Wednesday 4-17-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-17-2019, 05:48 AM

Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics Preview and Predictions 04-17-2019 in NBA

The Boston Celtics responded to the loss of one of their defensive leaders by putting forth a dominant effort on that end of the floor to begin their best-of-seven Eastern Conference playoff series with the Indiana Pacers. They'll try to maintain their stranglehold on the Pacers and take a commanding 2-0 series lead when the teams meet Wednesday night in Boston.

Despite losing guard Marcus Smart (oblique) prior to the postseason, the Celtics outmuscled Indiana -- particularly during a 26-8 third quarter -- in Sunday's 84-74 Game 1 win, their third victory over the Pacers in a span of 17 days going back to the regular season. "They missed some shots, but we were really connected," Boston coach Brad Stevens told reporters. "We were really playing hard. We were really flying around." All-Star guard Kyrie Irving and forward Marcus Morris scored 20 points apiece for the Celtics, who had a 55-42 advantage on the glass and held Indiana to 33.3 percent shooting. Cory Joseph came off the bench to lead the Pacers with 14 points, while the team's five starters combined for 38 on 15-of-44 from the floor.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT, FS Indiana, NBCS Boston

ABOUT THE PACERS: Sometimes it comes down to simply making enough shots, and Indiana was nowhere close to achieving that goal in Game 1, especially during the third quarter when they were 2-of-19 from the floor. "We've got to shake this off and realize there was a lot of good in there," guard Wesley Matthews told reporters. "I don't think if we played with our eyes closed we could have an eight-point quarter again." Matthews and Joseph hit a pair of 3-pointers apiece while their teammates combined to go 2-of-17 from long range.

ABOUT THE CELTICS: Irving had to watch Boston's run to the Eastern Conference finals from the sidelines last season due to injury, but he made the most of his first playoff game with the team by leading the defensive charge. "I just try to be aggressive on the ball, be in the right spots," Irving, who also had a team-high seven assists, told the media. "I just really want to be aggressive and really be the head of the snake." Forward Jayson Tatum scored 15 points and was the only Celtic to shoot better than 50 percent from the field by hitting 6-of-11 shots -- 3-of-3 from beyond the arc.

BUZZER BEATERS
1. Celtics C Al Horford had 10 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in Game 1.

2. SF Bojan Bogdanovic led the Pacers' starting five with 12 points in the opener.

3. Boston hit 18-of-22 free throws in Game 1, while Indiana was 12-of-21.

PREDICTION: Celtics 102, Pacers 93

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-17-2019, 05:48 AM

Detroit Pistons vs. Milwaukee Bucks Preview and Predictions 04-17-2019 in NBA

The Detroit Pistons felt the absence of Blake Griffin in Game 1 on Sunday, but even the return of an All-Star might not have been enough to overcome the Milwaukee Bucks. The Pistons will try to bounce back and steal homecourt advantage from the NBA-best Bucks when they visit Milwaukee for Game 2 on Wednesday.

Detroit fell behind 38-18 after the first quarter in Game 1 and was never in the contest before finally falling 121-86. "We didn't meet the level of physicality and then we tried - we got some cheap fouls," Pistons coach Dwane Casey told reporters. "The speed of the game, we've got to get up to. We were all over the map defensively. Didn't get anything done. But we've got another level we have to get to with our intensity, physicality, because they're coming through there with violence, Euro stepping, throwing elbows. We've got to make sure we get our level of competitiveness up to start the game. You can't spot a great team like this that many points and expect to get back into it." Most of those drives to the basket from the Bucks were coming from MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo, who breezed to 24 points and 17 rebounds in 23 minutes. "I just tried to be aggressive," Antetokounmpo told reporters. "I wanted to start the game aggressive. I knew if I was in aggressive mode all game, good things would happen."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS Detroit, FS Wisconsin (Milwaukee)

ABOUT THE PISTONS: Griffin battled a knee injury at the end of the regular season and was held out of Game 1 by the medical staff, which will have the final say in when he returns. "He's itching to play," Casey told reporters of Griffin. "He's lobbying. He wants to play. It's the medical staff. The doctors are the ones who are making those decisions. Not me. Not Blake. That's what we're working with. We have an excellent medical staff. When his body says he's ready - whether it's Wednesday night or Saturday - he'll be available." Luke Kennard led Detroit with 21 points off the bench in Game 1 while center Andrew Drummond was held to 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting before drawing a flagrant 2 foul and being ejected.

ABOUT THE BUCKS: Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer praised his team's readiness to start the playoffs and Antetokounmpo echoed those statements while questioning the readiness of his opponents. "I don't know if they were ready for us," Antetokounmpo told reporters. "We just tried to focus on ourselves." Seven players scored in double figures for the Bucks, who knocked down 15 3-pointers and totaled 31 assists on 44 field goals while outscoring the Pistons in the paint 52-38 in the easy win.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Griffin drew a technical foul while on the bench in Game 1 for arguing after Drummond was ejected.

2. Milwaukee PF Nikola Mirotic (thumb) scored four points in 15 minutes off the bench after missing the final 11 games of the regular season.

3. Detroit PF Thon Maker, who started in place of Griffin, was held to four points on 2-of-10 shooting, including 0-of-6 from 3-point range.

PREDICTION: Bucks 116, Pistons 96

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-17-2019, 05:48 AM

Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets Preview and Predictions 04-17-2019 in NBA

The Houston Rockets annihilated Utah in the opener and look to take a 2-0 lead when they host the Jazz on Tuesday in the second game of the Western Conference first-round series. Seven players scored in double digits and the fourth-seeded Rockets made 15 3-pointers while posting an easy 122-90 victory over fifth-seeded Utah.

Houston star guard James Harden had 29 points in Game 1 but he can't get last season's five-game postseason series win over the Jazz out of mind. "I don't mean to bring up last year, but we played pretty well in Game 1 last year and they came in here in Game 2 and beat us," Harden told reporters of the second-round series. "It's only one game. They're going to make adjustments and we have to make adjustments." Utah star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell said his team has to view the 32-point trouncing as just a loss and forget about the margin of defeat. "We could have won this game by 90, lost the game by 90, won by 1, lost by 1. It's one game," Mitchell told reporters. "It's not like they get two wins. It's just about making adjustments and not overreacting to what happened."

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Utah), AT&T SportsNet Southwest (Houston)

ABOUT THE JAZZ: Utah had trouble halting the Rockets from the outside but also allowed center Clint Capela (16 points, 12 rebounds) to get free for easy baskets and coach Quin Snyder said the defense has to be improved in Game 2. "You're going to give something up against the Rockets," Snyder told reporters. "We just don't want to make it easy. We had some breakdowns in the half court, no question. Some of that is going to happen even when you're good, because of their ability to make plays." Mitchell scored 19 points in Game 1 but was 7-of-18 shooting and committed five turnovers.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS: Harden was 11-of-26 shooting as Utah mixed up its defenses while keeping him seven points below his season average. "They throw something at him and they might get him a little bit and he figures it out and they don't get him anymore," Houston coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters of the strategies against Harden. "He's so good offensively it makes me laugh. He's just so good I don't know what you do ... you're not stopping him. I don't care what you do." Harden, who made four 3-pointers, also had 10 assists and eight rebounds in the victory.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. SG Eric Gordon (17 points) and SFs P.J. Tucker (11) and Danuel House Jr. (11) all had three 3-pointers for the Rockets in Game 1.

2. Utah C Rudy Gobert was 8-of-10 shooting while recording 22 points and 12 rebounds in Game 1.

3. Houston PG Chris Paul (14 points, seven assists) was 7-of-12 shooting in Game 1 after being 8-of-21 in two regular-season contests against the Jazz.

PREDICTION: Rockets 119, Jazz 105

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-17-2019, 05:49 AM

Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Preview and Predictions 04-17-2019 in NHL

Mitch Marner gained the appreciation of his team -- and perhaps a few in the dental profession -- after sliding in front of a pair of blasts from David Pastrnak in the waning moments of their last contest. Marner hopes to help the Maple Leafs push the Boston Bruins to the brink of elimination on Wednesday when the clubs play Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round series in Toronto.

"I mean, there's dentists for a reason, so whatever. Luckily enough, it didn't hit me in the face, but it could have been a tough result if it had," Marner said on Tuesday, one day after the Maple Leafs' 3-2 win in Game 3. The 21-year-old Marner recorded his 16th point (five goals, 11 assists) in 16 career playoff games and third of the series after setting up Auston Matthews' power-play goal in the second period. Boston's vaunted top line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and Pastrnak has combined for just six points in the series, four of which came in the club's 4-1 win in Game 2 on Saturday. By comparison, that group combined for 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists) in last year's seven-game series against Toronto, and Marchand (seven assists) and Pastrnak (six goals, three assists) also enjoyed sterling performances in four regular-season meetings versus the Maple Leafs.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, NESN (Boston), CBC, TVAS (Toronto)

ABOUT THE BRUINS: Charlie Coyle capped a five-goal second period when he scored for the second time in as many contests, tying him with Bergeron for the team lead in goals (two). The 27-year-old Massachusetts native's scoring surge is a welcome sight considering he had just 12 points since Jan. 7 dating back to when he played with Minnesota. David Krejci also tallied in Game 3, giving him five points (three goals, two assists) in seven meetings with the Maple Leafs in 2018-19.

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS: Andreas Johnsson stepped up in place of the suspended Nazem Kadri, collecting a pair of power-play points (one goal, one assist) in Game 3 while logging just over two minutes of ice time with the club enjoying the man advantage. Matthews also recorded a multi-point performance with a goal and an assist, pushing his career point total to seven (five goals, two assists) in seven career home playoff games. "It's another level when you score one in the playoffs, especially at home," the 21-year-old Matthews said. "It feels like an earthquake under you."

OVERTIME

1. Boston C Marcus Johansson (illness) and Ds John Moore (upper body) and Connor Clifton (upper body) returned to practice on Tuesday, with coach Bruce Cassidy labeling the first two players as game-time decisions for Game 4.

2. Toronto C John Tavares won 10 of his 16 faceoffs when matched up against Bergeron.

3. Bruins C Danton Heinen has two goals and an assist in his last four games

PREDICTION: Bruins 3, Maple Leafs 1

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-17-2019, 05:49 AM

Nashville Predators vs. Dallas Stars Preview and Predictions 04-17-2019 in NHL

The Dallas Stars feel they have deserved a better fate through the first three games of their Western Conference first-round series, but the immediate goal is figuring out a way to earn a victory at home against the Nashville Predators. The Stars will look to level the series when they host the Central Division champions in Game 4 on Wednesday night.

After stealing home-ice advantage with a 3-2 victory at Nashville in the series opener, the Stars gave it right back with Monday's 3-2 setback to remain winless in three home games against the Predators this season. "It's 2-1, I think we've been the better team two out of three games," coach Jim Montgomery said after his club unleashed 42 shots on goal in Game 3. "Keep playing like that, usually hockey gods get back on your side." Nashville was relieved to have its first lead of the series after watching Dallas erase a two-goal deficit, but the team realizes there is a long way to go. "It's a huge win for us after going down in Game 1, but I don't want to talk about momentum or anything like that because it's such a dangerous thing," netminder Pekka Rinne said. "You lose that grip right away when you start thinking about it, so I think we have to prepare for Game 4 like it's Game 1 or Game 7."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, USA, Sportsnet, TVAS2, FS Tennessee (Nashville) FS Southwest

ABOUT THE PREDATORS: It wasn't just the sheer volume of saves made by Rinne that was the decisive factor in Game 3 -- he registered five of his 40 saves with Dallas on a 5-on-3 power play and kept the score tied by denying captain Jamie Benn point-blank in the third period. "Every once in while he makes one like that you roll your eyes and say, 'How did he do that?'" Nashville defenseman P.K. Subban said. "He's been doing that for a long time." Rocco Grimaldi has scored in back-to-back games after replacing forward Brian Boyle, who is week-to-week following an appendectomy.

ABOUT THE STARS: Rinne's counterpart, Ben Bishop, had not surrendered more than two goals since Feb. 4 but that streak halted in painful fashion when Mikael Granlund's seemingly harmless shot from just inside the blue line got past him for the game-winner. "You just got to put it behind you and go out and play our game," Bishop said. "Some nights, there are unfortunate bounces. Some nights, you're lucky. It doesn't change anything. It's the same routine, night in and night out." Despite an abundance of chances, Dallas is 1-for-13 on the power play in the series.

OVERTIME

1. Stars F Tyler Seguin scored the tying goal Monday and recorded a staggering 11 shots on net.

2. Predators F Wayne Simmonds also is week-to-week after taking a puck off the knee in Game 2.

3. Stars F Mats Zuccarello, who played in only two games since he was acquired via trade, has scored twice in the series.

PREDICTION: Stars 3, Predators 2

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-17-2019, 05:49 AM

Calgary Flames vs. Colorado Avalanche Preview and Predictions 04-17-2019 in NHL

Earning the No. 1 seed has not translated into an advantage in the opening round of the playoffs, as Tampa Bay found out in the East and Calgary is hoping to avoid in the West. The Flames, who rolled up a Western Conference-best 107 points, have dropped two in a row to fall into a 2-1 series hole entering Game 4 against the host Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night.

Nathan MacKinnon delivered the decisive tally in overtime in Game 2 and ignited Colorado by scoring twice on the power play in the first period of Monday's 6-2 romp. "We're just trying to get to four wins," MacKinnon said. "We feel good, but at the same time, we got to move on. It's two wins now, but we need to regroup and get ready for a huge game Wednesday." Calgary was overwhelmed from the outset in Game 3, allowing 21 of Colorado's 56 shots on goal in the opening period and putting the Avalanche on the power play eight times, but the players know how quickly the momentum can change. "It's a 2-1 series. We win tomorrow, we go back best-of-three with two home games," Flames captain Mark Giordano said. "If you look at it that way, it's a positive. But we have to put in the work and get the win."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, CBC, TVAS (Calgary), Altitude (Colorado)

ABOUT THE FLAMES: While both teams rely a high-powered top line, but Calgary's No. 1 unit of Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm need to start producing after being held to a collective four points through three games. "Everyone has got to be better, not just one guy," said Gaudreau, who has managed only one assist after matching MacKinnon by racking up a career-high 99 points during the regular season. Third-line forward Sam Bennett has a team-high four points while defenseman Rasmus Andersson is second on the team with three points.

ABOUT THE AVALANCHE: Cale Makar made a loud introduction just one day after signing a three-year contact with Colorado, becoming the first defenseman in league history to make his NHL debut in the playoffs and score a goal. "It's pretty weird. Pretty special, though," said Makar, a No. 4 overall pick in 2017 who led Massachusetts to the Frozen Four and was named the Hobey Baker Award winner this season. "Obviously, it's a cool moment." Forward Matt Nieto, who entered the series without a goal since Dec. 6, has notched short-handed tallies in each of the past two games.

OVERTIME

1. Avalanche F Mikko Rantanen, who missed the final eight games of the regular season, has consecutive two-point contests.

2. Flames Fs Michael Frolik and James Neal have yet to dent the scoresheet.

3. Avalanche D Samuel Girard (upper body) could rejoin the lineup after sitting out Game 3.

PREDICTION: Avalanche 4, Flames 3

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-17-2019, 07:38 AM

Razor Sharp

YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR WEDNESDAY: HOUSTON/UTAH OVER the total of 212½

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-17-2019, 07:39 AM

Totals4U

Wednesday's Free Selection: Arizona/Atlanta under 9

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-17-2019, 07:39 AM

Roz Wins

Roz's Wednesday, April 17, 2019, Free Pick

04/17 05:05 PM MLB (923) LOS ANGELES ANGELS (M HARVEY - R) VS (924) TEXAS RANGERS (L LYNN - R)

Take : Rangers

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-17-2019, 07:39 AM

Atlantic Sports

Wednesday's Free Selection from Atlantic Sports: Calgary Flames - 115

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-17-2019, 07:40 AM

#1 Sports

Wednesday's Free Selection: Minnesota Twins - 140

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-17-2019, 07:40 AM

Platinum Plays

Free Pick: the LA Angels/Texas Game OVER 11 Runs

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-17-2019, 07:40 AM

Sharp Bettor

SharpBettor FREE Play for Wednesday, April 17, 2019

4/17 04:05 PM NBA (537) INDIANA PACERS VS (538) BOSTON CELTICS

Take : Pacers

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 04-17-2019, 07:41 AM

Nevada Sharpshooter

Your free winner for Wednesday : Take CHICAGO CUBS (Hamels) -150 over Miami

Wednesday 4-17-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Wednesday 4-17-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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