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BEN BURNS
NHL
Boston Bruins
Kings/Sharks Under -
Maddux
NBA
Houston -5
Houston to win seriesComment
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Today's NBA Picks
SUNDAY, APRIL 20
Time Posted: 3:00 p.m. EST (4/18)Game 709-710: Dallas at San Antonio (1:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 119.548; San Antonio 131.022
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 11 1/2; 201
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 9; 205 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-9); UnderGame 711-712: Charlotte at Miami (3:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 116.262; Miami 127.660
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 11 1/2; 196
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 9 1/2; 188 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Miami (-9 1/2); OverGame 713-714: Washington at Chicago (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 118.292; Chicago 120.918
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 2 1/2; 189
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 5; 181
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+5); OverGame 715-716: Portland at Houston (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 120.618; Houston 123.824
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 3; 207 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 5 1/2; 214 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Portland (+5 1/2); UnderComment
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Sunday's NBA playoffs betting news and notes
Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs (-9.5, 205.5)
Mavericks forwards Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion are the only remaining members of the 2011 title team but combined with the steady hand of point guard Jose Calderon and Ellis, who averaged 19 points and 5.7 assists, to coalesce into a dangerous team in the second half. Beginning Jan. 31, they went 23-12 (with two of the losses coming against San Antonio) and won 12 of their final 17 games on the road.
The Spurs, who are looking to repeat as Western Conference champions and seek their fifth NBA title under coach Gregg Popovich, won their final 15 home games of the regular season and have taken nine straight meetings with their in-state rivals. Included in that run of dominance was a 109-100 win at Dallas on April 10 that helped push the Mavericks to the undesirable eighth seed in the West.
TRENDS:
* Under is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings in San Antonio.
* Spurs are 4-0 ATS in their last four Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Over is 4-1 in Mavericks last five Conference Quarterfinals games.
Charlotte Bobcats at Miami Heat (-9.5, 188.5)
The No. 7 seed Bobcats finished strong with a 20-9 mark after the All-Star break and have won eight of their last nine games. Nobody is forecasting Charlotte winning the series but the Bobcats could make things a bit interesting if the supporting cast steps up to help center Al Jefferson. Jefferson is the main reason why Charlotte is part of the postseason fun for the first time since 2010 as he averaged 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds while posting 42 double-doubles.
The second-seeded Heat are 15-0 against Charlotte since LeBron James joined the squad, including a four-game sweep this season capped by James scoring a career-high 61 points on March 3. Miami wasn’t so stout down the stretch, losing its last three outings and six of its final eight. Part of that was due to resting players with the expectation that the two-time defending champions will still be playing in June for the fourth straight season.
TRENDS:
* Bobcats are 1-5 ATS in the last six meetings.
* Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last five Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Over is 9-2 in Heat last 11 vs. NBA Southeast.
Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls (-4.5, 180.5)
Washington is appearing in the playoffs for the first time since the 2007-2008 season and could have finished as low as seventh before winning four straight to close the regular season and jumping to No. 5 in the final game. Bradley Beal scored 27 points in the 118-102 win over the Boston Celtics in the finale and put up an average of 21 in the final four games to boost his season mark to 17.1. The Wizards took two of three from the Bulls in the regular season but dropped the last meeting, 96-78 at home on April 5.
Chicago’s season was supposed to go into a tailspin when Derrick Rose was lost due to a knee injury but Joakim Noah emerged not just as the anchor to the defense but as a facilitator in the post while leading the team in assists. Noah put up 21 points and 12 rebounds in the April 5 meeting and finished the season with 11 straight double-doubles, including one of the points-assists variety, one rebounds-assists effort and one triple-double.
TRENDS:
* Under is 21-5 in the last 26 meetings.
* Wizards are 4-0 ATS in their last four vs. Eastern Conference.
* Over is 4-0 in Bulls last four Conference Quarterfinals games.
Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets (-5, 214.5)
The Trail Blazers have been eliminated in the first round in each of their last six playoff appearances but ended the season strong with five straight victories after regaining their stride once All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge (23.2 points, 11.1 rebounds) returned from a back injury. Portland improved its victory total by 21 over last season as second-year pro Damian Lillard (20.7 points) elevated into one of the NBA’s top all-around guards.
Houston averaged a league-best 9.5 3-pointers with star guard James Harden knocking down 177 while finishing fifth in the league with a 25.4 scoring average. Center Dwight Howard averaged 18.3 points and ranked fourth in the league in rebounding (12.2) while having a drama-free campaign with the Rockets. Harden averaged 30.3 points and 7.3 rebounds against Portland this season, while Aldridge checked in with 26.8 points and 15.5 rebounds against Houston.
TRENDS:
* Over is 7-0 in the last seven meetings.
* Trail Blazers are 1-9-1 ATS in their last 11 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Under is 9-1 in Rockets last 10 Conference Quarterfinals games.Comment
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Sunday's playoff prop bets
By ANDREW AVERY
The second day of the NBA playoffs is set to go with four more games on the board. If you're looking for a little more than just the spread and/or total, have a look at what the LVH SuperBook is offering for proposition bets:
MAVERICKS at SPURS - GAME 1
LARGEST LEAD OF THE GAME BY: EITHER TEAM
OVER 18.5 -110
UNDER 18.5 -110
TOTAL 3 POINT FIELD GOALS MADE BY: BOTH TEAMS
OVER 16.0 -110
UNDER 16.0 -110
TOTAL POINTS BY: DIRK NOWITZKI (DAL)
OVER 21.5 -110
UNDER 21.5 -110
TOTAL POINTS BY: TIM DUNCAN (SA)
OVER 16.5 -110
UNDER 16.5 -110
BOBCATS at HEAT - GAME 1
LARGEST LEAD OF THE GAME BY: EITHER TEAM
OVER 18.0 -110
UNDER 18.0 -110
TOTAL 3 POINT FIELD GOALS MADE BY: BOTH TEAMS
OVER 14.5 -110
UNDER 14.5 -110
TOTAL POINTS BY: AL JEFFERSON (CHA)
OVER 22.5 -110
UNDER 22.5 -110
TOTAL POINTS BY: LEBRON JAMES (MIA)
OVER 28.5 -110
UNDER 28.5 -110
WIZARDS at BULLS - GAME 1
LARGEST LEAD OF THE GAME BY: EITHER TEAM
OVER 15.0 -110
UNDER 15.0 -110
TOTAL 3 POINT FIELD GOALS MADE BY: BOTH TEAMS
OVER 14.0 -110
UNDER 14.0 -110
TOTAL POINTS BY: JOHN WALL (WAS)
OVER 19.5 -110
UNDER 19.5 -110
TOTAL POINTS BY: JOAKIM NOAH (CHI)
OVER 13.5 -110
UNDER 13.5 -110
BLAZERS at ROCKETS - GAME 1
LARGEST LEAD OF THE GAME BY: EITHER TEAM
OVER 16.0 -110
UNDER 16.0 -110
TOTAL 3 POINT FIELD GOALS MADE BY: BOTH TEAMS
OVER 17.5 -110
UNDER 17.5 -110
TOTAL POINTS BY: LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE (POR)
OVER 23.5 -110
UNDER 23.5 -110
TOTAL POINTS BY: JAMES HARDEN (HOU)
OVER 25.0 -110
UNDER 25.0 -110Comment
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Action Report: Sharps behind Spurs, Bulls, Heat in Sunday's games
By ANDREW AVERY
Lines for all of the opening games in the first round of the NBA Playoffs have been out since Thursday so bettors have had ample time to cap and place their wagers on Sunday's series openers.
Mike Perry of SportsBook.com gives us the skinny on the action that they've been seeing for Sunday's matchups on the hardwood.
The San Antonio Spurs opened as 9-point home faves against the Dallas Mavericks. Sharps backed the Spurs at that number, but action has been fairly divided.
"We got Sharp play on the Spurs at -9 so we moved to -9.5," Perry says. "Fifty-two percent of cash and 51 percent of bets are on the Mavs."
The Charlotte Bobcats might have closed the season out on a hot clip, but the Miami Heat are the defending champs and opened as large faves and have seen their share of action.
"A wiseguy played Miami -9 so we moved to -9.5," Perry tells Covers. "Fifty-three percent of cash and 59 percent of bets are on the champs."
Sharp money has been behind the Chicago Bulls as they open their playoffs versus the Washington Wizards, but it's the road team who is seeing the majority of action.
"Sharp action on Chicago -2 (buying a half point) and -3, so we moved to current number of -4.5," Perry confirms. "Fifty-nine percent of cash & 57 percent of bets are on Wiz."
The nightcap featuring the Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets has held firm all week according to Perry. The oddsmaker says 58 percent of cash and 60 percent of bets have been on the Rockets.Comment
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Sunday's NHL playoffs betting news and notes
Philadelphia Flyers at New York Rangers (-161, 5)
With Steve Mason still clearing the cobwebs, Ray Emery has been confirmed to start his second contest of the series. The veteran goaltender finished with 32 saves in Game 1, but was left out to dry after rookie Jason Akeson put Philadelphia in a bind with a four-minute high-sticking penalty. Captain Claude Giroux was held without a shot in Game 1 and has combined with linemates Scott Hartnell and Jakub Voracek to record just one tally in the last five meetings with the Rangers. The Flyers boast a 3-0-0 mark at Madison Square Garden when Giroux scores a goal. They have lost 13 of 14 games when he does not.
While the Flyers were monitoring their goaltending situation, New York didn't seem too concerned with its opponent's worries. "Our game plan isn't going to change," Richards said. "Whoever is in net, we've got to get pucks to the net." Productive special teams play set the tone as New York scored on two of its six power-play opportunities while killing off Philadelphia's lone chance with the man advantage. New York D Ryan McDonagh admitted he had difficulty getting "a good grip on the puck, couldn't feel my skates" in his return from a five-game absence due to an injured shoulder.
TRENDS:
* Flyers are 3-13 in the last 16 meetings in New York.
* Flyers are 1-8 in their last nine vs. a team with a winning record.
* Rangers are 5-1 in their last six Conference Quarterfinals games.
Detroit Red Wings at Boston Bruins (-220, 5)
Jimmy Howard was named to the U.S. Olympic team but it seemed to be a selection based more on reputation than results after he endured a stretch in which he won only once in 12 decisions. Howard did not win three starts in a row until March 18-22, but he finished the regular season by going 4-1-0 and carried the strong play into Game 1, making 25 saves for his third postseason shutout. Pavel Datsyuk's Game 1 tally was his sixth game-winner and 37th overall in the postseason.
Boston played without four regulars in Game 1 but hopes to have defensemen Matt Bartkowski and Kevan Miller back in the lineup - both were dealing with a stomach bug that has been going through the team's locker room. The Bruins have had issues dealing with Detroit's speed throughout the season but they are more preoccupied on ratcheting up an offense that ranked third in the league in goals scored this season. Bruins F Milan Lucic was fined $5,000 for spearing Detroit D Danny DeKeyser in the opener.
TRENDS:
* Red Wings are 4-1 in the last five meetings in Boston.
* Bruins are 1-4 in their last five vs. Atlantic.
* Over is 20-5-7 in Bruins last 32 vs. Eastern Conference.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens (-154, 5)
Tampa Bay has shown little resemblance to the team that edged Montreal for second place in the Atlantic Division, allowing four goals in regulation in each contest after permitting a total of four in four regular-season matchups. While rookie Ondrej Palat, the team's leading scorer, remains a game-time decision after missing Friday's loss with an upper-body injury, the bigger question mark is whether coach Jon Cooper will make a switch in goal. Anders Lindback has made five consecutive starts since an injury to No. 1 netminder Ben Bishop but he has not looked sharp in the series - although his teammates have not provided much support in front of him.
The third-seeded Canadiens won both games in Tampa Bay and can push the second-seeded Lightning to the brink of elimination in the best-of-seven series with a win on their home ice. "We are playing as a unit right now," said Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, who came within 1:59 of a shutout in Game 2. "We are living in the moment." After a sub-par performance in the series opener, Price played markedly better in Game 2, flashing the form that led Team Canada to the gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Sochi. Montreal scored only three goals in the final three games of the regular season, but concerns about the offense have been allayed in the first two playoffs games.
TRENDS:
* Under is 5-1 in the last six meetings in Montreal.
* Lightning are 4-10 in their last 14 Sunday games.
* Canadiens are 11-1 in their last 12 vs. Atlantic.
Los Angeles Kings at San Jose Sharks (-137, 5)
Jonathan Quick certainly did not display the form that earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2012, badly losing track of the puck on San Jose's first tally and yielding a pair of goals from long range. Captain Dustin Brown was not ready to place any blame on this season's William Jennings Trophy winner. "He made a lot of huge saves for us," Brown said. "It just happened they had too many grade-A scoring chances." Defenseman Drew Doughty returned to the lineup after missing the final four regular-season games with an upper-body injury suffered against the Sharks on April 3 and recorded five shots on goal while blocking four.
Raffi Torres hasn't played much for San Jose this season due to knee troubles, but he's been effective on the rare occasions he's been in the lineup. The 32-year-old agitator has landed on the scoresheet in five of the six games he's appeared - including the series opener, collecting four goals and two assists. In addition to scoring a goal Thursday, Torres continued his usual style of play by registering a team-high seven hits. "That's Raffi," Hertl said. "All the guys are happy that Raffi is again playing. Raffi is very, very important for our team."
TRENDS:
* Home team is 21-5 in the last 26 meetings.
* Kings are 4-1 in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Under is 5-1-1 in Kings last seven games playing on two days rest.Comment
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Sunday's American League betting cheat sheet
Check out our quick-hitting betting notes for Sunday's American League games:
Toronto Blue Jays at Cleveland Indians (-105, 8.5)
Cold pitching stat: Indians right-hander Carlos Carrasco has surrendered 10 runs over 10 1/3 innings to open the season.
Cold batting stat: Cleveland first baseman Nick Swisher is 4-for-27 with eight strikeouts against Toronto righty Brandon Morrow.
Weather: Temperatures in the high-50s are expected with partly cloudy skies.
Key betting note: Toronto is 0-6 in Morrow's previous six starts as a road underdog.
Los Angeles Angels at Detroit Tigers (-142, 8.5)
Hot pitching stat: Tigers right-hander Rick Porcello surrendered just seven home runs in 89 innings at Comerica Park in 2013.
Cold batting stat: Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick is 5-for-22 with eight strikeouts lifetime versus Porcello.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-60s with clear skies and wind blowing in from right-center field at 6 mph.
Key betting note: Detroit is 8-1 in its last nine games against a left-handed starter.
New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays (-124, 8.5)
Cold pitching stat: Yankees left-hander Vidal Nuno was tagged for seven runs on eight hits over 3 1/3 innings in his previous start.
Hot/Cold batting stat: Members of the New York roster are batting a combined .184 in 38 at-bats against Rays starter Cesar Ramos.
Weather: N/A
Key betting note: The road team is 6-0 in umpire Clint Fagan's last six games behind home plate.
Minnesota Twins at Kansas City Royals (-192, 8)
Hot pitching stat: Royals right-hander Yordano Ventura has allowed one run over 13 innings in his first two starts.
Hot batting stat: Royals outfielder Alex Gordon is 6-for-18 with two walks lifetime against Twins righty Phil Hughes.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s under partly cloudy skies with wind blowing out to left field at 11 mph.
Key betting note: Under is 6-1 in umpire Brian Gorman's last seven Sunday games behind home plate.
Chicago White Sox at Texas Rangers (-170, 9.5)
Hot pitching stat: White Sox right-hander Erik Johnson recorded a career-best nine strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings in his last start.
Hot batting stat: Rangers first baseman Prince Fielder - the only Texas player to have faced Johnson - is 4-for-6 with two homers against him.
Weather: A 30 percent chance of thunderstorms is in the forecast with temperatures in the low-70s and wind blowing in from right field at 9 mph.
Key betting note: Texas has won the third game of a series six of the last seven times.
Houston Astros at Oakland Athletics (-205, 8)
Cold pitching stat: Houston is 1-5 in right-hander Brad Peacock's last six starts against teams with winning record.
Cold batting stat: Members of the Astros roster are hitting a collective .190 versus Athletics righty Jesse Chavez.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-70s with sunny skies and wind blowing out to right field at 10 mph.
Key betting note: Under is 4-0 in Peacock's last four starts against the American League West.
Baltimore Orioles at Boston Red Sox (-152, 9)
Hot pitching stat: Red Sox right-hander Jake Peavy has allowed one run on three hits with eight strikeouts in back-to-back starts.
Cold batting stat: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy is 1-for-17 in his carer against Peavy.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-40s with clear skies and wind blowing from right to left field at 6 mph.
Key betting note: Baltimore is 3-13 in its last 16 games with umpire Ted Barrett behind home plate.
** Odds, stats, weather forecast and probable pitchers as of 7:05 p.m. ET Saturday.Comment
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Sunday's National League betting cheat sheet
Check out our quick-hitting betting notes for Sunday's National League games:
Atlanta Braves at New York Mets (100, 7.5)
Cold pitching stat: Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler allowed four runs over five innings in his last start against the Braves.
Hot batting stat: Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman is 5-for-9 with three walks and a homer against Wheeler.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the mid-50s with clear skies and wind blowing from right to left field at 9 mph.
Key betting note: Over is 4-1-1 in Wheeler's last six starts versus teams with winning records.
Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates (-119, 7)
Hot pitching stat: Brewers right-hander Marco Estrada has allowed three earned runs in 11 2/3 road innings in 2014.
Cold batting stat: Pittsburgh third baseman Pedro Alvarez is 3-for-18 with eight strikeouts lifetime versus Estrada.
Weather: Clear skies are forecast with temperatures in the high-60s and wind blowing in from right field at 6 mph.
Key betting note: Milwaukee is 10-2 in Estrada's last 12 starts as a road underdog.
St. Louis Cardinals at Washington Nationals (-144, 7)
Cold pitching stat: Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg was tagged for six runs in just four innings in his last outing.
Cold batting stat: Members of the Washington roster are a collective 6-for-33 against Cardinals right-hander Shelby Miller.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the low-60s with partly cloudy skies and wind blowing in from right field at 11 mph.
Key betting note: The Nationals are 12-2 in Strasburg's last 14 Sunday starts.
Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs (102, OFF)
Cold pitching stat: Reds right-hander Homer Bailey has allowed opposing hitters to bat .369 against him in three starts this season.
Cold batting stat: Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro is just 5-for-27 against Bailey.
Weather: Temperatures will be low-60s with partly cloudy skies and wind blowing out to left-center field at 7 mph.
Key betting note: Over is 5-1 in Bailey's last six road starts.
Philadelphia Phillies at Colorado Rockies (-163, 10)
Hot pitching stat: Rockies right-hander Juan Nicasio allowed two runs over six strong innings to prevail in his last start.
Cold batting stat: Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer is a .239 hitter with zero home runs in 46 at-bats against Phillies righty Roberto Hernandez.
Weather: Partly cloudy skies are expected with temperatures in the mid-60s and wind blowing in from center field at 6 mph.
Key betting note: Over is 9-1-2 in Nicasio's previous 12 outings following a quality start in his last appearance.
Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers (-150, 8)
Hot pitching stat: Dodgers right-hander Josh Beckett threw five scoreless innings against San Diego in his last start.
Hot batting stat: Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill is 15-for-38 with a homer and eight RBIs against Beckett.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-70s under clear skies with wind blowing out to right-center field at 6 mph.
Key betting note: Over is 7-0 in Beckett's last seven home starts.
San Francisco Giants at San Diego Padres (-105, 7)
Cold pitching stat: Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum allowed four runs in six innings in his previous road start.
Cold batting stat: Padres infielder Everth Cabrera has three hits and six strikeouts in 16 at-bats against Lincecum.
Weather: Clear skies are expected with temperatures in the high-60s and wind blowing from left to right field at 7 mph.
Key betting note: Under is 8-1 in San Diego's last nine Sunday games.
Interleague
Seattle Mariners at Miami Marlins (-109, 8)
Cold pitching stat: Marlins right-hander Kevin Slowey is allowing batters to hit .313 against him in 2014.
Hot batting stat: Seattle second baseman Robinson Cano is 3-for-10 with a homer against Slowey.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the high-70s with partly cloudy skies and wind blowing in from left field at 6 mph.
Key betting note: Seattle is 1-8 in starter Brandon Maurer's last nine outings.
** Odds, stats, weather forecast and probable pitchers as of 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday.Comment
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Anthony Michael (YouWinNow)
NBA Play of the Day - #709 Dallas Mavericks +9
Dallas has been a cover machine on the road with a record of 47-19 in their last 66 road games. The rest time since the end of the regular season will do wonders for the Mavs here having them very ready for this game. Yes, San Antonio has beaten Dallas the last 9 times SU but the line in most of those games was less than 9 being offered here. Look for Dallas to have a chip on their shoulder here and stay within this number.Comment
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Baseball Crusher
St. Louis Cardinals +134 over Washington Nats
(System Record: 12-0, won last game)
Overall Record: 12-8
Hockey Crusher
Tampa Bay Lightning + Montreal Canadiens OVER5
(Playoff Record: 1-3, lost last 3 games)
(Regular Season Record: 91-4)
Overall Record: 92-76-1
Basketball Crusher
Charlotte Bobcats + Miami Heat OVER 188
(Playoff Record: 0-1, lost last 2 games)
(Regular Season Record: 78-8)
Overall Record: 78-87-5
Soccer Crusher
Colon + Belgrano UNDER 2
This match is happening in Argentina
(System Record: 556-20, won last 2 games)
Overall Record: 556-475-81
Here are the rest of his baseball, hockey and basketball plays for today...
Baseball
Boston Red Sox -150 over Baltimore
New York Yankees +114 over Tampa Bay Rays
New York Mets +100 over Atlanta Braves
Hockey
Boston Bruins + Detroit Red Wings UNDER 5
Philadelphia Flyers +148 over NY Rangers
San Jose Sharks + Los Angeles Kings OVER 5
Basketball
Charlotte Bobcats +9.5 over Miami Heat
Chicago Bulls -4.5 over Washington Wiz
Houston Rockets + Portland Trail Blazers OVER 214.5Comment
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Gamblers Data
Free Plays Sunday
Angels +125
Blue Jays/Indians over 8.5Comment
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Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports
Free Play SUN: Over 9 Tigers/AngelsComment
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Bookieshunter
All are 2* plays
Rockets -5
Cardinals
Mariners
U5 Kings/Sharks
Bruins 3WayComment
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