Announcement

**pm530** · 05-01-2009, 11:21 AM

Daily Sports Roundup

Friday, May 1

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Hawks try to finish off the Heat, the Ducks look to upset the Red Wings, and the Marlins head north to meet the Cubs.

Tipping off on the hardwood . . .

The Hawks can put away the Heat when the two teams meet in Miami on Friday night in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series. Atlanta rolled to a 106-91 win over Miami at home in Game 5 on Wednesday night to grab a 3-2 advantage in the series. Joe Johnson led the way for the Hawks with 25 points in that contest, while Josh Smith added 20 points and eight rebounds. Dwayne Wade had a game-high 29 points in the loss for the Heat. Atlanta center Al Horford sprained his ankle on Wednesday, and forward Marvin Williams is still out with a bad wrist.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

Cubs righthander Rich Harden will be looking to pick up his third straight victory on Friday when his team plays host to the Marlins. Harden (2-1, 3.86 ERA) is coming off back-to-back wins over the Cardinals and Reds, allowing just four earned runs over 12 innings of work. The Marlins will counter Harden with Graham Taylor on Friday. Lefthanded Taylor has made just one start so far this year, giving up four earned runs in 3 2-3 innings in a blowout loss to the Phillies.

Elsewhere on the National League schedule for Friday it's Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, the Mets at Philadelphia, St. Louis at Washington, Houston at Atlanta, Arizona at Milwaukee, Colorado at San Francisco, and San Diego at the Dodgers. Padres starter Jake Peavy has allowed 11 runs over his last two starts.

Over in the American League on Friday it's Cleveland at Detroit, the Angels at the Yankees, Boston at Tampa Bay, the White Sox at Texas, Kansas City at Minnesota, Oakland at Seattle, and Baltimore at Toronto. Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay gets the ball on Friday; he's 4-1 with a 3.75 ERA through his five starts.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

Two more second-round National Hockey League playoff series get underway on Friday night, with Anaheim at Detroit and Carolina at Boston. The Ducks pulled off the biggest upset of the first round, dispatching the top-seeded Sharks in six games. The Red Wings, meanwhile, blasted past the Blue Jackets in the first round with a four-game sweep. Anaheim and Detroit met four times during the regular season, with the Red Wings taking three of those contests (two at home).

The Bruins had no trouble advancing to the second round, as they got past the rival Canadiens in just four games to open their playoff run. The Hurricanes didn't have such an easy time in their first-round set, as it took a full seven games for them to slip past the Devils. Carolina didn't have any luck against the Bruins in the regular season, as Boston won all four of their matchups by an 18-6 margin.

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**pm530** · 05-01-2009, 11:22 AM

Six-pack for Friday

-- Ryan Sweeney made a great catch over centerfield fence to end 8th inning, robbing Ian Kinsler of 3-run homer, as A's beat Rangers 4-2 and snapped their five-game road losing streak.

-- Tampa Bay's Garza shut down Red Sox as Rays routed Boston to snap out of their funk, 13-0. Garza retired first 18 hitters before Ellsbury had an infield single to open the 7th inning.

-- Orlando went to Philly without Dwight Howard, beat the 76ers by 25, in a very impressive performance to clinch that series.

-- Celtic-Bull series saw fourth OT game out of six played so far; Game 7 is Saturday night in Beantown. Ray Allen scored 51 for the Celtics, but defense of Noah/Rose proved to be the difference.

-- Rockets eliminated Portland, routing the Blazers, 92-76.

-- Dodgers' Matt Kemp made two great catches in outfield against San Diego Thursday, saving LA at least four runs in their 8-5 win.

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Friday's List of 13: Our major league baseball List of 13....

13) Giants-- All things equal, I'll give nod to solid starting pitchers

12) Tigers-- Crafty Leyland has Tigers contending again, but part of why is that the whole division is just so damn average.

11) Royals-- 5-0 when Greinke starts, 7-10 in all the other games.

10) Reds-- Dusty Baker talked to me for 10 minutes when I was 14 years old (1974 at Shea Stadium), great guy- his Reds are improving.

9) Brewers-- Willie Randolph has improved their infield defense.

8) Phillies-- World champs host the slumping Mets this weekend.

7) Marlins-- Won last three games after losing previous seven; still lead NL East. Cantu has been crushing the ball.

6) Mariners-- King Felix, Bedard form strong 1-2 punch for team that can challenge injury-riddled Angels in AL West.

5) Bronx-- Figure to score ton of runs once ARod returns, but their pitching is still spotty-- can't wait to see who they buy in July.

4) Blue Jays-- Think the A's could use Marco Scutaro, leadoff hitter for the Jays? They had him for years, always used him as a sub.

3) Dodgers-- Martin isn't hitting at all and they have gaping hole at #5 slot in starting rotation; Jeff Weaver is even getting a tryout. Other than that, they're pretty damn good team.

2) Red Sox-- Getting contributions from young kids like Van Every, Masterson, Jones, but Big Papi misses Manny batting behind him.

1) Cardinals-- Mix and match players to situations, getting by right now without a true closer. Will need Carpenter healthy eventually.

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**pm530** · 05-01-2009, 11:23 AM

Len’s Top Five

Friday, May 1

Len's Top 5

TGIF everyone, here's my Top 5 for May 1, 2009 from len berman sports

1. Quick Hits

Tomorrow is the first Saturday in May, that means the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby.
In one of the greatest NBA playoff series of all time, Boston will host Chicago for game 7 tomorrow night. The Bulls won last night 128-127 in triple overtime. They've now played 7 overtime periods in this series.
Uh, about that slump. Tiger Woods is the first round leader at the Quail Hollow Championship in Charlotte after shooting a 7-under 65.
All professional soccer games in Mexico will be played in empty stadiums this weekend because of the swine flu. Alabama and Texas have canceled all high school sports.

2. The Circus Returns

A-Rod played in an intrasquad game yesterday in Tampa. He went 1 for 6, with a home run. He could return to the Yankees before May 15th which is exactly when that explosive new book hits the stores. When
asked to comment about allegations that he took steroids with the Yankees, Rodriguez said "I'm no going there." He may be the best player in the game. He's certainly the highest paid. But he's also the
biggest headache. And the more these steroid stories surface the more his offensive numbers will be diminished. Hank Aaron and Roger Maris look better and better by the day.

3. Who's on First?

Joe Torre did something the other night for the Dodgers that hadn't been done in L.A. in 44 years. He didn't bat his pitcher 9th. The pitcher batted 8th, and speedy Juan Pierre batted 9th. (The Dodgers lost the game anyway.) Torre said he would never want to embarrass anyone by dropping them so low in the batting order. Really? Remember when he dropped the mighty A-Rod to 8th against Detroit in the playoffs? Wasn't that embarrassing? And what's the over-under on how many times A-Rod will be mentioned in the Top 5? And he isn't even playing yet.

4. Friday Mailbag

B.L. took exception with me for the story about the Chinese girls high school soccer team that used ringers. He wrote: "Everyone got caught up on that angle and forgot to check if they were really girls!"
Editor's Note: Or Chinese.

As for the Florida high school pitcher who threw 3-straight no-hitters. (Eventually 4) J.G. wrote: I don't care who that kid in Florida has been pitching against it's amazing...it would be like 3 whole days without your wife nagging you once."
Editor's Note: Are things that bad at home?

M.B. took note of a couple of Washington Nationals whose jerseys spelled out "Natinals."
He writes: "Maybe if that same printer left off some of the "o"s on the Met and Yankee ticket prices, then maybe some of those premium seats will be occupied."
Editor's Note: Wish I thought of that.

B.I. writes: "Those empty seats in the front rows of Yankee Stadium are really disconcerting. Why can't they be filled with A-Rod's hookers and shrinks?"
Editor's Note: I don't know where to begin.

5. Genius of the Week

A guy in England tried to set fire to a spider with his lighter and set his house on fire. When firemen arrived he was trying to douse the flames with his garden hose. Somehow conjures up images of the Tigers bullpen.

Today's Birthday: The last jockey to win the Triple Crown when he was just 18 in 1978, Steve Cauthen. 49.
Bonus Birthday: Faith Hill's husband, and Tug McGraw's son, country singer Tim McGraw. 42.

Today in Sports: Rookie Bo Belinsky in just his 4th game pitches a no-hitter for the Los Angeles Angels. 1962.
Bonus Event: Elvis Presley marries Priscilla Beaulieu. 1967.

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**pm530** · 05-01-2009, 11:25 AM

NBA
Dunkel Index

Atlanta at Miami

The Hawks look to build on their 4-0 ATS record in their last 4 playoff games as an underdog between 5 and 10 1/2 points. Atlanta is the pick (+5) according to Dunkel, which has the Heat favored by only 3 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+5). Here are all of today's playoff picks.

FRIDAY, MAY 1

Game 565-566: Atlanta at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 119.186; Miami 122.581
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 3 1/2; 185
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 5; 182
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+5); Over

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**pm530** · 05-01-2009, 11:25 AM

NBA
Long Sheet

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Friday, May 1
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ATLANTA (50 - 37) at MIAMI (45 - 42) - 5/1/2009, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
ATLANTA is 47-38 ATS (+5.2 Units) in all games this season.
MIAMI is 75-92 ATS (-26.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 37-54 ATS (-22.4 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
MIAMI is 34-49 ATS (-19.9 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
MIAMI is 63-90 ATS (-36.0 Units) in home games vs. division opponents since 1996.
MIAMI is 14-26 ATS (-14.6 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 10-7 against the spread versus ATLANTA over the last 3 seasons
ATLANTA is 9-8 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
12 of 17 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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**pm530** · 05-01-2009, 11:26 AM

NBA
Short Sheet

Friday, May 1st

Eastern Conference Playoffs - Round One
Game Six
Atlanta Leads, 3-2
Atlanta at Miami, 8:05 ET

Atlanta:
4-0 ATS off BB double digit wins
30-16 ATS off ATS win

Miami:
7-17 ATS at home off DD road loss
12-4 Over at home if total is between 180 and 189.5 points

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**pm530** · 05-01-2009, 11:26 AM

NBA
Write-up

Friday, May 1

First round, NBA playoffs

None of the Atlanta-Miami games have been close, all won by 10+ pts; only one of the five games was within 13 points at halftime, with three of five games staying under total- teams split two games played in this arena. Heat scored 108-107 points in their two wins, 64-71-91 in three losses. Team that got the most rebounds won all five games- Miami was +7/+13 in its wins, --15/-7/-8 in losses. Miami wins or its season ends.

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**pm530** · 05-01-2009, 11:26 AM

NBA

Friday, May 1

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Trend Sheet
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8:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. MIAMI
Atlanta is 4-12-1 ATS in its last 17 games when playing on the road against Miami
Atlanta is 4-21 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against Miami
Miami is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Miami is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games at home

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**pm530** · 05-01-2009, 11:27 AM

NBA

Friday, May 1

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Tips and Trends
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Atlanta Hawks at Miami Heat [ESPN | 8:05 PM ET]

Hawks: The Hawks have controlled the last two games, running out to huge leads in Games 4 and 5. Tempers flared in both contests, with a combined 100 fouls called, and there was plenty of shoving and staredowns Wednesday in the Hawks' win. "I don't want our guys backing down by any means," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "I don't think we've been out there trying to hurt anyone." Al Horford made the trip to Miami and said he's a game-time decision for Friday, but Woodson said he'll consider starting Solomon Jones instead and continue to bring Pachulia - a force in the last two games - off the bench.

The Hawks are 4-13 ATS in the last 17 meetings in Miami.
The Under is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings.

Key Injuries - C Al Horford (ankle) is QUESTIONABLE.
F Marvin Williams (wrist) is QUESTIONABLE.

PROJECTED SCORE: 86

Heat (-5, O/U 182): Between Mario West's wild celebration as the first half of Game 5 expired, Josh Smith's showboating dunk attempt in the final minutes and Hawks radio announcer Steve Holman mocking the NBA's scoring champion throughout, Dwyane Wade and Miami are down 3-2 in the series but clearly leading in bulletin-board material. Whether Al Horford plays or not, the Heat expect more heated battles down low. "I think it's going to be an extremely physical game one way or another," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We have to be ready for the physicality of it and just make sure we play our best game."

The Over is 22-6-1 in the Heat's last 29 games off a loss.

Key Injuries - G Dwyane Wade (head) is PROBABLE.
F Jamario Moon (abdominal) is OUT for the season.
F Jermaine O' Neal (ankle) is PROBABLE.

PROJECTED SCORE: 96 (Side Play of the Day)

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**pm530** · 05-01-2009, 11:28 AM

NBA

Friday, May 1

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Pick ‘n’ Roll: NBA best bets
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Atlanta Hawks at Miami Heat (-5, 182)

Facing a win-or-else scenario, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat already would figure to have plenty of motivation.

Just in case, the Atlanta Hawks provided oodles more.

Between Mario West's wild celebration as the first half of Game 5 expired, Josh Smith's showboating dunk attempt in the final minutes and Hawks radio announcer Steve Holman mocking the NBA's scoring champion throughout, Wade and Miami are down 3-2 in the series but clearly leading in bulletin-board material.

Whether it will matter when the Hawks try to wrap up this increasingly volatile first-round Eastern Conference matchup in Miami on Friday night, well, that's anyone's guess.

''I'll go back to something my high school coach always told me: Act like you've done something before,'' Wade said. ''He used to hate when I used to dunk and pound my chest all the time. He told me act like I've been there, act like I've done it, be classy. Win, lose or draw, you're supposed to be classy.''

The Hawks have controlled the last two games, running out to huge leads in Games 4 and 5. Tempers flared in both contests, with a combined 100 fouls called, and there was plenty of shoving and staredowns Wednesday in the Hawks' win.

Heat center Jermaine O'Neal was whacked in the face by Atlanta's Zaza Pachulia. Wade got knocked to the floor, bumping his head in the opening minutes. Four players got technical fouls after one relatively tame scrum, with Wade in the middle of that one as well.

Playoff intensity, indeed.

And it's not going to be any different Friday.

Pick: Miami -5

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**pm530** · 05-01-2009, 11:29 AM

NHL
Dunkel Index

Carolina at Boston
The Bruins open up the series with a 17-5 record in their last 22 games as a home favorite of -200 or greater. Boston is the pick (-210) according to Dunkel, which has the Bruins favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Boston (-210). Here are all of today's playoff picks.

FRIDAY, MAY 1

Game 1-2: Anaheim at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Anaheim 11.020; Detroit 11.960
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-250); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-250); Over

Game 7-8: Carolina at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 11.262; Boston 12.629
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-210); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-210); Over

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**pm530** · 05-01-2009, 11:29 AM

NHL
Long Sheet

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Friday, May 1
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ANAHEIM (46-34-0-8, 100 pts.) at DETROIT (55-21-0-10, 120 pts.) - 5/1/2009, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ANAHEIM is 5-10 ATS (-8.7 Units) on Friday nights this season.
DETROIT is 63-23 ATS (+20.7 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
ANAHEIM is 20-13 ATS (+34.6 Units) in a road game where where the total is 5.5 this season.
ANAHEIM is 15-11 ATS (+28.9 Units) in road games second half of the season this season.
ANAHEIM is 21-14 ATS (+6.5 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
ANAHEIM is 155-145 ATS (+316.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
DETROIT is 9-9-0 straight up against ANAHEIM over the last 3 seasons
9 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+1.1 Units)

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CAROLINA (49-32-0-8, 106 pts.) at BOSTON (57-18-0-11, 125 pts.) - 5/1/2009, 7:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 57-29 ATS (+89.0 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 41-24 ATS (+12.9 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 31-7 ATS (+31.0 Units) after a win by 2 goals or more this season.
BOSTON is 44-21 ATS (+16.0 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 49-40 ATS (+3.9 Units) in all games this season.
CAROLINA is 31-20 ATS (+7.8 Units) second half of the season this season.
CAROLINA is 10-2 ATS (+7.2 Units) on Friday nights this season.
CAROLINA is 46-31 ATS (+10.3 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 2 seasons.
CAROLINA is 22-18 ATS (+42.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CAROLINA is 15-8 ATS (+23.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 6-6 (+0.2 Units) against the spread versus CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 6-6-0 straight up against CAROLINA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 12 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+3.6 Units)
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**pm530** · 05-01-2009, 11:30 AM

NHL
Short Sheet

Friday, May 1st

Western Conference Playoffs - Semifinals
Game One
Series Tied, 0-0
Anaheim at Detroit, 8:05 ET

Anaheim:
7-24 SU at Detroit
5-10 SU on Friday nights

Detroit:
22-3 SU off a division road win
24-3 SU at home after BB division games

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Eastern Conference Playoffs - Semifinals
Game One
Series Tied, 0-0
Carolina at Boston, 7:35 ET

Carolina:
16-28 SU after a win by 1 goal
4-7 SU revenging a home loss by 4+ goals

Boston:
11-1 SU after 3 straight wins by 2+ goals
49-20 SU as a favorite

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**pm530** · 05-01-2009, 11:31 AM

NHL
Write-up

Friday, May 1

NHL Playoffs

Boston swept Montreal four straight in first round, is 13-2 overall in last 15 games; they've won five in row vs Carolina, winning 4-2/5-1 at home this season-- all four series games this year went over total. Hurricanes just nipped New Jersey in seven games, scoring two goals in last 1:20 to stun Devils in Game 7, in series where five of seven games were decided by a goal. This is renewal of old Boston-Hartford Adams Div. rivalry.

Anaheim stunned top-seeded San Jose in six games; Ducks got hot at end of regular season, are much better than normal #8 seed, but Anaheim lost seven of last eight visits to Motor City, losing 2-1/5-2 at Detroit in this year's series. Detroit scored 4-4-4-6 goals in sweeping Columbus in first round. Five of six San Jose-Anaheim games had totals of five or less. In last fourteen series games, the home side is 10-4.

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Announcement

Friday Trends and Indexes 5/1 (NBA, MLB, NHL, Misc.)

Friday Trends and Indexes 5/1 (NBA, MLB, NHL, Misc.)

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