Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Suns meet Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks will be looking for their third straight victory on Tuesday night when they meet the Suns in Game 4 in Phoenix.

The Mavs hold a 2-1 edge in the Western Conference Finals, and could take a stranglehold on the set with a victory Tuesday.

Oddsmakers opened this game as a pick'em, with an opening total of 214.

In Game 3 the Suns lost to the Mavericks 95-88 as 1-point underdogs. That contest went UNDER the closing total.

The two teams return to Dallas for Game 5 on Thursday night, while Game 6, if necessary, will take place back in Phoenix on Saturday.

Monday, May 29, 2006

Heat meets Pistons

The Miami Heat have won three straight games at home, and they hope to make it four in a row on Monday night when they take on the Detroit Pistons in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

A win by Miami on Monday will give them a 3-1 lead in the series. The Heat almost let go of Game 3, but Dwyane Wade took control and sent the hometown crowd home in a good mood.

Miami opened as a slight, 2.5-point home favorite in this game, while the total opened at 183 points.

Last time out, at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, the Pistons as underdogs lost to the Heat 98-83. The game was an UNDER play.

Miami will be trying to grab a 3-1 lead for the second consecutive year, as they had the Pistons in the same position in the Eastern Conference Finals last playoffs.

Friday, May 26, 2006

Dallas needs to Bounce Back

The Dallas Mavericks will look to avoid falling in an 0-2 hole Friday night when they clash with the Phoenix Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final.

The Mavericks look to avenge an earlier 121-118 loss at the hands of the Suns.

In a game that potentially could see plenty of scoring, the total opened high, at 224.5. The line opened at 7.5 in favor of the Mavericks.

The Suns dropped Dallas 121-118 as 6.5-point underdog in the series opener Wednesday night. The final score went OVER the 220.5 total in that game.

Boris Diaw netted a game-high 34 points for the Suns in Game 1, while Steve Nash had 27 points and 16 assists.

Devin Harris led the Mavericks with a career-high 30 points in the opening game loss.

This game is likely to come down to the Suns's execution on offence. They rank 1st in the league in scoring and look to sustain their 108.4 points per game average against the Mavericks's #7-rated defensive unit.

Monday, May 15, 2006

Spurs play Game 4

The San Antonio Spurs will go down 3-1 in their Western Conference semi-final series on Monday night if they can't find a way to defeat the Dallas Mavericks.

Dirk NowitzkiThe Spurs will have their hands full in Dallas, as Dirk Nowitzki has been on fire at home in the series. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker will need breakout games to tie this set at two games apiece.

The Mavericks are listed as slight 2-point favorites at home in this game, while the total opened at 190.5.

Gregg Popovich's troops played in Dallas last game and came away with a last-second, 104-103 loss, in a game that went over 188.5. Oddsmakers had them as 4-point underdogs in that one.

Cavs host Pistons

The Detroit Pistons will be trying to take a 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference semi-final series on Monday night when they travel to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers.

LeBron James had a triple-double last game
, and the Pistons' defense will be trying to keep the Cavs' star player better in check this time out.

Oddsmakers opened the Pistons as 5-point road favorites in this game, with an opening total of 184.

In Game 4 Flip Saunders' team was handed an 86-77 loss by the Cavaliers. They were 4.5 point favorites in a game that ended up under the total.

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Suns look to Avoid Elimination

The Phoenix Suns will be looking to avoid elimination tonight when they get set to host Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers tonight for Game 5.

The Suns are favored, opening as 6-point chalk, with an opening total of 204. They are 54-28 this season and 43-37-2 OU. The Lakers are 45-37 and are 35-32 OU.

Los Angeles won at home against the Suns last game as 1-point underdogs, tallying a score of 99-98. The total sailed under.

Expect the league's #1 offence to chuck in lots of points and generate trouble for the Lakers defence. Averaging 108.4 points per game, the Suns can run up the score if they get on a roll.

Monday, May 01, 2006

Grizzlies Sitting on the Brink

The Dallas Mavericks look to sweep away the Memphis Grizzlies Monday as they lead their best-of-seven Western Conference playoff series 3-0.

Dallas can earn a second-round berth for the fifth time in six seasons, and can also earn a franchise-first series sweep.

The Mavs come in as slight 2.5-point road favorites. The Grizzlies will try to bite big as a home dog. Total bettors see the line opened at 178.

Dallas won at Memphis against the Grizz last game as 2-point underdogs, tallying a score of 94-89. The total sailed over.

The Grizzlies can earn the franchise's first postseason win if they can stop Dallas in its pursuit tonight.

Bucks look to Even Series

The Bucks will play host to the Pistons at Bradley Center on Monday night as they try to even their quarterfinal series at two games apiece.

Milwaukee won its first home playoff game Saturday for the first time in nearly 30 years, as Michael Redd put up 40 points.

Oddsmakers like the Pistons in this one, opening the line at 7 in favor of Detroit. The total opened at 191.

After giving up 124 points in a loss against the Bucks last game, Detroit fans expect their defence to hold the fort better against Milwaukee.

Friday, April 28, 2006

Game 3 Lakers Suns

After being thrown off their game in Game 2, the Phoenix Suns will be looking get back on track when they take the court tonight for Game 3 against the Lakers.

Shawn Marion is averaging 21.8 points per game in this series, while Kobe Bryant comes in averaging 35.4.

Phoenix comes in as a small road dog, as the line opened at 2 in favor of the host Lakers, who are 45-37 this season. The Suns are 54-28. The OVER/UNDER has been set at 212.

The Suns come off a 99-93 loss against the Lakers, a game where they were 5-point favorites. The game went under the closing total of 215.

This game is likely to come down to the Suns' execution on offence. They rank 1st in the league in scoring and look to sustain their 108.4 points per game average against the Lakers' #15-rated defensive unit.

Kings Down 0-2

Down 0-2, the Sacramento Kings will be trying to climb back in their series tonight at home, while the Spurs will be looking to take a commanding 3-0 lead.

During the first two game of this series, Tony Parker is leading the Spurs with 18.9 points per game, while Mike Bibby leads the Kings with 21.1.

Oddsmakers like the Spurs in this one, opening the line at 3.5 in favor of San Antonio. They are 63-19 this season, while the Kings are 44-38. The total sits at 188.

Last time out, at AT&T Center against Sacramento, the Spurs as favorites defeated the Kings 128-119. The game was an over play.

Cleveland Small Road Dog

After splitting the first two games at home, the Cleveland Cavaliers head to Washington to battle the Wizards in Game 3 tonight.

Sporting a 42-40 overall record and an 8-8 mark within the division, the Wizards aim to knock the Cavaliers (11-5 in the division) for a loss.

Cleveland comes in as a small road dog, as the line opened at 2.5 in favor of the host Wizards, who are 42-40 this season. The Cavaliers are 50-32. The OVER/UNDER has been set at 193.

After losing last time out, Mike Brown's team looks to rebound with a solid showing on the road Friday in Washington. They were 4.5 point favorites in that game, which went under the total of 196.5.

Expect the league's #3 offence to chuck in lots of points and generate trouble for the Cavaliers defence. Averaging 101.7 points per game, the Wizards can run up the score if they get on a roll.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Suns Looking for 2-0 Lead

The Suns will be looking to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their series with the Lakers, when the two teams meet again tonight for Game 2 in Phoenix.

Defence may play a big role in this one, but that's mainly because experts don't think much of it will be played. Oddsmakers opened the total on the high side, a huge 213.5. The line opened at 5.5 in favor of Phoenix.

Phil Jackson's team hopes to rebound from a 107-102 Game 1 loss at the hands of the Suns. They were 7-point underdogs in a game that went under the total.

This game is likely to come down to the Suns' execution on offence. They rank first in the league in scoring and look to sustain their 108.4 points per game average against the Lakers' #15-rated defensive unit.

Bucks Look to Game 2

Bucks Look to Game 2The Milwaukee Bucks will be looking to try and even their series with the Detroit Pistons when the two teams meet tonight in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

Milwaukee brings a 40-42 overall mark (6-10 in the division) into this game versus a Detroit team carrying a 64-18 record.

Oddsmakers like the Pistons in this one, opening the line at 12.5 in favor of Detroit.

Milwaukee looks to get its offense in gear today, after a lame display last game resulted in a 92-74 loss against the Pistons. The Bucks were underdogs in that game, which went under the closing total.

Memphis Want to Get Even

Memphis Want to Get EvenComing off a disappointing 103-93 loss last time out, Memphis hopes they can even their series with the Mavericks, when the two hit the hardcourt tonight in Dallas for Game 2 of the Western Conference quarterfinals.

The Mavericks are favored, opening as 7-point chalk, with an opening total of 181.

Dallas is 60-22 this season and 35-43-4 OU. The Grizzlies are 49-33 and 32-35 OU.

After losing last time out, Mike Fratello's team looks to rebound with a solid showing on the road in Dallas. They were 8-point underdogs in that game, which went over the total of 179.5.

Monday, April 24, 2006

Wade Against Bulls Tonight

Dwyane Wade will play in tonight's playoff game against the Chicago Bulls. Wade left Saturday's 111-106 victory with seven seconds remaining due to severe cramping in his left calf muscle. At Monday's shootaround he said he was feeling well enough to play.

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Saunders Seeks More Discipline

Pistons coach Flip Saunders didn't like the way his team played recently, boiling down the sins to two: too few rebounds and too many three-pointers. Things were rectified a bit Wednesday against the Bulls, as the Pistons played a bit more disciplined -- at times.