Saturday Trends and Indexes 4/24 (NBA, NHL, MLB, Misc.)

[Udog]

MLB


Saturday, April 24

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This Day in Baseball
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On April 24 in Baseball History...

1901 - Chicago defeated Cleveland 8-2 in the first American League game. The game lasted 1 hour and 30 minutes in front of a reported crowd of 14,000 at the Chicago Cricket Club.

1917 - George Mogridge of the New York Yankees pitched a no-hitter over the Red Sox in Boston, winning 2-1.

1945 - At a meeting of owners in Cleveland, Albert Happy Chandler is voted commissioner to succeed the late Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis.

1946 - Eleven former players — Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, Frank Chance, Jesse Burkett, Tom McCarthy, Rube Waddell, Eddie Plank, Ed Walsh, Jack Chesbro, Clark Griffith, and Joe McGinnity — are named to the Hall of Fame.

1956 - A.L. umpire Frank Umont is the first to wear glasses in a regular season game when he officiates a contest between Detroit and Kansas City. The former NFL tackle (New York Giants) still presents an intimidating appearance to most players and fans.

1957 - Cubs pitchers walk nine Reds in the fifth inning, an N.L. mark, as Cincinnati wins 9-5. Moe Drabowsky starts with four walks, Jackie Collum adds three, and Jim Brosnan passes two.

1958 - Lee Walls hit three homers and drove in eight runs as the Chicago Cubs shelled the Los Angeles Dodgers 15-2 at the Coliseum.

1962 - Sandy Koufax ties the modern major league record he shares with Bob Feller by fanning 18 Cubs in nine innings. The Dodgers win 10-2.

1965 - New York's Casey Stengel recorded his 3,000th victory as a manager as the Mets beat the San Francisco Giants 7-6.

1966 - The Braves' 5-2 win at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in the first game of a doubleheader is an N.L.-record 18th straight home win against the Mets. Home for the first 17 of those wins was Milwaukee.

1978 - In nine innings the Angels' Nolan Ryan strikes out 15 Mariners — the 20th time he has had 15 K's in a game — but leaves without a decision. Seattle prevails 6-5 in the 12th.

1996 - Greg Myers and Paul Molitor each had five RBIs as the Minnesota Twins set a team record for runs and routed the Detroit Tigers 24-11. It was the most runs against the Tigers in 84 years, matching the mark set in a 24-2 loss to the Philadelphia Athletics on May 18, 1912, when Detroit's regular players went on strike, forcing the team to use players from semipro teams and St. Joseph's College.


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[Udog]

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]

MLB
Dunkel


LA Dodgers at Washington
The Dodgers look to bounce back from last night's loss in the series opener and take advantage of a Washington team that is 0-8 in Craig Stammen's last 8 starts in Game 2 of a series. LA is the pick (-165) according to Dunkel, which has the Dodgers favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-165). Here are all of today's picks.

SATURDAY, APRIL 24

Game 951-952: LA Dodgers at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: LA Dodgers (Kershaw) 15.342; Washington (Stammen) 14.174
Dunkel Line: LA Dodgers by 1; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: LA Dodgers (-165); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Dodgers (-165); Under

Game 953-954: Atlanta at NY Mets
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta (Jurrjens) 14.108; NY Mets (Niese) 15.142
Dunkel Line: NY Mets by 1; 8
Vegas Line: Atlanta (-145); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Mets (+125); Under

Game 955-956: San Diego at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego (LeBlanc) 15.555; Cincinnati (Cueto) 15.247
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Cincinnati (-130); 9
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+110); Under

Game 957-958: Pittsburgh at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh (Jakubauskas) 13.441; Houston (Rodriguez) 14.570
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Houston (-160); 9
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-160); Over

Game 959-960: Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Cubs (Lilly) 14.988; Milwaukee (Davis) 16.451
Dunkel Line: Milwaukee by 1 1/2; 10
Vegas Line: Chicago Cubs (-115); 9
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-105); Over

Game 961-962: Philadelphia at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia (Figueroa) 15.145; Arizona (Kennedy) 14.490
Dunkel Line: Philadelphia by 1/2; 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Philadelphia (-110); 11
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-110); Over

Game 963-964: Florida at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Robertson) 14.736; Colorado (Cook) 16.242
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 1 1/2; 9
Vegas Line: Colorado (-150); 10
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-150); Under

Game 965-966: St. Louis at San Francisco
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis (Wainwright) 15.976; San Francisco (Zito) 14.807
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 1; 6
Vegas Line: St. Louis (-150); 7
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-150); Under

Game 967-968: Cleveland at Oakland
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland (Carmona) 15.773; Oakland (Anderson) 14.765
Dunkel Line: Cleveland by 1; 7
Vegas Line: Oakland (-150); 8
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+130); Under

Game 969-970: Seattle at Chicago White Sox
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle (Fister) 15.422; White Sox (Garcia) 14.703
Dunkel Line: Seattle by 1/2; 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Chicago White Sox (-115); 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Seattle (-105); Over

Game 971-972: NY Yankees at LA Angels
Dunkel Ratings: NY Yankees (Pettitte) 16.003; LA Angels (Pineiro) 15.707
Dunkel Line: NY Yankees by 1/2; 8 1/2
Vegas Line: NY Yankees (-115); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Yankees (-115); Under

Game 973-974: Toronto at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto (Romero) 15.904; Tampa Bay (Niemann) 17.516
Dunkel Line: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Tampa Bay (-140); 9
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-140); Under

Game 975-976: Baltimore at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Baltimore (Matusz) 13.886; Boston (Lackey) 15.377
Dunkel Line: Boston by 1 1/2; 8
Vegas Line: Boston (-200); 9
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-200); Under

Game 977-978: Minnesota at Kansas City
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota (Blackburn) 15.373; Kansas City (Hochevar) 16.101
Dunkel Line: Kansas City by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Minnesota (-135); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas City (+115); Over

Game 979-980: Detroit at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit (Willis) 15.035; Texas (Feldman) 16.278
Dunkel Line: Texas by 1; 10
Vegas Line: Texas (-165); 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-165); Over

Game 981-982: Florida at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Florida (Nolasco) 15.830; Colorado (Smith) 15.326
Dunkel Line: Florida by 1/2; 10 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

[Udog]

MLB
Short Sheet


Saturday, 4/24/2010

LA DODGERS at WASHINGTON, 1:05 PM ET
KERSHAW: LAD 37-15 when the total is 9 to 9.5
STAMMEN: WAS 15-32 at home against left-handed starters

ATLANTA at NY METS, 1:10 PM ET
JURRJENS: ATL 52-24 Away after 3+ consecutive losses
NIESE: NYM 11-26 after 5+ consecutive home games

SAN DIEGO at CINCINNATI, 1:10 PM ET
LEBLANC: SD 11-4 after 4+ consecutive wins
CUETO: CIN 8-20 when playing on Saturday

PITTSBURGH at HOUSTON, 7:05 PM ET
JAKUBAUSKAS: PIT 3-19 as a road underdog of +150 to +175
RODRIGUEZ: HOU 35-23 after 2+ consecutive unders

CHICAGO CUBS at MILWAUKEE, 7:10 PM ET WGN
LILLY: CHC 9-15 allowing 1 run or less
DAVIS: 9-0 Under when playing on Saturday

PHILADELPHIA at ARIZONA, 8:10 PM ET
FIGUEROA: PHI 18-6 Away with a money line of -100 to -125
KENNEDY: ARI 17-24 at home with a money line of -100 to -150

Doubleheader Game #2
FLORIDA at COLORADO, 8:10 PM ET
ROBERTSON: 2-11 TSR when the total is 10+
COOK: COL 6-2 Over when playing on Saturday

ST LOUIS at SAN FRANCISCO, 9:05 PM ET
WAINWRIGHT: 15-2 TSR in road games
ZITO: 62-39 Under when working on 5 or 6 days rest

CLEVELAND at OAKLAND, 4:05 PM ET
CARMONA: 2-11 TSR against AL West
ANDERSON: OAK 29-17 after allowing 2 runs or less

SEATTLE at CHI WHITE SOX, 4:10 PM ET
FISTER: SEA 19-7 Away with a money line of -100 to -150
GARCIA: CHW 15-25 at home after a win

NY YANKEES at LA ANGELS, 4:10 PM ET
PETTITTE: 18-4 Under as a road favorite
PINEIRO: LAA 13-4 as a home underdog of +100 to +125

TORONTO at TAMPA BAY, 6:10 PM ET
ROMERO: TOR 10-4 when the total is 8.5 to 10
NIEMANN: TB 6-0 Over at home after having won 2 of their last 3

BALTIMORE at BOSTON, 7:10 PM ET
MATUSZ: BAL 10-2 Under in night games
LACKEY: 2-7 TSR at home against division opponents

MINNESOTA at KANSAS CITY, 7:10 PM ET
BLACKBURN: 0-7 TSR Away after a win
HOCHEVAR: KC 9-1 Over against division opponents

DETROIT at TEXAS, 8:05 PM ET MLB
WILLIS: DET 13-27 Away after one or more consecutive overs
FELDMAN: TEX 26-12 Over at home against AL Central

Added Game

Doubleheader Game #1
FLORIDA at COLORADO, 5:10 PM ET
NOLASCO: FLA 25-15 Away when the total is 9 to 9.5
SMITH: 10-1 Under when working on 5 or 6 days rest

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

MLB
Write-Up


Saturday, April 24

Hot pitchers
-- Kershaw is 1-0, 2.19 in his last two starts.
-- Leblanc allowed one run in five IP in his first '10 start.
-- Nolasco is 1-0, 2.30 in two road starts this season. Robertson is 2-0, 3.86 in his three starts.
-- Lilly is 44-26 in 95 starts over the last three seasons; this is his first start this year because of an injury.
-- Zito is 2-0, 1.86 in his three starts. Wainwright is 3-0, 1.88 in three starts this season.

-- Carmona is 2-0, 3.60 in three starts this season. Anderson is 1-1, 3.17 in his three starts.
-- Pineiro is 2-0, 0.63 in his last two starts. Pettitte is 2-0, 1.35 in three starts this season.
-- Romero has a 1.57 RA in three starts this year. Niemann is 1-0, 2.95 in his last three starts.
-- Matusz is 2-0, 4.34; he has both Baltimore wins this year.
-- Royals are 3-0 in Hochevar starts, scoring 23 runs.
-- Fister is 2-0, 0.60 in his last couple starts.

Cold pitchers
-- Stammen has an 8.16 RA in three starts this season.
-- Jurrjens is 0-1, 7.16 in three starts this season. Niese is 1-1, 4.86.
-- Smith is 1-1, 4.67 in three starts this season. Cook is 0-2, 8.16 in his three starts this season.
-- Cueto has 5.06 RA in three starts this season.
-- Davis is 0-1, 11.25 in three starts this season.
-- Rodriguez is 0-2, 4.67 in three starts this season. Hart is 6-11, 5.26 in his 47 games, 14 starts with Cubs/Pirates; this is his first '10 start.
-- Figueroa is 14-29, 4.50 in his 49 career starts; this is his first start of 2010. Kennedy is 0-1, 5.65 in three starts this season.

-- Lackey is 1-1, 9.00 in his last two starts.
-- Feldman is 1-1, 4.96 in three starts this season; he was scratched from his Friday start with a stomach flu.
-- Blackburn has a 6.05 RA in three starts this year.
-- Garcia is 1-1, 8.10 in his last two starts.
-- Willis is 0-1, 5.73 in his last two starts.

Totals
-- Seven of last eight Dodger road games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Atlanta games stayed under the total.
-- Last six Cincinnati games went over the total. Four of San Diego's last five road games stayed under.
-- Under is 8-2-1 in last eleven Houston games.
-- Eight of last ten Cub road games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 11-5 in Florida games this season.
-- Five of last six Arizona games went over the total.
-- Under is 7-2-1 in last ten St Louis games.

-- Over is 10-4 in last fourteen Tampa Bay games.
-- Under is 8-2-1 in Baltimore road games.
-- Under is 8-3-2 in last thirteen Texas games.
-- Four of Royals' last five home games went over the total.
-- Four of last five White Sox games went over the total.
-- Under is 7-2-1 in Cleveland road games.
-- Seven of ten Bronx road games went over the total.

Hot teams
-- Nationals won six of their last nine home games.
-- Mets won four of their last five games.
-- Padres won their last seven games, allowing total of 14 runs.
-- Astros won six of their last eight games.
-- Brewers won four of their last five games.
-- Rockies won three of their last four home games.
-- Phillies won seven of their seven road games.
-- Cardinals are 5-0 this year in game following a loss.

-- Oakland won eight of its last eleven home games.
-- Rays won nine of their last eleven games. Blue Jays won their last six road games.
-- Twins won six of their last eight games.
-- Red Sox won three of their last four games.
-- Mariners won seven of their last nine games.
-- Angels won five of their last seven games. Bronx won six of its last nine road games.

Cold teams
-- Dodgers lost last six of their last seven road games.
-- Braves lost last three games, scoring total of five runs.
-- Reds lost seven of their last nine games, allowing 62 runs.
-- Pirates were outscored 40-4 in losing their last four games.
-- Cubs lost five of their last seven games.
-- Florida is 0-5 in series openers this season.
-- Arizona lost six of its last eight games.
-- Giants lost five of their last seven games.

-- Indians lost six of their last seven road games.
-- Orioles lost 14 of their first 17 games.
-- Rangers lost six of their last eight games. Tigers lost six of nine.
-- Royals are 4-8 in their last twelve games.
-- White Sox lost six of their last eight games.

Umpires
-- LA-Wsh-- Three of four Crawford games went over the total.
-- Atl-NYM-- Road team won both Dreckman games this season.
-- SD-Cin-- Both Nauert games stayed under the total.
-- Pitt-Hst-- Home team won all three Barksdale games.
-- Cubs-Mil-- Home team won both Harschbeck games.
-- Phil-Az-- Both Iassogna games went over the total.
-- Fla-Colo-- No idea who the umpires are for this series yet.
-- StL-SF-- All four Reilly games went over the total.

-- Clev-A's-- Three of four Demuth games stayed under the total
-- Sea-Chi--Both Foster games stayed under the total.
-- NYY-LAA- Favorites won all three Davidson games.
-- Tor-TB-- Favorites won all four Layne games this season.
-- Blt-Bos-- Home teams won both Tichenor games this year.
-- Minn-KC-- Three of four Davis games stayed under the total.
-- Det-Tex-- Fletcher's totals this year: 6-3-10-20.

[Udog]

NBA
Dunkel


LA Lakers at Oklahoma City
The Lakers look to bounce back from their 101-96 loss in Game 3 and take advantage of an OKC team that is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games after scoring 100 or more points in the previous game. The Lakers are the pick (+2) according to Dunkel, which has LA favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (+2). Here are all of today's picks.

SATURDAY, APRIL 24

Game 507-508: Orlando at Charlotte
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 123.073; Charlotte 122.471
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 1; 180
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 2 1/2; 184 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+2 1/2); Under

Game 509-510: Phoenix at Portland
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 127.911; Portland 120.810
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 7; 209
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 1 1/2; 202
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-1 1/2); Over

Game 511-512: Atlanta at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 121.612; Milwaukee 120.319
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 190
Vegas Line & Total: Milwaukee by 1; 187
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+1); Over

Game 513-514: LA Lakers at Oklahoma City
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 122.375; Oklahoma City 120.556
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 2; 190
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 2; 194
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (+2); Under

[Udog]

NBA
Short Sheet


Saturday, 4/24/2010

Eastern Conference First Round - Best of 7 - Game 3 - ORL leads 2-0
ORLANDO at CHARLOTTE, 1:05 PM ET TNT
ORLANDO: 12-3 ATS Away when playing with 2 days rest
CHARLOTTE: 9-18 ATS after failing to cover 2 of their last 3

- *Western Conference First Round - Best of 7 - Game 4 - PHX leads 2-1
PHOENIX at PORTLAND, 4:35 PM ET TNT
PHOENIX: 13-3 ATS when playing 4 or less games in 10 days
PORTLAND: 7-20 ATS at home after a DD loss

Eastern Conference First Round - Best of 7 - Game 3 - ATL 2-0
ATLANTA at MILWAUKEE, 7:05 PM ET ESPN
ATLANTA: 17-8 ATS when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days
MILWAUKEE: 1-7 ATS in the 3rd game of a playoff series

Western Conference First Round - Best of 7 - Game 4 - LAL leads 2-1
LA LAKERS at OKLAHOMA CITY, 9:35 PM ET ESPN
LA LAKERS: 33-19 ATS as an underdog
OKLAHOMA CITY: 2-10 ATS at home after covering 3 of their last 4

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NHL
Dunkel


Pittsburgh at Ottawa
The Penguins look to close out the series and build on their 5-1 record in their last 6 playoff games as a favorite between -150 and -200. Pittsburgh is the pick (-160) according to Dunkel, which has the Penguins favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-160). Here are all of today's picks.

SATURDAY, APRIL 24

Game 73-74: Nashville at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 11.865; Chicago 11.420
Dunkel Line & Total: Nashville by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-250); 5
Dunkel Pick: Nashville (+210); Under

Game 75-76: Pittsburgh at Ottawa
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 11.156; Ottawa 10.972
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-160); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-160); Over

Game 77-78: San Jose at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 11.054; Colorado 11.318
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-175); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+155); Under

[Udog]

NHL
Short Sheet


Saturday, 4/24/2010

Western Conference Playoffs - First Round - Best of 7 - Game 5 - Tied 2-2
NASHVILLE at CHICAGO, 3:05 PM ET NBC
NASHVILLE: 9-0 SU revenging a shutout loss
CHICAGO: 0-2 SU as a # 2 seed in the playoffs

Eastern Conference Playoffs - First Round - Best of 7 - Game 6 - PIT 3-2
PITTSBURGH at OTTAWA, 7:05 PM ET VER
PITTSBURGH: 22-9 SU on Saturday
OTTAWA: 20-30 SU on Saturday

Western Conference Playoffs - First Round - Best of 7 - Game 6 - SJ 3-2
SAN JOSE at COLORADO, 10:05 PM ET VER
SAN JOSE: 17-4 SU 17-4 after allowing 2 or less in 3 straight
COLORADO: 9-21 SU after allowing 5+ goals

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NHL
Write-Up


Saturday, April 24

Penguins won three of last four games, with last three going over total; Pittsburgh is trying to win its seventh straight first round series. Seven of last nine series games went over the total. Pens outshot Ottawa 101-74 in last two games, but Senators survived triple OT in Game 5, will get boost from home crowd. Ottawa is 7-20 on power play in series, Pens are 6-26.

San Jose won three of last four games, three of which went OT; Avs did not score third period goal in last three games. Colorado was outshot 51-17 in their only win in last four games. Sharks were 2-7 on power play in Game 5, after being 3-17 in first four games. Avalanche are 1-11 on power play in last four games. Four of five games stayed under total.

Nashville has outscored Chicago 5-1 in third period in series, but they've only scored one first period goal; Predators are 0-17 in series on power play. Chicago is 3-13. Under is 10-3-3 in last sixteen Nashville games. Blackhawks won eight of last eleven games overall; they shut Predators out in both series wins. Preds lost six of last nine games in this building.

[Udog]

NBA


Saturday, April 24

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Tips and Trends
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Orlando Magic at Charlotte Bobcats [TNT | 2:00 PM ET]

Magic (-2, O/U 184.5): Orlando has been dominant against the Bobcats thus far in their best of 7 First Round series. The Magic lead 2-0, and they've been so impressive that the Bobcats have only led for 93 seconds in this entire series. Orlando came into the playoffs with little fanfare, as it was assumed that Cleveland was the team to beat. Many people forget the Magic are the defending Eastern Conference Champions. Orlando is using this us against the world mentality to motivate them this post season. Orlando has won 5 of the 6 meetings overall this season against Charlotte. Despite being dominant so far this series, the Magic are far from invincible. The Magic have been outrebounded in both games by a combined 11 rebounds. Orlando is 61-23 SU and 47-35-2 ATS overall this season. The Magic are 25-16 SU and 21-17-3 ATS on the road this season. The Magic are an impressive 41-30 ATS as the listed favorite this season, including 4-2 ATS as a favorite of 3 PTS or fewer. PG Jameer Nelson has been in the zone this series, averaging 22.5 PPG and 5.4 APG.

Magic are 6-0 ATS last 6 games as a road favorite.
Under is 3-0-1 last 4 playoff games as a favorite.

Key Injuries - F Rashard Lewis (ankle) is probable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 97 (OVER - Total of the Day)

Bobcats: Emotions will be high today, as Charlotte hosts it's first home playoff game since becoming the Bobcats. Unfortunately, Charlotte will need much more than emotion to beat the Magic. The Bobcats have been outplayed in both meetings so far in the playoffs, as they've been outscored by a combined 24 PTS. Charlotte has yet to reach 90 PTS against the Magic in the playoffs, so they will home their home court advantage will get them there. The Bobcats are 44-40 SU and 45-38-1 ATS overall this season. The Bobcats were very successful at home this season, going 31-10 SU and 23-18 ATS. Charlotte was 24-19 ATS as the listed underdog this season, including 4-2 ATS as a home underdog of 3 PTS or fewer. The Bobcats are 9-4 ATS after scoring 85 PTS or fewer this season. G Stephen Jackson and F Gerald Wallace are carrying the scoring burden for the Bobcats this series, as each of them average more than 20 PPG. Wallace is also leading the team in rebounding
this series, averaging 10 RPG.

Bobcats are 5-2 ATS last 7 games as a home underdog.
Under is 10-1-1 last 12 games as an underdog..

Key Injuries - C Alexis Ajinca (hand) is out.

PROJECTED SCORE: 94



Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City [ESPN | 9:30 PM ET]

Lakers: Los Angeles has been playing with fire, as they very nearly lost Game 1 to the Thunder. The Lakers weren't able to sneak out another win, as they lost to the Thunder in Game 3 to cut their series lead in half to 2-1. The Lakers have found playing in Oklahoma City difficult this season, as they've lost 2 of the 3 games played their. The 3rd game they were able to win, they were pushed to overtime. The Lakers are still struggling on offense, as they've been held under 100 PTS in 8 of their last 9 games. The Lakers are relying far too often on G Kobe Bryant to bail them out. Coach Jackson needs to shift the offensive focus to other players, notably F Pau Gasol. The Lakers attempted 31 three pointers in their Game 3 loss, as they settled for far too many outside shots. Bryant and Gasol are the only 2 Lakers averaging more than 11 PPG in this series. The Lakers are currently 59-26 SU and 34-48-3 ATS this season. The Lakers are 23-19 SU and 18-23 ATS on the road this season. Los Angeles is 5-8 ATS as the listed underdog this season, including 2-6 ATS as a road underdog of 3 PTS or fewer this seasonr.

Lakers are 2-8 ATS last 10 games as a road underdog up to 4.5 points.
Under is 11-3 last 14 games as a road underdog.

Key Injuries - G Sasha Vujacic (ankle) is out.

PROJECTED SCORE: 100 (Side of the Day)

Thunder (-2, O/U 194): Oklahoma City was treated to their 1st ever playoff win, as they beat the Lakers in a vital Game 3. The Thunder showed some resolve and toughness, as they came from behind in the 2nd half to beat the defending NBA Champions. This young team very likely gained an enormous amount of confidence with that victory, and they will attempt to build off that tonight. F Kevin Durant and PG Russell Westbrook combined for 56 PTS and 27 rebounds in guiding the Thunder to their Game 3 win. Oklahoma City is going to need to play even better tonight, as it's unlikely they will attempt 22 more free throws than the Lakers. The Thunder are 51-34 SU and 50-35 ATS overall this season. The Thunder are 28-14 SU and 23-19 ATS in home games this season. Oklahoma City was 4-3 ATS this season as a home favorite of 3 PTS or fewer. The Thunder played their best basketball this season against good teams, as they were 30-18 ATS against teams with a winning record.

Thunder are 6-1 ATS last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 19-7 last 26 games following a SU win.

Key Injuries - None.

PROJECTED SCORE: 95


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[Udog]

NBA
Write-Up


Saturday, April 24

Milwaukee starters other than Salmons were 11-38 from floor in 96-86 Game 2 loss; this isn't same Bucks team without injured Bogut- they're 10-44 from arc in series, and had 19 shots blocked. Atlanta's frontcourt was 21-34 from floor in Game 2, winning by 10 despite its bench going just 3-15 for the night. Gadzuric was +14 in just 18:08 in 10-point loss.

Orlando held Bobcats to 89-77 points in winning first two series games; Charlotte has 33 turnovers (-12) so far in series and other than Jackson, their starters went 7-22 from floor in Game 2. Magic led by 16-11 at the half in series; they're 23-60 from arc. No Orlando starter took more than 12 shots in Game, as they had better balance than first game.

Thunder was 27-34 from foul line in Game 3, Lakers 10-12, after Lakers had taken 54 FTs in first two games, compared to 57 for OC. LA was -12 in 9:54 with Shannon Brown on floor in Game 3; interesting to see how much time he gets here. Durant was just 8-24 in Game 3, but had 29 points, 19 rebounds. LA had trouble containing Westbrook off dribble.

Phoenix crushed Trailblazers in Game 3, leading by 29 at half; they're 32 for 80 from arc in series, 13-28 in Game 3, with Richardson 8-12 outside arc in 42-point outburst. Suns had 63-66 points at halftime of last two games. Portland held Phoenix to 42% in Game 1, making Nash shoot lot more than Suns would like, but Suns shot 52/53% in last two games.