5-14-14

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Ducks at Kings: What bettors need to know

Anaheim Ducks at Los Angeles Kings (-137, 5)

If their first-round series was any indication, the Los Angeles Kings have the Anaheim Ducks right where they want them. Los Angeles attempts to stave off elimination and even its Western Conference second-round matchup when it hosts Anaheim for Game 6 on Wednesday. The Kings lost their first three games against San Jose in the opening round before staging an historic rally to win the series, becoming the fourth team in NHL history to accomplish the feat.

Los Angeles continued to surge, winning the first two games of this set in Anaheim. The Pacific Division-champion Ducks returned the favor with two victories at Staples Center before posting a 4-3 triumph on Monday to again push the Kings to the brink. Devante Smith-Pelly snapped a tie by tallying twice in an 83-second span early in the second period and rookie John Gibson made 39 saves as Anaheim withstood a comeback attempt to hand the Kings their second three-game losing streak of the postseason.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, TSN, RDS

ABOUT THE DUCKS: The two-goal performance was the second of the playoffs for Smith-Pelly, who also scored a pair - including the tying tally with 24 seconds left in the third period - in Anaheim's series-clinching overtime victory against Dallas in Game 6 of their first-round matchup. Gibson proved to be human in Game 5 by allowing three goals but improved to a combined 5-0-0 with two shutouts, a 1.40 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage in three NHL regular-season games and a pair of playoff contests.

ABOUT THE KINGS: Regardless of the outcome of the series, Los Angeles' acquisition of Marian Gaborik at the trade deadline has been a superb one. The Slovakian registered 16 points in 19 regular-season games before turning it up a notch in the playoffs with 12 points in as many contests. Gaborik has registered three two-goal performances - including one in Game 5 - and leads the league with eight tallies.

TRENDS:

* Ducks are 5-0 in the last five meetings in Los Angeles.
* Under is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings in Los Angeles.
* Ducks are 25-9 in their last 34 vs. Pacific.
* Kings are 5-2 in their last seven games playing on 1 days rest.

OVERTIME:

1. The Ducks have won three straight playoff games for the first time since 2007, when they captured five in a row against Detroit (three) and Ottawa en route to their Stanley Cup championship.

2. Los Angeles D Willie Mitchell, who has missed six games with an undisclosed injury, skated on Tuesday but is doubtful for Game 6.

3. Smith-Pelly leads Anaheim with five goals but has yet to record an assist in the playoffs.

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Rickj's Handicapping Picks Wedn MLB Play
1/2 unit
Baltimore +104

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NBA

Wednesday, May 14

Lebron James went off for 49 points Monday to put Heat up 3-1; Nets are still 5-3 vs Miami this season, 2-2 here- they made 15-25 from arc in its Game 3 win, are 25-70 in other three games. Miami is 7-1 in playoffs, 3-1 vs spread at home- four of their last five games went over total. Nets are 5-6 in playoffs, 2-3-1 vs spread on road- they held Heat to 46% in its only win- Miami shot 49%+ in its three series wins. .

Spurs led first three games of series 65-39/70-51/60-40 at half; Portland sucked it up and avoided sweep with Game 4 win at home. Aldridge hit 11-21 shots last game, after going 15-46 from floor previous two games; Blazers are -23 in turnovers so far in series. Spurs won last four of last five games with Portland overall, winning first two games of this series by 24-17 points here. Overall, San Antonio is 22-24 vs spread at home.

Over is 41-27 in playoffs this season, 10-8 in this round.
Favorites are 23-45 in playoffs this season, 7-11 in this round.

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Trail Blazers at Spurs: What bettors need to know

Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs (-7.5, 208.5)

The Portland Trail Blazers avoided elimination for at least one more game and will attempt to keep their season alive when they visit the San Antonio Spurs for Game 5 on Wednesday. The Trail Blazers made some changes to their rotation in Game 4 to catch the Spurs off-guard and dominated the final 17 minutes to pull within 3-1 in the best-of-seven series. Portland is attempting to become the first NBA team in history to recover from a 3-0 deficit and win the series.

San Antonio let it slip away and barely attempted to recover on Monday, sitting Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker for the entire fourth quarter in the 103-92 loss. The Trail Blazers have been missing something off the bench with Mo Williams (groin) down, but Will Barton stepped up with 17 points in 30 minutes in Game 4 while Thomas Robinson added nine points and five rebounds. “We did what we needed to do and we’re looking forward to going to San Antonio and keep competing and keep playing our basketball,” Portland coach Terry Stotts told reporters.

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

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS: Portland held a lead for just 33 seconds total in the first three games of the series but took control at the end of the first quarter and held off the Spurs the rest of the way in Game 4. The big run came at the end of the third quarter, when Nicolas Batum converted a four-point play and buried another 3-pointer to spark a 20-7 surge. “We just played with a lot more energy,” guard Damian Lillard told reporters. “Usually we come out and we’re fighting from behind. We’ve had good third quarters every game, but (Monday) we had a lead going into the third, so it was a little bit different.” Batum finished with 14 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists and is embracing the challenge of digging out of the 3-0 hole. “Like we said, why not us? It’s never been done before,” Batum said.

ABOUT THE SPURS: San Antonio is not worried about the Trail Blazers coming back and is ready to close things out in Game 5. “We have to treat Wednesday’s game like it’s a Game 7,” Parker told reporters. “It’s a big game for us. We worked hard the first three games to be in that position.” Parker outplayed Lillard in each of the first three games but was held to a series lows of 14 points and one assist in Game 4 before sitting out the final 14 minutes-plus. Portland tried out Batum defensively against Parker and kept the speedy guard from getting into the lane at will as he had in the first three games.

TRENDS:

* Over is 9-4 in the last 13 meetings.
* Trail Blazers are 1-5 ATS in the last six meetings.
* Spurs are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games following a ATS loss.
* Over is 5-0 in Spurs last five home games.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Lillard is the first player in NBA history to record 25 or more 3-pointers and 50 or more free throws in his first 10 postseason games.

2. Spurs G Danny Green is 4-of-18 from 3-point range in the series.

3. Portland is the last team to force a Game 7 after being down 3-0 in a series, falling to the Dallas Mavericks 4-3 in the first round in 2003.

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NHL

Wednesday, May 14

Team that scored first won all six Boston-Montreal games. Canadiens scored four goals in all three of its series wins, a total of five goals in three series losses. Montreal is 28-18 on road this season, but lost last two visits here. Canadiens are 6-14 on power play here, 1-8 at home in series. Bruins are 2-15 on power play in series. Over is 6-2-2 in Montreal's playoff games. Canadiens are 7-3 in playoffs this spring, 3-2 on road. Boston is 35-12 at home this year, 3-2 in playoffs.

Visitor won four of five LA-Anaheim games, seven of last eight games overall in this rivalry. Ducks won last three games after falling behind 2-0 in series; they've been outshot 33-10 in third period of their three wins, as they go into shell to protect lead. Kings have now gone 3L-6W-3L in playoffs. Half the Ducks' 10 goals in last four games have come on power play (5 of 12). Los Angeles is 3-13 on power play in series. League-wide, over is 38-22-12 in the playoffs, 9-10-5 in this round.

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MLB

Wednesday, May 14

MLB Top 4: No-name money pitchers

Every season, a collection of unheralded pitchers return the kind of value usually reserved for the very best hurlers in the majors.

In some cases, these under-the-radar finds are able to maintain their hot streak throughout the season. Other times, the early-season good times give way to a more difficult schedule as hitters make adjustments.

Here are four no-name pitchers with the highest money values heading into the second half of May (records are team marks vs. moneyline):

Andre Rienzo, Chicago White Sox (4-0, 4.56 ERA, $548)

Rienzo has been the most fortunate pitcher on this list. The 25-year-old Brazil native hasn't necessarily pitched all that well, surrendering at least three runs in each of his four starts while failing to go longer than 6 1/3 innings in any of them. But the White Sox bats have provided Rienzo with overwhelming support, averaging 6.5 runs in those outings to help him to a 3-0 record despite an inflated ERA. Chicago was an underdog in all of Rienzo's first four starts.

Tyler Skaggs, Los Angeles Angels (6-1, 4.14 ERA, $509)

Like Rienzo, Skaggs has had his share of rough outings - allowing four or more runs in three of his last six starts. But the 22-year-old has actually been far more effective, limiting opponents to a .228 average while surrendering just four home runs in 45 2/3 innings and posting a solid 1.12 WHIP. The Angels have given him plenty of run support so far, scoring at least five runs in all but one of his starts. Skaggs has a respectable 3-1 mark against the moneyline as a dog.

Scott Kazmir, Oakland Athletics (7-1, 2.28 ERA, $504)

Kazmir is the most recognizable name on the list, but may also be the unlikeliest. His career thought to be over after wildness and prolonged struggles bounced him from the majors, Kazmir has stormed back to relevance. The 30-year-old left-hander has surrendered fewer than two runs in four of his eight starts while limiting opponents to just two home runs in 51 1/3 innings. Oakland has given him plenty of offense, averaging more than six runs per game in his outings.

Jordan Lyles, Colorado Rockies (6-2, 2.66 ERA, $440)

Lyles has been an underdog in five of his eight starts, but has risen to the challenge as the top pitcher for the surprisingly potent Rockies. The 23-year-old right-hander has registered five consecutive quality starts - three of those coming on the road - and has held foes to a .223 average while getting off to a 5-0 start. He has also benefited from the league's most potent offense, getting at least five runs of support in five of eight outings. He's a perfect 4-0 in those starts

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Powerplaywins

Over Brooklyn/Miami
Spurs
Red Sox

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Mighty Quinn

Mighty missed with the Penguins on Tuesday and likes the A’s on Wednesday.

The deficit is 296 sirignanos.

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KELSO

NBA

50 spurs

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Sean Michaels

WEDNESDAY

50 dime release on Kansas City and Jason Vargas over Colorado and Jhoulys Chacin. Always list pitchers with my baseball action. KC is -130 as of 8:30 my time on Wednesday morning here in Vegas.

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HURLEY

NBA

small nets
small spurs
small port/spurs over

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ROOT

NBA

billionaire spurs
millionaire nets

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Philly Ross
1* Seattle +109

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Indian Cowboy's Picks For NBA Basketball 5/14

3-Unit Play. #739. Take Under 209 Portland vs. San Antonio (Wednesday @ 9:35pm est) (Stations and Sportsbook)

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Doc's Sports Picks For Major League Baseball 5/14

4-unit Play Take #919 Cleveland Indians (-105) over Toronto Blue Jays (7:05pm EST)


3-unit Play Take #925 Los Angeles Angels (-110) over Philadelphia Phillies (1:05pm EST)