Friday Trends and Indexes 03/30

[pm530]

Trends and Indexes
Friday, March 30

Good Luck on day #89 of 2007!

NOTE:
As information becomes available, we will attempt to post the trends and indexes as soon as possible.
Information is posted from what we believe are reliable sources.

[pm530]

Six-Pack for Friday

We're looking at major league teams all month, before the season starts. Tonight, its the Toronto Blue Jays

-- Blue Jays didn't have a losing homestand last season, but only had three winning road trips.

-- Roy Halladay is only fifth major league pitcher to be first in his league to 15 wins in two different seasons.

-- Prospect Adam Lind went thru entire season in minors in 2006, while using an amazingly low two bats. He hit .367 in sixty ABs with the big club.

-- Is Toronto really happy with Gregg Zaun as the catcher?

-- 14 different Blue Jays DH'd last year, combining for just 16 home runs, which is why they signed a new DH...........

-- Frank Thomas was terrific for the A's last season, but it is hard to envision his legs lasting if he has to run bases a lot on artificial turf at Rogers Centre. Oakland paid him $500K last year; he's making $9M now, a tremendous risk.

[pm530]

Friday's list of 13: Nobody asked me, but.........

13) I go into sporting goods store this week to buy one of the new hats big league players are wearing this year; they're not wool anymore, more polyester, I think, supposed to be cooler.

Anyway, the clerk won't give me one to try on, saying he can not sell them before April 1. What kind of business is this? I came there specifically to buy a product they have, but they have this goofy rule that says no sales before April 1. Hmmm

12) Anyway, of the 52 weeks each year, this is probably the worst sports week, just nothing of note until Saturday night, unless you count the NIT. So I was lucky Thursday night to stumble upon an Angel-Dodger exhibition game at 10, with Vin Scully doing the game, all by himself. He talks a lot, and we'll never see another one like him.

11) The only other sports week as dead as this one would be in July, the week of the baseball All-Star Game, but you still have a half a week of baseball to enjoy, plus you can get out to minor league games in your community. Its still cold now.

10) Dr Frank Jobe, the famous orthopedic surgeon, estimates there are currently 75 pitchers in major leagues who have had Tommy John surgery. I wonder if TJ gets a commission?

9) Royals spent lot of money to sign Gil Meche this winter, but so far this spring, Meche is 0-3, 7.31. I know spring stats don't matter, but think the Royals are at least a little queasy?

8) Seattle Mariners' payroll is hefty $111M this season, which makes Mike Hargrove favorite to be first manager fired in '07.

7) Iona bought out Jeff Ruland's contract this week, which is little disturbing; Iona was awful this year, for sure, but in five years before that, Gaels were 49-39 in MAAC.. Since when is Iona such a perennial power that one hideous season gets you fired? Lets see if the next guy does better.

6) Santa Clara was quick to announce Dick Davey wouldn't be back, even though Davey was loyal, and mostly a winning coach. I mean, they announced this during the season, but as of now, have yet to replace him, leading credence to a theory that UCLA assistant Kerry Keating is going to get the job.

5) Gonzaga's success in WCC has made all the other jobs in the league tenuous; administrators, many of whom have zero clue which end is up in reality, figure if a team in Spokane is winning big, our team should be winning too. It doesn't work that way, but they don't know that.

4) One reason I doubt John Beilein will go to Michigan is that next season, one of West Virginia's new players is Jon West, son of Jerry. You don't walk out on the Logo, especially when you coach at his alma mater.

3) I had never seen a triple play in a major league game until 30 seconds ago, when Brady Clark, in his first at bat with the Dodgers, lined out to second base, with the men on first and second running with pitch. Pretty cool.

2) Angel pitching coach Mike Butcher is one of Ameriaa's luckiest men; he was Tampa Bay's pitching coach last year, in charge of that hideous crew, but got liberated last fall, when Bud Black became Padres' manager, and Mike Scioscia hired Butcher to take Black's place as Halos' pitching coach.

1) The Dodger-Angel game Thursday drew 29,841 at Chavez Ravine. I wonder how many times the Royals and Devil Rays will draw that many people at home this season?

[pm530]

Pro Basketball – Tips and Trends

NBA
Tips and trends


Friday, March 30

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Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards (7 PM EST)
Toronto is 26-10 at home and juts 13-22 on the road this season and comes into this contest having lost four of its last five away from the Air Canada Centre. EDGE: WIZARDS
Washington has won five of its last six at the Verizon Center and is 26-9 at home this season. The Raptors have been outscored by 15.5 points in losing their last six visits to Washington. BIG EDGE: WIZARDS
Toronto has won two of three meetings with Washington this season and will be trying to take the season series for the first time since 2002-03. EDGE: RAPTORS
The favorite is 7-0-1 ATS in the last eight meetings.
The OVER is 5-0 in the last five meetings.


Miami Heat at Minnesota Timberwolves (8 PM ET)
Miami is 14-21 away from home this season, including two straight losses and play four of its next five games on the road. The Heat have lost six in a row at Minnesota, dating to January 11th, 2000. BIG EDGE: T-WOLVES
Minnesota continues to slip further behind in the Western Conference playoff race, going 4-10 in March to fall four games back of the Los Angeles Clippers for the eighth spot. EDGE: HEAT
The Timberwolves are 10-21 since interim coach Randy Wittman took over for Dwane Casey as head coach. EDGE: HEAT
The Heat are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games following a SU loss.
The OVER is 4-1 in the last five meetings.


Los Angeles Clippers at Sacramento Kings (ESPN | 10:30 PM ET)
Los Angeles has lost 17 straight at Arco Arena, dating to November 7th, 1997. In its only trip there this season, Los Angeles shot 30.9 percent from the field - still a season low - in a 93-80 loss back on November 28th. BIG EDGE: KINGS
In the last meeting, Los Angeles beat Sacramento 102-93 at home to snap a 14-game overall losing streak in the series. The Kings are still 27-6 against the Clippers since the start of the lockout-shortened 1999 season. EDGE: KINGS
Sacramento had lost eight of nine overall and three straight at home before a surprising 107-100 win over Phoenix on Sunday. EDGE: CLIPPERS
The UNDER is 15-3-1 in the Clippers' last 19 games versus the Western Conference.
The Clippers are 1-6 ATS in the last seven meetings.

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[pm530]

NBA
Additional trends


Friday, March 30

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at Orlando Magic by NL Indiana Pacers O/U NL
Orlando Magic are 41-64-1 ATS As Favorite (All Lines)
Orlando Magic are 1-8-0 O/U vs. Indiana (All Lines)
Indiana Pacers are 1-8-0 O/U vs. Orlando (All Lines)



at Philadelphia 76ers by NL Boston Celtics O/U NL
Boston Celtics are 45-69-2 ATS After 1 Overs (All Lines)



at Washington Wizards by 4.0 Toronto Raptors O/U 212.5
Washington Wizards are 22-9-0 O/U As Home (4 -> 5.5)
Washington Wizards are 19-8-0 O/U As Home Favorite (4 -> 5.5)
Toronto Raptors are 17-31-2 ATS As Dog (4 -> 5.5)
Toronto Raptors are 31-17-2 O/U As Dog (4 -> 5.5)
Toronto Raptors are 10-24-3 ATS After 1 Home (4 -> 5.5)



at Charlotte Bobcats by 4.5 Milwaukee Bucks O/U 205.0
Milwaukee Bucks are 17-7-1 ATS After 4 Losses (All Lines)
Milwaukee Bucks are 0-6-0 O/U After 4 Losses (4 -> 5.5)
Milwaukee Bucks are 69-41-0 O/U After 1 ATS Wins (All Lines)



at San Antonio Spurs by 8.0 Utah Jazz O/U 185.0
San Antonio Spurs are 50-81-3 O/U As Home (All Lines)
San Antonio Spurs are 11-26-1 O/U As Home (8 -> 9.5)
San Antonio Spurs are 50-81-3 O/U As Home Favorite (All Lines)
San Antonio Spurs are 11-26-1 O/U As Home Favorite (8 -> 9.5)
Utah Jazz are 1-8-0 ATS As Away (8 -> 9.5)
Utah Jazz are 1-8-0 ATS As Away Dog (8 -> 9.5)
Utah Jazz are 5-19-0 ATS After 3 Home (All Lines)



at Minnesota Timberwolves by PK Miami Heat O/U 185.0
Minnesota Timberwolves are 100-132-2 ATS All Games (All Lines)
Minnesota Timberwolves are 50-81-0 ATS As Favorite (All Lines)



at Detroit Pistons by NL New Jersey Nets O/U NL



at Dallas Mavericks by NL New York Knicks O/U NL
Dallas Mavericks are 43-77-2 O/U After 1 Overs (All Lines)
New York Knicks are 19-35-0 ATS After 2 Home (All Lines)



at Phoenix Suns by 8.0 Denver Nuggets O/U 224.0
Phoenix Suns are 85-59-2 O/U After 1 Overs (All Lines)
Denver Nuggets are 3-11-0 O/U As Dog (8 -> 9.5)
Denver Nuggets are 3-11-0 O/U As Away (8 -> 9.5)
Denver Nuggets are 3-11-0 O/U As Away Dog (8 -> 9.5)



at Seattle SuperSonics by 8.5 Memphis Grizzlies O/U 201.5
Seattle SuperSonics are 2-11-1 ATS After 1 Unders (8 -> 9.5)
Seattle SuperSonics are 0-7-0 O/U After 2 Away (8 -> 9.5)
Memphis Grizzlies are 7-0-0 ATS After 2 ATS Wins (8 -> 9.5)



Houston Rockets by 1.5 at Los Angeles (Lk) Lakers O/U 195.5
Houston Rockets are 72-45-3 ATS As Away (All Lines)
Los Angeles (Lk) Lakers are 71-49-0 O/U As Home (All Lines)



at Sacramento Kings by NL Los Angeles (Cl) Clippers O/U NL
Sacramento Kings are 73-45-0 O/U After 1 Home (All Lines)

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[pm530]

NHL
Tips and trends


Friday, March 30

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Tampa Bay Lightning at Carolina Panthers (7:30 PM ET)
Carolina has been outscored 11-2 over their past two games, while Tampa Bay has been blown out 12-4 over the same period. EDGE: OVER
Martin St. Louis is two points away from joining Vincent Lecavalier as the only two players in Tampa Bay history to reach 100 points in a season. St. Louis has scored in each of his last five games against the Hurricanes, registering seven goals and three assists in those contests. EDGE: LIGHTNING
The OVER is 11-4-2 in the last 17 meetings.

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[pm530]

Arena Football League – Long Sheet

AFL
Long Sheet


Friday, March 30

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GEORGIA (4 - 0) at COLUMBUS (1 - 2) - 3/30/2007, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
COLUMBUS is 1-1 against the spread versus GEORGIA over the last 3 seasons
GEORGIA is 2-0 straight up against COLUMBUS over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons




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ARIZONA (1 - 3) at KANSAS CITY (1 - 2) - 3/30/2007, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARIZONA is 66-45 ATS (+16.5 Units) against conference opponents since 1996.
ARIZONA is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) when playing on a Friday over the last 3 seasons.
ARIZONA is 64-41 ATS (+18.9 Units) when playing with 6 or less days rest since 1996.
ARIZONA is 24-10 ATS (+13.0 Units) in road games off a division game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.




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[pm530]

AFL
Write-up


Friday, March 30

Georgia is off to 4-0 start, winning by 4,9,14,2 points, with all four games going over total. Force scores 63.5 ppg, already forced 33 more incomplete passes than they've thrown. Columbus lost its last two games, with a bye in between, by 7,8 pts; they lost only home game 55-47 to Chicago. Georgia is +7 in sacks already (7-0).

Arizona won for first time in four games last week; they lost only road game 56-54 at Colorado. Rattlers' three losses went over the total; their win stayed under, as Arizona gave up 66.7 ppg in the losses, 41 in the win. Kansas City had last week off pair of losses by 4,12 pts; they've scored 49.3 ppg so far this season.

[pm530]

NCAAB
Final Four - Long Sheet


Saturday, March 31

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GEORGETOWN (30 - 6) vs. OHIO ST (34 - 3) - 3/31/2007, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GEORGETOWN is 11-26 ATS (-17.6 Units) after allowing 80 points or more since 1997.
OHIO ST is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) in all tournament games this season.
OHIO ST is 11-4 ATS (+6.6 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game after 15+ games this season.
OHIO ST is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game this season.
GEORGETOWN is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) in all games this season.
GEORGETOWN is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) in all lined games this season.
GEORGETOWN is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) on Saturday games this season.
GEORGETOWN is 49-28 ATS (+18.2 Units) in non-conference games since 1997.
GEORGETOWN is 18-7 ATS (+10.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
GEORGETOWN is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games this season.
GEORGETOWN is 13-0 ATS (+13.0 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game after 15+ games this season.
GEORGETOWN is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) versus good defensive teams - allowing <=64 points/game this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
GEORGETOWN is 1-0 against the spread versus OHIO ST over the last 3 seasons
GEORGETOWN is 1-0 straight up against OHIO ST over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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UCLA (30 - 5) vs. FLORIDA (33 - 5) - 3/31/2007, 8:45 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 38-25 ATS (+10.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 38-25 ATS (+10.5 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 35-23 ATS (+9.7 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) in all neutral court games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in March games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 20-7 ATS (+12.3 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) when playing on a neutral court over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 20-6 ATS (+13.4 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 18-3 ATS (+14.7 Units) in all tournament games over the last 2 seasons.
FLORIDA is 25-14 ATS (+9.6 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
UCLA is 40-28 ATS (+9.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
UCLA is 40-28 ATS (+9.2 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
UCLA is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
UCLA is 32-21 ATS (+8.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
FLORIDA is 1-0 against the spread versus UCLA over the last 3 seasons
FLORIDA is 1-0 straight up against UCLA over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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[pm530]

NCAAB
Final Four - Short Sheet


Saturday, March 31st

NCAA Tournament
Final Four Round
Atlanta, Georgia

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Georgetown vs. Ohio State, 6:05 EST

Georgetown:
11-26 ATS after allowing 80+ points
5-15 ATS off 3+ games committing 14 or less turnovers

Ohio State:
8-2 ATS in tournament games
6-0 ATS off a combined score of 155+ points

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UCLA vs. Florida, 8:45 EST

UCLA:
7-0 Under away playing with 5 or 6 days rest
12-2 Under in the NCAA Tournament when seeded #4 or lower

Florida:
18-3 ATS in tournament games
15-4 ATS off 3+ non-conference games

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[pm530]

NCAAB
Write-up


Saturday, March 31

Final Four

These are just fifth and sixth times in the last 20 years a #1 seed faces a #2 seed in a Final Four game.

Favorites are 5-1 vs spread in last two Final Fours. Any team in this round is playing very well, or else they wouldn't have won four games to get here, so what do you go by in handicapping these games? These contests are tougher to handicap than a regular season game; so much depends on how the games are called. TV timeouts are pretty long, so depth is less important.

We talk about pace of games during season; Florida (173rd) is team that plays fastest-paced games of the four left this week, so you are not going to see racehorse basketball; that died last week, when Kansas and Memphis got beat.

Ohio State-Georgetown matches two solid big men, rare for the college game today. Georgetown has been a better team in this tourney, as Buckeyes dodged Grim Reaper twice vs Xavier and Tennessee, while Hoyas have beaten Boston College, Vandy, North Carolina, using a 15-0 run that bridged regulation and OT to subdue the favored Tar Heels. Hoyas are 14-3 outside of Big East games, beating Michigan 67-51, only game vs Big 11 team. Buckeyes are 16-2 in non-league games, routing Cincinnati in its only game vs Big East opposition.


Florida-UCLA is rematch of last year's national title game that Gators won 73-57 (-1). This scenario is similar to UNLV-Duke in '91, when Rebels routed Duke in '90 finals, then got upset next year in national semis by Blue Devils. UCLA is playing defense in this tournament, allowing 42,49,55,55 points in its four wins. You hold Kansas to 55, even if they did miss 19 layups, you're playing great D. Florida is defending champ, with same crew in place that won it last year. They haven't lost in March, winning tourney games by 43,7,8,8 points.

Of these four teams in these matchups, I like Georgetown best of the four on Saturday, but at this point, its a crapshoot, and I don't like to shoot craps.

[pm530]

NCAAB
Final Four - Tips and trends


Saturday, March 31

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#1 Ohio State vs. #2 Georgetown (6:05 PM ET)
There has not been a center matchup like this in the Final Four since 1985 when Georgetown's Patrick Ewing met Houston's Akeem Olajuwon. The Hoyas are led in the middle by 7-foot-2 center Roy Hibbert while the Buckeyes feature 7-foot freshman phenom Greg Oden, who is considered the top NBA draft prospect in the country. Insiders believe Oden could struggle inside against Hibbert, who prides himself on defense and has much more experience against other players his size. SLIGHT EDGE: GEORGETOWN
Another key individual matchup will be Georgetown's Jeff Green against Ohio State's Ron Lewis, each team's best player so far in the tournament. The 6-foot-4 Lewis has made 12-of-26 shots from 3-point range (46 percent) in the first four games while averaging nearly 22 points. Meanwhile, Green has gone to the free-throw line just 11 times in the entire tourney and taken just six 3-point shots, instead concentrating more on defense. Insiders believe the 6-9 Green will need to become more aggressive in the Final Four and revert back to his MVP form from during the Big East Tournament, when he made 20-of-24 free throws in the last two games en route to the title. SLIGHT EDGE: GEORGETOWN
The Hoyas are 20-6-2 ATS in their last 28 games overall.
The Buckeyes are 1-4 ATS in their last five games versus the Big East.
The UNDER is 5-0 in the Hoyas' last five games versus the Big 10.
The UNDER is 7-1 in the Buckeyes' last eight games versus the Big East.


#1 Florida vs. #2 UCLA (8:45 PM ET)
Florida is on an eight-game winning streak and 20-1 in postseason play the last three years, going 22-1 in March over that time. BIG EDGE: FLORIDA
Florida has won six straight games at the Georgia Dome and is 8-1 in its last three appearances in the building. EDGE: FLORIDA
The Gators' five starters each average in double figures, yet do so by sharing the ball, as all average within 2.4 shots of one another and none average as many as 10 shots. EDGE: FLORIDA
Florida head coach Billy Donovan is one of only nine active coaches to reach three or more Final Fours. EDGE: FLORIDA
UCLA has an all-time winning percentage of .738 in the NCAA Tournament with a record of 93-33. EDGE: UCLA
The Bruins are allowing just 50 points per game over the first four games of the NCAA Tournament, with each game going UNDER the total. EDGE: UNDER
UCLA is 11-1 this year against ranked opponents and 17-2 against teams in the 2007 NCAA Tournament. BIG EDGE: UCLA
Florida defeated UCLA 73-57 in last year's national championship game. EDGE: FLORIDA
The Bruins are 21-6-1 ATS in their last 28 games as underdogs.
The Gators are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 NCAA Tournament games.
The UNDER is 14-3 in the Bruins' last 17 NCAA Tournament games.
The OVER is 4-1 in the Gators' last five NCAA Tournament games.

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[pm530]

NBA
Write-up


Friday, March 30

Hot Teams
-- Bobcats covered seven of their last nine games.
-- Celtics are 9-7 in their last sixteen games. 76ers are 10-4-1 vs spread in their last fifteen games.
-- Toronto won seven of its last ten games.
-- Nets won three of their last four road games.
-- Utah won four of last five games, but are 0-10 vs spread in its last 10. Spurs won five in row, 17 of last 19 games.
-- Dallas won eight in row, 25 of last 27 games.
-- Suns are 4-1 vs spread in game after their last five losses.
-- Rockets won seven of their last eight games. Lakers won five of their last six games.
-- Seattle won last three road games. Memphis won its last two games, covered five of last seven.
-- Clippers won four of last five games.

Cold Teams
-- Bucks lost last four games, by 1,26,19,2 points.
-- Washington is 4-7 in its last eleven games.
-- Pacers lost sixteen of their last eighteen games. Orlando is 1-8 vs spread in game after last nine losses.
-- Pistons lost three of their last five games.
-- Miami lost four of its last six games. Minnesota is 5-14 in its last nineteen games.
-- Knicks covered two of their last eight road games.
-- Kings lost eight of their last ten games.

Series Records
-- Bucks are 2-0 vs Charlotte this season: 97-91/99-91.
-- Visiting team won both Boston-Philly games this season.
-- Home side is 3-0 in Toronto-Washington games this season.
-- Home team is 3-0 in Indiana-Orlando games this season.
-- Detroit is 3-0 against Nets this season:90-82/92-91/113-89.
-- Minnesota lost 105-91 in Miami March 9 (+6).
-- Home side is 3-0 in Utah-San Antonio games this season.
-- Dallas won 92-77 in New York March 20 (-8).
-- Suns lost 131-107 in Denver March 17 (-1.5).
-- Lakers, Rockets split pair in Houston this season.
-- Home side won both Memphis-Seattle games this season.
-- Home side won both Clipper-King games this season.

Back-to-Back Situations
-- 76ers are 9-6 vs spread on front end of last 15 back/backs.
-- Pistons are 4-2 vs spread last six times they played thenight before.
-- Knicks are 10-5 vs spread on front end of last 15 back/backs
-- Suns covered one of last seven if they played night before.
-- Memphis covered last four times they played night before.
-- Clippers covered last four front ends of back/back.

Totals
-- Over is 11-4-1 in last sixteen Charlotte games.
-- Under is 5-2 in Boston's' last seven road games.
-- Six of last eight Toronto games stayed under the total; over is 7-2 in Wizards' last nine games.
-- Under is 6-2 in Indiana's last eight road games.
-- Six of last nine Detroit games stayed under the total.
-- Five of last six Miami games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 9-4-1 in last fourteen San Antonio games.
-- Over is 7-2-1 in last ten Dallas games.
-- Under is 10-5 in last fifteen Phoenix games.
-- Four of last five Houston games stayed under the total, but five of last six Laker games went over.
-- Last three Memphis games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 5-2-1 in last eight Clipper games.

[pm530]

NHL
Write-up


Friday, March 30

Hot Teams
-- Montreal won last five games, scoring 20 goals. Ottawa won six of its last eight games.
-- Florida is 10-5 in its last fifteen games.
-- Dallas won eight of its last ten games. Red Wings won last two games, allowing one goal.
-- Buffalo won five of its last seven games.
-- Columbus won six of last seven games.
-- Sharks won seven of last nine games.

Cold Teams
-- Lightning lost five of their last seven games. Carolina lost its last two games, outscored 11-2.
-- Devils, oddly, lost their last five home games. Flyers lost six of last eight games.
-- Washington lost last four games, outscored 17-9.
-- Islanders lost eight of last eleven games.
-- Chicago lost last six games, scoring nine goals.
-- Coyotes lost 12 of their last 14 games.

Series Records
-- Road team is 4-2 in Carolina-Tampa games this season.
-- Senators are 4-3 against Montreal this season.
-- New Jersey won five of six against Philly this season.
-- Florida won last four games vs Washington: 6-3/6-5/4-1/7-3.
-- Detroit is 3-0 vs Dallas this season: 3-1/2-1/4-3.
-- Sabres are 2-1 vs Islanders this season: 3-1/3-5/3-0.
-- Columbus is 2-0 vs Chicago this season: 5-2/4-5/5-4.
-- San Jose won five of seven against Phoenix this season.

Back-to-Back Situations
-- Tampa is 3-1 on front end of last four back/backs.
-- Montreal is 1-9 on front end of last ten back/backs.
-- Philly lost front end on last nine back/backs.
-- Red Wings lost five of last six if they played night before.
-- Sabres won front end on last eight back/backs.
-- Columbus lost seven of last ten if they played night before.
-- Phoenix lost five of last six if they played night before.

Totals
-- Four of last five Tampa games went over the total.
-- Six of last nine Montreal games went over the total.
-- Under is 8-1-1 in last ten Philly games.
-- Over is 6-1-2 in last nine Washington games.
-- Last six Detroit games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last eight Buffalo games went over the total.
-- Last four Chicago games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 8-3-1 in last eleven San Jose games.

[pm530]

Pro Basketball – Tips and Trends (additional)

NBA
Tips and trends
Additional games added


Friday, March 30

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Milwaukee Bucks at Charlotte Bobcats (7 PM ET)
Milwaukee has the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference and the East's worst road record at 9-28. EDGE: BOBCATS
The Bucks picked up a 97-91 victory at home in the last meeting, improving to 9-0 all-time against the Bobcats franchise. BIG EDGE: BUCKS
Milwaukee has lost four straight and its defense has struggled to make stops, allowing an average of 109.0 points. EDGE: OVER
The underdog is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings.
The OVER is 7-0 in the Bobcats' last seven games playing on one days rest.


Indiana Pacers at Orlando Magic (8 PM ET)
Orlando has won four of their last seven games, while Indiana has lost three in a row and 16 of 18. EDGE: MAGIC
The Magic are 21-14 at home this season, hosting a Pacers team that has lost 10 straight on the road. BIG EDGE: MAGIC
Indiana has dominated Orlando over the last two season, going 5-1, but Indiana's only loss in that span came at Orlando on November 22nd. EDGE: PACERS
The UNDER is 13-3-1 in the last 17 meetings.


Utah Jazz at San Antonio Spurs (8 PM EST)
Utah has won two of the three meetings this year, but both victories came in Salt Lake City. The Jazz have lost 15 in a row at San Antonio since February 28th, 1999. BIG EDGE: SPURS
While the Spurs have won 10 of 11 at home since Jan. 24, Utah opens a four-game road trip in San Antonio having lost a season-high five straight road games. BIG EDGE: SPURS
Utah forward Carlos Boozer has averaged 31.3 points and 14.0 rebounds during the Jazz's three-game win streak. EDGE: JAZZ
The Jazz are 0-9 ATS in their last nine games overall.
The Spurs are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 home games versus a team with a winning road record.


New York Knicks at Dallas Mavericks (8:30 PM ET)
Dallas has won 25 of its last 27 games and is now 60-7 since opening the season with four straight losses. BIG EDGE: MAVS
The Mavericks have won six straight at home over New York since the start of the decade and nine of the past 10 overall in the series. BIG EDGE: MAVS
The favorite is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
The OVER is 4-0-1 in the Mavericks last five games versus the Eastern Conference.

Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers (10:30 PM ET)
Houston ranks first in the NBA in field goal percentage defense (42.6 percent) and second in scoring defense (91.0). EDGE: UNDER
The Rockets are 10-3 since Yao Ming's return from an injured right knee. EDGE: ROCKETS
Including the playoffs, the Rockets are 10-21 against the Lakers since the 2000-01 season. BIG EDGE: LAKERS
The Rockets are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games as a road favorite of .5-4.5 points.
The Lakers are 2-12-1 ATS in their last 15 home games.

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