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**Udog** · 04-27-2011, 08:32 AM

Daily Sports Roundup: April 27

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Heat, Thunder, and Grizzlies look to advance, the Orioles play host to the Red Sox, and the Cardinals take on the division-rival Astros.

Tipping off on the hardwood . . .

Three games make up the NBA's playoff schedule for Wednesday, with Philadelphia at Miami, Denver at Oklahoma City, and Memphis at San Antonio. The Heat, Thunder, and Grizzlies all hold 3-1 leads in their respective best-of-seven first-round series, with Memphis moving to within one game of eliminating top-seeded San Antonio with a 104-86 home win in Game 4 on Monday night. Mike Conley had a team-high 15 points for the Grizzlies in that win, while Zach Randolph added 11 points and nine rebounds on the night. Tony Parker poured in a game-high 23 points in Monday's losing cause for the Spurs, and Tim Duncan was held to just six points and seven rebounds in that matchup.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

On the American League schedule for Wednesday it's the White Sox at the Yankees, Seattle at Detroit, Kansas City at Cleveland, Oakland at the Angels, Toronto at Texas, Tampa Bay at Minnesota, and Boston at Baltimore. The Red Sox will go with Josh Beckett (2-1, 1.93 ERA) in that last matchup, while the Orioles counter with Jeremy Guthrie (1-3, 3.12 ERA). Righthander Beckett had to settle for a no-decision against the Angels last time out, giving up just two runs on three hits over eight innings of work in that outing. Righthander Guthrie was tagged with a hard-luck loss in his last start against the Twins, surrendering two runs on seven hits over his seven innings of work that game.

Over in the National League on Wednesday it's then the Dodgers at Florida, Cincinnati at Milwaukee, Colorado at the Cubs, Atlanta at San Diego, Philadelphia at Arizona, San Francisco at Pittsburgh, the Mets at Washington, and St. Louis at Houston. The Cards' Kyle Lohse (3-1, 2.01 ERA) will take on the Astros' J.A. Happ (1-3, 6.94 ERA) in that last game. Righthander Lohse dominated the Nationals in his most recent trip to the mound, tossing a complete-game shutout while giving up just two hits that day. Lefthander Happ is coming off a loss to the Mets in which he gave up six runs on six hits in 4 2-3 innings.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

Finally, the NHL playoff schedule for Wednesday has Game 7 between the Canadiens and Bruins in Boston, and the Lightning and Penguins in Pittsburgh. The Lightning staved off elimination in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Monday night, winning 4-2 at home behind goals from Teddy Purcell, Sean Bergenheim, Steve Downie, and Ryan Malone. Dwayne Roloson stopped 27 of 29 Pittsburgh shots in forcing Wednesday's deciding Game 7. Pascal Dupuis and Jordan Staal scored for the Pens on Monday, and Marc-Andre Fleury had only 17 saves.

**Udog** · 04-27-2011, 08:36 AM

Wednesday’s betting tips: Heat vow to start fast

Who’s hot

NBA: Memphis has covered in each of its last nine meetings with San Antonio.

NBA: The under has cashed in on nine of Philadelphia’s last 10 games.

NHL: Tampa Bay has won six of its last eight road games.

MLB: Philadelphia has won 10 of its last 14 meetings with Arizona.

Who’s not

NBA: Philadelphia is just 2-8 against the spread in its last 10.

NBA: San Antonio is riding an 0-7 skid against the spread.

NBA: The over has cashed in just once in Denver’s last 10 road games.

MLB: San Diego has just three wins in its last 10.

Key stat

72 percent – Well, Miami’s Big Three is coming through so far when it counts, producing 72 percent of the team’s offense through its first four playoff games. In Sunday’s 86-82 loss to the 76ers, LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade accounted for more than 79 percent of the Heat’s scoring.

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

Corey Hart, Milwaukee Brewers: Hart is expected to make his season debut Wednesday afternoon against the Cincinnati Reds after rehabbing an oblique injury. Hart smacked 31 home runs last season and signed a $26.5 million contract extension.

Game of the day

Memphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs (-6.5, 189)

Notable quotable

“We were kind of sad at a point. We went down 10, 12, and in our eyes, I couldn’t see the fire that said, ‘We can make it.’?” – San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili following the team’s loss to Memphis. The Grizzlies lead the Spurs 3-1 in the series heading into Wednesday’s contests, but are set as 6.5-point underdogs on the road.

Notes and tips

If you’re looking to bet the first half in Tuesday’s Miami 76ers-Heat matchup, take note that Miami is getting sick of starting slow. The Heat are averaging just 18.8 points in the first quarter during this series and both Dwyane Wade and LeBron James acknowledged that they need to get it going early. "The both of us are going to play with a little bit more attention to start the game, give a little bit more effort, play with a little bit more aggression, and not feel the game out as much to start the game,” James told reporters. “And see how that works, because our first quarters haven't been the best."

Barcelona will be without midfielder Andres Iniesta for Wednesday’s first leg of the Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid. Iniesta didn’t train Monday and then lasted only 10 minutes in Tuesday’s workout before bowing out. Barcelona is set at +150 in three-option betting with Real Madrid at +165 and the draw at +225.

**Udog** · 04-27-2011, 08:39 AM

NBA
Dunkel

Memphis at San Antonio
The Grizzlies look to take advantage of a San Antonio team that is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games as a home favorite from 5 to 10 1/2 points. Memphis is the pick (+6 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the game Even. Dunkel Pick: Memphis (+6 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

Game 523-524: Philadelphia at Miami (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 115.474; Miami 128.648
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 13; 183
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 10 1/2; 186 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Miami (-10 1/2); Under

Game 525-526: Memphis at San Antonio (8:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 121.861; San Antonio 121.360
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 191
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 6 1/2; 189
Dunkel Pick: Memphis (+6 1/2); Over

Game 527-528: Denver at Oklahoma City (9:35 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 118.711; Oklahoma City 127.653
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 9; 201
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 6 1/2; 205
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (-6 1/2); Under

**Udog** · 04-27-2011, 08:41 AM

NBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, April 27

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PHILADELPHIA (42 - 44) at MIAMI (61 - 25) - 4/27/2011, 7:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 48-37 ATS (+7.3 Units) in all games this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 47-24 ATS (+20.6 Units) as a road underdog of 9.5 to 12 points since 1996.
MIAMI is 16-26 ATS (-12.6 Units) in home games this season.
MIAMI is 10-23 ATS (-15.3 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 185 and 189.5 points over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MIAMI is 8-7 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
MIAMI is 12-3 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
9 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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MEMPHIS (49 - 37) at SAN ANTONIO (62 - 24) - 4/27/2011, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 102-72 ATS (+22.8 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.
MEMPHIS is 56-29 ATS (+24.1 Units) in all games this season.
MEMPHIS is 29-11 ATS (+16.9 Units) as an underdog this season.
MEMPHIS is 28-15 ATS (+11.5 Units) in road games this season.
MEMPHIS is 16-4 ATS (+11.6 Units) vs. division opponents this season.
MEMPHIS is 14-2 ATS (+11.8 Units) off an upset win as an underdog this season.
MEMPHIS is 32-14 ATS (+16.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MEMPHIS is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
MEMPHIS is 35-14 ATS (+19.6 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
MEMPHIS is 20-7 ATS (+12.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) in a home game where where the total is between 185 and 189.5 points over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) in all playoff games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 16-30 ATS (-17.0 Units) in home games revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MEMPHIS is 11-5 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 9-7 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
9 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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DENVER (51 - 35) at OKLAHOMA CITY (58 - 28) - 4/27/2011, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
DENVER is 36-51 ATS (-20.1 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 96-75 ATS (+13.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 47-27 ATS (+17.3 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 54-38 ATS (+12.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DENVER is 46-37 ATS (+5.3 Units) in all games this season.
DENVER is 52-33 ATS (+15.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 10-5 against the spread versus DENVER over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 9-7 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
9 of 16 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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**Udog** · 04-27-2011, 08:54 AM

NBA
Short Sheet

Wednesday, April 27

Eastern Conference Playoffs - First Round - Best of 7 - Game 5 - MIA 3-1
PHILADELPHIA at MIAMI, 7:05 PM ET TNT
PHILADELPHIA: 51-28 ATS as underdog of 10 or more
MIAMI: 0-8 ATS at home off a road loss

Western Conference Playoffs - First Round - Best of 7 - Game 5 - MEM 3-1
MEMPHIS at SAN ANTONIO, 8:35 PM ET NBA TV
MEMPHIS: 30-9 ATS if underdog last game
SAN ANTONIO: 5-15 ATS at home off ATS loss

Western Conference Playoffs - First Round - Best of 7 - Game 5 - OKC 3-1
DENVER at OKLAHOMA CITY, 9:35 PM ET TNT
DENVER: 13-5 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points
OKLAHOMA CITY: 25-16 Over as home favorite

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

**Udog** · 04-27-2011, 08:57 AM

NBA

Wednesday, April 27

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. MIAMI
Philadelphia is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games on the road
Miami is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Miami is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia

8:30 PM
MEMPHIS vs. SAN ANTONIO
Memphis is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Memphis's last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Antonio's last 7 games at home
San Antonio is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Memphis

9:30 PM
DENVER vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Denver's last 14 games on the road
Denver is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City's last 7 games when playing Denver
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games at home

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**Udog** · 04-27-2011, 09:01 AM

NBA

Wednesday, April 27

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What bettors need to know: Wednesday's NBA playoff action
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Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat (-10.5, 186)

Miami leads series 3-1

THE STORY: In the end, the Philadelphia 76ers just decided that they were not ready to stop playing basketball this season. The Miami Heat don’t mind, they’ll just go ahead and win the series in front of their home fans instead. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics will sit at home and get plenty of rest while they await the winner. After a wild finish to Game 4, the Heat will take one more stab at closing out the 76ers when the teams meet in Miami on Wednesday for Game 5.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT THE HEAT: It looked as though Miami would close out the series in the final minutes on Sunday but then just laid down as the 76ers surged to the lead. Miami was up, 82-76, with 1:35 left before the 76ers scored the final 10 points to steal an 86-82 triumph and send the series back to Florida. LeBron James collected 31 points, seven rebounds and six assists but had his tying layup attempted blocked with three seconds left by Elton Brand. Dwyane Wade, who finished with 22 points and eight boards, was off on his jumper with 27 seconds left that would have stretched the Heat lead back to three points. After rallying back from a 16-point first-half deficit to take the lead it the fourth quarter, it just looked like Miami had run out of gas in the final minute.

ABOUT THE 76ERS: With its collective back against the wall, Philadelphia stepped up. Evan Turner and Louis Williams scored 17 points apiece off the bench and each contributed during that final rally. Turner scored the first basket of the run and sealed it at the free throw line and Williams buried a go-ahead 3-pointer with eight seconds left. Jrue Holiday, who scored 10 points, had hit a 3-pointer on the previous possession to bring the 76ers within a point. Attempting to become the first team in NBA history to erase a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series, Philadelphia would force the series back to its own arena if it can find a way to win Game 5.

WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Mike Bibby was held scoreless on 0-of-6 shooting on Sunday and is just 6 of 27 from the floor in the series for the Heat. Brand has recorded a double-double in each of the last two games for the 76ers.

KEY STATISTIC: Bench scoring. The Philadelphia reserves outscored Miami’s bench 36-16 in Game 4 despite getting only two points out of Thaddeus Young.

TRENDS:

* Under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.
* Home team is 19-9 ATS in the last 28 meetings.
* 76ers are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
* Heat are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 Conference Quarterfinals games.

LAST WORD: “We’re still breathing,” Brand said. “Now we’re going there trying to get another one. We proved we could beat them.”

Memphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs (-6.5, 189)

Memphis leads series 3-1

THE STORY: The San Antonio Spurs couldn't have figured their return trip from Memphis would have them needing a victory to stay alive in their Western Conference first-round series with the Grizzlies. Yet that's where the top-seeded Spurs find themselves after dropping Games 3 and 4 to a gritty Memphis club. San Antonio looks to extend the best-of-seven set Wednesday night at home.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV, Fox Sports Southwest

ABOUT THE SPURS: After staying close but ultimately falling just short in a three-point loss in Game 3, the Spurs looked to bounce back in a big way in Game 4. A five-point first-quarter lead was as good as it got for San Antonio, which looked nothing like the team that won 61 regular-season games. The Spurs committed 17 turnovers - seven coming from point guard Tony Parker - and was outscored 30-15 in a pivotal third quarter that may have been the death blow for San Antonio's chances of capturing the NBA title. Parker led the way with 23 points but had just one assist, while Manu Ginobili scored just 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES: Some experts figured Memphis' sensational front line of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol would give the Spurs' big men some trouble. But few could have predicted that the entire team would be so effective against the top regular-season club in the Western Conference. Nine different players scored at least eight points in Game 4, led by Mike Conley with 15 and Darrell Arthur with 14. Arthur put the spike in San Antonio's chances Monday night with a vicious dunk on an alley-oop pass from O.J. Mayo. Memphis has now won five of the last six meetings with the clubs dating back to the regular season.

WHO'S HOT/WHO'S NOT: Richard Jefferson has been the bust of the series. Once one of the top 30 offensive players in the NBA, the veteran forward went scoreless in nearly 27 minutes of action Monday night and is averaging just 8.3 points in the series. Arthur is averaging nine points in just over 17 minutes per game while shooting 63 percent from the field.

KEY STATISTIC: 0-5 - San Antonio's record in the Tim Duncan era in series in which they fall behind 3-1. The way the Spurs have played of late, breaking that trend seems unlikely.

TRENDS:

* Grizzlies are 9-0 ATS in the last nine meetings.
* Grizzlies are 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings in San Antonio.
* Over is 7-2 in the last nine meetings in San Antonio.
* Underdog is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.

LAST WORD: "The whole team is very frustrated. I mean we go through a whole season and get that first seed, and now we’re just one game away to be eliminated so it’s most important for us to focus on Game 5." - Parker

Denver Nuggets at Oklahoma City Thunder (-6.5, 205)

Oklahoma City leads series 3-1

THE STORY: Russell Westbrook looked mortal in Monday's Game 4 loss, but the Thunder point guard will have home court on his side for Game 5 of their Western Conference first-round series with the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday. Westbrook struggled with his shot, particularly down the stretch as the Nuggets held on for a 104-101 win. Oklahoma City still leads the best-of-seven series 3-1 and can wrap things up with a home victory in Game 5.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT, Fox Sports Oklahoma

ABOUT THE THUNDER: Westbrook was uncharacteristically off-target in the Game 4 defeat, missing several shots by a wide margin and even airballing a potential game-tying 3-point attempt in the final minute. He finished with 30 points on 12-of-30 shooting and missed all seven of his attempts from beyond the arc, including three in the closing moments of the game. Durant had 31 points on 8-of-18 shooting but he made five of six 3-pointers while going 10-for-11 from the line. Serge Ibaka was solid for the third game in a row, scoring 13 points while adding 14 rebounds and a game-high five blocked shots.

ABOUT THE NUGGETS: Denver held on - barely - to stay alive in the best-of-seven, but will need to better on the offensive end to extend the series beyond five games. The Nuggets won despite shooting just 38.6 percent from the field and 70.5 percent from the free-throw line. Only the sheer number of foul shots - 44 in total, compared to 31 by the Thunder - prevented Denver from being swept out of the playoffs in their own building. Ty Lawson paced the Nuggets with a career playoff-high 27 points while Danilo Gallinari added 18 points, including a pair of clutch 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.

WHO'S HOT/WHO'S NOT: Durant has been deadly from outside all series, shooting 14 for 27 from 3-point range through the first four games. Nuggets C Nene had 10 points and nine rebounds but went just 4 of 9 from the line, putting him at 55.6 percent for the series. He was a 71-percent free-throw shooter in the regular season.

KEY STATISTIC: 47 - the number of offensive rebounds the Nuggets have allowed through the first four games of the series. Limiting Oklahoma City's second-chance baskets will be critical to Denver's ability to stay alive in the best-of-seven.

TRENDS:

* Under is 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings.
* Nuggets are 2-7 ATS in the last nine meetings in Oklahoma City.
* Nuggets are 1-4-1 ATS in the last six meetings.

LAST WORD: "We’ll take that. If he can get 30 up and miss 18 of them, we’ll take that. We’ll take that every day." - Martin on Westbrook's poor night from the field.

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**Udog** · 04-27-2011, 09:03 AM

NBA
Short Sheet

Wednesday, April 27

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Pick 'n' roll: Wednesday's best NBA bets
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Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat (-10.5, 186)

The recipe for success for Philadelphia only needs one ingredient: Andre Iguodala scoring.

Iguodala is one of the most athletic and defensively gifted swingmen in the league, but as his shot goes, do the Sixers. The former Arizona standout had his best outing of the series in Game 4, posting 16 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in the win. Not surprisingly, it was the first game of the series the team won and the first where he cracked the 10-point plateau.

“He’s smart,” Sixers coach Doug Collins said. “He’s a brilliant basketball player. He really is. He really knows how to think the game. He’s got a great feel for the game. Any time I talk at halftime or whatever, I’ll always go up to him and say, ‘Did I miss anything? Is there anything you’d like to add?’ Because I trust him. He’s got great instincts.”

And those instincts need to keep him attacking the rim. His team has struggled to consistently score against the Heat and it will need every point it can produce to stave off elimination. Philadelphia has scored more than 90 points only once in the series.

But if he can at least contribute, the Sixers should at the very least cover. The team nearly upset the Heat in Miami in Game 1 as a double-digit dog that easily covered. In fact, the Sixers are 6-1-1 ATS this season when getting nine or more points this year.

A little Iguodala will go a long way for the Sixers.

Pick: Philadelphia

Denver Nuggets at Oklahoma City Thunder (-6.5, 204.5)

Don’t expect Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook to suddenly start becoming a passing-first point guard because he is taking heat for chucking 30 shots in a 3-point loss to Denver in Game 4. The Thunder still lead the series 3-1 and Westbrook has been looking to pick up the offensive void left by traded forward Jeff Green.

It’s been 20 games – March 14 – since Westbrook last had a double-digit assist game. However, he has scored 30 or more points four times during that span. So expect him to just keep shooting – just don’t expect a majority of them to be jump shots, like the five he missed in the fourth quarter.

Westbrook definitely realizes his need to attack the rim.

“I don’t know if we’re a jump-shooting team or not, but I do know we play aggressive,” he told reporters.

For the series, the former UCLA star is 25-of-29 from the free-throw line for the series and no one complained when he was 12-for-23 from the field for 31 points when Oklahoma City eeked out a four-point win in Game 1.

But just maybe Game 5 will be different. In Game 4, Westbrook went 0-for-7 beyond the arc. Six times during the regular season he attempted at least four three pointers in a game. The next time out he averaged 10.1 assists per game and never finished with fewer than nine.

“Good players make plays for others,” Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said. ““I think we’re a physical team. I think our guys have stepped up and played aggressive basketball.”

Pick: Oklahoma City

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**Udog** · 04-27-2011, 09:05 AM

NHL
Dunkel

Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh
The Lightning look to take advantage of a Pittsburgh team that is 2-5 in its last 7 home games as a favorite from -110 to -150. Tampa Bay is the pick (+115) according to Dunkel, which has the Lightning favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+115). Here are all of today's picks.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

Game 25-26: Montreal at Boston (7:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 11.451; Boston 12.517
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 23-24: Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 12.596; Pittsburgh 10.475
Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-135); 5
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+115); Under

**Udog** · 04-27-2011, 09:07 AM

NHL
Long Sheet

Wednesday, April 27

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TAMPA BAY (49-27-0-12, 110 pts.) at PITTSBURGH (52-28-0-8, 112 pts.) - 4/27/2011, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 52-36 ATS (-2.0 Units) in all games this season.
PITTSBURGH is 24-13 ATS (+7.0 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
PITTSBURGH is 45-21 ATS (+13.7 Units) after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game over the last 3 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 49-39 ATS (+4.3 Units) in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 24-19 ATS (+43.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PITTSBURGH is 4-11 ATS (-11.9 Units) in a home game where where the total is 5 or less over the last 3 seasons.
PITTSBURGH is 7-13 ATS (-15.0 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PITTSBURGH is 6-13 ATS (-14.2 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
PITTSBURGH is 10-8-0 straight up against TAMPA BAY over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+0.5 Units)

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MONTREAL (47-31-0-10, 104 pts.) at BOSTON (49-28-0-11, 109 pts.) - 4/27/2011, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
MONTREAL is 13-15 (+0.5 Units) against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 15-13-0 straight up against MONTREAL over the last 3 seasons
12 of 23 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Over=-0.7 Units, Under=-1.6 Units)

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**Udog** · 04-27-2011, 09:10 AM

NHL
Short Sheet

Wednesday, April 27

If Montreal/Boston updates, I'll add it.

Eastern Conference Playoffs - Best of 7 - Game 7 - Tied 3-3
TAMPA BAY at PITTSBURGH, 8:05 PM ET
TAMPA BAY: 21-15 SU as an underdog
PITTSBURGH: 1-5 SU attempting to close out a playoff series

Eastern Conference Playoffs - Best of 7 - Game 7 - Tied 3-3
MONTREAL at BOSTON, 7:05 PM ET
MONTREAL:
BOSTON:

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

**Udog** · 04-27-2011, 09:12 AM

NHL

Wednesday, April 27

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
MONTREAL vs. BOSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Montreal's last 6 games when playing Boston
Montreal is 12-6 SU in its last 18 games when playing Boston
Boston is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games when playing Montreal
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Montreal

8:00 PM
TAMPA BAY vs. PITTSBURGH
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Tampa Bay's last 9 games
Tampa Bay is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 games at home
Pittsburgh is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games

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**Udog** · 04-27-2011, 09:16 AM

NHL

Wednesday, April 27

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What bettors need to know: Wednesday's NHL playoff action
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Montreal Canadiens at Boston Bruins (N/A)

Series tied 3-3

THE STORY: The Montreal Canadiens are very familiar with the situation in which they've put themselves, as are the Boston Bruins. Only one is hoping for a familiar outcome Wednesday as the Original Six rivals square off at TD Garden in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. Montreal trailed 3-2 against both the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins in last year's postseason before winning Game 6 at home and Game 7 on the road. The Canadiens also have forced a seventh game in each of their previous four playoff series versus the Bruins in which they've trailed 3-2 and went on to win the deciding contest three times. Boston, meanwhile, is 0-26 in series in which it lost the first two games.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, VERSUS, CBC, RDS, NESN

ABOUT THE BRUINS: Penalties proved to be Boston's downfall in Tuesday's 2-1 loss at the Bell Centre. The Bruins found themselves down two skaters twice - and the Canadiens capitalized both times. Dennis Seidenberg took a slashing penalty a mere four seconds after Boston was called for too many men, leading to Montreal's first goal. The defenseman atoned for his mistake by knotting the game early in the second period, but Patrice Bergeron's delay-of-game minor that came shortly after Milan Lucic's boarding major set up the Canadiens for what proved to be the game-winning tally exactly five minutes after Seidenberg's score. The Bruins have won only eight of their previous 32 playoff series against the Canadiens.

ABOUT THE CANADIENS: Mike Cammalleri opened the scoring midway through the first period and helped set up captain Brian Gionta's goal at 5:48 of the second. Cammalleri has been tremendous in elimination games during his two postseasons with the Canadiens, scoring seven goals and adding three assists to help Montreal to a 6-1 record. Carey Price made 31 saves in ending his seven-game home losing streak in the playoffs. Tuesday's victory was the 50th of Jacques Martin's postseason career, making him the 20th coach to reach the plateau. David Desharnais and defenseman James Wisniewski missed Tuesday's contest due to injuries suffered in Game 5.

WHO'S HOT/WHO'S NOT: Cammalleri is tied with Philadelphia's Claude Giroux for the playoff scoring lead with nine points while he and Gionta share the team lead with three goals apiece. Canadiens defenseman Roman Hamrlik led all players in Game 6 with eight blocked shots. Bergeron tops Boston with four assists and six points. Lucic, who recorded a team-high 30 goals during the regular season, has yet to score in the series. After scoring the winning goal in double overtime in Game 5, Nathan Horton was one of three Bruins who failed to register a shot on Tuesday.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Montreal (4-for-23, 17.4 percent) doubled its power-play goal total for the series with a pair on Tuesday. The Bruins' futility with the extra man continued as they were scoreless on four opportunities and are 0-for-19 overall.

TRENDS:

* Under is 5-2-2 in the last nine meetings in Boston.
* Canadiens are 0-4 in their last 4 games playing on 0 days rest.
* Bruins are 6-2 in their last 8 games playing on 0 days rest.
* Over is 4-0-2 in Canadiens last 6 games playing on 0 days rest.

LAST WORD: "If you can eat and breathe, I think it’ll be easy to get motivated for (Game 7). We’ve started to earn a little bit of that reputation (for winning elimination games), and that’s a good one to have. We’ll plan on another one in less than 24 hours." - Cammalleri on being prepared for Game 7.

Tampa Bay Lightning at Pittsburgh Penguins (-130, 5)

Series tied 3-3

THE STORY: The fourth-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins have wasted two straight chances to advance to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. They're hoping the third time is the charm as they host the fifth-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series at the Consol Energy Center on Wednesday. After Pittsburgh took a 3-1 lead in the matchup by posting a pair of one-goal victories on the road, Tampa Bay staved off elimination twice, routing the Penguins in the Steel City before recording just its second win in eight home playoff games on Monday.

TV: TBD, CBC, Sun Sports, Root

ABOUT THE PENGUINS: Pittsburgh took an early lead Monday on Pascal Dupuis' first goal of the series but fell behind before Jordan Staal forged a 2-2 tie at 3:48 of the third period. However, Steve Downie scored 67 seconds later and the Penguins never recovered and dropped a 4-2 decision, marking the first time in the series the team scoring first went on to lose. The Penguins should have realized that it wasn't their night when Chris Conner lost control of the puck during a penalty shot midway through the second period and was forced to take a bad-angle slap shot that Dwayne Roloson easily turned aside. Pittsburgh has had no success in 2010-11 when trailing after two periods, falling to 0-3 in the playoffs after going 0-19-1 during the regular season. The Penguins are 7-5 in Game 7s, but just 2-5 on home ice.

ABOUT THE LIGHTNING: Downie played a major role in keeping alive Tampa Bay's season as he helped set up both of the team's first two goals before scoring the game-winner at 4:55 of the third period. Former Penguin Ryan Malone added a goal and an assist for his first points of the postseason and Roloson made 27 saves to improve to 5-0 lifetime in elimination games. The Lightning outscored the Penguins 2-1 in the third despite being outshot by a 13-5 margin. Tampa Bay is 2-0 in seventh games, with both victories coming in 2004 at home. It posted a 2-1 triumph over the Philadelphia Flyers in the deciding contest of the conference finals and topped the Calgary Flames by the same score to capture the Stanley Cup.

WHO'S HOT/WHO'S NOT: Downie has registered a goal and four assists in two contests since missing Game 4 due to a suspension for leaving his feet to deliver a check on Pittsburgh defenseman Ben Lovejoy. Martin St. Louis leads the team with eight points despite being kept off the scoresheet Monday. Blue-liner Brett Clark is the only member of the Lightning who has played in all six games but has not recorded a point. Pittsburgh's Arron Asham has gone two games without a point after notching one in each of the first four contests. Max Talbot has three assists in the last two matches.

SPECIAL TEAMS: The Penguins once again were abysmal on the power play in Game 6, going scoreless on five opportunities to make them 1-for-30 (3.3 percent) in the series. Tampa Bay also did not convert Monday but is 8-for-25 (32.0 percent) entering the decisive contest.

TRENDS:

* Over is 3-0-2 in the last five meetings.
* Over is 3-1-1 in the last five meetings in Pittsburgh.
* Underdog is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
* Road team is 4-1 in the last five meetings.

LAST WORD: "We have to go out and play the game and not just talk about what we've learned in the past. It's a different team. It's a different year. We'll have to be ready and refocused to play that game." - Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma on previous experience in Game 7s.

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**Udog** · 04-27-2011, 09:19 AM

NHL

Wednesday, April 27

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Ice picks: Wednesday's best NHL bet
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Tampa Bay Lightning at Pittsburgh Penguins (-135, 5)

The Penguins might be thinking about petitioning the league to make all their power plays a 6-on-4 advantage, because having just one extra man surely isn’t working for them against Tampa Bay.

Pittsburgh is a hideous 1-for-30 on the man advantage in the series, with the lone power play goal coming from center Tyler Kennedy – the same guy who entered the playoffs with no power play goals and a minus-7 rating in 54 career postseason games.

"I think the biggest thing is when they come into the zone, we make them dump it in," Tampa Bay forward Nate Thompson said. "We're taking away their time and space and not letting them set up. So, it's that and blocking shots."

But the Penguins' futility on the man advantage should come as little surprise. With numerous injuries to the team’s top forwards during the regular season, the man-up unit was clicking at a mere 15.8 percent – good enough for 25th-best in the league.

The Lightning are no strangers to killing penalties. The team was ranked eighth during the regular season, shutting teams down at an 83.8 percent rate. Tampa Bay’s top PK units consist of forwards Sean Bergenheim, Adam Hall, Dominic Moore and Thompson and defensemen Mattias Ohlund, Eric Brewer and Victor Hedman.

"Our penalty-killers have been on the same page," Moore said, "and we've been really reacting well together."

The group nearly single-handedly won Game 6 for the Lightning when they combined to kill off three penalties in a 12-minute stretch of the second period as the team clung to a 2-1 lead.

Pittsburgh finished 0-for-5 on the man advantage, Tampa Bay won 4-2 and Thompson posted four blocked shots, the most among Lightning forwards.

"There is no mentality to it," Thompson said. "It's just what you have to do. This is playoffs. You have to be willing to sacrifice your body and block the shot with whatever you can. Every guy is willing to do that."

And if you are looking for a Game 7 star, look no further than Tampa Bay forward Martin St. Louis. A proven clutch performer, he has 27 goals and 29 assists in 51 career postseason games. During the series, he has eight points and four multi-point games.

"We just played two Game 7s because that is the position we are in," Lightning coach Guy Boucher said. "That fifth game was a do or die for us, and the sixth was a do or die."

Look for the Lightning to keep doing.

Pick: Tampa Bay

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