4-23-14

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Wednesday's American League betting cheat sheet

Check out our quick-hitting betting notes for Wednesday's major-league games:

Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics (155, 7.5)

Hot pitching stat: Athletics right-hander Sonny Gray is 5-1 with a 1.99 ERA in nine career home starts.

Hot batting stat: Oakland outfielder Coco Crisp is 5-for-13 with a pair of doubles lifetime versus Rangers lefty Martin Perez.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-60s with partly cloudy skies and wind blowing from left to right field at 12 mph.

Key betting note: Texas is 9-1 in Perez's last 10 starts against the American League West.

Houston Astros at Seattle Mariners (-164, 8)

Cold pitching stat: Mariners right-hander Chris Young lasted just three innings in his previous start, allowing four runs on seven hits.

Hot batting stat: Astros outfielder Dexter Fowler is 3-for-7 with a pair of walks in his career against Young.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-50s with a 77 percent chance of showers and wind blowing out to center field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: The home team is 17-4 in umpire Jeff Nelson's last 21 games behind home plate involving the Astros.

Baltimore Orioles at Toronto Blue Jays (102, 9)

Cold pitching stat: Blue Jays right-hander Dustin McGowan has allowed opponents to hit .333 through three starts.

Hot batting stat: Toronto outfielder Jose Bautista is 6-for-20 with two homers against Orioles starter Chris Tillman.

Weather: N/A

Key betting note: Baltimore is 22-8 in Tillman's past 30 starts versus teams with winning records.

Kansas City Royals at Cleveland Indians (-135, 7.5)

Hot pitching stat: Indians right-hander Justin Masterson struck out nine over 6 1/3 solid innings in his last start

Hot batting stat: Royals outfielder Alex Gordon is batting .353 with a homer and five RBIs in 34 at-bats versus Masterson.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-40s with sunny skies and wind blowing in from left-center field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: Cleveland is 8-3 in Masterson's last 11 Wednesday starts.

Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers (-175, 8.5)

Cold pitching stat: Tigers left-hander Drew Smyly was tagged for four runs on six hits over three innings last time out.

Hot batting stat: Members of the Chicago roster are 15-for-50 with three home runs against Smyly.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-40s under sunny skies with wind blowing from left to right field at 5 mph.

Key betting note: Under is 5-1 in Smyly's previous six starts.

Minnesota Twins at Tampa Bay Rays (-177, 8.5)

Cold pitching stat: Twins right-hander Mike Pelfrey has allowed 14 runs over 14 2/3 innings so far in 2014.

Hot/ batting stat: Rays third baseman Evan Longoria is 3-for-6 with a home run in his career versus Pelfrey.

Weather: N/A

Key betting note: Under is 6-1-2 in Pelfrey's previous nine road starts.

New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox (-118, 8.5)

Hot pitching stat: Boston is 7-1 in starter John Lackey's previous eight appearances against teams with winning records.

Cold batting stat: Yankees outfielder Alfonso Soriano is a .195 hitter with nine strikeouts in 41 at-bats against Lackey.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-40s with mostly cloudy skies and wind blowing from left to right field at 16 mph.

Key betting note: Under is 7-1-1 in Lackey's last nine starts.

** Odds, stats, weather forecast and probable pitchers as of 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Wednesday's National League betting cheat sheet

Check out our quick-hitting betting notes for Wednesday's National League games:

Miami Marlins at Atlanta Braves (-162, 8)

Hot pitching stat: Braves right-hander Aaron Harang has allowed just two runs on nine hits through 25 2/3 innings this season.

Hot batting stat: Marlins first baseman Garrett Jones is 6-for-13 with a home run lifetime against Harang.

Weather: Sunny skies are expected with temperatures in the high-60s and wind blowing in from left-center field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: Under is 7-0-1 in Miami starter Nate Eovaldi's last eight outings on four days rest.

Arizona Diamondbacks at Chicago Cubs (-105, OFF)

Hot pitching stat: Cubs right-hander Jeff Samardzija has limited opponents to four earned runs in his first four starts.

Cold batting stat: Members of the Chicago roster are hitting a combined .213 in 47 at-bats against Arizona starter Wade Miley.

Weather: Temperatures will hover around 40 degrees with partly cloudy skies and wind blowing in from right-center field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: The Diamondbacks are 10-2 the last 12 times Miley has pitched the third game of a series.

San Francisco Giants at Colorado Rockies (108, 10)

Cold pitching stat: San Francisco has lost right-hander Matt Cain's last seven starts against division foes.

Hot batting stat: Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval is 5-for-12 with a pair of homers against Rockies right-hander Tyler Chatwood.

Weather: Cloudy skies are forecasted with temperatures in the low-60s and wind blowing from left to right field at 14 mph.

Key betting note: Over is 10-2-2 in the Giants' last 14 Wednesday games.

Cincinnati Reds at Pittsburgh Pirates (-120, 7.5)

Cold pitching stat: Pirates right-hander Charlie Morton has surrendered 14 runs over 19 innings in his previous three starts.

Hot batting stat: Reds outfielder Jay Bruce is 7-for-21 with two home runs in his career against Morton.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-40s with clear skies and wind blowing out to left field at 7 mph.

Key betting note: The home team is 9-0 in umpire Lance Barksdale's last nine games behind home plate involving Pittsburgh.

St. Louis Cardinals at New York Mets (130, 7.5)

Hot pitching stat: Cardinals righty Michael Wacha has limited opponents to a .206 average through four starts.

Hot batting stat: Members of the St. Louis roster are batting a collective .357 in 56 at-bats against Mets starter Jonathon Niese.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-50s with clear skies and winds gusting in from left field at 17 mph.

Key betting note: Under is 9-1-1 in Niese's previous 11 home starts.

San Diego Padres at Milwaukee Brewers (-140, 8)

Hot pitching stat: Brewers right-hander Kyle Lohse hasn't allowed a home run over his last three starts, a span of 20 innings.

Cold batting stat: Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera is 1-for-12 with six strikeouts against Lohse.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-40s with a 19 percent chance of rain and wind blowing in from center field at 6 mph.

Key betting note: Under is 10-1 in San Diego starter Tyson Ross' last 11 starts versus teams with winning records.

Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers (-185, 6.5)

Hot pitching stat: Dodgers right-hander Zack Greinke has surrendered just six earned runs over his first 22 1/3 innings.

Cold batting stat: Phillies outfielder Marlon Byrd has just three hits in 20 career at-bats versus Greinke.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-60s under clear skies.

Key betting note: Under is 6-1-1 in Philadelphia lefty Cole Hamels' last eight starts against teams with winning records.

Interleague

Los Angeles Angels at Washington Nationals (-125, 7)

Hot pitching stat: Nationals lefty Gio Gonzalez is 7-2 with a 2.54 ERA in 10 career starts against the Angels.

Hot/Cold batting stat: Angels outfielder Mike Trout is 0-for-9 with six strikeouts lifetime against Gonzalez.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-50s with sunny skies and wind blowing from left to right field at 13 mph.

Key betting note: Los Angeles is 8-2 in right-hander Jered Weaver's last 10 interleague starts.

** Odds, stats, weather forecast and probable pitchers as of 4:00 p.m. ET Tuesday.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

JACK JONES

20* Blazers/Rockets UNDER 215

This total is a complete overreaction from Game 1. That contest was much more lower-scoring than the final score would indicate. It was tied 106-106 at the end of regulation for a combined 212 points, which would have been UNDER the 215.5-point total.

Instead, the combined for another 30 in overtime in a 122-120 Portland victory. They needed 60 combined points in the fourth quarter just to get to 212 at the end of regulation. The Blazers used the hack-a-Howard strategy, which got them back in the game.

While that is concerning heading into Game 2, I'm not that worried about it because head coach Kevin McHale took Howard out after a couple of misses, then put him back in with under two minutes to go. That way, the Blazers could not intentionally foul him. I look for McHale to take him out even sooner if they try the same thing again.

This is the playoffs, and while both teams play at a fast pace normally, things slow down a little more in the postseason. The defensive intensity gets kicked up a notch, which makes it easy to pick apart these high point totals by backing the UNDER. I liked what I saw from both teams defensively in Game 1, and I look for that intensity to be even more extreme in this all-important Game 2.

Plays on the UNDER on all teams where the total is greater than or equal to 200 (HOUSTON) - revenging a straight up loss vs opponent as a favorite, in a game involving two good teams (60% to 75%) are 33-7 (82.5%) over the last five seasons. Bet the UNDER in in Game 2 Wednesday.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Ben BURNS

HOCKEY

blackhawks

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MLB

Hot pitchers
-- Harang is 3-1, 0.70 in four starts this season.
-- Samardzija has a 1.93 RA in four starts, but no wins. Miley is 1-0, 1.93 in two true road starts.
-- Chatwood is 1-0, 3.46 in two starts this season. Cain is winless in his four starts this season, but has a 1.29 RA in his last two months.
-- Simon is 2-1, 1.29 in three starts this month.
-- Wacha is 2-1, 2.43 in four starts this season. Niese has a 2.84 RA in three starts, but no wins.
-- Lohse is 3-0, 3.15 in his last three starts. Ross is 2-0, 0.60 in his last couple starts.
-- Greinke is 3-0, 2.45 in four starts this season.

-- Gray is 3-0, 2.52 in four starts this season. Perez is 3-0, 1.54 in his last three starts; he threw 17 scoreless innings in his last two starts.
-- Tillman is 2-1, 2.39 in four starts this month.
-- Vargas is 2-0, 1.24 in four starts this season.
-- Pineda is 2-1, 1.00 in three starts this season.

-- Gonzalez is 3-1, 2.88 in four starts this season.

Cold pitchers
-- Eovaldi is 0-1, 4.66 in his last three starts.
-- Morton is 0-2, 6.63 in his last three starts.
-- Hamels is making first '14 start; he was 3-1, 3.73 in his last six '13 starts.

-- Cosart is 0-2, 10.13 in his last three starts. Young is 0-0, 4.00 in two starts.
-- McGowan is 1-2, 4.85 in three starts this season.
-- Masterson is 0-0, 8.59 in his last three starts.
-- Rienzo is making first '14 start; he was 2-3, 4.82 in ten starts LY. Smyly allowed four runs in three IP in his first '14 start.
-- Lackey is 0-2, 9.82 in his last couple starts.
-- Odorizzi is 0-2, 9.00 in his last two starts. Pelfrey is 0-2, 8.79 in three starts this season.

-- Weaver is 1-2, 5.11 in four starts this season.

Pitchers allowing runs in first inning:
-- Eovaldi 1-4; Harang 0-4
-- Miley 1-5; Samardzija 1-4
-- Cain 2-4; Chatwood 0-2
-- Simon 0-3; Morton 0-4
-- Wacha 1-4; Niese 1-3
-- Ross 1-4; Lohse 2-4
-- Hamels 0-0; Greinke 0-4

-- Perez 0-4; Gray 1-4
-- Cosart 3-4; Young 1-2
-- Tillman 1-4; McGowan 2-3
-- Vargas 0-4; Masterson 1-4
-- Rienzo 0-0; Smyly 0-1
-- Pelfrey 1-3; Odorizzi 0-3
-- Pineda 0-3; Lackey 2-4

-- Weaver 1-4; Gonzalez 2-4

Totals
-- Six of Reds' last nine games went over the total.
-- Under is 8-1-1 in last ten St Louis road games.
-- Six of last seven Atlanta games stayed under total.
-- Four of last six Arizona games stayed under total.
-- All eleven games at Miller Park stayed under the total.
-- Under is 7-0-1 in Giants' last eight games.
-- Under is 6-1-1 in last eight Dodger games.

-- Five of last seven White Sox road games went over total.
-- Five of last seven Cleveland home games stayed under.
-- Eight of eleven Baltimore road games went over the total.
-- Nine of ten Minnesota road games went over total.
-- Four of last five Boston games went over total.
-- Five of last six Texas games went over the total.
-- Under is 7-3-1 in last eleven Seattle games.

-- Over is 9-3-1 in last thirteen Washington games.

Hot teams
-- Cubs won three of their last four games.
-- Braves won eight of their last eleven games.
-- Brewers won five of their last seven games.
-- Rockies have won eight of eleven games at Coors Field.
-- Phillies won their last three games.


-- Toronto is 8-5 in its last 13 games.
-- Bronx won seven of its last nine games.
-- Detroit won three of its last four games.
-- Tampa Bay won three of its last four games.
-- Royals won five of their last seven games.
-- Texas won seven of its last eight games.

-- Angels are 7-4 on the road this season.

Cold teams
-- Pittsburgh lost six of its last eight games. Reds are 2-6 in game following a win this season.
-- Cardinals are 4-7 in game following a win. Mets are 4-7 at home this year.
-- Marlins are 1-7 on the road; bullpen have four of the seven losses.
-- Arizona lost nine of its last ten games.
-- Padres lost five of their eight road games.
-- Giants lost five of their last six games.
-- Dodgers are 3-5 in their last eight games.

-- Oakland lost last two games, with bullpen losing both.
-- Orioles lost three of their last four games.
-- Red Sox are 4-7 at home this season.
-- Indians lost eight of their last twelve games.
-- Twins lost three of their last four games.
-- White Sox lost five of their last seven games.
-- Astros lost seven of their last nine games, but won last two. Seattle lost its last eight games.

-- Nationals lost eight of their last twelve games.

Umpires
-- Mia-Atl-- Three of four Hudson games stayed under.
-- Az-Chi-- This is first game behind plate for rookie ump Woodring.
-- SF-Col-- All three Conroy games went over the total.
-- Cin-Pitt-- Underdogs won four of last six Barksdale games.
-- StL-NY-- Four of five Foster games went over the total.
-- SD-Mil-- Last three TWelke games stayed under total.
-- Phil-LA-- Underdogs won all three Morales games this year.

-- Tex-A's-- Over is 9-4 in last thirteen Vanover games.
-- Hst-Sea-- Three of four Nelson games went over total.
-- Blt-Tor-- Three of four Muchinski games went over.
-- KC-Cle-- Underdogs won four of last five Hamari games.
-- Chi-Det-- Over is 4-1-1 in last six BWelke games.
-- Min-TB-- Road team won ten of last fourteen Carlson games.
-- NY-Bos-- Home side won 12 of last 14 Davis games.

-- LA-Wsh-- All three Emmel games stayed under total.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Baseball Crusher
Los Angeles Angels +109 over Washington Nats
(System Record: 13-0, won last game)
Overall Record: 13-10


Basketball Crusher
Dallas Mavericks +8 over San Antonio
(Playoff Record: 1-2, lost last game)
(Regular Season Record: 78-8)
Overall Record: 79-89-5


Hockey Crusher
Chicago Blackhawks -146 over St. Louis
(Playoff Record: 2-2, lost last game)
(Regular Season Record: 91-4)
Overall Record: 93-77-2


Soccer Crusher
Toluca + Cruz Azul UNDER 2.5
This match is happening in Concacaf
(System Record: 559-20, won last 5 games)
Overall Record: 559-475-81


Rest of Crusher's plays today:

Cleveland Indians -136 over Kansas City Royals
Milwaukee Brewers -137 over San Diego Padres
Houston Astros +136 over Seattle

Dallas Stars -116 over Ducks
Columbus Blue Jackets +117 over Pittsburgh
Anaheim Ducks + Dallas Stars UNDER 5.5

Charlotte Bobcats +10.5 over Miami
Houston Rockets + Portland Trail Blazers OVER 214.5
Houston -6 over Portland

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Today's MLB Picks

Minnesota at Tampa Bay

The Twins (9-10) look to bounce back from last night's 7-3 loss as they face a Rays team that is 1-4 in Jake Odorizzi's last 5 starts against a team with a losing record. Minnesota is the pick (+170) according to Dunkel, which has the Twins favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+170). Here are all of today's picks.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23 Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST

Game 951-952: Miami at Atlanta (12:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Miami (Eovaldi) 14.999; Atlanta (Harang) 16.369 Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 8 Vegas Line: Atlanta (-155); 7 Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-155); Over

Game 953-954: Arizona at Chicago Cubs (2:20 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Arizona (Miley) 14.583; Cubs (Samardzija) 13.559 Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1; 7 Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-120); No Total Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+100); N/A

Game 955-956: San Francisco at Colorado (3:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Cain) 14.757; Colorado (Chatwood) 15.839 Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1; 11 Vegas Line: San Francisco (-115); 10 Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-105); Over

Game 957-958: Cincinnati at Pittsburgh (7:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati (Simon) 15.172; Pittsburgh (Morton) 16.688 Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 6 Vegas Line: Pittsburgh (-115); 7 Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-115); Under

Game 959-960: St. Louis at NY Mets (7:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Wacha) 15.236; NY Mets (Niese) 16.326 Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 7 Vegas Line: St. Louis (-145); 6 1/2 Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+125); Over

Game 961-962: San Diego at Milwaukee (8:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Ross) 15.162; Milwaukee (Lohse) 16.880 Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1 1/2; 7 Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-145); 8 Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-145); Under

Game 963-964: Philadelphia at LA Dodgers (10:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Hamels) 15.914; LA Dodgers (Greinke) 14.716 Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1; 7 Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-175); 6 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+155); Over

Game 965-966: Texas at Oakland (3:35 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Perez) 15.950; Oakland (Gray) 17.450 Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1 1/2; 6 Vegas Line: Oakland (-155); 7 Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-155); Under

Game 967-968: Houston at Seattle (3:40 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Houston (Cosart) 12.908; Seattle (Young) 14.525 Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1 1/2; 7 Vegas Line: Seattle (-155); 8 Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-155); Under

Game 969-970: Baltimore at Toronto (7:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Tillman) 15.759; Toronto (McGowan) 14.691 Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1; 8 Vegas Line: Toronto (-125); 9 Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+105); Under

Game 971-972: Kansas City at Cleveland (7:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Kansas City (Vargas) 14.166; Cleveland (Masterson) 15.581 Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1 1/2; Vegas Line: Cleveland (-140); 7 Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-140); Under

Game 973-974: Chicago White Sox at Detroit (7:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Rienzo) 15.588; Detroit (Smyly) 14.796 Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1; 9 Vegas Line: Detroit (-200); 8 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+170); Over

Game 975-976: Minnesota at Tampa Bay (7:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Pelfrey) 15.858; Tampa Bay (Odorizzi) 14.816 Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 9 1/2 Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-200); 8 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+170); Over

Game 977-978: NY Yankees at Boston (7:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Pineda) 14.707; Boston (Lackey) 16.133 Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 7 1/2 Vegas Line: Boston (-120); 8 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Boston (-120); Under

Game 979-980: LA Angels at Washington (7:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Weaver) 16.134; Washington (Gonzalez) 15.226 Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1; 8 Vegas Line: Washington (-120); 7 Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (+100); Over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Today's NBA Picks

Charlotte at Miami

The Bobcats look to bounce back from their 99-88 loss in Game 1 and come into tonight's contest with a 4-0 ATS record in their last 4 games following a SU defeat of more than 10 points. Charlotte is the pick (+10 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Heat favored by only 8 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+10 1/2). Here are all of today's playoff picks.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23 Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST

Game 727-728: Charlotte at Miami (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 116.976; Miami 125.272 Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 8 1/2; 181 1/2 Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 10 1/2; 186 Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+10 1/2); Under

Game 729-730: Dallas at San Antonio (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 121.499; San Antonio 131.155 Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 9 1/2; 206 Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 8; 198 Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-8); Over

Game 731-732: Portland at Houston (9:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Portland 119.798; Houston 127.318 Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 7 1/2; 218 Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 6; 214 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Houston (-6); Over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cappers Access

Rockets -6
Cubs -125
Yankees +120

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mighty Quinn

Mighty hit with the NHL Rangers on Tuesday and likes the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

The deficit is 241 sirignanos.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Gamblers Data

Free Plays Wednesday

Reds +105

Orioles +103

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports

Free Play WED SA Spurs -8

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA

Wednesday, April 23

Miami has won 16 games in row over Bobcat team that is 0-5 all-time in playoff games; Heat covered nine of last 11 series games- they made 11 of 23 from arc in Game 1, were +6 in turnovers. Miami subs combined to be +77; Charlotte's bench was -51. Bobcats are 23-17-2 vs spread on road; five of their last eight games stayed under total. Miami was +17 in 14:00 Dwyane Wade was off the floor in Game 1, -6 with him on floor.

Mavericks are trying beat Spurs best-of-7, team they've lost to last ten in a row (3-7 vs spread). Dallas is 28-14 vs spread on the road this year; they lost last seven visits to Alamo. Spurs had 15-0 run in 4th quarter to pull Game 1 out; two days off between games helps older Spurs, whose bench (except for Ginobili) was combined -45 in 51:00 played. Starters for Dallas shot just 32% in Game 1; their bench played well.

Aldridge had 46 points, 18 boards in Game 1 OT win; Portland won ten of last 11 games; they're 26-16 vs spread on road this season. Blazers lost five of last seven games with Rockets-- last eight tilts in series went over total. Portland lost three of last four visits to Houston, losing by 15-13-5 points. Rockets are 22-18-1 vs spread at home this season, but Harden better shoot better than 8-28, or this will be short series.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Wednesday's NBA playoffs betting news and notes

Charlotte Bobcats vs. Miami Heat (-10.5, 186)

Al Jefferson suffered a plantar fasciitis injury to his left foot in the opening game of the series and plans on being cleared to play. “I’m suiting up,” Jefferson told reporters. “It will take more than that to make me sit down.” Charlotte needs a healthy and productive Jefferson to be competitive in the series and coach Steve Clifford will be watching the big man closely in Wednesday’s mid-day shootaround. Kemba Walker was just 6-of-15 shooting and committed six turnovers in Game 1 and pointed at himself as somebody who needs to step up due to Jefferson’s situation.

Miami posted a 99-88 victory in the series opener as forward LeBron James scored 27 points and guard Dwyane Wade added 23. Miami received a surprise Game 1 contribution from backup small forward James Jones, who scored 12 points in 14 minutes. Jones played just 18 total minutes over a 3 1/2-month portion of the season until receiving some playing time opportunities in late March and even he was surprised when coach Erik Spoelstra inserted him midway through the second quarter. The Heat went 11-of-23 from 3-point range in the opener, led by four from James.

TRENDS:

* Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Favorite is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.
* Bobcats are 2-5 ATS in the last seven meetings in Miami.


Dallas Mavericks vs. San Antonio Spurs (-8, 198)

Although it fizzled down the stretch of Game 1 in spectacular fashion, Dallas has tried to take some solace in the fact that the game was there for the taking after so many one-sided games between the teams of late. Vince Carter was one of three Mavericks reserves to score in double figures (guard Devin Harris had a team-high 19 points) in the opener, as the Dallas bench outscored its starters 46-39. Dallas' leading scorer Dirk Nowitzki was limited to 11 points on 4-of-14 shooting.

The manner in which the Mavericks' second unit dominated was notable, as San Antonio boasts a normally solid supporting cast that was limited to 23 points on 7-of-26 shooting. Nine Spurs averaged at least 8.2 points during the regular season but only seven managed to even get into the scoring column in Game 1, with usual contributor Marco Belinelli - who averaged 11.4 points this season - missing all four of his shots and going scoreless in 12 minutes. San Antonio had a 48-40 edge on the glass and a 56-32 advantage in points in the paint.

TRENDS:

* Under is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings in San Antonio.
* Mavericks are 4-12 ATS in the last 16 meetings.
* Road team is 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings.


Portland Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets (-6, 214.5)

LaMarcus Aldridge put on the best performance in Portland’s playoff history with a franchise-record 46 points to go with 18 rebounds as the Trail Blazers recorded a 122-120 overtime win in the opener. While Aldridge and point guard Damian Lillard (31 points) were having customary big games, shooting guard Wesley Matthews was the unsung standout. Matthews had 18 points and three steals and was the primary defender on Harden for most of the contest. Portland received just seven points on 2-of-14 shooting from its bench in Game 1.

Houston hopes for a better shooting performance from guard James Harden, who was just 8-of-28 from the field while scoring 27 points in the opener. Point guard Patrick Beverley has been cleared to play after once again injuring his troublesome right knee in the opener. An MRI exam displayed no new damage but the knee remains a concern as Beverley tore the meniscus in late March and rest was the route taken as opposed to season-ending surgery. The feisty Beverley plays with a relentless in-your-face style and insists the knee isn’t an issue moving forward.

TRENDS:

* Over is 8-0 in the last eight meetings.
* Road team is 7-3-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
* Underdog is 12-5-1 ATS in the last 18 meetings.