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5 Units on Philadelphia 76ers +1 -110
The Detroit Pistons could be missing their leading playoff scorer. The Philadelphia 76ers would like theirs to dominate. If Chauncey Billups is unable to play, the Pistons may need a particularly stifling defensive effort against Allen Iverson and the 76ers in Game 2 of this conference semifinal series. Detroit won the series opener 98-87 on Tuesday despite Billups spraining his ankle early in the fourth quarter after scoring 24 points. The veteran point guard had to be helped off the court and did not return, leaving his status for Game 2 a game-time decision. ``Chauncey is a big asset to our team,'' said Richard Hamilton, who led the Pistons with 25 points. ``In the training room, he told me he is going to do everything possible to be there for Game 2. He's a warrior, so hopefully he'll be back.'' Billups scored 77 points in the final two games of his team's opening-round series as the Pistons overcame a 3-1 deficit to eliminate Orlando. If Billups isn't ready Thursday, Chucky Atkins will step into the starting lineup. He made only 1-of-6 from the field and had no assists in 14 minutes on Tuesday. Atkins has averaged 12.4 minutes per game in the playoffs, totaling just 23 points and eight assists while shooting a team-worst 26 percent (8-for-31). Just getting shots off was tough for Iverson in Game 1. He attempted 21 and made only eight -- his lowest totals in the postseason -- as he scored 27 points after averaging a league-high 34.8 points in the first round.
4 Units on Cincinnati Reds +1½ -140 (Stephenson - R, Wilson - R)
Since losing six of their first nine at their new stadium, the Reds have won five straight. The Reds put themselves in position for the sweep with a 4-2 win on Wednesday. Aaron Boone hit his second homer of the series, and Adam Dunn also went deep. ``We're playing better,'' Boone said. ``We're getting better all the time.'' Dunn's homer was a two-run shot that continued his all-or-nothing season at the plate. He has struck out a major league-leading 47 times and 15 of his 21 RBIs have come on homers. Despite their slide, the Cardinals, who had won seven straight coming into this series, have been getting production from their offensive leaders. Scott Rolen homered and doubled in Wednesday's defeat, and is 8-for-14 over his last four games with a pair of homers. Shortstop Edgar Renteria, who recorded his team-high 30th RBI in Wednesday's loss, has driven in 13 runs over his last eight games.
2 Units on Seattle Mariners -1½ +175 (Wells - L, Garcia - R)
Wells looks to follow up Mussina's gem with a brilliant outing of his own when the Yankees take on the Seattle Mariners in the finale of their three-game set at Safeco Field. After winning 19 games last season, the burly left-hander improved his record to 5-0 with Friday's 5-3 win over Oakland. Wells allowed only Eric Byrnes' two-run homer among the five hits he scattered over seven innings. He also struck out four and walked one. ``He was fine, he just had trouble locating a couple of fastballs early. He seemed to settle in and pitched very well after that,'' Yankees manager Joe Torre said. ``He got us to the eighth inning tonight. It really makes up for a lot of shortcomings when you get starting pitching like we've been getting it.'' Wells is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts since allowing five runs and 11 hits over five innings in New York's 7-6 loss to Toronto on April 16. That outing came after he opened the season with two straight wins in which he allowed just one run and 10 hits over 17 innings, with 10 strikeouts and no walks. The Yankees' starters opened the season 16-0, but Wells looks to remain the Yankees' only other unbeaten starter after Mussina pushed his record to a stellar 7-0 with Wednesday's 7-2 win. The veteran right-hander struck out a season-high 12 without issuing a walk.
2 Units on Houston Astros -150 (Suppan - R, Redding- R)
The Pittsburgh Pirates hope Jeff Suppan can help them end a five-game losing streak as they finish out a four-game set against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Suppan, who owns the fourth-best ERA in the National League at 2.06, has stopped two of the team's five slides this season. Pittsburgh, which is suffering through its longest losing streak of the season following Wednesday's 13-4 setback, has dropped seven straight to Houston. The loss spoiled the return of Brian Giles, who was activated from the disabled list after missing 23 games with a sprained right knee ligament. The left fielder went 0-for-2 with two walks. Giles, who had 38 homers and 103 RBIs, had driven in four runs in eight games before suffering the injury on April 10. Houston won its sixth straight as its 2-5 hitters combined to go 10-for-16 with 13 RBIs. Jeff Kent homered and drove in five runs as the Astros moved over .500 for the first time since April 23. ``I'm not going to worry too much about whether we've found ourselves,'' said Kent, who is 7-for-14 with seven RBIs over his last four games. ``We're only a month into the season and we have a lot of games to go. It takes a lot for a team to put everything together. But we've gotten good pitching and that gives your offense confidence.''
5 Units on Philadelphia 76ers +1 -110
The Detroit Pistons could be missing their leading playoff scorer. The Philadelphia 76ers would like theirs to dominate. If Chauncey Billups is unable to play, the Pistons may need a particularly stifling defensive effort against Allen Iverson and the 76ers in Game 2 of this conference semifinal series. Detroit won the series opener 98-87 on Tuesday despite Billups spraining his ankle early in the fourth quarter after scoring 24 points. The veteran point guard had to be helped off the court and did not return, leaving his status for Game 2 a game-time decision. ``Chauncey is a big asset to our team,'' said Richard Hamilton, who led the Pistons with 25 points. ``In the training room, he told me he is going to do everything possible to be there for Game 2. He's a warrior, so hopefully he'll be back.'' Billups scored 77 points in the final two games of his team's opening-round series as the Pistons overcame a 3-1 deficit to eliminate Orlando. If Billups isn't ready Thursday, Chucky Atkins will step into the starting lineup. He made only 1-of-6 from the field and had no assists in 14 minutes on Tuesday. Atkins has averaged 12.4 minutes per game in the playoffs, totaling just 23 points and eight assists while shooting a team-worst 26 percent (8-for-31). Just getting shots off was tough for Iverson in Game 1. He attempted 21 and made only eight -- his lowest totals in the postseason -- as he scored 27 points after averaging a league-high 34.8 points in the first round.
4 Units on Cincinnati Reds +1½ -140 (Stephenson - R, Wilson - R)
Since losing six of their first nine at their new stadium, the Reds have won five straight. The Reds put themselves in position for the sweep with a 4-2 win on Wednesday. Aaron Boone hit his second homer of the series, and Adam Dunn also went deep. ``We're playing better,'' Boone said. ``We're getting better all the time.'' Dunn's homer was a two-run shot that continued his all-or-nothing season at the plate. He has struck out a major league-leading 47 times and 15 of his 21 RBIs have come on homers. Despite their slide, the Cardinals, who had won seven straight coming into this series, have been getting production from their offensive leaders. Scott Rolen homered and doubled in Wednesday's defeat, and is 8-for-14 over his last four games with a pair of homers. Shortstop Edgar Renteria, who recorded his team-high 30th RBI in Wednesday's loss, has driven in 13 runs over his last eight games.
2 Units on Seattle Mariners -1½ +175 (Wells - L, Garcia - R)
Wells looks to follow up Mussina's gem with a brilliant outing of his own when the Yankees take on the Seattle Mariners in the finale of their three-game set at Safeco Field. After winning 19 games last season, the burly left-hander improved his record to 5-0 with Friday's 5-3 win over Oakland. Wells allowed only Eric Byrnes' two-run homer among the five hits he scattered over seven innings. He also struck out four and walked one. ``He was fine, he just had trouble locating a couple of fastballs early. He seemed to settle in and pitched very well after that,'' Yankees manager Joe Torre said. ``He got us to the eighth inning tonight. It really makes up for a lot of shortcomings when you get starting pitching like we've been getting it.'' Wells is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three starts since allowing five runs and 11 hits over five innings in New York's 7-6 loss to Toronto on April 16. That outing came after he opened the season with two straight wins in which he allowed just one run and 10 hits over 17 innings, with 10 strikeouts and no walks. The Yankees' starters opened the season 16-0, but Wells looks to remain the Yankees' only other unbeaten starter after Mussina pushed his record to a stellar 7-0 with Wednesday's 7-2 win. The veteran right-hander struck out a season-high 12 without issuing a walk.
2 Units on Houston Astros -150 (Suppan - R, Redding- R)
The Pittsburgh Pirates hope Jeff Suppan can help them end a five-game losing streak as they finish out a four-game set against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Suppan, who owns the fourth-best ERA in the National League at 2.06, has stopped two of the team's five slides this season. Pittsburgh, which is suffering through its longest losing streak of the season following Wednesday's 13-4 setback, has dropped seven straight to Houston. The loss spoiled the return of Brian Giles, who was activated from the disabled list after missing 23 games with a sprained right knee ligament. The left fielder went 0-for-2 with two walks. Giles, who had 38 homers and 103 RBIs, had driven in four runs in eight games before suffering the injury on April 10. Houston won its sixth straight as its 2-5 hitters combined to go 10-for-16 with 13 RBIs. Jeff Kent homered and drove in five runs as the Astros moved over .500 for the first time since April 23. ``I'm not going to worry too much about whether we've found ourselves,'' said Kent, who is 7-for-14 with seven RBIs over his last four games. ``We're only a month into the season and we have a lot of games to go. It takes a lot for a team to put everything together. But we've gotten good pitching and that gives your offense confidence.''