Friday Trends and Indexes 6/26 ( MLB, WNBA, Misc.)

[pm530]

WNBA
Long Sheet


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Friday, June 26
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INDIANA (4 - 2) at NEW YORK (2 - 4) - 6/26/2009, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANA is 63-92 ATS (-38.2 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
INDIANA is 65-94 ATS (-38.4 Units) in road games since 1997.
INDIANA is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in road games after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 3-15 ATS (-13.5 Units) after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 6-19 ATS (-14.9 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins since 1997.
NEW YORK is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 6-2 against the spread versus NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 6-2 straight up against NEW YORK over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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DETROIT (1 - 4) at ATLANTA (3 - 4) - 6/26/2009, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ATLANTA is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in a home game where where the total is greater than or equal to 150 over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in home games in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 3-14 ATS (-12.4 Units) in home games after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
ATLANTA is 0-11 ATS (-12.1 Units) in home games after scoring 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.

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

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SACRAMENTO (1 - 5) at SAN ANTONIO (2 - 3) - 6/26/2009, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SACRAMENTO is 9-18 ATS (-10.8 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) in home games after scoring 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in home games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 77+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
SACRAMENTO is 8-5 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 8-5 straight up against SACRAMENTO over the last 3 seasons
9 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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LOS ANGELES (2 - 4) at SEATTLE (5 - 2) - 6/26/2009, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) in road games vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) in road games after a win by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 30-17 ATS (+11.3 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
SEATTLE is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) in home games in May, June, or July games over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) in home games when playing with 3 or more days rest over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 19-9 ATS (+9.1 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 16-30 ATS (-17.0 Units) off an upset win as an underdog since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SEATTLE is 6-4 against the spread versus LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
SEATTLE is 6-4 straight up against LOS ANGELES over the last 3 seasons
6 of 9 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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[pm530]

WNBA


Friday, June 26

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Lady Luck: Today’s WNBA best bets
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Indiana Fever at New York Liberty (-2, 139.5)

It all boils down to one simple word for the Indiana Fever: balance.

The ballers from the Hoosier State have been giving opponents headaches this season with their diversified attack. The Fever feature three players in double figures and two others not far behind. Indiana, just a half game back of Washington for first place in the Eastern Conference, is led by Katie Douglas (17.7 ppg), Tamika Catchings (13.3) and Ebony Hoffman (10.5). Tammy Sutton-Brown (9.7) and Tully Bevilaqua (8.8) also are threats.

New York, however, features just two players – Shameka Christon (18.2 ppg) and Janel McCarville (11.7) – who crack double figures. The Liberty’s lack of offensive punch is a big reason the team has struggled to a 2-4 record.

The Liberty will get nothing free against the Fever.

Pick: Fever


Detroit Shock at Atlanta Dream (-2, 155)

Marynell Meadows, coach of the Atlanta Dream, believes the light may be going on for rookie and first round draft pick Angel McCoughtry.

"She’s finally starting to get our system and understand how to play as a professional," the coach told reporters.

The development of the former Louisville star, who is averaging 10.9 points, 2.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds in nearly 18 minutes per game, is crucial for Atlanta. And McCoughtry’s 26-point, eight-assist performance in a 99-98 loss to Chicago earlier in the week has given her coach hope she can boost a team stocked with veterans.

If Atlanta gets McCoughtry to gel with a lineup including Sancho Lyttle (15 ppg, 8 rpg), Chamique Holdsclaw (13.4, 4.1) and Nikki Teasley (4.6, 2.7 apg), the Dream can entertain visions of the playoffs.

The Shock appear to be moving in a different direction. The team lost coach Bill Laimbeer after he resigned earlier this month in hopes of landing an NBA job. Maybe instead he saw the writing on the wall. The defending champs are missing the injured Cheryl Ford and the suspended Kara Braxton.

The Shock, who have lost four of five games this year, should see their nightmare continue.

Pick: Dream

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[pm530]

Len’s Top Five


Friday, June 26

Len's Top 5

TGIF everyone, here's my Top 5 for June 26, 2009 from Len Berman Sports.

1. Quick Hits

The biggest news at the NBA draft last night was the New Jersey Nets trading all-star Vince Carter to Orlando. When the Knicks chose forward Jordan Hill from Arizona the fans booed. Knick fans are a happy lot.

The NHL draft is tonight. The New York Islanders own the first pick.

Alex Rodriguez tied Reggie Jackson for 11th all time with his 563rd career homer.

It'll be the underdog U.S. vs. Brazil Sunday in South Africa in the finals of the Confederations Cup soccer tournament.

Cheyenne Woods, Tiger's niece, shot a 3-over par 75 in her pro debut near Rochester, New York. She's tied for 106th place.

2. The More the Merrier

The Academy Awards has announced they'll expand from 5 to 10 the number of nominees for Best Picture. The Oscars are turning into the NHL playoffs.

3. Can I Play Through?

A Wisconsin man was stopped for DUI. For one thing he admitted to driving with 10 beers. For another he was driving a golf cart down the highway. His friends forgot him at the golf course, so he hopped into the cart for the 40-mile trip home. Of course the cart would have never made it that far. Of course he'll probably plead "not guilty."

4. Friday Mailbag

When I mentioned my upcoming kids book, "The 25 Greatest Baseball Players of All-Time," I talked about my dilemma with the steroid guys. You flooded my inbox.

D.R. wrote: "I’d save them for the last chapter, in which you explain who they are, what they did, why they let down the game, and why you feel they should not have been included."

From K.F. "Tell them the truth, which today's--and especially tomorrow's--kids will figure out anyway."

But from E.R. "Let them learn about the cheaters when they're old enough to make their own decisions on who should be a "hero" or not."

And from M.H. "May I suggest your next book be the "25 Best Human Beings Who Played the Game of Baseball?" It would be an interesting comparison."

This from R.B. "As for Patriots coach Bill Belichick's upcoming nuptials...will he be shaking his bride's hand after exchanging vows?"
Editor's Note: No, but he will have illegal video cameras trained on the bride's family.

When I talked about the first baseball game ever played, the New York Baseball Club defeating the Knickerbocker Club, 23 to 1, D.P. wrote: "And Knickerbockers manager Isiah Thomas got ejected in the fifth inning for sexually-harassing an umpire."
Editor's Note: Bashing the Knicks is always in season.

And Ed McMahon's passing brought these comments. From NBC employee M.T. "Ed was such a lovely guy, who loved to see the crew guys and chat. Thanks for helping remember him."

And from M.R. " Sat two seats over from Ed McMahon at NY Jets games at Shea Stadium. He was there until The Tonight Show moved to LA in the early seventies. He was a regular guy and always nice to me. May he rest in Peace."

5. Genius of the Week

You think you had a bad week? A shepherd in Croatia had to be rescued after he led his flock of sheep into a live minefield. It's amazing he's alive at all. A fortune teller once told him it was time to die, so he drank sulfuric acid and stabbed himself in the stomach. (And he wasn't even a ____ fan.) (Fill in the blank: top choices, Knicks, Clippers, Warriors, or Lions.)

Today's Birthday: Yankee heartthrob Derek Jeter. 35.
Bonus Birthday: Actor Sean Hayes. (Jack on "Will and Grace.") 39.

Today in Sports: Muhammad Ali announces his retirement from boxing. 1979.
Bonus Event: A New Yorker named W.K. Clarkson, Jr. is granted a patent for a velocipede. (bicycle) 1819.

Have a great weekend everyone!

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