Sunday Service Plays 4/13/08

[Al Kaline]

TOTALS 4 U

San Antonio @ Los Angeles on Sunday, April 13th


San Antonio (53-24) has won 9 of their last 10 games but in the log-jam that is the Western Conference playoff race, even the defending NBA Champions have plenty of work to do. Currently holding the #2 Seed (currently would play Dallas in the first round), the Spurs are just 1 game behind the Hornets and 1/2 game ahead of the Lakers - this season, every game in April counts. 6'11" PF Tim Duncan (19.5p, 11.5r, 2.9a, 1.95 blocks) is certainly the first option offensively, but the 3-point bomb has been key to this franchises 4 NBA Championships over the last decade or so. Current starters 6'7" SG Michael Finley (125 of 338) and 6'7" SF Bruce Bowen (88 of 206) are deadly shooters from deep and substitutions don't ease the heat from the arc. 6'6" Manu Ginobli (19.8p, 4.8r, 4.5a, 1.46 steals) is playing the 6th-man role right now and has nailed 156 of 385 attempts from downtown while bench players 6'5" G Ime Udoka (51 of 146) and the resigned 6'7" G Brent Barry (46 of 107) twinkle the twine with regularity - even 6'10" F/C Matt Bonner has stepped out an kill opponents with 44 of 127 shooting the treys. Rounding out the starting five are 6'2" PG Tony Parker (18.4p, 3.2r, 5.8a) and 6'10" C Francisco Oberto (4.6p, 5.2r) while Coach Greg Popovich (629-300 regular season, 91-51 playoffs) has been given depth help with the additions of 6'9" F/C Kurt Thomas (4.7p, 5.2r in 18 minutes per game) and 5'10" G Damon Stoudamire (3.5p, 1.5r, 1.5a in 13 minutes per game). Speaking of "Pop", he would make one hell of a dinner guest. Popovich earned a degree in Soviet Studies from the Air Force Academy before serving his tour of duty by playing on the US Armed Forces Team as it played its way around the Eastern Bloc plus also was captain of the National AAU squad that traveled around the Soviet Union. Chuck Barris's cover as a game show host while employed as a "hitter" for the CIA has nothing on Pops' during the heart of the Cold War! Anyway, the Spurs are coming off their worst back-to-back games in years with an embarrassing 64-90 loss Friday at Utah and a sloppy 72-65 win Sunday at Portland and have plenty to work on. As stacked as the West is this season, nobody will walk through the field like San Antonio did with a 16-4 postseason mark on the way to the Title in 2007. Timmy and the boys are a modest 21-18 away from the AT&T Center this year and play home games against the Suns on Wednesday and the Sonics on Thursday before this weekend's showdown.

Los Angeles (53-25) has been batting injuries among their big men all season but may get more help by this weekend. 7'0" backup C Chris Mihm (3.7p, 3.5r) has battled a foot injury all season with just 21 games played and 7'0" starting C Pau Gasol (18.9p, 7.9r, 3.7a, 1.50 blocks) missed three weeks with an ankle injury but 7'0" C Andew Bynum (13.1p, 10.2r) travels to New York for an exam on his left kneecap and if the report is as expected he will practice Saturday and be available against the Spurs on Sunday. Meanwhile, Kobe (28.7p, 6.4r, 5.4a, 1.86 steals) keeps doing what Kobe does for an offensive attack that piles up 108.5 points per game. Is it the shoes? Not sure but Thursday night Bryant will debut Nike's new "Hyperdunk" kicks against the Clippers so we'll find out! This season, Coach Phil Jackson's (885-341 regular season, 175-64 playoffs) triangle offense isn't nearly as obtuse as it has in the past with starters Gasol, 6'10" PF Lamar Odom (14.2p, 10.5r, 3.6a), 6'1" PG Derek Fisher (11.7p, 2.1r, 2.8a), and 6'10" SF Vladamir Radmanovic (8.4p, 3.4r) each making big contributions. Well and good, but it's the Laker bench that is the envy of the rest of the Association. And we don't just mean 6'2" G Jordan Farmar (9.1p, 2.2r, 2.7a), 6'7" G Sasha Vujacic (8.8p, 2.1r, 1.0a), 6'10" F/C Ronny Turiaf (6.6p, 4.0r, 1.6a), and 6'8" F Luke Walton (7.1p, 3.9r, 3.0a); the pine is lined with enough glitterati in the form of assistant coaches to hold its own on any Hollywood red carpet. Frank Hamblen, Kurt Rambis, Brian Shaw, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Craig Hodges, and Jim Cleamons make up the best support team in the NBA and each capable of manning the top job were he called up upon by Los Angeles or any other squad. Back to the guys in the jerseys, this roster can flat-out shoot the rock. The Lakers have nailed 47.6 percent of their shots from the field this season including 37.8 percent from behind the arc with Bryant (142 of 392), Fisher (106 of 259), Farmar (106 of 292), Vujacic (112 of 254), and Radmanovic (91 of 217) each nailing the triples at better than the 35% mark. It's taken a while but it can be fairly assessed that the Lake Show is more than just Kobe and some stiffs and they'll need every hand on deck for the final week. After dropping a 103-112 game that they dearly needed at Portland on Tuesday, Los Angeles holds the #3 Seed (would currently face the Suns in the first round), is 1/2 game behind San Antonio, and 1 game ahead of Utah. The Clippers on Thursday and the Hornets at the Staple Center on Friday precede their Sunday showdown with the Spurs.

So who's better, who wants it more, and who needs it more? Spurs, Lakers, and draw - but a playoff atmosphere at the Staples Center combined with the recent offensive struggles of the Spurs give the nod to the Zen Master's crew. Take Los Angeles on Sunday and enjoy what looks to be one hell of a game

 

[Al Kaline]

Karl Garrett

I see no reason to buck what is going on in the Valley of the Sun right now, as Arizona enters play this Sunday having won 8 straight games, and the Diamondbacks have also won all 5 meetings against the Rockies in that stretch.
Looks to me like someone has someone's number early this season!
Go with the Snakes to complete the sweep at Chase Field today, as Gonzalez did work a solid 5 innings of 1 run ball against the Rockies his last time out in a no-decision.
Aaron Cook makes his first start of the year against an Arizona team that did reach him for 15 runs in 24 innings of work last year.
With it all humming right now for the D-Backs...hitting, pitching, and fielding, have to lay the home wood with Arizona to complete the sweep.

3♦ ARIZONA

 

[Al Kaline]

Ross Benjamin

Atlanta (Glavine) @ Washington (Redding) 1:35 PM ET 4/13/2008
Play On: Under 9.0

Atlanta starting pitcher Tommy Glavine is off to an impressive start with Atlanta posting a 0.79 ERA in his first 2 starts. In 6 starts at Washington since the 2005 season Glavine has posted a very good 2.09 ERA. Glavine has gone under the total in 9 of his last 10 starts versus a team with a losing record. Granted the new ballpark in Washington is more hitter friendly than RFK Stadium but the Nationals have not taken advantage of it. The Nationals were hitting just .192 as a team at home going into their Saturday game versus Atlanta. The Washington starting pitcher Tim Redding has posted an excellent 0.82 ERA in his first 2 starts of the season. He only lasted 4.0 innings in his last start versus Florida mainly due to some shoddy defense that allowed the Marlins to score 6 unearned runs. Redding is 1-12-1 under the total in his last 14 starts as an underdog. Play on under the total

 

[Al Kaline]

VEGAS EXPERTS

Los Angeles Angels at Seattle Mariners
Sunday, April 123h, 4:05 PM ET

Seattle is a phenomenal 20-4 as a home favorite of -125 to -150 and starter Erik Bedard has lead his teams to wins in 21 of 30 starts overall. The Mariners should be happy to see Angels southpaw Joe Saunders considering they are 28-14 vs. southpaws. Seattle lost 13 of 19 to the Angels last season, which cost them the division title, but the M's seems to determined not to let that happen this year as they are poised to pull of the three game sweep here. The Angels offense has been struggling mightily leaving 18 runners on base and going 4 of 22 with runners in scoring position.

Play on: Seattle

 

[Al Kaline]

JEFF BENTON

For Sunday, we?ll stay on the diamond and play the DBacks as a small favorite against the Rockies.
So, do you think the DBacks are still a little bit ticked off at the way the Rockies ended their season last year, sweeping Arizona out of the NLCS? I mean, my goodness, the Snakes have attacked the Rockies to the tune of five straight wins since last Friday. The combined score in those five contests? Arizona 38, Colorado 10. Not bad, eh?
Overall, Arizona comes into today having won eight in a row (five against the Rocks, three against the Dodgers), scoring 8, 7, 5, 9, 10, 4, 8 and 10 runs in the process! Meanwhile, Colorado has scored as many as four runs in a game just twice all season, and has been held to two runs or fewer seven times! Finally, to truly grasp the fact that these two squads are heading in opposite directions, just look at the team stats. The DBacks are batting .280 as a team, while Colorado is batting .228. The DBacks have a 2.57 team ERA; the Rockies have a 5.06 ERA. And when you break those down to home/road numbers, Arizona is hitting .327 at home (Colorado .211 on the road) and Arizona?s team ERA is 2.80 at home (Colorado?s is 6.15 on the highway).
If that?s not enough to convince you, perhaps this will do the trick: The Rockies are sending Aaron Cook to the mound today. Cook has a beefy 5.13 ERA in his career against Arizona, including 6.06 ERA in seven games (six starts in Arizona), with the Rockies going 2-8 in his last 10 against the DBacks, including 1-5 in the desert.
You get the picture. Play the red-hot DBacks and lay the small chalk.
(Based on a 1♦ to 10♦ rating system)

7♦ ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

 

[Al Kaline]

John Fina
April 13, 2008

Selection: Miami Heat +15 (-110)

 

[Al Kaline]

THE SPORTS ADVISORS


NBA

San Antonio (54-25, 36-41-2 ATS) at L.A. Lakers (55-25, 45-34-1 ATS)
The Lakers pulled into a tie for the top spot in the Western Conference playoff race Saturday without even playing and now try to take a half-game lead when the Spurs visit the Staples Center.
Los Angeles is in a deadlock with New Orleans after the Hornets lost to Sacramento 94-91 Saturday, while San Antonio sits a half game behind the Hornets and Lakers. Los Angeles, which scored a huge 107-104 home win over New Orleans on Friday night, holds the tiebreaker over the Hornets should they end up with identical records.
Although the Lakers are on a 6-1 SU run, they?re just 2-5 ATS during this stretch, including failing to cover as a five-point home chalk on Friday against the Hornets.
With two games left, both at home, the Lakers carry a 28-11 home record into this contest, but they?re just 18-21 ATS, including failing to get the cash in each of their last seven in the Staples Center. Los Angeles is also in ATS funks of 1-8-1 against Southwest Division foes, 1-5 on Sundays and 0-4 against teams with a winning road record.
San Antonio has won 10 of its last 12 games (8-4 ATS) including Friday?s 95-74 home rout of the Sonics, cashing as a 15?-point favorite. The Spurs trail the Hornets by a game in the race for the Western Conference top spot and the Southwest Division title. After today San Antonio travels to Sacramento on Monday and hosts Utah in Wednesday?s regular-season finale.
The Spurs are just 2-8 ATS in their last 10 road games against teams with a winning home record and 4-9 ATS in their last 13 against teams with a winning overall mark. But Gregg Popovich?s team is 6-1 ATS in its last seven when playing on a day of rest and 10-4 ATS in its last 14 on Sundays.
The home team is 3-0 in this series this season, with the Spurs up 2-1 (3-0 ATS). San Antonio won the most recent meeting 103-91 as an eight-point favorite on Jan. 23,and the Spurs are 5-2 ATS in their last seven against the Lakers in Los Angeles. Finally, the straight-up winner is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 series clashes.
The under is 4-1 in the last five head-to-head meetings overall, but the over is 11-5 the last 16 series clashes in the Staples Center. The under is also on current runs of 4-0 for the Spurs and 3-1 for the Lakers.
ATS ADVANTAGE: SAN ANTONIO



Houston (54-25, 46-31-2 ATS) at Denver (48-32, 43-37 ATS)
The scenario is clear for the Nuggets as they host the Rockets inside the Pepsi Center: They must win their final two games to secure the eighth spot in the Western Conference and earn a ticket to the playoffs.
After closing a five-game road trip with Saturday?s 124-97 loss at Utah as six-point ?dogs, Denver has two games left to clinch a postseason berth, both at home, where the Nuggets are 31-8 (24-15 ATS) this season, including 7-2 ATS in the last nine. After today?s contest against the Rockets, the Nuggets, who are tied with the Warriors for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff berth, host the Grizzlies on Wednesday.
Denver has followed up a five-game winning streak by going 3-5 in its last eight. The Nuggets are also 3-6 ATS in their last nine after going 9-1 ATS in their previous 10. The key win for George Karl?s club came Thursday at Golden State when it prevailed 114-105 as a four-point road pup to take a one-game lead over the Warriors ? a lead it game back when lost on Saturday and Golden State beat the Clippers. Denver holds the tiebreaker after winning the season series against Golden State.
Houston comes into this one having won five in a row both SU and ATS, including Friday?s 101-90 upset home win over the Suns as a three-point underdog. The Rockets are essentially locked into the fifth seed in the Western Conference playoffs, which would mean a first-round matchup with Utah for the second straight year.
The home team has won all three games in this series this season with Houston taking the March 2 matchup 103-89 as a five-point favorite. The lone game in Denver saw the Nuggets get a 112-111 overtime victory but fail as an eight-point favorite. Houston is 7-1 ATS in the last eight series clashes and 4-0 ATS its last four trips to the Mile High City.
Rick Adelman?s team is on ATS runs of 37-16-1 overall, 6-0-1 against Northwest Division teams, 16-6 on the road and 10-4 as a road ?dog. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are on ATS streaks of 5-0 against Southwest Division squads, 10-3 as a favoriteand 5-2 on Sundays.
The over is 6-2 in the last eight series clashes in Denver, 5-2 in the last seven for the Rockets on the road, 4-1 for the Rockets as an underdog, 24-11 for the Nuggets overall, 5-1 for the Nuggets on the second night of a back-to-back, 5-1 at the Pepsi Center and 22-8 when Denver is a favorite.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER

 

[Al Kaline]

please don't post doc's plays!
-admin

 

[Al Kaline]

COMPUTER PLAYS

Atlanta Braves - 130
1Philadelphia Phillies - 125
Chicago White Sox - 130
Kansas City Royals - 115

BEST BET
Boston Red Sox - 150 * * *

 

[Al Kaline]

BRAD DIAMOND

Play on: Arizona over Colorado

The Rockies were the Cinderella team last season in major league baseball. However, they set up Sunday with a current 0-5 mark against the Snakes in the month of April. With RHP Edgar Gonzalez on the hill Arizona appears to be on the right track for another series win. You see, the Snakes (won 8 straight)are 6-1 L7 meeting versus RHP Cook (Colorado). In addition, Arizona is a perfect 8-0 on grass and 8-0 versus the National League West. Finally, and the clincher, the Rockies are 0-5 on Sunday with RHP Cook.

 

[Al Kaline]

Vegas Sports Pics

Philadelphia (Moyer) - 125** over Cubs (Marquis)

Marquis has allowed 17 runs in 13 innings over his last three starts. Philadelphia is 6-1 last seven home meetings off beating the Cubs 7-1 Saturday.


Arizona (Gonzalez) - 120** over Colorado (Cook)

Arizona on an eight game win streak won at Colorado 5-2 in Gonzalez' lone start this season, Gonzalez allowing one run over five innings.


N.Y.Yankees (Hughes) + 145* over (at) Boston (Matsuzaka)

Boston went 2-2 in four Matsuzaka starts vs. the Yankees last season, Matsuzaka allowing 17 runs over 25 innings. New York is 7-2 last nine meetings and 6-1 last seven Hughes starts

 

[fastandcash]

Hey Al ....... Did you find the "Gator Report?"

Thanks....

 

[Al Kaline]

JEFFERSONSPORTS

Look for the Lakers game. Spurs will be without Manu and that is their guy. As good as Parker and Duncan are, Manu makes that team go. When he comes off the bench all they do is run the high pick and roll with him. He creates his own shot or makes assists and collapses the defense which allows him to kick out to the good three point shooters (Bowen, Finley, and the underrated Udoka). Duncan will get his points and Parker will do well but take away the energy and the 20 points a game Manu brings to the game and I don't think the line adjustment will be enough. The other Spur players cannot create their own shots. This will slow the spurs down. It will be very interesting to see what the line opens at. I look for the Lakers to win this game pretty easily. I also look for it to go under as well. Look to get on the Lakers right when the line opens. I think it will rise quickly. Also, I expect the total with the adjustment of Ginobili will fall somewhere between 192-195. Take the under if it is anything above 192. We have been hitting lots of totals and I hope it is set higher than this. I am expecting a line about maybe 5 or 6 for LA without Ginobili. Play the Lakers if it is anything 6 points or less. I think the total will fall and the line for LA will rise so get on this game as soon as the line opens. If either play falls outside our range, it is a no play. Good luck. More plays in a bit.

 

[Al Kaline]

ARTHUR RALPH
comp

Atlanta Braves

 

[Al Kaline]

Hot Lock sports

MLB
Oakland Athletics ~vs~ Cleveland Indians


Cleveland Indians -139

Oakland has been hot and the Tribe have not got it going yet so why now? Cliff Lee looks like his old self and Chad Gaudin comes in with a 11.25 ERA. Cleveland is also at home and they are 8-1 when they lose the first two games of a series. Lee is also 4-0 their L 4 at home vs the A\'s. The Home team is also 4-0 in Chris Gucciones L 4 behind the plate. We like the Indians to get into the win columne here behind a superior starter. Cleveland is our TOP Play today for 5 units!

 

[Al Kaline]

Sebastian Sports
COMP(3-0-0 / +305)


MLB - Houston (-135

 

[Al Kaline]

Brandon Lang

SUNDAY

10 Dime - Royals
10 Dime - Chisox
10 Dime - D'Backs

Free Pick - Reds and Rockets

 

[Al Kaline]

ats basketball lock club

4units denver


ats hockey lock club

4units washington
3units san jose

 

[Al Kaline]

COMPUTER PLAYS

Atlanta Braves - 130
Philadelphia Phillies - 125
Chicago White Sox - 130
Kansas City Royals - 115

BEST BET
Boston Red Sox - 150 * * *

 

[Al Kaline]

SportsKingz

MLB:

BOSTON -150 (1500 TO WIN 1000)

PHILLIES -125 (1250 TO WIN 1000)

ARIZONA -130 (1300 TO WIN 1000)

NBA:

DETROIT -6 (10 UNITS)

MIAMI +18 (10 UNITS)