Announcement

**pm530** · 05-13-2009, 10:33 AM

Daily Sports Roundup

Wednesday, May 13

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Nuggets try again to close out the Mavericks, while the Capitals play host to the Penguins in Game 7 of their series.

Tipping off on the hardwood . . .

The Mavericks remain on the ropes as they head to Denver for Game 5 of their second-round series against the Nuggets on Wednesday night. Dallas avoided elimination on Monday with a 119-117 home victory, as Dirk Nowitzki led the team's attack with a game-high 44 points. Josh Howard added 21 points for the Mavs, who now trail the best-of-seven set 3-1. Carmelo Anthony poured in 41 points in the loss for Denver, who opened as 8-point faves for Wednesday night.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

Undefeated Mark Buehrle will take the mound for the White Sox on Wednesday afternoon as they finish off their road series against rival Cleveland. Buehrle sits at 5-0 with a 2.61 ERA on the season, and he tossed eight scoreless innings (giving up just one hit) against the Tigers last time out. Countering for the Tribe will be Cliff Lee, who has a solid 3.45 ERA on the year but sits with a 1-5 record.

Elsewhere on the American League schedule for Wednesday it's Tampa Bay at Baltimore, the Yankees at Toronto, Seattle at Texas, Detroit at Minnesota, Kansas City at Oakland, and Boston at the Angels. Red Sox starting knuckleballer Tim Wakefield is 4-1 with a 2.93 ERA in six outings so far this year.

Over in the National League on Wednesday it'll be Atlanta at the Mets, Washington at San Francisco, St. Louis at Pittsburgh, the Dodgers at Philadelphia, San Diego at the Cubs, Florida at Milwaukee, Houston at Colorado, and Cincinnati at Arizona. Reds starter Johnny Cueto has allowed just one run and nine hits over his last 15 innings of work, and he sits at 3-1 with a 1.59 ERA.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

The Penguins and Capitals will play for all the marbles in Washington on Wednesday night as those clubs contest Game 7 of their second-round series. The Caps pulled out a 5-4 overtime victory in Game 6 on Monday to extend the set to seven games, with David Steckel providing the tally in the extra frame. Viktor Kozlov scored twice for Washington in that contest, and Alexander Ovechkin had three assists. Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist for the Pens.

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**pm530** · 05-13-2009, 10:34 AM

Six-pack for Wednesday

-- Ryan Zimmerman has a 30-game hitting streak; he's gotten a hit in the first inning in 14 of the 30 games.

-- Pablo Sandoval drilled a three-run, walk-off HR at 1:06am, as the Giants beat Washington 8-6, despite blowing a 5-1 7th-inning lead.

-- Adam Jones homered in the first two innings as Orioles beat up on Sonnanstine and the Tampa Rays, 7-5.

-- You must run out every ball hit to RF at Citi Field- balls take all kinds of odd bounces off the fences. Atlanta's Escobar jogged into a double Tuesday, when he could easily have had a triple.

-- Mets trailed 3-0 in 8th, won 4-3 in 10th on bases loaded walk as Atlanta relievers were awful. Big SB by Beltran in the ninth.

-- There have been five big league pitchers who won between 280 and 300 games; only two of the five are in the Hall of Fame. In the HOF are Jenkins, Roberts; not in are Blyleven, John, Kaat.

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Wednesday's List of 13: Thirteen of country's best rivalries........

Sporting News gave us a rivalry for each of the fifty states; we went through them and came up with 13 of the best ones........

13) Cubs-White Sox-- I have a friend in Chicago who loves baseball and alcohol but refuses to go to Wrigley Field. Ever. Hates the Cubs. Loves the Pale Hose, really likes to drink, but not at Wrigley.

12) Coppin State-Morgan State, basketball-- Both Baltimore schools are usually near top of MEAC, so their games are way meaningful.

11) Iowa-Iowa State, football-- When they restarted this rivalry back in early 80's, they said they could sell 150,000 tickets for this game.

10) Minnesota-UM-Duluth, hockey-- Put it this way, Minnesota is where the kids there want to go play college hockey, but Brett Hull went to Duluth, so you know both sides have terrific players.......

9) Nevada-UNLV football-- They play for a trophy called Fremont Cannon. Surprising amount of animosity between the teams.

8) Butler County CC-Hutchinson County CC-- basketball. Kansas has a great junior college basketball league. In 1994, Butler won the conference championship-- Hutchinson won the national title.

7) Dartmouth-New Hampshire, hockey-- Only two D-I teams in the Granite State, so their games have a little more meaning than most.

6) Oregon-Oregon State, football-- Over last ten years, two teams in the Civil War are combined 76 games over .500. Wasn't always this way, but this has been a golden age for college football in Oregon.

5) BYU-Utah-- Everyone in Mountain West hates BYU, especially their rivals in the Beehive State. Very intense rivalry in all sports.

4) Dodgers-Giants-- San Francisco broadcasters cross out fans in the stands wearing LA gear with their telestrator.

3) Duke-North Carolina, basketball-- To me, this is little overrated. The big deal in the ACC is whoever the best teams are. When Coach K retires, this rivalry will go by the boards.

2) Louisville-Kentucky, basketball-- Hiring Calipari just raised level of this rivalry another notch or two, as if it needed it.

1) Auburn-Alabama, football. To me, this is the best sports rivalry.

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**pm530** · 05-13-2009, 10:34 AM

Len’s Top Five

Wednesday, May 13

Len's Top 5

Happy Wednesday everyone, here's my Top 5 for May 13, 2009 from len berman sports.

1. Quick Hits

Stephon Marbury of all people sparks the Celtics to a 3 games to 2 lead over Orlando. L.A. also made it 3 games to 2 over Houston.
Hockey playoffs are heating up. Boston/Carolina and Detroit/Anaheim are both going to a 7th game.
Monday's historic memory was Pete Rose stealing 2nd, third, and home in the same inning for the Phillies in 1980. Jason Werth did it for the Phillies last night against the Dodgers.

2. That's My Story

I listened to Roger Clemens on ESPN yesterday morning. Nothing changes. I didn't do it, was never injected with steroids or HGH, everyone else is wrong, I'm right. And Andy Pettitte still "misremembers." Over and over he said he was "out there" helping people with their charities, making public appearances. Almost sounded like he wants credit for "time served" for community service

3. Yankee Stadium for Sale

Wanna buy a seat from the old Stadium? Just $749.99. Sounds like a ticket to the new Stadium. A men's room sign? $250.00. Freeze dried grass? $80.00. And lots of items are up for bid, like a turnstyle. Opening bid, $2000.00. I know it's great to have keepsakes, but this makes me a little queasy. Like picking the carcass clean.

4. News of the World

Even the New York Post can't top this. The British tabloid News of the World ran the following story: "Lapdance lover bares Olympic golden boy's sex and drugs secret." I don't know where to begin. It's about Michael Phelps, drugs, a couple of strippers. You'll laugh, you'll cry. You won't look at "medley relay" quite the same way ever again.

5. What's in a Name?

So how do you get tons of endorsements on the LPGA tour? Play great golf? Lead the tour in money winnings? Nope. Look like a babe. Aussie Anna Rawson hasn't won anything. Doesn't even make the cut in tournaments, but she's a model turned pro golfer and the endorsements far exceed her tour earnings. I think it's the name Anna. Anna Kournikova never won a singles tennis tournament either, but she looked great doing it.

Today's Birthday: Former Mets manager Bobby Valentine. 59.
Bonus Birthday: Who knew Stevie Wonder was born on the same day? 59.

Today in Sports: Bobby Riggs beats Margaret Court in the first "battle of the sexes" in tennis. Riggs later got crushed by Billie Jean King. 1973.

Bonus Event: The Rolling Stones record "Satisfaction." 1965.

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**pm530** · 05-13-2009, 10:35 AM

NBA
Dunkel Index

Dallas at Denver
The Nuggets look to close out the series and build on their 6-0 ATS record in their last 6 postseason games as a favorite between 5 and 10 1/2 points. Denver is the pick (-8 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Nuggets favored by 9. Dunkel Pick: Denver (-8 1/2). Here are all of today's playoff picks.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13

Game 739-740: Dallas at Denver
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 122.155; Denver 131.251
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 9; 205
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 8 1/2; 213 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-8 1/2); Under

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**pm530** · 05-13-2009, 10:35 AM

NBA
Long Sheet

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Wednesday, May 13
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DALLAS (55 - 36) at DENVER (61 - 30) - 5/13/2009, 9:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 14-26 ATS (-14.6 Units) against Northwest division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 54-36 ATS (+14.4 Units) in all games this season.
DENVER is 36-23 ATS (+10.7 Units) as a favorite this season.
DENVER is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points this season.
DENVER is 28-17 ATS (+9.3 Units) in home games this season.
DENVER is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) against Southwest division opponents this season.
DENVER is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) after 3 or more consecutive overs over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) when leading in a playoff series this season.
DENVER is 19-10 ATS (+8.0 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
DENVER is 22-13 ATS (+7.7 Units) after allowing 105 points or more this season.
DENVER is 30-18 ATS (+10.2 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.
DENVER is 29-19 ATS (+8.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
DENVER is 20-6 ATS (+13.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
DENVER is 29-17 ATS (+10.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
DALLAS is 216-174 ATS (+24.6 Units) as an underdog since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 12-3 against the spread versus DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 10-5 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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**pm530** · 05-13-2009, 10:36 AM

NBA
Short Sheet

Wednesday, May 13th

Western Conference Playoffs - Round Two
Game Five
Denver Leads, 3-1
Dallas at Denver, 9:05 ET

Dallas:
1-6 ATS at Denver
9-1 Under Away after allowing 100+ pts BB games

Denver:
10-1 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points
19-10 ATS playing with revenge

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**pm530** · 05-13-2009, 10:36 AM

NBA
Write-up

Wednesday, May 13

NBA playoffs

Denver is 7-2 so far in playoffs, with six wins by 12+ points. Nuggets are 7-1 vs Dallas this year, wiinning three games in this series by 14-12-1 point- Mavericks stayed alive with 119-117 win, after being down 10 at half, so last two games in series were decided by total of three points. Denver's Kleiza was +17 in 20:24 in losing cause in Game 4. In the last three series games, a total of 246 foul shots were taken. Lot of hostility in series after Cuban called Kenyon Martin a thug. Cuban isn't expected to be at this game.

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**pm530** · 05-13-2009, 10:37 AM

NBA

Wednesday, May 13

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Trend Sheet
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9:00 PM
DALLAS vs. DENVER
Dallas is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Denver
Dallas is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Denver
Denver is 8-0-1 ATS in its last 9 games
Denver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games

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**pm530** · 05-13-2009, 10:37 AM

NBA

Wednesday, May 13

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Tips and Trends
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Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets [TNT | 9:05 PM ET]

Mavericks: Mavericks owner Mark Cuban apologized for yelling at Kenyon Martin's mother, Lydia Moore. But his apology was brushed aside by the Nuggets because it contained an offer that they could all sit in his suite with his own family "when the series comes back to Dallas." The Mavericks took Tuesday off. No NBA team has ever recovered from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series and no team has beaten Denver at the Pepsi Center since March 11. "The pressure is on them to win the series," Jason Kidd said. "We don't have any pressure." Dallas has lost all four meetings in Denver this season.

The Mavericks are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Denver.
The Over is 8-2 in the Mavericks' last 10 playoff games as an underdog.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 100

Nuggets (-8.5, O/U 213.5): "I think all of us are kind of angry about ... the treatment we got in Dallas," Nuggets coach George Karl said Tuesday. "And we want our home crowd to be with us and ... we want to show them that we owe them a game." Chauncey Billups acknowledged the Nuggets were distracted due to what was happening in the stands. The Nuggets missed Chris Andersen as Dirk Nowitzki scored 44 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. Without the "Birdman" swatting away passes and making things tough on Nowitzki in the paint, Dallas outrebounded the Nuggets 50-34 and Denver managed just seven second-chance points.

The Nuggets are 11-1 ATS in the last 12 meetings.
The Nuggets are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games following an ATS win.

Key Injuries - F Chris Andersen (illness) is PROBABLE.

PROJECTED SCORE: 113 (Side Play of the Day)

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**pm530** · 05-13-2009, 10:38 AM

NBA

Wednesday, May 13

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Pick ‘n’ Roll: NBA best bets
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Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets (-8.5, 213.5)

The Denver Nuggets returned from Dallas with a bad taste in their mouths and it had nothing to do with Chris ''Birdman'' Andersen's nasty case of food poisoning.

Andersen said between bites of mashed potatoes Tuesday that he's recovered from his sour stomach that kept him out of the Nuggets' 119-117 loss to the Mavericks the previous night.

"I feel really good now," Andersen said after getting additional IVs and shooting some baskets.

He said he can't wait for Game 5 Wednesday night at the Pepsi Center when the Nuggets try to clinch their first trip to the Western Conference Finals in 24 years.

His teammates are equally eager to take out their frustrations on the basketball court.

They're upset with the way their families and friends were treated Monday night at American Airlines Center, where fans hurled insults at Kenyon Martin's girlfriend, rap star Trina, and where Carmelo Anthony's girlfriend, LaLa Vazquez of MTV fame, was removed from her seat by security guards for her safety.

Fans also got into shouting matches with Martin's mother, who had extra protection around her after Mavericks owner Mark Cuban called her son a thug following the frenetic finish in Game 3.

"I think all of us are kind of angry about ... the treatment we got in Dallas," Nuggets coach George Karl said Tuesday. "And we want our home crowd to be with us and ... we want to show them that we owe them a game."

On Tuesday, Cuban apologized for yelling at Martin's mother, Lydia Moore, and suggested things had gotten out of hand. But his apology was brushed aside by the Nuggets because it contained an offer that they could all sit in his suite with his own family "when the series comes back to Dallas."

"We don't plan on going back to Dallas," retorted Chauncey Billups.

Cuban also offered to take Martin and his mother out for dinner this summer.

Dinner in Dallas is a sore subject with the Nuggets right now.

Andersen said he ate something bad at the team hotel Monday that left him doubled over in the locker room during the game with severe abdominal cramps and vomiting.

The Nuggets sorely missed their energetic center as Dallas star Dirk Nowitzki scored a series-high 44 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to help the Mavericks stave off elimination.

Without the "Birdman" swatting away passes and making things tough on Nowitzki in the paint, Dallas outrebounded the Nuggets 50-34 and Denver managed just seven second-chance points.

With all the talk of hostile treatment in Dallas, Andersen isn't alleging sabotage.

"Nope. I'm actually going to have some fresh legs," he said. "I'm just real anxious to get out there on the floor and give it everything I've got."

Billups, who said his wife also got into a confrontation Monday night, acknowledged the Nuggets were worried about what was happening in the stands.

"It's a distraction. You get your family to travel and try to support you - it's the only support that you have in the arena - but you've got to worry about their safety and their well-being," Billups said. "And that's not right."

Billups added that "families should always be off-limits. They're coming to enjoy the game, support their loved ones."

The Mavericks took Tuesday off and Martin, who exchanged words with Cuban as he left the court after the game, didn't speak with reporters following the team's short film session Tuesday. But Billups called Cuban's apology inadequate.

"No, that's unacceptable, man. That's just not right. You're the owner of a team. You're held at a different standard as far as professionalism," Billups said. "Yeah, you can root for your team, but that's just not right. That's not acceptable."

Cuban is skipping Game 5 to be at an awards ceremony in Las Vegas.

Although he's counting on the series returning to Dallas, no NBA team has ever recovered from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series and no team has beaten Denver at the Pepsi Center since March 11.

"The pressure is on them to win the series," Jason Kidd said. "We don't have any pressure."

Billups chuckled at the notion.

"We can still afford to lose," he said. "They can't."

Pick: Under

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**pm530** · 05-13-2009, 10:38 AM

NHL
Dunkel Index

Pittsburgh at Washington
The Caps look to close out the series and build on their 6-2 record in their last 8 games as a favorite between -110 and -150. Washington is the pick (-145) according to Dunkel, which has the Capitals favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Washington (-145). Here are all of today's playoff picks.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13

Game 67-68: Pittsburgh at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 12.380; Washington 13.577
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-145); Under

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**pm530** · 05-13-2009, 10:39 AM

NHL
Long Sheet

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Wednesday, May 13
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PITTSBURGH (52-32-0-10, 114 pts.) at WASHINGTON (57-28-0-10, 124 pts.) - 5/13/2009, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 50-32 ATS (+10.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 74-47 ATS (+13.9 Units) second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 22-13 ATS (+7.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season this season.
WASHINGTON is 21-33 ATS (-29.1 Units) in home games after 3 or more consecutive overs since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 11-7 (+3.6 Units) against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 11-7-0 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
12 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=+6.4 Units)

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**pm530** · 05-13-2009, 10:39 AM

NHL
Short Sheet

Wednesday, May 13th

Eastern Conference Playoffs - Semifinals
Game Seven
Series Tied, 3-3
Pittsburgh at Washington, 7:05 ET

Pittsburgh:
12-4 SU off home loss
11-2 SU off home game where both teams scored 3+ goals

Washington:
3-6 SU at home vs. Pittsburgh
21-5 Over after allowing 2+ goals in 3rd period last game

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**pm530** · 05-13-2009, 10:40 AM

NHL
Write-up

Tuesday, May 12

NHL Playoffs

Five of six Washington-Pittsburgh games were decided by a single goal, with three of last four going OT. Pens are 3-7 on power play in last two games, after being 4-23 before that. Over is 10-2-1 in last thirteen series games. Penguins outshot Washington 70-44 in third period in this series. Caps are in Game 7 second series in row; they're 4-3 at home in playoffs this spring. Pittsburgh is 3-3 in its playoff road games.

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Announcement

Wednesday Trends and Indexes 5/13 (NBA, NHL, MLB, Misc.)

Wednesday Trends and Indexes 5/13 (NBA, NHL, MLB, Misc.)

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