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Re: 5-23-10
jeff benton sunday
Sunday's Winners ... 20 Dime: SUNS (over Lakers)
10 Dime: RAYS (-1 1/2 runs over Astros) ... NOTE: Both David Price (Tampa Bay) and Bud Norris (Houston) must start this game or this play is VOID!
Suns
Why jump off the Lakers’ bandwagon now, especially after scoring easy winners in Games 1 and 2? Because the Suns are back home, where they’ve won four straight playoff games (both SU and ATS) and where they’ve won 36 of 46 games this season. And because this veteran team has its back against the wall and I fully expect Phoenix – led by two-time MVP Steve Nash – to come out inspired and get a big lift from the home crowd. At the same time, this is the classic “flat” spot for the Lakers, who have won eight straight playoff games since back-to-back losses in Oklahoma City in Games 3 and 4 in the opening round.
Look, there’s little doubt – in my mind anyway – that Los Angeles is going to win this series, and likely in five games. But quality teams down 0-2 and heading back home historically are a strong bet in the NBA, and the Suns have been dynamite in the desert over the past two-plus months. In fact, since suffering a 102-96 home loss to the Lakers on March 12 (the teams split their two meetings in Phoenix this year), the Suns have won 12 of 13 at home. The only blemish was a Game 1 loss to the Trail Blazers (a contest where Phoenix came out extremely overconfident and lacked a sense of urgency, two things that will not happen tonight).
During their 12-1 home streak, the Suns have defeated the Spurs three times (by margins of 8, 9 and 11 points), Portland three times (by margins of 29, 19 and 6 points), Denver once (by 22 points) and Utah once (by 10 points). And while they did fall to the Lakers in mid-March, the Suns also destroyed L.A. back on Dec. 28 (118-103 as a one-point underdog). In fact, the home team is on an 8-1 SU and ATS roll in this rivalry.
Finally, while the Lakers have won three road games during their current eight-game winning streak, two were last-second one-point wins (95-94 in the clinching game over Oklahoma City with Pau Gasol tipping in the game-winner with a half-second to play; 111-110 win over Utah in Game when the Jazz missed a point-blank tip-in at the buzzer. This is still a Lakers team that is just 26-20 SU and 20-25-1 ATS outside of Hollywood this season.
Again, guys, the Lakers are clearly the better team, but the better team doesn’t win EVERY game in a playoff series, and this sets up perfectly for the Suns, whom you know aren’t going to stop fighting. And with three days off between Games 2 and 3, Phoenix has had ample time to make adjustments. Besides, the Lakers shot 58 percent and 57.7 percent in Games 1 and 2, and there’s no way that continues, especially in a hostile environment (FYI, Los Angeles shot a combined 46 percent in two regular-season games in Phoenix).
Rays (-1½ runs)
Tampa Bay is 31-12 overall and 18-5 on the road, with both records being the best in baseball. Their last 16 road wins – including last night’s 4-2 victory over the Astros – have all been by more than one run, and they’re third in the majors in runs scored (230). On the flip side, Houston is 15-28 overall (only the Orioles have a worse record), and they’re dead last in baseball in runs scored at 126, or 22 fewer than the team ranked ahead of them (Pittsburgh).
To further illustrate the massive gap between these offenses, the Rays are averaging 5.3 runs per game; Houston is averaging slightly less than 3 runs per game. And while Tampa Bay has been shutout twice this season (one of those was the perfect game thrown by Oakland’s Dallas Braden), the Astros have been blanked six times (and held to exactly one run eight
Sunday's Winners ... 20 Dime: SUNS (over Lakers)
10 Dime: RAYS (-1 1/2 runs over Astros) ... NOTE: Both David Price (Tampa Bay) and Bud Norris (Houston) must start this game or this play is VOID!
Suns
Why jump off the Lakers’ bandwagon now, especially after scoring easy winners in Games 1 and 2? Because the Suns are back home, where they’ve won four straight playoff games (both SU and ATS) and where they’ve won 36 of 46 games this season. And because this veteran team has its back against the wall and I fully expect Phoenix – led by two-time MVP Steve Nash – to come out inspired and get a big lift from the home crowd. At the same time, this is the classic “flat” spot for the Lakers, who have won eight straight playoff games since back-to-back losses in Oklahoma City in Games 3 and 4 in the opening round.
Look, there’s little doubt – in my mind anyway – that Los Angeles is going to win this series, and likely in five games. But quality teams down 0-2 and heading back home historically are a strong bet in the NBA, and the Suns have been dynamite in the desert over the past two-plus months. In fact, since suffering a 102-96 home loss to the Lakers on March 12 (the teams split their two meetings in Phoenix this year), the Suns have won 12 of 13 at home. The only blemish was a Game 1 loss to the Trail Blazers (a contest where Phoenix came out extremely overconfident and lacked a sense of urgency, two things that will not happen tonight).
During their 12-1 home streak, the Suns have defeated the Spurs three times (by margins of 8, 9 and 11 points), Portland three times (by margins of 29, 19 and 6 points), Denver once (by 22 points) and Utah once (by 10 points). And while they did fall to the Lakers in mid-March, the Suns also destroyed L.A. back on Dec. 28 (118-103 as a one-point underdog). In fact, the home team is on an 8-1 SU and ATS roll in this rivalry.
Finally, while the Lakers have won three road games during their current eight-game winning streak, two were last-second one-point wins (95-94 in the clinching game over Oklahoma City with Pau Gasol tipping in the game-winner with a half-second to play; 111-110 win over Utah in Game when the Jazz missed a point-blank tip-in at the buzzer. This is still a Lakers team that is just 26-20 SU and 20-25-1 ATS outside of Hollywood this season.
Again, guys, the Lakers are clearly the better team, but the better team doesn’t win EVERY game in a playoff series, and this sets up perfectly for the Suns, whom you know aren’t going to stop fighting. And with three days off between Games 2 and 3, Phoenix has had ample time to make adjustments. Besides, the Lakers shot 58 percent and 57.7 percent in Games 1 and 2, and there’s no way that continues, especially in a hostile environment (FYI, Los Angeles shot a combined 46 percent in two regular-season games in Phoenix).
Rays (-1½ runs)
Tampa Bay is 31-12 overall and 18-5 on the road, with both records being the best in baseball. Their last 16 road wins – including last night’s 4-2 victory over the Astros – have all been by more than one run, and they’re third in the majors in runs scored (230). On the flip side, Houston is 15-28 overall (only the Orioles have a worse record), and they’re dead last in baseball in runs scored at 126, or 22 fewer than the team ranked ahead of them (Pittsburgh).
To further illustrate the massive gap between these offenses, the Rays are averaging 5.3 runs per game; Houston is averaging slightly less than 3 runs per game. And while Tampa Bay has been shutout twice this season (one of those was the perfect game thrown by Oakland’s Dallas Braden), the Astros have been blanked six times (and held to exactly one run eight times).
If that’s not enough to love the Rays today, the pitching matchup should be. David Price has been phenomenal (6-1, 1.81 ERA overall; 4-1, 1.03 ERA last five starts). And going back to last year, Tampa Bay is 8-2 in Price’s last 10 trips to the mound, with six of those victories being by more than one run). As for Houston’s Bud Norris, here’s all you need to know: He’s 2-5 with a 6.75 ERA overall and 0-3 with an 8.10 ERA at home. And if you take away his two wins over the Cardinals (he gave up just one run in 13 innings), Norris is 0-5 with a 9.82 ERA, and those five losses were by a combined score of 35-6.
times).
If that’s not enough to love the Rays today, the pitching matchup should be. David Price has been phenomenal (6-1, 1.81 ERA overall; 4-1, 1.03 ERA last five starts). And going back to last year, Tampa Bay is 8-2 in Price’s last 10 trips to the mound, with six of those victories being by more than one run). As for Houston’s Bud Norris, here’s all you need to know: He’s 2-5 with a 6.75 ERA overall and 0-3 with an 8.10 ERA at home. And if you take away his two wins over the Cardinals (he gave up just one run in 13 innings), Norris is 0-5 with a 9.82 ERA, and those five losses were by a combined score of 35-6.
jeff benton sunday
Sunday's Winners ... 20 Dime: SUNS (over Lakers)
10 Dime: RAYS (-1 1/2 runs over Astros) ... NOTE: Both David Price (Tampa Bay) and Bud Norris (Houston) must start this game or this play is VOID!
Suns
Why jump off the Lakers’ bandwagon now, especially after scoring easy winners in Games 1 and 2? Because the Suns are back home, where they’ve won four straight playoff games (both SU and ATS) and where they’ve won 36 of 46 games this season. And because this veteran team has its back against the wall and I fully expect Phoenix – led by two-time MVP Steve Nash – to come out inspired and get a big lift from the home crowd. At the same time, this is the classic “flat” spot for the Lakers, who have won eight straight playoff games since back-to-back losses in Oklahoma City in Games 3 and 4 in the opening round.
Look, there’s little doubt – in my mind anyway – that Los Angeles is going to win this series, and likely in five games. But quality teams down 0-2 and heading back home historically are a strong bet in the NBA, and the Suns have been dynamite in the desert over the past two-plus months. In fact, since suffering a 102-96 home loss to the Lakers on March 12 (the teams split their two meetings in Phoenix this year), the Suns have won 12 of 13 at home. The only blemish was a Game 1 loss to the Trail Blazers (a contest where Phoenix came out extremely overconfident and lacked a sense of urgency, two things that will not happen tonight).
During their 12-1 home streak, the Suns have defeated the Spurs three times (by margins of 8, 9 and 11 points), Portland three times (by margins of 29, 19 and 6 points), Denver once (by 22 points) and Utah once (by 10 points). And while they did fall to the Lakers in mid-March, the Suns also destroyed L.A. back on Dec. 28 (118-103 as a one-point underdog). In fact, the home team is on an 8-1 SU and ATS roll in this rivalry.
Finally, while the Lakers have won three road games during their current eight-game winning streak, two were last-second one-point wins (95-94 in the clinching game over Oklahoma City with Pau Gasol tipping in the game-winner with a half-second to play; 111-110 win over Utah in Game when the Jazz missed a point-blank tip-in at the buzzer. This is still a Lakers team that is just 26-20 SU and 20-25-1 ATS outside of Hollywood this season.
Again, guys, the Lakers are clearly the better team, but the better team doesn’t win EVERY game in a playoff series, and this sets up perfectly for the Suns, whom you know aren’t going to stop fighting. And with three days off between Games 2 and 3, Phoenix has had ample time to make adjustments. Besides, the Lakers shot 58 percent and 57.7 percent in Games 1 and 2, and there’s no way that continues, especially in a hostile environment (FYI, Los Angeles shot a combined 46 percent in two regular-season games in Phoenix).
Rays (-1½ runs)
Tampa Bay is 31-12 overall and 18-5 on the road, with both records being the best in baseball. Their last 16 road wins – including last night’s 4-2 victory over the Astros – have all been by more than one run, and they’re third in the majors in runs scored (230). On the flip side, Houston is 15-28 overall (only the Orioles have a worse record), and they’re dead last in baseball in runs scored at 126, or 22 fewer than the team ranked ahead of them (Pittsburgh).
To further illustrate the massive gap between these offenses, the Rays are averaging 5.3 runs per game; Houston is averaging slightly less than 3 runs per game. And while Tampa Bay has been shutout twice this season (one of those was the perfect game thrown by Oakland’s Dallas Braden), the Astros have been blanked six times (and held to exactly one run eight
Sunday's Winners ... 20 Dime: SUNS (over Lakers)
10 Dime: RAYS (-1 1/2 runs over Astros) ... NOTE: Both David Price (Tampa Bay) and Bud Norris (Houston) must start this game or this play is VOID!
Suns
Why jump off the Lakers’ bandwagon now, especially after scoring easy winners in Games 1 and 2? Because the Suns are back home, where they’ve won four straight playoff games (both SU and ATS) and where they’ve won 36 of 46 games this season. And because this veteran team has its back against the wall and I fully expect Phoenix – led by two-time MVP Steve Nash – to come out inspired and get a big lift from the home crowd. At the same time, this is the classic “flat” spot for the Lakers, who have won eight straight playoff games since back-to-back losses in Oklahoma City in Games 3 and 4 in the opening round.
Look, there’s little doubt – in my mind anyway – that Los Angeles is going to win this series, and likely in five games. But quality teams down 0-2 and heading back home historically are a strong bet in the NBA, and the Suns have been dynamite in the desert over the past two-plus months. In fact, since suffering a 102-96 home loss to the Lakers on March 12 (the teams split their two meetings in Phoenix this year), the Suns have won 12 of 13 at home. The only blemish was a Game 1 loss to the Trail Blazers (a contest where Phoenix came out extremely overconfident and lacked a sense of urgency, two things that will not happen tonight).
During their 12-1 home streak, the Suns have defeated the Spurs three times (by margins of 8, 9 and 11 points), Portland three times (by margins of 29, 19 and 6 points), Denver once (by 22 points) and Utah once (by 10 points). And while they did fall to the Lakers in mid-March, the Suns also destroyed L.A. back on Dec. 28 (118-103 as a one-point underdog). In fact, the home team is on an 8-1 SU and ATS roll in this rivalry.
Finally, while the Lakers have won three road games during their current eight-game winning streak, two were last-second one-point wins (95-94 in the clinching game over Oklahoma City with Pau Gasol tipping in the game-winner with a half-second to play; 111-110 win over Utah in Game when the Jazz missed a point-blank tip-in at the buzzer. This is still a Lakers team that is just 26-20 SU and 20-25-1 ATS outside of Hollywood this season.
Again, guys, the Lakers are clearly the better team, but the better team doesn’t win EVERY game in a playoff series, and this sets up perfectly for the Suns, whom you know aren’t going to stop fighting. And with three days off between Games 2 and 3, Phoenix has had ample time to make adjustments. Besides, the Lakers shot 58 percent and 57.7 percent in Games 1 and 2, and there’s no way that continues, especially in a hostile environment (FYI, Los Angeles shot a combined 46 percent in two regular-season games in Phoenix).
Rays (-1½ runs)
Tampa Bay is 31-12 overall and 18-5 on the road, with both records being the best in baseball. Their last 16 road wins – including last night’s 4-2 victory over the Astros – have all been by more than one run, and they’re third in the majors in runs scored (230). On the flip side, Houston is 15-28 overall (only the Orioles have a worse record), and they’re dead last in baseball in runs scored at 126, or 22 fewer than the team ranked ahead of them (Pittsburgh).
To further illustrate the massive gap between these offenses, the Rays are averaging 5.3 runs per game; Houston is averaging slightly less than 3 runs per game. And while Tampa Bay has been shutout twice this season (one of those was the perfect game thrown by Oakland’s Dallas Braden), the Astros have been blanked six times (and held to exactly one run eight times).
If that’s not enough to love the Rays today, the pitching matchup should be. David Price has been phenomenal (6-1, 1.81 ERA overall; 4-1, 1.03 ERA last five starts). And going back to last year, Tampa Bay is 8-2 in Price’s last 10 trips to the mound, with six of those victories being by more than one run). As for Houston’s Bud Norris, here’s all you need to know: He’s 2-5 with a 6.75 ERA overall and 0-3 with an 8.10 ERA at home. And if you take away his two wins over the Cardinals (he gave up just one run in 13 innings), Norris is 0-5 with a 9.82 ERA, and those five losses were by a combined score of 35-6.
times).
If that’s not enough to love the Rays today, the pitching matchup should be. David Price has been phenomenal (6-1, 1.81 ERA overall; 4-1, 1.03 ERA last five starts). And going back to last year, Tampa Bay is 8-2 in Price’s last 10 trips to the mound, with six of those victories being by more than one run). As for Houston’s Bud Norris, here’s all you need to know: He’s 2-5 with a 6.75 ERA overall and 0-3 with an 8.10 ERA at home. And if you take away his two wins over the Cardinals (he gave up just one run in 13 innings), Norris is 0-5 with a 9.82 ERA, and those five losses were by a combined score of 35-6.
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