5-13-14

[Can'tPickAWinner]

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Game of the Day: Clippers at Thunder

Los Angeles Clippers at Oklahoma City Thunder (-5.5, 212.5)

The Los Angeles Clippers will be riding the momentum of an epic comeback while the host Oklahoma City Thunder will be looking to rebound from a colossal collapse when the teams square off in Tuesday’s Game 5. Oklahoma City jumped out to a 22-point lead in Game 4 and the Clippers overtook the Thunder with a frantic fourth-quarter push to knot the series at two games apiece. Darren Collison was the late-game hero as Los Angeles recorded the improbable 101-99 victory.

Oklahoma City standout Kevin Durant scored 40 points in Game 4 but was a nonfactor in the final minutes as the Clippers roared to the finish. “We’ve got to turn the page quickly,” Durant said afterward. “Can’t get too high off of wins and too low off of losses. Got to figure out what we did wrong and get better at it in Game 5.” Los Angeles trailed by 16 with nine minutes to play before the resounding comeback, displaying a trait that the franchise hasn’t always been associated with. “It shows our growth,” forward Matt Barnes said afterward. “I don’t know if we win a game like this last year, honestly. We just kept believing and kept talking to each other.”

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE HISTORY: The Thunder opened as 5.5-point favorites. The total opened at 212.5.

INJURY REPORT: Clippers F Hedo Turkoglu (Questionable, back).

WHAT THE CAPPERS SAY: "Oklahoma City blew a golden opportunity to go up 3-1 in the series after blowing a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter in Game 4 on Sunday. The Clippers' offense has been stagnant in the last two games, but they scored 38 points in the fourth quarter on Sunday and that should give them some momentum heading into Game 5." Covers Expert Steve Merril.

CHEERLEADER WAR:



ABOUT THE CLIPPERS: Collison and the term “playoff hero” found in the same sentence was an unexpected occurrence with there being a star point guard named Chris Paul on the team. But the backup who is with his fourth NBA team in five pro seasons excelled by scoring eight points in the final 2:58, including the go-ahead basket with 59.9 seconds to go. “You just got to love a guy like that who plays with so much heart and never gives up,” Paul said afterward in reference to Collison. The Clippers went to a small lineup in the final quarter to shake things up or otherwise Collison would have been on the bench in the final minutes.

ABOUT THE THUNDER: Oklahoma City’s disintegration was partly due to issues matching the smaller lineup but primarily due to defensive lapses that allowed Los Angeles to score 38 final-quarter points. The Thunder held the Clippers to 35.2 percent shooting over the first three quarters before Los Angeles was 14-of-22 over the final 12 minutes. “We’ve got to get back – gave up too many layups,” point guard Russell Westbrook bemoaned afterward. “They got too many easy baskets, especially when we had the lead.” Oklahoma City was also hurt by 16 turnovers, half of them by Durant.

TWEET BEAT:



TRENDS:

* Underdog is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
* Over is 6-2 in the last eight meetings in Oklahoma City.
* Thunder are 5-1 ATS in their last six games overall.
* Clippers are 2-7 ATS in their last nine Conference Semifinals games.

COVERS CONSENSUS: 55 percent of wagers are on the Thunder -5.5.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Clippers/Thunder: The Game Inside the Game
By DAVID MALINSKY

Many times when a series is tied 2-2 it becomes a chess match of tactical adjustments, and the savvy handicapper gets the opportunity to evaluate the position of the board to see who has the best end-game prospects. When the Clippers and Thunder meet in Game #5 on Tuesday it could be much different – this time it might be a simple game of checkers, and not chess.

If you were watching Game #4 on Saturday there was a memorable sideline interview with Doc Rivers before the fourth quarter began. His team was down by a dozen, but he was calm and made a reference that they just needed to stay within what they do. And that is what Rivers does – heading into the 4th quarter of his 129th playoff game as an NBA head coach, he did not panic, and had the Clippers in the proper frame of mind to mount that stunning comeback.

How Game #4 ended is a key to how Game #5 begins. This one may be more about the mental state of the teams than tactical adjustments. Yes, X’s and O’s were a part of the Los Angeles comeback, with the catalyst being the hustle of the small lineup (Darren Collison played the entire fourth), and Chris Paul being used to help guard Kevin Durant late. But it was more a case of the poise and passion that the teams played with, or lack thereof, at those key moments.

The Thunder came unglued. The offensive frustrations are best showed by the fact that Durant and Russell Westbrook combined for more turnovers (12) than assists (11). But it was on defense and the boards where they completely broke down. From the time they led 82-66 at 9:19, until Serge Ibaka came down with Blake Griffin’s miss at 5.9, they had one defensive rebound. After winning the boards by a +43 over the first 183 minutes of the series, they lost them 8-3 over that final stretch. They also did not force a turnover, and the only stop came at 4:54, when Paul missed a jumper that Caron Butler rebounded. To make matters worse, there were 10 Clipper baskets over that span recorded in the restricted area – either layups or dunks.

But you can look at it in an even more damning way – the stop they recorded on the final L.A. possession should not have happened. The Clippers got the ball up by two with 27.5 remaining, and Oklahoma City out of time outs. Scott Brooks had to foul there. The best that he could ordinarily have hoped for was to force a miss and get a rebound with four or five seconds remaining, with no ability to stop the clock and advance the ball. If Los Angeles scored, game over, and if it was a miss, it was still going to be difficult for the Thunder to get off a shot. They got a break, with Griffin shooting too early, but take a look at the time sequence – Ibaka got that rebound at 5.9, and Westbrook missed his triple at 1.4. They needed 4.5 ticks to find that shot, and 4.5 would not have been available had the Clippers worked their final possession better.

By not fouling, Brooks put his team in a negative position, and almost got away with it. But that was not the mistake of a chess master – in that clock situation it was simple enough to have been be checkers. For most of that closing salvo it was a case of the Clippers playing with Poise, Passion and Purpose, and the Thunder lacking those elements. Much of that was Rivers over Brooks.

So now to look ahead to Tuesday night, and it will be those three P’s at the forefront again. We can be pretty confident about the mental state of the Clippers, but can Brooks salve the psyche of his team, and get them back to the physical aggression that had them on the verge of taking firm control of the series? Can he find something cathartic that might even turn the collapse into something positive? That is where this one will most likely be decided, and not through any complex X’s and O’s. The handicapping process begins right there.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Baseball Crusher
Washington Nationals -130 over Arizona Diamondbacks
(System Record: 26-0, won last game)
Overall Record: 26-16

Hockey Crusher
Chicago Blackhawks -129 over Minnesota Wild
(Playoff Record: system 16-1: overall 16-8, won last 2 games)
(Regular Season Record: 91-4)
Overall Record: 107-82-2

Basketball Crusher
Washington Wizards +5 over Indiana Pacers
(Playoff Record: 10-10-3, lost last game)
(Regular Season Record: 78-8)
Overall Record: 88-95-8

Soccer Crusher
Oeste + Ponta Preta SP UNDER 2.5
This match is happening in Brazil
(System Record: 569-21, won last 4 games)
Overall Record: 569-481-84

Here are the rest of his baseball, hockey and basketball plays for today...


Baseball
Milwaukee Brewers -115 over Pittsburgh Pirates
Seattle Mariners +102 over Tampa Bay Rays
San Diego Padres +115 over Cincinnati Reds


Hockey
New York Rangers +142 over Pittsburgh Penguins
New York Rangers + Pittsburgh Penguins UNDER 5
Chicago Blackhawks + Minnesota Wild OVER 5


Basketball
Los Angeles Clippers +5.5 over Oklahoma City Thunder
Indiana Pacers + Washington Wizards OVER 181
Los Angeles Clippers + Oklahoma City Thunder OVER 212.5

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB

Hot pitchers
-- Leake has a 2.40 RA but no wins in his last two starts.
-- Wainwright is 5-1, 2.25 in his last six starts. Cubs won Arrieta's first two starts (1-0, 3.86).
-- Strasburg is 2-0, 2.39 in his last four starts. Arroyo is 2-0, 1.29 in his last three starts.
-- Beckett is 0-1, 2.01 in his last five starts.
-- Vogelsong is 1-0, 0.89 in his last three starts.

-- Dickey is 2-0, 3.38 in his last three starts. Masterson is 2-0, 2.57 in his last couple starts.
-- Jimenez is 2-0, 0.71 in his last couple starts. Smyly is 1-1, 2.45 in his last three outings.
-- Keuchel is 3-1, 3.23 in his last six starts.
-- Pomeranz threw five shutout innings in his first start for Oakland.
-- Iwakuma is 2-0, 2.45 in his last couple starts.

-- Shields is 4-1, 3.41 in his last five starts.

Cold pitchers
-- Cashner is 0-4, 5.73 in his last four starts.
-- Estrada has 4.58 RA in his last three starts. Cole is 1-2, 3.71 in his last five.
-- Turner is 0-0, 6.75 in his first three starts.
-- Minor is 0-2, 6.97 in his first two starts.

-- Nolasco is 1-2, 5.74 in his last four starts. Doubront is 0-1, 7.71 in his last three starts.
-- Harrison has a 7.47 RA in three starts this season.
-- Carroll is 1-2, 5.19 in his last three starts.
-- Price is 0-2, 6.50 in his last three starts.

-- Lee is 0-1, 6.75 in his last three starts.
-- Wheeler is 0-1, 4.50 in his last four starts. Nuno is 0-0, 7.00 in his two starts in the Bronx.
-- Morales is 1-1, 8.44 in his last three starts.


Pitchers allowing runs in first inning:
-- Cashner 2-8; Leake 1-7
-- Cole 3-7; Estrada 1-7
-- Arrieta 0-2; Wainwright 2-8
-- Strasburg 4-8; Arroyo 3-7
-- Turner 1-3; Beckett 1-6
-- Minor 1-2; Vogelsong 1-7

-- Masterson 2-8; Dickey 1-8
-- Smyly 1-4; Jimenez 3-7
-- Doubront 2-7; Nolasco 0-7
-- Harrison 1-3; Keuchel 1-7
-- Carroll 0-3; Pomeranz 0-1
-- Price 2-8; Iwakuma 0-2

-- Shoemaker 0-0; Lee 1-8
-- Wheeler 3-7; Nuno 1-4
-- Morales 2-7; Shields 1-8

Totals
-- Five of last six Cincinnati games stayed under.
-- 10 of last 13 Milwaukee games went over total.
-- 10 of last 13 St Louis home games went over total.
-- Over is 8-3-1 in Arizona's last twelve home games.
-- 13 of last 19 Dodger games went over the total.
-- Under is 8-1-1 in last ten Atlanta games.

-- Over is 4-1-1 in last six Cleveland road games.
-- Last four Minnesota home games stayed under.
-- Under is 11-5-1 in Baltimore's home games.
-- Six of last nine Houston home games went over.
-- Four of White Sox' last five road games stayed under; over is 5-1-1 in A's last seven games.
-- Four of last six Seattle games stayed under total.

-- Four of Mets' last five road games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last seven Angel road games stayed under.
-- Seven of last eight Kansas City home games went over.

Hot teams
-- Reds won five of their last seven home games. San Diego won their last three games, but is 6-10 on foreign soil.
-- Pirates won four of last five games, but are 2-9 in last 11 road games.
-- Arizona won four of its last six games.
-- Giants won 14 of their last 18 games.

-- Cleveland won five of its last six games.
-- Angels won eight of their last twelve games.
-- Detroit won last six road games. Orioles won five of their last seven overall.
-- Red Sox won six of their last eight games.
-- Oakland won its last five games, allowing eight runs.
-- Mariners won eight of their last eleven games.

Cold teams
-- Brewers lost seven of their last ten games.
-- Cubs lost seven of their last nine games. St Louis is 5-8 in its last 13 games.
-- Washington lost five of its last six road games.
-- Miami lost 14 of its 17 road tilts. Dodgers lost six of their last nine games.
-- Braves lost their last five away games.

-- Minnesota is 5-8 in its last thirteen games.
-- Astros lost seven of thier last nine games. Texas lost 10 of last 14.
-- White Sox lost three of their last four games.
-- Tampa Bay lost six of its last seven games.

-- Phillies lost five of their last seven games. Toronto lost three of its last four.
-- Mets lost eight of their last 11 games. Bronx lost five of last six at home.
-- Kansas City lost its last four home games. Rockies lost three of their last four games overall.

Umpires
-- Chi-StL-- Favorites won six of eight Little games.
-- Wsh-Az-- Four of last five Reynolds games went over.
-- Mia-LA-- Underdogs won five of eight Diaz games.
-- Atl-SF-- Underdogs won five of six Hickox games.

-- Det-Balt-- Six of last seven Davidson games stayed under.
-- Tex-Hst-- Home teams won all five Rackley games.
-- Chi-A's-- Four of six Culbreth games stayed under total.
-- Sea-TB-- Favorites won six of seven Cederstrom games.

-- NY-NY-- Four of five Layne games went over the total.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Today's MLB Picks

Tampa Bay at Seattle

The Rays look to bounce back from last night's 12-5 loss to the Mariners in the series opener and come into tonight's contest with a 6-1 record in David Price's last 7 starts in Game 2 of a series. Tampa Bay is the pick (-115) according to Dunkel, which has the Rays favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-115). Here are all of today's picks.

TUESDAY, MAY 13 Time Posted: 7:00 a.m. EST

Game 951-952: San Diego at Cincinnati (7:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Cashner) 15.713; Cincinnati (Leake) 14.889 Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1; 8 Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-125); 7 1/2 Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+105); Over

Game 953-954: Pittsburgh at Milwaukee (8:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Cole) 15.494; Milwaukee (Estrada) 16.929 Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1 1/2; 6 Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-120); 7 Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-120); Under

Game 955-956: Chicago Cubs at St. Louis (8:15 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Arrieta) 14.544; St. Louis (Wainwright) 16.190 Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 6 Vegas Line: St. Louis (-260); 7 Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-260); Under

Game 957-958: Washington at Arizona (9:40 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Washington (Strasburg) 14.587; Arizona (Arroyo) 14.960 Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1/2; 9 Vegas Line: Washington (-135); 8 Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+115); Over

Game 959-960: Miami at LA Dodgers (10:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Miami (Turner) 14.867; LA Dodgers (Beckett) 15.102 Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1/2; 6 Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-160); 7 1/2 Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-160); Under

Game 961-962: Atlanta at San Francisco (10:15 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Minor) 15.750; San Francisco (Vogelsong) 14.699 Dunkel Line: Atlanta by 1; 8 Vegas Line: San Francisco (-115); 7 Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-105); Over

Game 963-964: Cleveland at Toronto (7:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Masterson) 15.881; Toronto (Dickey) 14.687 Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1; 8 Vegas Line: Toronto (-125); 9 Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+105); Under

Game 965-966: Detroit at Baltimore (7:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Smyly) 14.978; Baltimore (Jimenez) 16.645 Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1 1/2; 10 Vegas Line: Baltimore (-110); 8 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (-110); Over

Game 967-968: Boston at Minnesota (8:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Boston (Doubront) 14.871; Minnesota (Nolasco) 15.776 Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 1; 8 Vegas Line: Boston (-120); 8 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+100); Under

Game 969-970: Texas at Houston (8:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Texas (Harrison) 15.489; Houston (Keuchel) 14.989 Dunkel Line: Texas by 1/2; 10 Vegas Line: Texas (-125); 8 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Texas (-125); Over

Game 971-972: Chicago White Sox at Oakland (10:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: White Sox (Carroll) 15.409; Oakland (Pomeranz) 14.677 Dunkel Line: Chicago White Sox by 1; 9 Vegas Line: Oakland (-190); 8 Dunkel Pick: Chicago White Sox (+165); Over

Game 973-974: Tampa Bay at Seattle (10:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay (Price) 16.322; Seattle 14.987 Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 5 Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-115); 6 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-115); Under

Game 975-976: LA Angels at Philadelphia (7:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: LA Angels (Shoemaker) 15.337; Philadelphia (Lee) 14.789 Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1/2; 9 Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-160); 7 1/2 Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (+140); Over

Game 977-978: NY Mets at NY Yankees (7:05 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: NY Mets (Wheeler) 14.237; NY Yankees (Nuno) 15.896 Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1 1/2; 8 Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-135); 8 1/2 Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-135); Under

Game 979-980: Colorado at Kansas City (8:10 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Morales) 15.129; Kansas City (Shields) 16.657 Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1 1/2; 7 Vegas Line: Kansas City (-155); 7 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (-155); Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Today's NBA Picks

Washington at Indiana

The Wizards try to stay alive in the series as they head back to Indiana tonight to face a Pacers team 4-13 ATS in its last 17 home games. Washington is the pick (+5) according to Dunkel, which has the Pacers favored by only 2. Dunkel Pick: Washington (+5). Here are all of today's playoff picks.

TUESDAY, MAY 13 Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST

Game 733-734: Washington at Indiana (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Washington 120.289; Indiana 122.040 Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 2; 177 Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 5; 180 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Washington (+5); Under

Game 735-736: LA Clippers at Oklahoma City (9:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 124.342; Oklahoma City 126.626 Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 2 1/2; 217 Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 5 1/2; 212 1/2 Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (+5 1/2); Over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Today's NHL Picks

NY Rangers at Pittsburgh

The Penguins return home after a 3-1 loss in Game 6 and look to clinch the series against a Rangers team that is 2-5 in its last 7 games following a win. Pittsburgh is the pick (-170) according to Dunkel, which has the Penguins favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-170). Here are all of today's playoff picks.

TUESDAY, MAY 13 Time Posted: 7:30 a.m. EST

Game 71-72: NY Rangers at Pittsburgh (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 10.766; Pittsburgh 12.453 Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 4 Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-170); 5 Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-170); Under

Game 73-74: Chicago at Minnesota (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 11.294; Minnesota 12.321 Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 1; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-130); 5 Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+110); Over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Game of the Day: Rangers at Penguins

New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins (-154, 5)

The New York Rangers look to complete the franchise's first successful rally from a 3-1 series deficit when they visit the Pittsburgh Penguins for a decisive Game 7 in their Eastern Conference second-round matchup on Tuesday. New York, which is 0-16 when trailing by a 3-1 margin in a series, staved off elimination for the second straight contest as Martin St. Louis and Carl Hagelin scored early in the first period to lead their team to a 3-1 victory in Game 6 on Sunday. "We knew if we played our best game, if we play the way we normally play, we're going to have a chance to come back and win the series," Rangers defenseman Marc Staal said. "We started that in Game 5, then in Game 6, and now we're in Game 7."

While Pittsburgh won the Metropolitan Division to earn home-ice advantage in this series, it is just 2-6 all-time in Game 7s in front of its fans. "All Game 7s are big, but we can't change what's gotten us to this point," captain Sidney Crosby said. "All we can do is make sure we show up (on Tuesday)." The Hart Trophy finalist, who has scored just one goal this postseason, showed his frustration by jabbing his stick below the belt of New York's Dominic Moore late in the second period on Sunday.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCSN, CBC, RDS

ABOUT THE RANGERS: Henrik Lundqvist has taken aim at the Penguins, and not just with his water bottle. The Swedish Olympian, who was fined $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct for spraying Crosby, stopped 67-of-69 shots over the last two contests to set up the pivotal Game 7 showdown. Lundqvist, who owns a 4-1 career mark in Game 7s while yielding just five goals, made 26 saves in New York's 2-1 triumph over Philadelphia the final contest of the first-round series on April 30.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS: A punchless power play continues to plague Pittsburgh, which failed on its last 12 opportunities and fell to 1-for-19 in the series. Coach Dan Bylsma has taken to putting four forwards on the ice when his team enjoys the man advantage - with Matt Niskanen serving as the lone defenseman. "We didn't enter the zone quite as clean (and) they started pressuring a little bit more." Niskanen said of the team's last three power-play chances in Game 6. "The bottom line is, it comes down to results."

TRENDS:

* Over is 3-1-1 in the last five meetings in Pittsburgh.
* Rangers are 2-5 in their last seven games following a win.
* Under is 9-2-1 in Rangers last 12 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Road team is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.

OVERTIME:

1. New York won a franchise-best 25 contests on the road in the regular season and captured two of three in Pittsburgh during this series.

2. The Penguins are 1-7 on home ice with an opportunity to finish a series since Bylsma became the team's coach in February 2009.

3. The team that has scored first has won every game in the series.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA

Tuesday, May 13

Washington blew 17-point halftime lead in Game 4 loss, after shooting 33% in Game 3; Beal/Nene were combined 21-61 from floor in losses at home. Home team won six of last nine Wizard-Pacer games- Indiana held Wiz to 79 ppg in winning last three games, after losing opener 102.96. Seven of last 11 Wizard games went over the total- six of seven series games this season stayed under the total. Hibbert had 59 points in last three games, after going scoreless in three of previous four-- rumor was that it was an off-court personal issue that had him in a funk.

Durant had eight turnovers in Game 4 loss, seemed hesitant to dribble if Paul was guarding him. Clippers were 20-74 from arc last three games, after going 15-29 in first game; they were down 22 in first half, 16 with 9:30 left before rallying to win Game 4 and tie series. OC's subs were +28 in Game 3, -41 last game, with LA's bench -31 Friday, +36 Sunday. Clippers are 3-5 vs OC this season. Over is 10-5 in last 15 series games; seven of last ten Thunder games went over total. Ibaka was 2-5 Sunday, after going 9-10 in Game 3.

Over is 41-25 in playoffs this season, 10-6 in this round.
Favorites are 23-43 in playoffs this season, 7-9 in this round.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NHL

Tuesday, May 13

New York scored pair of first period goals in all three series wins; they didn't score in first period in any of three losses, were blanked twice. Rangers are 2-24 on power play in series, goimg 0-6 Sunday, after they were 2-3 in Game 5, ending 9-game drought while man up; they are -41 in faceoffs last four games. Rangers are 5-5 vs Penguins this year, lost 13 of last 19 vs Penguins overall, going 3-6 in last nine played here. Over is 6-3-1 in series games this season. Pittsburgh is just 3-3 at home in playoffs, Rangers are 3-3 on road.

Minnesota is 5-0 at home in playoffs, allowing five goals; they were down 2-0 in last round, rallied to upset Colorado after losing tough Game 5; similar pattern forming here. Chicago had only two goals on 39 shots in losing Games 3-4 here; they are 1-4 on road in playoffs, with lone win in Game 5 at St Louis, in OT- they are 3-11 on power play in series. Over is 6-3-2 in last 11 series games. Over is 7-3-2 in Chicago's last twelve games. Minnesota is 2-14 on power play in series. Home side won all five games so far in series.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cappers Access

Pacers -5
Clippers +5.5
Wild +120

[Can'tPickAWinner]

RIVER CITY SHARPS

The Cincinnati Reds were one of the popular picks to win the National League Central this season, but have gotten out of the blocks slowly. However, they may be starting to get on a roll as they enter this three-game series with the San Diego Padres. The Reds took two of three games this weekend from Colorado and enjoyed a nice off day on Monday to prepare for Andrew Cashner (2-5, 2.86 ERA) and the Padres. The Reds will send Mike Leake (2-3, 3.40 ERA) to the mound, who is 0-1 lifetime against San Diego with a respectable 3.45 ERA. The Padres have been offensively challenged all season, but did have a breakout weekend vs. the Marlins, where they put up 24 runs. The Reds have feasted on the NL West as of late, winning five of their last six games. We think you are about to see the Reds jump back into this NL Central race as they know the Brewers continue to play good baseball, so we’re going to back Leake and the Reds here tonight. The Sharps say…
3 UNITS – CINCINNATI REDS (-111)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

CHASE DIAMOND

10* NHL PERFECT PLAY
NY Rangers vs. Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh -151

This has been a hard fought series and a good try by the Rangers I just see Pitsburgh as too much for the Rangers tonight. Pens were up 3-1 and the Rangers have fought back. Public is now backing the Rangers at a 56% clip. We will take the home team here for a 10* play as I see them winning this 3-1.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

StatFox Super Situations™ – FoxSheets

MLB | WASHINGTON at ARIZONA
Play Against – All favorites with a money line of -125 to -175 (WASHINGTON) bad offensive team (<=4.1 runs/game) against an average starting pitcher (ERA=4.20 to 5.20)-NL, after a win by 2 runs or less
53-37 since 1997. ( 58.9% | 33.3 units )
1-2 this year. ( 33.3% | -0.5 units )

StatFox Situational Power Trends™ – FoxSheets

MLB | DETROIT at BALTIMORE
BALTIMORE is 57-38 (+31.5 Units) against the money line vs. teams outscoring opp by 0.5 or more runs/game on the season over the last 3 seasons.
The average score was: BALTIMORE (4.4) , OPPONENT (4.4)