in the field, noting that Maye came off the bench to average 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in two games in the South regional in Memphis last weekend. The pick: However, Berry has two balky ankles and as we saw last weekend, North Carolina was life-and-death with both Arkansas and Kentucky. Dorsey is 'on fire,' and Brooks is overdue for a breakout game. Bell was the Pac-12 defensive player of the year and this Oregon team thrives on its athleticism and effort. Take the points and make Oregon a 10* play. |
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04-01-17 | Kings +12 v. Wolves | Top | 123-117 | Win | 100 | 10 h 38 m | Show |
The set-up: The 29-47 Sacramento Kings have been eliminated from postseason contention and the 30-44 Minnesota Timberwolves will join them shortly. Not much was expected of the Kings this season and when Rudy Gay (18.7) was lost to a season-ending injury and the Kings traded Cousins (27.8 & 10.6) at the All Star break, Sacramento 'turned the page" and has now sat out 11 straight postseasons. However, Minnesota's season began full optimism with two of the NBA's finest young players in Towns and Wiggins plus a proven scorer in LaVine. The addition of head coach Tom Thibodeau was expected to get this team into the playoffs. Instead, the T-wolves are now on the brink of playoff extinction, which will mark the 13th straight non-playoff season for this franchise. Sacramento: The Kings enter Saturday's game at Target Center coming off a lopsided 117-89 road loss against the New Orleans Pelicans. It was Cousins' first game against the team which traded him away and he scored 37 points. Rookie Buddy Hield was the key piece in the Cousins trade and after averaging just 8.6 points in 57 games with New Orleans, he's averaged 13.9 points in 19 games with the Kings, shooting 48.5 percent from the floor. The pick: The T-wolves ended a six-game slide with a 115-114 Monday win at Indiana and then won again Thursday night at home, 119-104 over the Lakers, who aren't trying to win. Yes, the Kings are just 4-15 since trading Cousins but they are still trying. I want no part of laying a huge number with Minnesota. Make the Kings an 8* play. |
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04-01-17 | Hawks +4.5 v. Bulls | Top | 104-106 | Win | 100 | 7 h 49 m | Show |
The set-up: The 39-36 Atlanta Hawks and the 36-39 Chicago Bulls are both in the middle of the East's logjam at the bottom of that conference's playoff picture. Each team has just seven games left but the Hawks' playoff chances look good, with them sparring over positioning. Atlanta is just a half-game back of No. 5 Milwaukee plus owns a 2 1/2-game edge on Miami and Indiana (37-39) , who are tied for the East's final two spots. As for the Bulls, who missed last year's postseason despite a 42-40 record, they currently sit a half-game back of the Heat and Pacers and own the unenviable position of being "the last team out!" (just like last year when Chicago finished two games back of the No. 8 seed). Atlanta:The Hawks had lost seven in a row from Mar. 13th through Mar. 26th but have put together back-top-back wins over two of the NBA's worst teams this year, edging the Suns 95-91 at home on Tuesday and then winning the next night at Philly, 99-92. Swingman Kent Bazemore (11,2) scored 19 points and hit four three-pointers in 20 minutes off the bench against Philadelphia after missing five games with a right knee bone bruise. Getting Bazemore back surely helps, as starters Paul Millsap and Thabo Sefolosha continue to miss. Not having Millsap is huge, as the PF leads the team in scoring (18.1) plus averages 7.7 RPG. Millsap had a non-surgical procedure performed to relieve the soreness in his left knee and will miss Saturday's game against the Bulls, his eighth straight. You don't hear much about center Dwight Howard (13.5 & 12.9) these days but he led Atlanta with 22 points and 20 rebounds, his 17th straight double digit rebounding game. Chicago: The Bulls cleared out players in the off-season and brought in some new ones but things have not gotten better. At the trade deadline, they then shipped out two solid players, PF Gibson (11.6 & 6.9) and the team's best three-point shooter, McDermott (10.2). Of course, Butler (23.5-6.2-5.5) is still the heart of this team but Wade's return to Chicago has been underwhelming (he's was shut down for the year in mid-March) and the signing of Rondo (7.5-5.0-6.6) has not helped the team at all. The pick: The Hawks have dominated the Bulls recently, having won seven straight in the series, including all three this season. However, the Hawks are down two starters and the Bulls are a shell of the team which began the season. The Under is a 10* play |
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03-31-17 | Kings +10.5 v. Pelicans | Top | 89-117 | Loss | -103 | 9 h 26 m | Show |
The set-up: The Sacramento Kings traded their franchise player, DeMarcus Cousins, to the New Orleans Pelicans at the trade deadline and tonight, Cousins plays against his former team or the first time, as the 32-43 New Orleans Pelicans host the 29-46 Sacramento Kings on Friday. The All-Star center played six-plus seasons with the Kings until being traded to the Pelicans during the All-Star break for a package that included shooting guard Buddy Hield. Sacramento: The Kings beat Denver 116-100 in their first game without Cousins but after getting trounced 112-82 by the Utah Jazz on Wednesday, have lost 13 of their last 17 games. Hield was the player Sacramento most wanted in the trade but he sure struggling against Utah, scoring two points on 1-of-7 shooting. However, he had averaged 16.8 points over the previous six contests and in his 18 games with the Kings, is averaging 14.0 PPG on 47.7 percent shooting. The pick: Holiday is entitled to his opinion but in the 14 games Cousins has played in for the Pelicans, they are just 6-8 SU and 6-7-1 ATS. That's not playoff-level basketball. The Kings have won the previous two meetings against the Pelicans this year and just who is New Orleans to be laying this much wood? Make Sacramento an 8* play. |
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03-31-17 | Nuggets +2 v. Hornets | Top | 114-122 | Loss | -102 | 9 h 36 m | Show |
The set-up: Denver lost their showdown with the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday, the team's fourth loss in six games. That defeat dropped the 35-39 Nuggets one game back of the Blazers for the West's No. 8 seed and Portland's win last night over Houston, added a half-game to that lead over the Nuggets. Denver still has time to make up ground on Portland but this game at Charlotte marks the second of a five-game road trip. The 34-41 Charlotte Hornets have a bigger gap to make up in the East, as they are three games behind the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers (who are tied for the final two playoff spots), with seven left to play. Denver: The Nuggets are well aware they came up short in Tuesday's game at Portland. "It’s what we've been all year: inconsistent," Barton told the Denver Post after the loss. "Good in moments. (Portland) wanted it more, point blank. From top to bottom, they wanted it more. Everything - the coaches, the players - they just wanted it more." Adding insult to injury, the man most responsible for Tuesday's loss was former Nugget Jusuf Nurkic, who was traded in February to Portland. The 7-foot center scored a career-high 33 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and blocked three shots as Portland claimed its 12th win in 15 outings. Charlotte: The Hornets lost at home Tuesday night to teh hecks but pulled off an amazing in-game turnaround the following night at Toronto. Charlotte scored 44 fourth-quarter points at Toronto, after managing just16 in the third, to pull out a 110-106 win and remain on the fringe of playoff relevancy. The pick: Charlotte's barely alive in the playoff race (three games out with only seven to play) and if the Hornets come up short, they'll look back at the team's 1-12 run from Feb. 23 through Mar. 23 . The Hornets have no margin for error and are going to need some help. Don't expect them to get it here, as I ethe Nuggets get the much-needed win. Make Denver a 10* play. |
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03-30-17 | Clippers v. Suns +10 | Top | 124-118 | Win | 100 | 9 h 21 m | Show |
The set-up: The 45-31 Los Angeles Clippers currently own the No. 5 seed in the West, 1 1/2 games back of No. 4 Utah and just one game better than No. 6 OKC. The Clippers have been an up-and-down team since the All-Star break and head to Phoenix just 10-10 since returning to the court on Feb. 23rd. Meanwhile, the Suns are in a race to the bottom of the Western Conference with the LA Lakers, entering this contest on a nine-game losing streak, although they remain a half-game better than LA entering tonight's play at 22-53 (Lakers are 21-53). LA Clippers: The Clippers are off an impressive 133-124 win over the visiting Wizards last night, as four starters scored over 20 points in the same game for the first time in franchise history. J.J. Redick led the way with 31, followed by PG Chris Paul (27), PF Blake Griffin (26) and center DeAndre Jordan (23). The foursome combined for 107 points. It marked a season-high in points for Redick, Griffin just missed a triple-double by adding 10 rebounds and nine assists plus Jordan added 18 rebounds for his 36th double-double of the season. Phoenix: The Suns shut down Bledsoe (21.1-4.8-6.3) in mid-March for tehe season plus center Chandler (8.4 & 11.5) and backup PG Knight (11.0 & 2.4 APG) have been held out since the All Star break, as the Suns have been looking at their young players. Many felt that head coach Earl Watson gave too long of a look to Booker, when he kept him on the floor in the final minutes against Boston to help him get to 70 points back on Mar. 24th (last Friday). Booker apparently tweaked an ankle during that contest or the ensuing game against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. He sat out Tuesday's loss to the Atlanta Hawks. The pick: All of LA's key players are healthy now, with the possible exception of key reserve Austin Rivers, but still this team hardly inspires confidence. After all, they've lost to lightweights like Dallas and Sacramento in the last days.The Clippers will be playing the second night of a back-to-back for the 13th time Thursday night and they went just 3-9 in their first dozen second-night affairs. Laying points here makes little sense, even against the Suns. Make Phoenix an 8* Play |
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03-29-17 | Warriors +5 v. Spurs | Top | 110-98 | Win | 100 | 13 h 27 m | Show |
The set-up: The Warriors rested their key players the last time they were in San Antonio (Mar. 11) and caught 'hell.' However, after last night's 113-106 win at Houston, Golden State has gone 8-0 SU and 6-2 ATS since losing badly that night in San Antonio. The Warriors will be back in San Antonio tonight and while they are 0-2 vs. the Spurs this season, they own a 60-14 record, 2 1/2 games better than San Antonio's 57-16 mark. The Spurs also come in playing well (so what else is new?), having won five in a row. Golden State: Steve Kerr drew the ire of the league and ABC officials when he didn't play guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, forward Draymond Green and swingman Andre Iguodala in Golden State's last trip to San Antonio but has said, "The guys are good to go," while revealing his plans to reporters after the win over Houston. Stephen Curry (24.9-4.5-6.5) had 32 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Warriors last night, while Klay Thompson (22,3) and Draymond Green (10.4-8.1-7.1) added 25 and 19 points. It was the 11th time this season that both Curry and Thompson scored at least 25 points in the same game. The Warriors never trailed on Tuesday, setting the pace by building a 17-point lead at the end of the first quarter and leading by as many as 22 points. San Antonio: Let's not forget that San Antonio was without its two best players, Kawhi Leonard (26.0 & 5.9) and LaMarcus Aldridge (17.6 & 7.5) were out with injuries, in that Mar. 11 rout of the Warriors. San Antonio comes into this showdown with the Warriors on the heels of a dominating 103-74 victory over defending league champion Cleveland on Monday. Kawhi Leonard, surely a legitimate MVP candidate, had 25 points in the win despite sitting out all but the first minute of the fourth quarter. San Antonio is 6-0 against the league's three other teams (Golden State, Boston and Cleveland) that can earn conference titles plus the Spurs have prevailed in 34 of their last 35 home games against the Warriors, with Golden State's win coming last season to end a 33-game slide. I guess that means SA is the play but just like last night, I'm not passing up the Warriors as an underdog. Make Golden State a 10* play. |
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