Wednesday Trends and Indexes 10/31

[Udog]

NBA
Dunkel


Dallas at Cleveland
The Mavericks will try to erase the bitter memory of last year's stunning first-round playoff loss to Golden State after having one of the best regular season records (67-15) in recent years. But they open up tonight against a Cleveland team that is looking to build on last year's trip to the NBA finals. The Mavs will be playing without swingman Josh Howard, who is suspended for the first two games after an altercation with Sacramento's Brad Miller in the preseason. Cleveland has never been an easy place for Dallas to begin with as the Mavs are just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games on the road against the Cavs. LeBron and company look like a good home underdog pick (+4) tonight according to Dunkel, which has Cleveland favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+4). Here are all of today's games.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31

Game 701-702: Philadelphia at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 118.987; Toronto 120.956
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 2; 198
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 7; 190
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+7); Over

Game 703-704: Washington at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 116.451; Indiana 118.536
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 2; 198
Vegas Line & Total: Washington by 1 1/2; 202
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (+1 1/2); Under

Game 705-706: Milwaukee at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee 110.262; Orlando 122.764
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 12 1/2; 205
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 7 1/2; 199
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-7 1/2); Over

Game 707-708: Chicago at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 123.046; New Jersey 121.538
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1 1/2; 181
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey by 2 1/2; 186
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+3 1/2); Under

Game 709-710: Dallas at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 123.997; Cleveland 124.707
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 1; 182
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 4; 185 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+4); Under

Game 711-712: San Antonio at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 125.478; Memphis 116.238
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 9; 194
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 6 1/2; 200 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-6 1/2); Under

Game 713-714: Sacramento at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 113.816; New Orleans 122.611
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 9; 197
Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 10; 190
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (+10); Over

Game 715-716: Seattle at Denver
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 109.997; Denver 122.519
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 12 1/2; 205
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 10 1/2; 213 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-10 1/2); Under

[Udog]

NHL
Dunkel


Carolina at Florida
Carolina comes into Florida fresh off an 8-3 win over the Islanders on Saturday behind Rod Brind'amours' hat trick. The Panthers have been struggling and are just 1-4 in their last five, including a 4-3 loss at Nashville on Saturday. Carolina has dominated the series recently, winning the last five contests. The Canes look like a good underdog pick (+105) tonight according to Dunkel, which has Carolina favored straight up by 2. Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+105). Here are all of today's games.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31

Game 1-2: Tampa Bay at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 11.371; New Jersey 10.989
Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-125); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+115); Over

Game 3-4: Carolina at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 12.348; Florida 10.657
Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Florida (-115); 6
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+105); Over

Game 5-6: Chicago at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 10.381; Dallas 12.137
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-191); 5
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-191); Under

Game 7-8: Columbus at Los Angeles
Dunkel Ratings: Columbus 12.234; Los Angeles 11.850
Dunkel Line & Total: Columbus by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Columbus (+125); Under

[Udog]

NHL
Hot Lines


Ice picks: Wednesday's best NHL wagers


Tampa Bay Lightning at New Jersey Devils (-115, 5 ½)

Leaving the Swamp hasn't exactly been a profitable move for the Devils. New Jersey opened the season with nine straight games on the road before they could move into their brand new Prudential Center. They come into tonight's game with an underachieving 3-7 record, but a game with Tampa Bay could be just what they need to turn things around.

The Lightning are winless on the road this season and each of those defeats has been by at least two goals.

Pick: Devils -115


Chicago Blackhawks at Dallas Stars (-190, 5)

The Blackhawks and Stars are both 5-6 this year, but when they faceoff in the Lone Star State the home team usually shines brighter. Chicago has just two wins in its previous 20 trips to 'Big D' and the club hasn't won there in regulation time in nearly 10 years.

Heading to Dallas has come at the wrong time for the Hawks. They have lost their last three games overall and have been outscored 13-7 during the streak.

Pick: Stars -190


Columbus Blue Jackets at Los Angeles Kings (-135, 5 ½)

Ken Hitchcock and Marc Crawford both know what it takes to coach a team to a Stanley Cup championship. The problem is they both did it with more talented teams then they have now. Hitchcock's Blue Jackets squad is riding a three-game winning streak, while Crawford's team has won four in a row.

Los Angeles has been riding a red-hot Jason LaBarbera in goal during its current streak. He has played each game and has allowed just four goals during that span.

Columbus has lost five straight contests at Staples Center.

Pick: Kings -135

[pm530]

National Hockey League - Short Sheet

NHL
Short Sheet


Wednesday, October 31st

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Tampa Bay at New Jersey, 7:05 ET
Tampa Bay: 8-16 SU at New Jersey
New Jersey: 31-9 SU after having lost 4 of their last 5

Carolina at Florida, 7:35 ET
Carolina: 8-0 Over after scoring 6+ goals
Florida: 3-13 SU vs. Carolina

Chicago at Dallas, 8:35 ET
Chicago: 4-16 SU at Dallas
Dallas: 28-4 SU at home off 3+ division games

Columbus at Los Angeles, 10:35 ET
Columbus: 18-4 Under Away off a home win
Los Angeles: 4-0 SU at home vs. Columbus

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[Udog]

NBA today - October 31


SCOREBOARD Wednesday, Oct. 31

Dallas at Cleveland (8 p.m. EDT). LeBron James averaged 35 points on 53 percent shooting in two games against the Mavericks last season.

STARS Tuesday

-Tim Duncan, Spurs, had 24 points and 13 rebounds to lead San Antonio to a 106-97 victory over Portland.

-Carlos Boozer, Jazz, had 32 points and 15 rebounds in Utah's 117-96 victory over Golden State.

-Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Rockets. McGrady scored 30 points and Ming had 25 points and 12 rebounds to lead Houston to a 95-93 win against the Los Angeles Lakers.

LAST-SECOND HEROICS

Shane Battier made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left, and the Houston Rockets withstood a furious rally by the Los Angeles Lakers in a 95-93 victory on Tuesday night.

CELEBRATION

The San Antonio Spurs held the final celebration of their fourth title in nine seasons before Tuesday night's 106-97 season opening victory over Portland. The 14-karat gold and bearing almost 4.5 carats of diamonds were handed out first to the coaches, then to players in alphabetical order. The handmade rings - with diamonds in round, princess and baguette shapes - say ''NBA Champions'' on the face and show the team's spur logo. In all, 21 rings were doled out in the pregame ceremony. Eleven players from last year's team are returning this season.

STRONG IN DEFEAT

Kobe Bryant scored 18 of his 45 points in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' 95-93 loss to the Rockets on Tuesday night. Bryant finished 13-of-32 from the field and 18-of-27 from the line.

MAKING MOVES

The Dallas Mavericks agreed to terms with veteran forward Juwan Howard on Tuesday. Howard, who played for Dallas during parts of the 2000-01 and '01-02 seasons, can't sign with the Mavericks until he clears waivers Wednesday, the same day Dallas plays its season opener at Cleveland. To make room for Howard, the Mavericks waived center DJ Mbenga. Also, the Mavs exercised their 2008-09 contract option on second-year guard Maurice Ager, their first-round pick in 2006. ... Sasha Pavlovic agreed to a three-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, ending his lengthy holdout.

SIDELINED

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Randy Foye will be out several weeks because of a lingering knee injury. Tests revealed a stress reaction in his left kneecap, and the team said Tuesday the second-year player will be out indefinitely.

SPEAKING

''It's always a special game when you play after a ring ceremony. It's great memories. But we're back to work and ready to defend our title.'' - San Antonio's Tony Parker after a 106-97 victory over Portland on Tuesday night. The Spurs received their championship rings during a ceremony before the game.