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**Udog** · 04-06-2010, 04:28 AM

Daily Sports Roundup: April 6

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Cavaliers play host to the Raptors, the Capitals meet the Penguins, and the Yankees and BoSox battle at Fenway Park.

Tipping off on the hardwood . . .

After a one-day break the NBA returns with nine games on Tuesday: Detroit at Philadelphia, Golden State at Washington, Atlanta at Charlotte, Boston at New York, Milwaukee at Chicago, Houston at Memphis, Oklahoma City at Utah, San Antonio at Sacramento, and Toronto at Cleveland. The Raptors (38-38 SU, 36-40 ATS) are still clinging to the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference, and they didn't help their cause with a 113-112 loss to Golden State on Sunday. The Cavs (60-17 SU, 35-40-2 ATS) fell 117-113 in Boston in their Sunday outing, but they're 2-1 this season against a Raptors team they might meet in the first round.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

There are just four games on the American League schedule for Tuesday, with Baltimore at Tampa Bay, Minnesota at the Angels, Seattle at Oakland, and the Yankees at Boston. The Red Sox won their season opener against the Yankees on Sunday night, rallying in the final three innings for a 9-7 victory. Boston's Jon Lester will take on New York's A.J. Burnett on Tuesday as the teams get back to business following a day off. Lefthander Lester went 15-8 for the BoSox last season, posting a 3.41 and 225 strikeouts in 203.1 innings. Righthander Burnett was 13-9 last year, compiling a 4.04 ERA and 195 strikeouts over his 207 innings.

Meanwhile, there are just three games on the National League slate for Tuesday, with Colorado at Milwaukee, San Diego at Arizona, and San Francisco at Houston. The Giants will hand the ball to Barry Zito on Tuesday night; lefthander Zito had a 10-13 record for San Francisco last season, with a 4.03 ERA and 154 strikeouts over his 192 innings of work. The Astros will counter Zito with Wandy Rodriguez; lefthander Rodriguez was 14-12 for Houston last year with a 3.02 ERA. Rodriguez also struck out 193 batters over 205.2 innings in the '09 season.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

Finally, the National Hockey League offers up an 11-game slate for Tuesday, including a marquee matchup between the Capitals and Penguins in Pittsburgh. The 45-26-7 Penguins got back into the win column last time out, knocking off Atlanta by a score of 4-3 on Saturday. Evgeni Malkin, Sergei Gonchar, Tyler Kennedy, and Jordan Leopold (in overtime) scored for Pittsburgh in that comeback win. The Penguins, though, are 0-3 in three games so far this season against a Capitals team that has now wrapped up the Eastern Conference title.

Also on the ice on Tuesday: the Rangers at Buffalo, Ottawa at Florida, Philadelphia at Toronto, New Jersey at Atlanta, Montreal at the Islanders, Carolina at Tampa Bay, Chicago at Dallas, Los Angeles at Anaheim, San Jose at Calgary, and Colorado at Vancouver. The 40-30-9 Flames and 42-29-7 Avalanche continue to battle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference; Calgary fell 4-1 in Chicago in their last game on Sunday, while Colorado beat San Jose 5-4 the same day. The Avalanche have a two-point lead on the Flames.

**Udog** · 04-06-2010, 04:28 AM

Bettor's best friend: Tuesday's wagering tips

Lines off the board

Detroit Pistons at Philadelphia 76ers – Richard Hamilton (ankle) has missed the team’s last three games and is questionable. Samuel Dalembert (hip) and Andre Iguodala (foot) are expected to play.

Atlanta Hawks at Charlotte Bobcats – Joe Johnson (thumb) will not play in Tuesday’s game. Stephen Jackson (hamstring) removed himself from Sunday’s game but is expected to play.

Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies – Rudy Gay (back) experienced stiffness in his back after Sunday’s game and is probable.

Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins – Brendan Morrison (groin) has missed the last four games and is doubtful.

Colorado Avalanche at Vancouver Canucks – Peter Mueller (head) is out indefinitely after sustaining a head injury in the last game.

Lines to keep an eye on

The spread in the Raptors-Cavs game has plummeted from an opener of 9 points down to 6.5 in favor of Cleveland. Toronto is in a must-win situation and there is speculation that LeBron James could be out for the game because of rest.

The Knicks have moved from 5- to 6-point underdogs at home versus the Celtics. Boston is 2-5 ATS in its last six games.

The total in the Thunder-Jazz game opened at 208.5 and has been bet up to 210.5. Oklahoma City has played to four straight overs.

The Diamondbacks opened as -175 favorites over San Diego for Tuesday’s game but that number can be found as low as -158 now.

Some sportsbooks are offering the total of the Twins-Angels game at 9.5 after opening at 9.

The A’s opened as -150 favorites against the Mariners but that number has dropped to -130 in some markets.

Weather report

There is a 60 percent chance of rain during the Rockies-Brewers game in Milwaukee on Tuesday.

Scattered thunderstorms are expected to bring a 60 percent chance of precipitation during the Indians-White Sox game. Wind will be blowing at 15 mph across the diamond.

Who’s hot

Oklahoma City is 3-0 ATS in its last three games as an underdog.

The Ducks are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games.

Who’s not

Houston is 3-7 SU and 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games.

The Lightning are 3-7 SU in their last 10 outings.

Key stat

21-1 – Road record for the Boston Celtics in games versus Atlantic Division opponents since the 2007-08 season. The last road division defeat for the Celtics came against New York on Jan. 4 of last season and the team has won 12 straight since.

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

The Milwaukee Bucks will be without their center Andrew Bogut for the remainder of the season. Bogut suffered multiple injuries in a gruesome fall during Saturday night's game against the Phoenix Suns. Along with a broken hand, Bogut dislocated his right elbow when he crashed to the floor. Bogut is the team’s leading rebounder (10.2 rpg) and second-leading scorer (15.9 ppg). This loss could greatly affect the Bucks heading into the playoffs. Kurt Thomas and Ersan Ilyasova are expected to eat up Bogut’s minutes.

Game of the Day

Oklahoma City Thunder at Utah Jazz (-5.5, 210.5)

Notable quotable

"Tonight they wouldn't let Ron play the way he played prior to [the technical foul call]. [Ginobili] could hook Ron; [Artest] didn't get what was going on and ended up getting too many fouls on him. The way we ended up the half I think turned the referees against us and when you do that, that's an unfortunate thing.”

-- Lakers coach Phil Jackson said after Sunday’s home loss versus the Spurs. Jackson’s tirade cost him a $35,000 league fine.

Tips and notes

- The Jazz are very concerned about gaining home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs. Utah is 31-8 at home this season (26-11-2 ATS) and currently sits in a four-way tie for second place in the Western Conference. Carlos Boozer said last week the “the biggest thing for our team is being able to play at home” because the Jazz are “an average road team”. Utah plays two of its final five games in Salt Lake City.

- The elderly Spurs will be playing their sixth game in nine days on Tuesday. San Antonio will also be a man short as starting point guard George Hill is expected to miss the team’s next two games. Manu Ginobili has been as hot as any player in the league recently but he has also missed time with back problems. The young and energetic Kings might be able to stay inside the 6-point spread in Sacramento in a game that might not mean too much for San Antonio.

- With Boston having lost three of its last four games (1-3 ATS) and nearly blowing a huge lead against the Cavs on Sunday, coach Doc Rivers is making some changes. He told the media that Nate Robinson and Marquis Daniels will be out of the regular rotation and Tony Allen and Michael Finley will fill their minutes. Rivers said Daniels and Robinson will have to play their way back into the lineup. Finley and Allen combined for nine points Sunday.

**Udog** · 04-06-2010, 04:30 AM

NBA

Tuesday, April 6

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. CHARLOTTE
Atlanta is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Atlanta is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
Charlotte is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Charlotte is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Atlanta

7:00 PM
DETROIT vs. PHILADELPHIA
Detroit is 1-10 ATS in its last 11 games
Detroit is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Philadelphia is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Detroit
Philadelphia is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Detroit

7:00 PM
GOLDEN STATE vs. WASHINGTON
Golden State is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Golden State is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Washington is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 9 games when playing at home against Golden State

7:00 PM
TORONTO vs. CLEVELAND
Toronto is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Toronto is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Cleveland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

7:30 PM
BOSTON vs. NEW YORK
Boston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games
New York is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Boston
New York is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Boston

8:00 PM
HOUSTON vs. MEMPHIS
Houston is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games
Houston is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Memphis's last 11 games when playing at home against Houston
Memphis is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Houston

8:00 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. CHICAGO
Milwaukee is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
Milwaukee is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games when playing Chicago
Chicago is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Chicago is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games at home

9:00 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. UTAH
Oklahoma City is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Utah
Oklahoma City is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Utah
Utah is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Utah's last 6 games

10:00 PM
SAN ANTONIO vs. SACRAMENTO
San Antonio is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
San Antonio is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
Sacramento is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing San Antonio
Sacramento is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio

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**Udog** · 04-06-2010, 04:31 AM

NBA

Tuesday, April 6

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Game of the day: Thunder at Jazz
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Oklahoma City Thunder at Utah Jazz (-5.5, 210.5)

The Thunder have clinched a playoff berth and are in the midst of the Western Conference playoff scramble.

The Jazz have won eight of their last 10 games and are in a dogfight for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Season series

The Thunder have won all three meetings this season and covered the number each time. Two of the three matchups have gone over the total and Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant has scored over 30 points in each game.

“There’s another season,” Durant said. “There’s always two seasons in the NBA, which is the regular season and the playoffs, and some people don’t make it. Unfortunately we didn’t make it these last two years but we have the opportunity this year.”

These two teams could end up meeting each other in the first round of the playoffs and Oklahoma City even has a chance of catching the Jazz in the standings. Utah could just about end those dreams with a win tonight.

Superstar starting to get calls

Durant has meant everything for the Thunder.

Sunday, a day after clinching a playoff berth, he scored 40 points in Oklahoma City’s win over Minnesota. Durant had 20 points in the first quarter alone.

The former Texas standout is also getting the star treatment according to opposing teams. He typically gets the benefit of the doubt on any contact plays and heads to the free-throw line.

Against the Timberwolves he was fouled on a 3-point attempt by Cory Brewer, who protested the call and drew a technical.

Kevin Garnett was equally ticked off when the youngster shot nearly as many free throws as the Celtics did as a team in a recent Oklahoma City win at Boston.

All that Jazz

Utah entered Saturday’s game against the Lakers with an outside chance of gaining the top seed in the conference but after L.A’s 106-02 waltz, now they’re just trying to secure second place.

"One win we can be back up two spots," point guard Deron Williams said. "So that's not that big of a deal."

Utah made its move up the West standings, going 31-10 over the past three months and they are 17-9 against the spread since the All-Star break.

They closed a rugged 17-game schedule in March going 12-5 and reached 50 wins for the third time in the last four seasons.

Home’s a holiday

The Jazz have won nine straight games at home and have coved the spread in eight of them. Utah’s average margin of victory in those games is 17 points.

Overall, Utah is 31-8 on the season but all eight of their losses have come to Northwest Division teams.

Road warriors

The Thunder have won six of their last seven games and clinched a playoff berth in the process. OKC has set its sights on 50 wins after winning just 23 games last season. They started last season 3-29.

While the turnaround has been remarkable what has made it possible is the Thunders’ 23-15 record on the road. They’ve also covered the spread six of their last eight road games.

Injuries

Utah’s Andrei Kirilenko has been sidelined since suffering a calf injury early in four games ago. The Jazz are 2-2 in the four games without him. Overall he has missed 11 of the past 13 games.

K-Korner

Utah’s Kyle Korver came off the bench and scored a season-high 21 points in the Jazz’s win over Golden State last week.

Korver finished 8-for-12 from the field against Golden State, meaning the Jazz improved to 14-4 when he shoots over 50 percent in a game. In all, Korver is now 55-for-100 on his 3-point attempts

Trend-setting

OKC has gone over the total four straight games.

OKC has gone over 14 of its last 17 games following a victory.

The Thunder is 7-2 ATS in their last nine games at Utah

The over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings at Utah.

The Jazz have rebounded well following double-digit losses. They are 6-0 in those cases.

Utah is 23-7-2 ATS in their last 32 home games.

Over is 19-7 in Utah’s last 26 vs. Northwest opponents.

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**Udog** · 04-06-2010, 04:32 AM

NBA

Tuesday, April 6

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Pick 'n' Roll: Today's best NBA bets
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Golden State Warriors at Washington Wizards (+2, 219)

Despite a tumultuous and injury-plagued season, the Warriors can find consolation in being part of NBA history.

Golden State defeated a desperate Raptors team clinging to the last playoff spot on the road Sunday and the extra motivation from the Warriors is coming from an effort to make their coach the all-time winningest floor general ever.

"You sure appreciate getting a win when you go through a year like we've been through where it's been so hard to win games," coach Don Nelson said after Sunday’s game. "This was special for me."

It was special because it marked Nellie’s 1,332 win which tied Lenny Wilkens’ all-time league record. The Warriors have six games left in the season to earn the record-breaking win for Nelson.

Golden State’s players have been vocal about wanting to get their coach the record and will be eager to do so in the next few games as the team closes with Oklahoma City, Utah and Portland.

Pick: Warriors

Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls (-6.5, 187.5)

After Toronto dropped a home game to the lowly Warriors Sunday night, the Bulls can smell blood.

Chicago trails the Raptors by one game for the eighth and final postseason berth from the Eastern Conference with six games to play.

"We understand the situation and have to keep fighting and keep fighting," center Joakim Noah said. “I think everybody here really wants to make the playoffs."

Last week, Derrick Rose predicted his team would be playing in the first round of the playoffs versus the Cavaliers. Since then, the Bulls have gone 2-0 SU and ATS.

The Bucks lost center Andrew Bogut on Saturday for the remainder of the season and it could take this team some time to adjust without its top rebounder and second-leading scorer.

Chicago has covered in the last two of this series and sharps have already bet this spread up from an opener of 5.5.

Pick: Bulls

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**Udog** · 04-06-2010, 04:33 AM

NHL

Tuesday, April 6

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
MONTREAL vs. NY ISLANDERS
Montreal is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Montreal's last 5 games on the road
NY Islanders are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 6 games when playing at home against Montreal

7:00 PM
NEW JERSEY vs. ATLANTA
New Jersey is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 7 of New Jersey's last 9 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing New Jersey
Atlanta is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against New Jersey

7:00 PM
NY RANGERS vs. BUFFALO
NY Rangers are 7-15-3 SU in their last 25 games ,when playing on the road against Buffalo
NY Rangers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Buffalo's last 7 games when playing at home against NY Rangers

7:00 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. TORONTO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Toronto
Philadelphia is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games on the road
Toronto is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games when playing at home against Philadelphia

7:30 PM
CAROLINA vs. TAMPA BAY
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Carolina's last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay
Carolina is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing Tampa Bay
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 6 games
Tampa Bay is 5-15 SU in its last 20 games

7:30 PM
OTTAWA vs. FLORIDA
Ottawa is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Ottawa is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Florida
Florida is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games when playing at home against Ottawa

7:30 PM
WASHINGTON vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Washington's last 8 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Pittsburgh's last 8 games when playing at home against Washington
Pittsburgh is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Washington

8:30 PM
CHICAGO vs. DALLAS
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Chicago is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Dallas
Dallas is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago

9:30 PM
SAN JOSE vs. CALGARY
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Jose's last 5 games
San Jose is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 18 of Calgary's last 21 games at home
Calgary is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against San Jose

10:00 PM
COLORADO vs. VANCOUVER
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Colorado's last 8 games
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Vancouver is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vancouver's last 5 games

10:00 PM
LOS ANGELES vs. ANAHEIM
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Los Angeles's last 21 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 7 games when playing Anaheim
Anaheim is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Anaheim's last 7 games

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**Udog** · 04-06-2010, 04:34 AM

NHL

Tuesday, April 6

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Ice picks: Today's best NHL bets
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Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins are in a battle for first place in the Atlantic Division with the New Jersey Devils and their 4-3 overtime win against the Thrashers Saturday night helped keep them in the race. But head coach Dan Bylsma wasn’t so much focused on the result as he was on the way his team performed in that game.

“I don’t think we needed the outcome”, Bylsma told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I’m happy for the outcome, but win or lose in this game, I was happy with the way our team played, for a lot of reasons. Our response, the physicality with which we played, the bite with which we played and getting to our game and sticking to it.”

The Penguins still need to improve their power play which has a 17 percent conversion rate on the season. The return of skilled players Evgeni Malkin and Sergei Gonchar should help matters.

The Washington Capitals, on the other hand, have already secured the first spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Even if the Capitals don’t have much to play for, you can always count on them to light the lamp especially against the Penguins. The over is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings between these two teams.

Pick: Over

San Jose Sharks at Calgary Flames (-125, 5.5)

No one Calgary player took Sunday’s loss to the Blackhawks harder than captain Jarome Iginla.

Iginla, who's been sputtering in the final stretch of the regular season, looked discouraged following the setback. He hasn’t recorded a point in his last three games or in five of his last six. He managed only one shot on goal and was minus-2 after seven shifts in the first period Sunday in a must-win contest against Chicago.

“I’m having a tough go and gotta get out of it,” Iginla told reporters after Sunday’s game. “Our job is to create chances and to be pluses and put pressure on the other side. We haven’t been doing nearly enough of that. We’ve been in a rut.

“Our line and myself… I wasn’t very good. We’ve been in a tough spot.”

It’s clear that the Flames don’t have a chance of making the playoffs if their leader and go-to guy doesn’t pick up his game in the next four games. But from the sounds of it, he doesn’t even seem confident in his ability to do so. That’s never a good sign.

Pick: Sharks

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**Udog** · 04-06-2010, 04:35 AM

MLB

Tuesday, April 6

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Trend Report
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7:10 PM
NY YANKEES vs. BOSTON
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of NY Yankees's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing at home against NY Yankees

7:10 PM
BALTIMORE vs. TAMPA BAY
Baltimore is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Baltimore is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games
Tampa Bay is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home
Tampa Bay is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games

8:05 PM
SAN FRANCISCO vs. HOUSTON
San Francisco is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Houston
San Francisco is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Houston is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
Houston is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing San Francisco

8:10 PM
COLORADO vs. MILWAUKEE
Colorado is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Colorado's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Milwaukee's last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games at home

9:40 PM
SAN DIEGO vs. ARIZONA
San Diego is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Arizona
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of San Diego's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games when playing San Diego
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Arizona's last 10 games when playing at home against San Diego

10:05 PM
MINNESOTA vs. LA ANGELS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Angels
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Minnesota's last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Angels's last 5 games
LA Angels are 13-5 SU in their last 18 games

10:05 PM
SEATTLE vs. OAKLAND
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle's last 6 games on the road
Seattle is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Oakland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Oakland is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games when playing Seattle

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**Udog** · 04-06-2010, 04:36 AM

MLB

Tuesday, April 6

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Hot Lines: Today's best MLB bets
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Baltimore Orioles at Tampa Bay Rays (-165, 8.5)

Defense is the new focus across the majors and you can thank the Tampa Bay Rays for the trend.

Tampa Bay’s attention to defense and speed helped it earn a trip to the World Series in 2008. But the Rays broke a franchise record for runs scored in a season last year and still won 13 fewer games than it did in 2008.

How can the Rays improve?

"I want to get to the point when you hear the word 'defense', people think of the Steel Curtain and the Tampa Bay Rays," Rays manager Joe Maddon told the Tampa Bay Tribune. "I'd like to get to that point."

Well the Rays finished second in UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating) in the American League last season so even if their defense stays the same, runs should be hard to come by if their pitching is decent.

The analysts love the Rays and expect them to return to their 2008 form. Expect the winning to start Tuesday against the rebuilding Orioles.

Pick: Rays

New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox (-135, 9.5)

It’s safe to say after the first day and a half of the new baseball season that the batters are getting the best of their pitching counterparts.

The numbers were staggering after the first six games were put in the books on Monday: 17 home runs including two grand slams.

Not surprisingly the over went 4-1-1 in those six early afternoon games on Monday.

Of course the Red Sox and Yankees got things started the night before. The AL East rivals combined to club three dingers and 16 runs.

A.J. Burnett’s ERA was a full run higher away from Yankee Stadium last season.

Pick: Over

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**Udog** · 04-06-2010, 04:36 AM

MLB

Tuesday, April 6

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This Day in Baseball
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On April 6 in Baseball History...

1970 - Willie Mays, a month shy of his 40th birthday, homers in a 4-0 Opening Day Giants win over the Padres. Mays will go on to hit homers in each of the Giants' first four games of the season, a major league record.

1972 - For the first time in history, the major league season fails to open due to a general player strike. The strike, announced April 1, will erase 86 games from the major league schedule.

1973 - Yankee Ron Blomberg, facing Boston's Luis Tiant, becomes the first official designated hitter in the major leagues. Blomberg walks with the bases loaded his first time up and winds up 1-for-3 in a 15-5 loss to the Red Sox.

1977 - The Seattle Mariners make their debut, losing to Frank Tanana and the Angels 7-0.

1982 - The largest crowd ever to see a baseball game in Minnesota, 52,279, turns out for the inaugural game at the brand-new Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. Twins rookie Gary Gaetti has four hits with a pair of home runs, but Seattle wins, 11-7.

1989 - In his first start of the season, Orel Hershiser gives up a run in the first inning of a 4-3 loss to the Reds to end his major league-record consecutive scoreless inning streak at 59.

1992 - Rick Sutcliffe throws the first pitch at Oriole Park at Camden Yards at 3:20 p.m. The pitch, to Cleveland's Kenny Lofton is a ball, but Lofton ultimately flies out and the O's win the inaugural game at the park.

1996 - Albert Belle shows off his arm by hitting Sports Illustrated photographer Tony Tomsic in the hand prior to a game between the Indians and Blue Jays at Jacobs Field. The angry Indians outfielder had told the photographer to stop taking pictures of him doing pre-game stretches and Tomsic complied. Belle then throws a ball from the outfield that breaks the skin of the photographer's hand in two places and draws blood. Prior to the season, Belle had been fined $50,000, the largest single-player fine in major league history, for his tirade against a television reporter prior to Game Three of the 1995 World Series.

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**Udog** · 04-06-2010, 04:38 AM

NOTE:
For the initial posting of trends and indexes, we have provided information available up to the time of posting.
Additional updates for today’s games will be posted ASAP.

**Udog** · 04-06-2010, 12:36 PM

NBA
Dunkel

San Antonio at Sacramento

The Spurs are coming off a 100-81 win over the Lakers and look to build on their 10-1 ATS record in their last 11 games after scoring 100 or more points in the previous game. San Antonio is the pick (-6) according to Dunkel, which has the Spurs favored by 11 1/2. Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-6). Here are all of today's picks.

TUESDAY, APRIL 6

Game 651-652: Toronto at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 114.979; Cleveland 125.857
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 11; 210
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 6 1/2; 207 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-6 1/2); Over

Game 653-654: Atlanta at Charlotte
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 121.351; Charlotte 121.776
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 193
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 655-656: Detroit at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 108.892; Philadelphia 116.476
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 7 1/2; 192
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 657-658: Golden State at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 113.908; Washington 109.575
Dunkel Line & Total: Golden State by 4 1/2; 223
Vegas Line & Total: Golden State by 2 1/2; 219
Dunkel Pick: Golden State (-2 1/2); Over

Game 659-660: Boston at New York
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 121.486; New York 114.272
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 7; 210
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 6; 208 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-6); Over

Game 661-662: Milwaukee at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee 120.464; Chicago 118.972
Dunkel Line & Total: Milwaukee by 1 1/2; 193
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 6 1/2; 187 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+6 1/2); Over

Game 663-664: Houston at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 111.576; Memphis 119.809
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 8; 198
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 665-666: Oklahoma City at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma City 120.762; Utah 128.422
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 7 1/2; 214
Vegas Line & Total: Utah by 5 1/2; 210 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Utah (-5 1/2); Over

Game 667-668: San Antonio at Sacramento
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 126.085; Sacramento 114.599
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 11 1/2; 197
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 6; 193
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-6); Over

**Udog** · 04-06-2010, 12:39 PM

NHL
Dunkel

New Jersey at Atlanta
The Thrashers look to take advantage of a New Jersey team that is coming off a 4-0 win at Carolina and is 2-12 in its last 14 games following a win. Atlanta is the pick (+120) according to Dunkel, which has the Thrashers favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+120). Here are all of today's picks.

TUESDAY, APRIL 6

Game 51-52: New Jersey at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 11.067; Atlanta 11.736
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-140); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+120); Under

Game 53-54: NY Rangers at Buffalo
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 11.683; Buffalo 12.213
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo (-135); 5
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (-135); Over

Game 55-56: Philadelphia at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 10.876; Toronto 12.255
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+110); Over

Game 57-58: Ottawa at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Ottawa 11.308; Florida 11.048
Dunkel Line & Total: Ottawa by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Ottawa (-140); 5
Dunkel Pick: Ottawa (-140); Over

Game 59-60: Montreal at NY Islanders
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 11.810; NY Islanders 13.118
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Islanders by 1 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-135); 5
Dunkel Pick: NY Islanders (+115); Over

Game 61-62: Carolina at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 10.249; Tampa Bay 11.774
Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Tampa Bay (-115); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-115); Under

Game 63-64: Washington at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 11.684; Pittsburgh 12.002
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 65-66: Chicago at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 11.972; Dallas 11.911
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-155); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-155); Under

Game 67-68: San Jose at Calgary
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 10.820; Calgary 12.086
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Calgary (-125); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (-125); Over

Game 69-70: Los Angeles at Anaheim
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 11.663; Anaheim 11.957
Dunkel Line & Total: Anaheim by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Anaheim (-115); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Anaheim (-115); Over

Game 71-72: Colorado at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 10.863; Vancouver 12.176
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

**Udog** · 04-06-2010, 12:40 PM

MLB
Dunkel

Colorado at Milwaukee
The Brewers look to bounce back from yesterday's loss in the opener and build on their 8-3 record in their last 11 games as a home favorite. Milwaukee is the pick (-140) according to Dunkel, which has the Brewers favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-140). Here are all of today's picks.

TUESDAY, APRIL 6

Game 951-952: San Franciso at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco (Zito) 15.207; Houston (Rodriguez) 14.147
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 1; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Houston (-140); 8
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+120); Over

Game 953-954: Colorado at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado (Smith) 14.364; Milwaukee (Wolf) 15.901
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Milwaukee (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-140); Over

Game 955-956: San Diego at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (Young) 14.959; Arizona (Jackson) 16.404
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Arizona (-165); 9
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-165); Under

Game 957-958: Baltimore at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Millwood) 15.042; Tampa Bay (Shields) 14.835
Dunkel Line: Baltimore by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-175); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baltimore (+155); Over

Game 959-960: NY Yankees at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Burnett) 15.915; Boston (Lester) 17.346
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Boston (-140); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-140); Over

Game 961-962: Minnesota at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Blackburn) 15.963; LA Angels (Saunders) 17.663
Dunkel Line: LA Angels by 1 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Angels (-125); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Angels (-125); Under

Game 963-964: Seattle at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Snell) 15.036; Oakland (Braden) 15.726
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Oakland (-140); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-140); Over

Announcement

Tuesday Trends and Indexes 4/6 (NBA, NHL, MLB, Misc.)

Tuesday Trends and Indexes 4/6 (NBA, NHL, MLB, Misc.)

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