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**Udog** · 05-09-2011, 07:53 AM

Daily Sports Roundup: May 9

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Celtics look to even up their series with the Heat, the Grizzlies play host to the Thunder, and the Canucks take the ice in Nashville.

Tipping off on the hardwood . . .

On the NBA's playoff schedule for Monday it's Miami at Boston and Oklahoma City at Memphis. The Celtics cut their series deficit to 2-1 with a 97-81 home win in Game 3 of the set on Saturday night. Kevin Garnett had 28 points for Boston in that victory, while LeBron James was held to just 15 points in the loss for the Heat. The Grizzlies took a 2-1 series lead on the Thunder with a 101-93 overtime victory in Game 3 of that set on Saturday afternoon. Zach Randolph scored 21 points and grabbed 21 rebounds for Memphis in Game 3; Kevin Durant picked up 22 points and 12 boards for Oklahoma City.

Meeting up on the diamond . . .

On the American League schedule for Monday it's Minnesota at Boston, Oakland at Texas, the White Sox at the Angels, and Detroit at Toronto. The Tigers' Max Scherzer (5-0, 3.15 ERA) will take on the Blue Jays' Brandon Morrow (1-1, 3.06 ERA) in that last matchup. Righthander Scherzer blanked the Yankees on four hits over eight innings of work in his most recent start, fanning nine batters in that contest. Righthander Morrow beat the Rays in his last outing, surrendering just one run on five hits over 6 1-3 innings.

In the National League on Monday it's then the Dodgers at Pittsburgh, Philadelphia at Florida, Cincinnati at Houston, the Mets at Colorado, and San Diego at Milwaukee. Mat Latos (0-4, 4.55 ERA) will get the ball for the Padres on Monday, while Zack Greinke (0-1, 9.00 ERA) counters for the Brewers. Righthander Latos took a no-decision against the Pirates in his last start, allowing two runs on five hits over six innings. Righthander Greinke lost his season debut to the Braves, giving up four earned runs in four innings.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

Finally, the lone NHL playoff matchup on the schedule for Monday has Vancouver at Nashville in Game 6 of their second-round Western Conference series. The Predators staved off elimination with a 4-3 road win in Game 5 on Saturday night, with Joel Ward and David Legwand both scoring twice for Nashville in the contest. Pekka Rinne made 31 saves for the Preds. Ryan Kesler had a pair of goals in the loss for the Canucks, and Raffi Torres provided the team's other marker. Roberto Luongo made 19 saves that night.

**Udog** · 05-09-2011, 07:56 AM

Monday's betting tips: Heat bets shift odds

Who’s hot

NBA: Boston has played under in 19 of its last 27 overall.

NBA: Memphis has covered in 23 of its last 31 home games.

NHL: Vancouver has won 26 of its last 35 road contests.

MLB: The Red Sox have won eight of their last nine games in Boston against Minnesota.

Who’s not

NBA: Miami Heat are just 5-11 against the spread in their last 16 meetings with the Boston Celtics.

NBA: Just one of the last eight meetings between the Thunder and Grizzlies have played under.

MLB: Florida is just 1-7 in its last eight games against Philadelphia.

Key stat

16 points – The Memphis Grizzlies fought back from a 16-point deficit in the second half to down the Thunder 101-93 in overtime, taking a 2-1 series lead heading into Monday’s Game 4. The Grizzlies have now covered in four of their last five meetings with Oklahoma City.

Game of the day

Miami Heat at Boston Celtics (pick ‘em, 181)

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

Chris Bosh, Miami Heat: Bosh is dealing with a pinched nerve in his neck and managed just six points in Game 3’s 97-81 blowout loss to the Celtics. He’s still expected to start in Monday’s game and is trying to downplay the injury. “I don’t want to make any excuses,” told reporters. “I had a bad game. Those are going to happen. I wasn’t in the right places at the right time. I didn’t make many plays on offense or on defense and I can do a lot better.”

Notable quotable

"We saw a lot of film where we did things wrong, and I think that right there only just gives us fuel to the fire to come out this next game and ready to play." - Grizzlies guard Tony Allen after coach Lionel Hollins showed his team tape of all their mistakes before they turned it around to earn a comeback victory in Game 3.

Notes and tips

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers is trying to remain positive about his team’s situation heading into Monday’s Game 4 trailing the series 2-1. Rivers says he is hopeful that both Rajon Rondo (dislocated left elbow) and Delonte West (left shoulder bruise) will be fit to play though both will undergo MRIs to lean the extent of their respective injuries. Oddsmakers opened with Boston set as a 2-point home favorite, but Miami bets have moved the odds to a pick ‘em.

The Vancouver Canucks still lead the Nashville Predators 3-2 in the series but the club has to be feeling a little concerned after nearly blowing a 3-1 series lead against Chicago in the first round. One of the major problems for the Canucks right now is the play of Daniel and Henrik Sedin. The Sedins are minus-11 combined through the first five games of the series.

**Udog** · 05-09-2011, 07:58 AM

Monday's six-pack

-- Gutless exhibition by the Lakers, falling by 36 in fourth straight loss to Dallas. Further proof that best-of-7 series are too long. NBA teams are now 0-99 in playoff series where they fell behind by a 3-0 margin. Best-of-5 would be plenty long enough.

-- Rajon Rondo played 4th quarter of Game 3 of Miami-Boston series with a dislocated elbow, which is also a nice way of saying he played with torn ligaments in his elbow. Rocco Baldelli he ain't.

-- Lucas Glover beat Jonathan Byrd in a playoff to win on the pro golf tour in Charlotte; Glover/Byrd were college teammates at Clemson.

-- Seems like a long time ago that Manny Ramirez was the Rays' DH.

-- After six weeks of baseball, Pirates are 17-17, only 2.5 games out of first place. Pittsburgh's last winning season was 1992.

-- Congrats to Phil Jackson on a great, great coaching career; its going to be an awful long time before anyone matches his accomplishments.

***********************

Monday's List of 13: Its never too early to think Christmas.......

Some items available in Sky ****, a free magazine they give away in airplanes.
13) Personalized rubber-framed coir doormat—for a mere $79.99, you can have a doormat with your last name on it. Great for scrubbing dirt off shoes. Or for identifying which door is yours if you come home drunk.

12) Arthritis/pain-relieving gloves—for only $49.95, you get a pair of gloves that stimulate blood circulation in your hands, which makes them feel better. Plus, you look more menacing-- they’re black.

11) Military Zoom Binoculars $199.99—Can see things from way far away with the same binocs our military uses. Just don’t bring them on vacation to look into hotel rooms with the blinds left open.

10) Bike Glow safety light—For a mere $24.99, you get a 10-foot long waterproof coil that wraps around the frame of your bike and glows in the dark, so cars can see you while you pedal away.

9) For $199.99, you can get a 4-foot tall replica of the Eiffel Tower; it comes in four different colors. You have to provide your own Frenchmen to stand around the bottom of the tower and be rude to tourists.

8) Smart Shopper grocery list organizer $79.99—for people with a lot of money and diminished brain cells, this will organize your shopping for you; once upon a time, people actually made their own lists and crossed each item off as they bought it. Ah, the good ol’ days.

7) Wireless Road Mice—for $44.98, you can have a mouse that looks like a sportscar. Pretty cool, since they come in a lot of different models.

6) Tranquil sounds oxygen bar—for $299.99, you get this contraption that looks like a cooler with wires coming out of it; it supposedly helps rejuvenate and relax you. Having an extra $300 in my pocket would be more relaxing than being attached to this thing.

5) Self-cleaning litter box—for $314.99, your cat becomes less of a pest because this contraption has a patented sifting process that begins seven minutes after the cat leaves the litter box. Not sure what happens if the cat returns before the seven minutes are up.

4) Genuine Turkish bathrobe-- $129.95 for a bathrobe? Yikes!!!!

3) Ergonomic beach lounger—for $169.95, you get optimal support for your back while you lounge in the sun. What could be better?

2) Steering wheel speakerphone—it’s a Bluetooth that attaches to your steering wheel, so you can be as distracted as humanly possible while you drive your two-ton vehicle thru heavy city traffic. Tremendous idea, and its only $99.95!!!!

1) Learn to play the keyboard with this $189.95 keyboard that includes instructional software.

Maybe this is how the world-famous Richard Klayderman (sold millions world-wide!!!) got started. Hey, you never know.

**Udog** · 05-09-2011, 08:05 AM

NBA
Long Sheet

Monday, May 9

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MIAMI (64 - 26) at BOSTON (61 - 28) - 5/9/2011, 7:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 12-7 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 14-5 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
11 of 19 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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OKLAHOMA CITY (60 - 30) at MEMPHIS (52 - 39) - 5/9/2011, 9:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 59-31 ATS (+24.9 Units) in all games this season.
MEMPHIS is 28-17 ATS (+9.3 Units) as a favorite this season.
MEMPHIS is 30-14 ATS (+14.6 Units) in home games this season.
MEMPHIS is 16-4 ATS (+11.6 Units) against Northwest division opponents this season.
MEMPHIS is 35-16 ATS (+17.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MEMPHIS is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
MEMPHIS is 28-17 ATS (+9.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
MEMPHIS is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
MEMPHIS is 38-16 ATS (+20.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
MEMPHIS is 23-9 ATS (+13.1 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 97-78 ATS (+11.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 76-53 ATS (+17.7 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 51-36 ATS (+11.4 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in road games revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 55-41 ATS (+9.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 8-6 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS is 7-7 straight up against OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
10 of 14 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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**Udog** · 05-09-2011, 08:07 AM

NBA
Write-Up

Monday, May 9

Over is 10-4 so far in second round, after unders dominated in first round; favorites are 9-5 in this round.

Home side won all three Miami-Boston games, with Celtics making half their shots from floor in Game 3, after shooting 43% in both setbacks in Florida. C's' five starters were +82 in last game; gutty Rondo played 4th quarter with a dislocated elbow. Boston is 27-53 for series beyond arc. Three Heat starters other than James/Wade were dismal 2-13 from floor in Game 3-- Miami was just 5-23 from arc- they'll need to do better.

Memphis was down 16 in third quarter, rallied to win Game 3 behind a strong game by Mayo (+23 off bench); Grizzlies won five of last seven games vs Oklahoma City this year, winning by 6-5-4-13-8 points, losing by 9-9. Grizzlies are 6-3 in playoffs this spring, 4-0 at home, allowing an average of 89.5 ppg. Memphis bench was +44/+33 in its two wins, minus-29 in Game 2. Westbrook has 18 turnovers in three series games. Thunder bench was minus-51 last game.

**Udog** · 05-09-2011, 08:09 AM

NBA

Monday, May 9

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
MIAMI vs. BOSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games on the road
Miami is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boston is 19-5 SU in its last 24 games when playing Miami

9:30 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. MEMPHIS
Oklahoma City is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games
Oklahoma City is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Memphis is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 games

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**Udog** · 05-09-2011, 08:14 AM

NBA

Monday, May 9

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What bettors need to know: Monday NBA playoff action
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Miami Heat at Boston Celtics (Pick, 181)

THE STORY: It’s a series again, with the Boston Celtics asserting themselves in a major way in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal set against the Miami Heat. The return of Shaquille O’Neal to the lineup might have provided an emotional boost to the team and the home fans, but it was the vintage performances from Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce that really got the Celtics back into the series. Miami had Boston on its heels with wins in the first two games but looked very average in getting crushed in Game 3, as each of its stars suffered through lackluster performances. Boston will be looking to even the series at 2-2 when it hosts game 4 on Monday.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT THE CELTICS: Boston refused to show any weakness as the series went to TD Garden for Game 3, locking down on defense and holding the Heat to 35 points in the second half en route to a 97-81 triumph. Rajon Rondo exemplified that toughness when he suffered a dislocated elbow in a collision with Dwyane Wade but returned to the game in the fourth quarter and capped the decisive run with a breakaway dunk. Trailing 46-44 at the half, Garnett put the Celtics on his back in the third quarter, scoring 14 of his 28 points in the frame and converting more field goals (seven) than the entire Miami team (five). Garnett added 18 rebounds to his line and got some help from Pierce, who scored 27 points, and Ray Allen, who chipped in 15.

ABOUT THE HEAT: Something went wrong at halftime for Miami and a different team emerged from the locker room. After easily cutting through the Boston defense in the first two games of the series, the Heat could not get their stars to align on Saturday. Chris Bosh was the worst offender, held to six points on 1-of-6 shooting. LeBron James struggled to 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting and Wade scored 23 points but had only nine in the second half. Miami would have been even further back had it not been for some strong bench performances from Mario Chalmers (17 points) and Joel Anthony (12 points, 11 rebounds). Instead of getting the ball inside to Bosh or having James use his size advantage on the inside, Miami kept settling for jumpers and ended up 5-of-23 from 3-point range.

WHO’S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Glen Davis was a key scorer off the bench for the Celtics during the season but has been forgotten in this series. He is averaging 3.3 points after going scoreless in 11 minutes on Saturday. Wade has been the most consistent scorer for Miami, averaging 29.7 points in the three games.

KEY STATISTIC: 3-point shooting. While Miami was laying bricks at its 5-of-23 rate from the outside in Game 3, Boston was converting 9-of-18 attempts from beyond the arc. Pierce was the most successful, burying 5-of-7 shots.

LAST WORD: “We fully understand now how tough it is to take down a champion. ... Because you know this is a proud group, and you knew they would have a response.” - Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said.

TRENDS: The Heat are 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 games following a straight up loss but 6-2 ATS in their last eight road games.

The Celtics are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games but 11-27-1 ATS in their last 39 games following a straight up win.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Memphis Grizzlies (-2.5, 198)

THE STORY: The Memphis Grizzlies are two victories away from making history and crashing the Western Conference finals. The upstart Grizzlies have a 2-1 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder entering Monday’s Game 4 of semifinal series in Memphis. They are vying to become the first No. 8 seed to ever reach the conference finals. The Grizzlies are in that position thanks to a 101-93 overtime victory on Saturday in which they rallied from a 16-point third-quarter deficit. Oklahoma City scored just 17 points over the final 17 minutes of the game after looking well on its way to a 2-1 series lead. The Thunder face a huge challenge Monday as Memphis has won its last 12 home games dating back to March 9.

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES: Memphis made an amazing in-game transformation after the third quarter of Game 3 and was brilliant over the final 17 minutes while outscoring the Thunder by 21 points. That also was the lucky number for Zach Randolph, who had 21 points and 21 rebounds after experiencing a mediocre Game 2. Mike Conley had 18 points for his third consecutive strong performance and O.J. Mayo came off the bench to also score 18 points. The impressive comeback marked the second time the Grizzlies have rallied from a double-digit deficit to win this postseason. Memphis trailed by 10 points before rallying to defeat the San Antonio Spurs in the opener of the first-round series.

ABOUT THE THUNDER: Oklahoma City’s collapse was stunning after the Thunder controlled play for the first three quarters. Kevin Durant missed his last six shots and had just four of his 22 points over the final 17 minutes. Russell Westbrook had 23 points and 12 assists but also committed seven turnovers for the second time in the series. Westbrook is averaging eight assists and six turnovers in the three contests. James Harden had 12 points to follow up a 21-point outing in Game 2 and Serge Ibaka blocked six shots to raise his rejection count in the series to 13. Ibaka, who had 14 points and eight rebounds, played 43 minutes despite injuring an ankle in Game 2.

WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Conley is averaging 19 points through three games. Westbrook (25-for-65) is shooting just 38.5 percent in the series.

KEY STATISTIC: Durant’s 22 points were his lowest output in eight games this postseason and his 41.7 shooting percentage was his second-lowest.

LAST WORD: “This is a tough loss. I’m trying to stay positive, but it was tough. This was tough. We were up 13 going into the fourth, and had a good roll going. It was tough.” – a demoralized Durant, following the Game 3 meltdown against the Grizzlies.

TRENDS: The Thunder are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six road games and 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a ATS loss.

The Grizzlies are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games following an ATS win and 23-8 ATS in their last 31 home games.

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**Udog** · 05-09-2011, 08:17 AM

NBA

Monday, May 9

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Pick 'n' roll: Monday's best NBA bets
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Miami Heat at Boston Celtics (-1, 181)

The Heat rolled to victories in Game 1 and Game 2 because they are younger, more talented, and were playing at home.

Boston, though, is the tougher team. And that's why it dominated Game 3 at the Garden 97-81 on Saturday night. Rajon Rondo dislocated his left elbow in the third quarter and--already famously--returned in the fourth to help put away Miami.

Head coach Doc Rivers expects both Rondo, who virtually played with one arm upon his comeback, and Delonte West (shoulder bruise) to suit up on Monday.

“I'm optimistic about both, that they're going to play,” ESPN.com reported Rivers as saying. “I just don't know how well either one can play. But like I've said, if you're on the floor, you're healthy, and that's the way it's been. That's been my motto since I've been here and our guys believe that.”

Even if Rondo and West are hobbled, it may not matter. It went from bad to worse for the Heat even when the two guards were out of the game.

And the bottom line is that the Celtics are at home again in Game 4. They are a respectable 4-3 overall against Miami this season, but a perfect 3-0 at home (3-0 against the spread).

Pick: Celtics

Oklahoma City Thunder at Memphis Grizzlies (-2.5, 198)

If the Grizzlies didn’t lose at home on Saturday, when will they?

Memphis trailed Oklahoma City by 16 points and by 13 heading into the fourth quarter but stormed back to force overtime before prevailing 101-93.

The Grizzlies, who went 30-11 at FedEx Forum during the regular season, have not lost there since March 9. They have won 12 of their last 13 home games and have covered the spread 11 times in that span.

If the Thunder are going to buck the trend, they better start containing Zach Randolph. Even though Randolph had an off shooting night in Game 3, he still finished with 21 points and 21 rebounds. The big man has four double-doubles in his last five games and he was one rebound away in Game 2 from having the streak at five in a row.

Kevin Durant will also need a big day in order to even the series, but it is tough sledding with Tony Allen on him. Durant scored 22 points on Saturday, but he needed 24 shots to do it (10 for 24 and two for seven from beyond the arc).

“You've got to take your hats off to Tony Allen,” Randolph told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. “He's an animal. He doesn't like it when people score on him. He takes pride in his defense.”

Pick: Grizzlies

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**Udog** · 05-09-2011, 08:23 AM

NHL
Long Sheet

Monday, May 9

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VANCOUVER (61-22-0-11, 133 pts.) at NASHVILLE (50-31-0-12, 112 pts.) - 5/9/2011, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
NASHVILLE is 7-10 (+0.2 Units) against the spread versus VANCOUVER over the last 3 seasons
VANCOUVER is 10-7-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
11 of 16 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+4.9 Units)

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**Udog** · 05-09-2011, 08:24 AM

NHL
Write-Up

Monday, May 9

Road team won last four Vancouver-Nashville games, with Canucks 2-0 in games here, outshooting Predators 45-25 in first two periods of those two games. Nashville is 1-16 on power play (29:29) in series, but they do have pair of shorthanded goals; total of 13 goals were scored in last couple games, after only nine were scored in first three. Weird series has seen 55:50 played with man advantage; team with power play has only outscored the team a man down by 4-3 margin.

**Udog** · 05-09-2011, 08:27 AM

NHL

Monday, May 9

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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
VANCOUVER vs. NASHVILLE
Vancouver is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Vancouver's last 9 games when playing Nashville
Nashville is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Vancouver
Nashville is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games

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**Udog** · 05-09-2011, 08:30 AM

NHL

Monday, May 9

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What bettors need to know: Canucks at Predators
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Vancouver Canucks at Nashville Predators (+120, 5)

THE STORY: With their backs to the wall Saturday, the Nashville Predators took advantage of the opportunities given them to stay alive in the Western Conference semifinals. If they continue to capitalize on their chances against top-seeded Vancouver in Game 6 at Bridgestone Arena on Monday, they just might send the Canucks into panic mode. Fifth-seeded Nashville posted a 4-3 road triumph in Game 5 for its first win in six tries when facing elimination. The Canucks fell to 1-4 this postseason when given the chance to finish off an opponent as they squandered a 3-0 series lead over Chicago in the conference quarterfinals before finally putting away the Blackhawks in overtime in Game 7.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, VERSUS, CBC, FSN Tennessee

ABOUT THE PREDATORS: Joel Ward came up with the game of his life, sending David Legwand in on a shorthanded breakaway less than four minutes into the first period for the opening goal before scoring twice in a span of 4:31 early in the third to give Nashville a 4-2 lead. After netting only 10 goals in 80 games during the regular season, Ward has seven in 11 playoff contests. Legwand also scored twice and Vezina Trophy finalist Pekka Rinne made 31 saves. J.P. Dumont made his first appearance of the series and third this postseason. The veteran was minus-2 in 7:49 of ice time while filling in for Jerred Smithson, who suffered an upper-body injury in Game 4.

ABOUT THE CANUCKS: Ryan Kesler continued his torrid pace, scoring two of Vancouver's three goals. He gave the Canucks a 2-1 lead late in the first period and got them within 4-3 with 3:46 remaining in the third for his second two-goal performance in three games. Raffi Torres finally made a contribution on the scoresheet, notching a goal and an assist for his first two points this postseason. Torres has been much-maligned for his hit on Chicago's Brent Seabrook during the conference quarterfinals that earned him a two-game suspension. The Canucks lost Mikael Samuelsson to a lower-body injury midway through the first period. Coach Alain Vigneault said Samuelsson would not be accompanying the club to Nashville for Game 6.

WHO'S HOT/WHO'S NOT: Goalless in his first nine games this postseason, Kesler has tallied five times in his last three contests. The Selke Trophy finalist has collected nine points in his last four matches and is tied with Tampa Bay Lightning stud Martin St. Louis for the playoff scoring lead with 13. Art Ross Trophy winner Daniel Sedin has just two assists in the series for Vancouver. Ward, who has recorded four goals in his last three games, is tied for the league lead in tallies. He also is just one point behind Kesler and St. Louis for the playoff scoring lead. Legwand has scored five times this postseason after netting four goals in his first 25 career playoff games.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Vancouver went 0-for-2 on the power play Saturday while allowing its league-high third shorthanded goal of the playoffs. The Canucks only yielded two shorthanders in the regular season. The Presidents' Trophy winners are 7-for-33 overall with the man advantage and have successfully killed 84.4 percent of their penalties. Nashville failed to convert its only power-play opportunity in Game 5 and has a 16.3 percent success rate in the postseason. The Predators rank last among the 16 playoff teams on the penalty kill with a 70.3 percent efficiency.

LAST WORD: "You can't go down without a fight. Obviously, we're not going to just lay over and let them win the series." - Legwand on refusing to concede victory.

TRENDS: The Canucks are 20-6 in their last 26 games as road favorites.

The Predators are 8-18 in their last 26 playoff games as underdogs and are 1-5 in their last six games following a win.

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**Udog** · 05-09-2011, 08:32 AM

NHL

Monday, May 9

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Ice picks: Monday's best NHL bets
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Vancouver Canucks at Nashville Predators (115, 5)

Nashville’s offense finally heated up when it mattered most—facing elimination for the first time this postseason. Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo had not allowed more than two pucks past him in his previous six outings, but the Predators found the back of the net four times at his expense in Saturday’s 4-3 road win.

They mostly have Joel Ward to thank for that. Ward scored two third-period goals to break a 2-2 tie and send the series back to Nashville for Game 6 on Monday. The right winger is the team’s postseason leader in both goals (seven) and points (12).

“I was getting some good bounces and just having a fun time,” Ward told the Tennessean. “It’s a good time of year and I’m just trying to enjoy it and have fun with it.”

The Canucks, meanwhile, rarely have any fun putting teams away. In round one they led 3-0 only to see Chicago win three in a row before the home team finally prevailed in a Game 7 overtime thriller. Vancouver had a chance to seal the deal at home on Saturday, but it could not get the job done.

“We just got to have more of a killer instinct, I think, in these elimination games,” defenseman Dan Hamhuis told NHL.com after Game 5. “We didn't do it against Chicago, and we didn't do it again tonight.”

Nashville has both the momentum and home ice on Monday, so look for the Canucks to be extended to yet another Game 7.

Pick: Predators

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**Udog** · 05-09-2011, 08:39 AM

MLB
Write-Up

Monday, May 9

Hot pitchers
-- Billingsley is 1-0, 2.31 in his last four starts.
-- Blanton is 0-0, 2.57 in his last couple starts.
-- Rodriguez has a 1.67 RA in his last four starts.
-- Chacin is 2-1, 1.17 in three home starts. Capuano has a 2.03 RA in his last two starts.

-- Scherzer is 4-0, 2.23 in his last six starts. Morrow is 1-0, 2.19 in his last two outings.
-- Beckett is 2-0, 1.89 in his last five starts.
-- Cahill is 4-0, 0.96 in his last four outings. Wilson is 3-1, 3.00.

Cold pitchers
-- Karstens is 1-1, 6.43 in four starts this season.
-- Vazquez has a 7.84 RA in six starts this season.
-- Wood is 0-3, 7.34 in his last six starts.
-- Latos is 0-4, 6.18 in five starts this season. Greinke allowed five runs in four IP in his first '11 start.

-- Blackburn is 1-2, 7.04 in his last four starts.
-- EJackson is 0-4, 6.75 in his last five starts. Santana is 1-2, 6.43 in his last four starts.

Totals
-- Over is 7-3-1 in last eleven Dodger road games.
-- Over is 7-3-1 in Florida's last eleven home games.
-- Six of last nine Houston games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Milwaukee games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 8-3 in last eleven Colorado games.

-- Four of last six Toronto home games went over total.
-- Five of last seven games at Fenway Park went over the total.
-- Last six Oakland games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of White Sox' last eight road games stayed under total.

Hot teams
-- Pirates won five of their last seven games.
-- Phillies won seven of their last ten games.
-- Cincinnati won four of its last five games.
-- Mets won three of their last four games.

-- Detroit won five of its last six games.
-- Red Sox are 8-5 in their last thirteen games.
-- Oakland won three of its last four road games.
-- Angels won four of their last five games.

Cold teams
-- Dodgers lost six of their last eight games.
-- Marlins lost three of their last four games.
-- Houston lost four of its last five games.
-- Milwaukee lost eight of its last nine games. Padres are 2-11 in game following a win this season.
-- Colorado lost six of its last seven games.

-- Blue Jays lost six of their last eight games.
-- Twins are 4-7 in their last eleven road games.
-- Texas lost six of its last eight games.
-- White Sox lost eight of their last eleven games.

Announcement

Monday's Trends and Indexes - 5/9 (NBA, NHL, MLB, Misc.)

Monday's Trends and Indexes - 5/9 (NBA, NHL, MLB, Misc.)

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