5-29-10

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NEW GUYS! LURKERS!

Dont be afraid to post services if you come across them. Your posts will be appreciated for sure.

Just put them in the appropriate section (regular go here).

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Re: 5-29-10

Denver Money | NHL Puck Sat, 05/29/10 - 8:05 PM

triple-dime bet 1 PHI 1.5 (-165) BetUS vs 2 CHI
Analysis:

This is my one and only GOY and I think we have a great chance on this one.

Philadelphia Flyers +1.5 -165

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Re: 5-29-10

Pick 'n' Roll: Today's best NBA bets

Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns (-1.5, 215.5)

Just call them the heartbreak kids. Of course the only hearts the Suns ever break is their own.

The club long associated with raw deals in the postseason had to break out the Pepto again following its last-second loss to the Lakers on Thursday night.

Lost in the hub-bub of Ron Artest’s late game theatrics was the most important stat of the game: The Suns covered the spread (+7.5) after climbing back from 18 down.

Phoenix is now 3-0 ATS since it switched to a zone defense and the Lakers’ point total has shrunk in each game of the series.

"I don't think it's so much the zone," Grant Hill told the Arizona Republic. "I think it's the effort and the fight."

Whatever it is, it’s working. Bettors should expect another big night from the Phoenix bench and the Suns to force a Game 7 in Los Angeles.

Pick: Suns

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Re: 5-29-10

Game of the day: Lakers at Suns

Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns (-1, 215)

Los Angeles leads the series 3-2.

Series story

The home team has dominated this series so far, winning each of the first five games.

The Lakers appeared on track to deliver a blowout victory Thursday night before the Suns rallied, eventually tying the game with 3.5 seconds remaining. Ron Artest’s buzzer beater turned out to be the difference in a 103-101 Lakers victory.

Game 5 marked the first time in this series that the straight-up winner failed to cover the pointspread.

It was also the first time we saw a game stay under the total after the over cashed in Games 1 through 4.

These two teams have now met nine times since the start of the regular season, with the road team winning just once. The Lakers pulled out a 102-96 decision in Phoenix back on March 12.

Championship material

Backing the Lakers can be frustrating at times, as they often lack that killer instinct that represents the difference between a winning and losing ticket.

Winning games and covering spreads are two entirely different matters.

They led Game 5 by as many as 18 points, but were barely able to stave off a furious Suns rally. But, the fact that they were able to win that game on Ron Artest’s put-back tells a lot about this team’s character.

"Plays like that are the difference between championship teams and really good teams,” Suns coach Alvin Gentry put it best.

It was the perfect illustration of why they were able to win the NBA title one year ago and why they’re on the verge of reaching the NBA Finals for the third consecutive year.

When it comes to winning series, the Lakers haven’t lacked killer instinct. They’re a perfect two-for-two when attempting to finish off an opponent in these playoffs and 8-1 in that position dating back to the start of the 2008 playoffs.

It’s also worth noting that each of their last four series-clinching victories have come on the road, including both this postseason.

Suns set?

"We lost and they held home court. We'll go back home and do the same and we'll come back here for Game 7,” Phoenix point guard Steve Nash assured reporters following Game 5.

That’s as close to a guarantee as you’re going to get.

Nash certainly believes his team can get the job done at home and force a seventh and deciding game, and why not?

This is a team that has gone 6-1 SU and ATS on its home floor in the playoffs. The Suns last loss at home came way back in their playoff opener against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Alvin Gentry doesn’t believe his team’s disappointment will linger.

"We had an opportunity to win and didn't quite get it done, but we're not going to get discouraged,” he said. “We're not happy, I can tell you that. We're very disappointed. We're not jovial. But we'll be OK."

One thing’s for sure, the Suns can’t afford to fall behind early as they did in Game 5. If not for their sharp shooting from beyond the arc in the fourth quarter, the Lakers likely would have rolled to a double-digit win Thursday.

Phoenix has led by seven and nine points at the half in its two home games in this series. Getting off to a quick start will be imperative in a do-or-die situation Saturday.

Change of pace

After more than 220 points were scored in each of the first four games of the series, Game 5 totaled just 204 points.

It had a lot to do with the Lakers’ defensive gameplan. They did an excellent job of trapping the Suns and giving them little room to work with. Most of the Suns success came as a result of blown defensive assignments, rather than offensive efficiency.

Whether the Lakers can keep up that level of defensive intensity as the scene shifts back to Phoenix remains to be seen. They allowed 118 and 115 points in dropping Games 2 and 3 in the desert.

The Suns zone defense has been effective at times. Despite giving up 103 points, they did hold the Lakers under 42 percent shooting Thursday night.

Line moves

The Suns opened as 1 or 1.5-point favorites at most offshore books and remain at -1.5 as of Friday afternoon.

The early money has come in on the favored Suns. That’s no surprise given the short line and the home dominance in this series.

The total opened at 215, the lowest number we’ve seen since Game 1.

The betting public will likely line up to back the over, just as they have in virtually every game in this series.

The fact that the oddsmakers are willing to shave 2.5 points off the Game 5 opener is indicative of the type of action they’re expecting to receive from the big players.

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Re: 5-29-10

Ice picks: Today's best NHL bets

Philadelphia Flyers at Chicago Blackhawks (-200, 5.5)

Even the most seasoned veteran is holding his stick a little tight when it comes to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final.

Hockey bettors can expect a sloppy first period when the Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks open their showdown for Lord Stanley’s Cup at the United Center Saturday.

The city of Chicago is buzzing with excitement, putting a Blackhawks helmet on the lion statues outside the Chicago Art Institute as well giving the Michael Jordan statue outside the United Center the Blackhawks makeover, including helmet, jersey and skates. The pressure is definitely on a young Chicago team to give the Windy City its first Stanley Cup since 1961.

“It would be nice to end one of the longest droughts in sports history,” Patrick Kane told the Globe and Mail. “It’s been a long time coming for the fans.

“The city is on fire right now.”

The Blackhawks haven’t performed well at home during the postseason, going just 5-3 inside the United Center and needing overtime in two of those home victories. Chicago averages 2.6 goals per game at home in the playoffs (outscored 23-21 as hosts) but scores four goals a night inside opposing barns.

With the pressure to perform peaking and those home-ice woes, the Blackhawks will be dealt a rude awakening from a veteran-laden Flyers club with nothing to lose.

Pick: Flyers

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Re: 5-29-10

Hot Lines: Today's best MLB bets

Seattle Mariners at Los Angeles Angels (-200, 8.5)

Last year, the Angels were one of the most patient teams in the league with an average of 3.88 pitches per plate appearance.

This season, L.A. has increased that mark to 3.91 but it hasn’t equated to the team leading the league in batting average like it did in 2010.

"That's my argument — sometimes you have to be more aggressive," batting coach Mickey Hatcher said. "Instead of trying to work the count all the time, you might have to open up a little more and fire on those fastballs."

The Halos rank 10th in the American League in average this season (.251) and hitters are batting below the Mendoza Line with two strikes on them.

"There are a lot of guys on our club who are underachieving," Scioscia said. "We need guys to get into their game, not to be supermen, but to bring what they can do on a daily basis."

One of those guys is offseason acquisition Hideki Matsui. Godzilla has been moved from cleanup to the seventh spot this season to try and get him going but the left-handed slugger is hitting just .238 on the year.

Only one game between these two teams this season has exceeded an 8.5 total and last year 10 of the 16 graded totals in this series went under. Expect more of the same Saturday.

Pick: Under


Philadelphia Phillies at Florida Marlins (+105, 7)

Since the Binogate incident when Phillies bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer was caught with the binoculars and accused of stealing signs the team is averaging 3.79 runs per game.

We’re not making any assumptions here, but the Phils were averaging 5.44 runs per before that.

Mired in a five-game slide heading into Friday’s opener in Florida, the Phillies have lost their offensive punch. The NL East leaders have been outscored 29-3 during their losing streak and did not score a run during a three-game sweep against New York.

Manager Charlie Manuel tinkered with the lineup before Friday night’s game, sitting Jayson Werth and moving Raul Ibanez down to the No. 5 spot in the order. Werth reportedly shaved his beard in hopes of busting out of his slump.

The team also has had multiple meetings this week, with the manager and players only, to try and figure out what is wrong.

Just like a hitter taking pitches until the guy on the mound can throw a strike, bettors shouldn’t be backing the Phils until they can post more than three runs in a game.

Pick: Marlins

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Re: 5-29-10

Stephen Nover
Saturday winner ...
My 100 Dime play on the Phoenix Suns. As I release this play at Midnight eastern, the line is -1.5 pretty much everyhwhere here in Vegas and offshore. There hasn't been much line movement in this game - just as there was in Game 4 when the line opened the same, and moved to the other side. I don't anticiplte much since after the Suns won that Game 4, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't shop for the very best line possible, as you might just find a -1 somewhere.

ANALYSIS

The Phoenix Suns have won and covered in their past six playoff games. Look for that streak to continue against the Lakers in Game 6 of their Western Conference Finals.

The Suns very well could have won the past three games against the Lakers instead of going 2-1. They've outsceored Los Angeles by 16 points in these last three games, holding the Lakers to 106 points per game during this span. The Suns averaged 110.2 points.

Los Angeles has yet to slow down Steve Nash and figure out Alvin Gentry's zone defense.

The Lakers have won all eight of their home playoff games, but are 3-4 straight-up and ATS on the road during the post-season. Two of their road victories were by one point.

Phoenix was the fresher team in the fourth quarter during Thursday night's Game 5. The Suns came back from an 18-point deficit during the final 16 minutes to tie the game only to lose by two on a lucky put-back basket by Ron Artest at the buzzer.

Instead of being deflated, though, the Suns are confidhent and primed to even the series back on their home floor where they have covered in four of their last five meetings against the Lakers.

As the series goes deeper and deeper, the Suns' bench strength grows in importance. Phoenix's reserves are much better than the Lakers' bench players with the exception of Lamar Odom, who plays starter's minutes.

Phil Jackson has no confldence in his reserves. He's been playing his starters major minutes. The result is the Lakers won't have the legs to go all out for four quarters on the road, which is what is needed.

This fact is brought out by the Lakers being 4-13 ATS when playing on one days rest. The Suns, with a deep bench, are 36-15-1 ATS when playing on one day rest.

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Re: 5-29-10

/29/2010 shut em all down sports

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two team parlay 50*
Toronto ML
New york yankees ML

MLB record posted 2-0

NBA LA Lakers + 2 buy the hook

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Re: 5-29-10

Baseball Crusher POD
11-2 Run (85%)
Thu 1-0
Fri 1-0
Sat 1-0
Sun 1-0
Tue 1-0
Wed 1-0
Sat 1-0
Sun 1-0
Mon 0-1
Tue 1-0
Wed 0-1
Thu 1-0
Fri 1-0
Sat
Detroit Tigers -120

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Re: 5-29-10

Mighty Quinn

Mighty missed with the Magic (+3) Friday night. Saturday it's the Lakers.

The deficit is 1125 sirignanos

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Re: 5-29-10

LADY LUCK

Saturday's Best WNBA Bets

Chicago Sky at Minnesota Ly*x (-2.5, 162.5)

The Sky and Ly*x can take comfort that at least one team will pick up its second win of the season when these two basement teams meet in Minny Saturday.

Chicago and Minnesota are both off to slow 1-4 starts, however, the Sky are coming off a big win over the Seattle Storm Thursday, handing the Storm their first defeat of the 2010 season with an 84-75 victory as 2-point home underdogs.

Sylvia Fowles led the way with 19 points for Chicago while Cathrine Kraayeveld netted 12 of her 14 points in the second half.

"That's the beauty of our team, we've got players that can come off the bench and give us a lot of spark," Fowles told reporters. "They came out with a lot of energy and kept the lead up. You can't ask for more than that."

The Ly*x, on the other hand, are coming off a 105-79 beating from the Connecticut Sun. Minnesota is still without stars Candace Wiggins (questionable for Saturday) and Simone Augustus (out until June).

Pick: Chicago Sky

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Re: 5-29-10

Bob Balfe 5/29 (He running hot right now)

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Marlins/phillies under 7

Laker +1.5

BOL

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Re: 5-29-10

Anthony Redd

Saturday's Card
15 Dime Play - Lakers/Suns Under

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Re: 5-29-10

Bobby Maxwell

Saturday's winners...
400-Unit NBA Playoff Absolute Lock #2 in a Row - LOS ANGELES LAKERS

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Re: 5-29-10

Chris Jordan

SATURDAY BASEBALL WINNERS...
200? Pitching Intangible

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
plus
100? BOSTON RED SOX