Cnotes Best Bets For Sunday April 5th - NBA -NHL !

[CNOTES]

Preview: Rockets (52-24) at Thunder (42-34)


Date: April 05, 2015 1:00 PM EDT

The Houston Rockets have been among the NBA's best teams despite not having Dwight Howard for much of the season. They'll likely need him to be in top form to truly compete for a title, however.


Howard will continue to try to find his groove Sunday when Houston visits the Oklahoma City Thunder, who may be wearing out Russell Westbrook as they try to hold on to a playoff spot.


Though Howard has only played 36 games, missing more than 12 in a season for the first time in his career, the Rockets (52-24) are battling Memphis for the Western Conference's second seed and the Southwest Division title. Because the teams split the season series, a tie would favor the team with the superior conference record. Houston is 30-17 against the West while Memphis is 33-15.


The Rockets won 108-101 at Dallas on Thursday, their sixth victory in seven games. Howard had eight points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes after sitting out the previous two games and raised some concerns when he limped off the court in the third quarter, but he later returned wearing knee pads. He has averaged 10.3 points on 64.0 percent shooting and 18.3 minutes in four contests since returning from a 26-game absence due to swelling in his right knee.


"There was a point in the game where I got kneed in my knee but gotta go back to the Hakeem (Olajuwon) knee pads now," he said. "The most important thing is for me to stay healthy and kind of get into a rhythm for these last couple of games, then in the playoffs, really stride out."


Howard's 15.6 points per game marks his lowest average since he scored 12.0 as a rookie in 2004-05. Houston is 26-10 when he plays, including 15-4 when he shoots 60.0 percent or better.


"We've got to get his rhythm going 'cause we're going to need him in the postseason," said James Harden, averaging 33.1 points over his last nine contests.


The Rockets are aiming for their first season sweep of Oklahoma City since 2008-09 after winning the first two meetings despite Howard struggling, totaling 25 points on 9-for-25 shooting. He has been limited to 9.7 points per game on 33.8 percent shooting in his last seven matchups with the Thunder.


Oklahoma City (42-34) is trying to hold off New Orleans for the West's eighth seed. The Pelicans entered the weekend having won four in a row, and the Thunder have dropped four of five after losing 100-92 at Memphis on Friday.


Westbrook scored 18 but shot 5 for 20 and committed five turnovers. He has shot 33.3 percent over his last five games, including 6 for 33 from 3-point range. Westbrook is also averaging 6.1 turnovers over his last 14 compared to 3.9 per game previously.


With Kevin Durant out for the season, coach Scott Brooks continues to rely heavily on Westbrook, who has averaged 40.0 minutes over his last four games. Westbrook's 37.1 usage percentage leads the league, up from his career high of 33.3 last season.


"He plays hard, he's gonna get tired after every game. That's what he does, that's what an NBA player should do," Brooks said. "It has nothing to do with the minutes, his minutes have been good all year long, and we monitor. He missed some shots. Every time you have a bad shooting game or a couple bad, it's not because you're tired, it's just things don't fall. He competes, and he leaves everything on the floor and I couldn't be more proud of him.


"... He's one of the best players in basketball. What do you want me to do, take him out?"


Westbrook scored 16 and committed eight turnovers in a 112-101 loss at Houston on Jan. 15 in the teams' last meeting.


Enes Kanter continues to play well, averaging 20.9 points and 12.6 rebounds over his last 13 games.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Bulls (46-30) at Cavaliers (49-27)


Date: April 05, 2015 3:30 PM EDT

With another home victory, the Cleveland Cavaliers will possess a near-insurmountable lead atop the Central Division. By avoiding another road loss, the Chicago Bulls could make that race far more interesting in the season's final two weeks.


The Cavaliers are hoping the expected return of Kevin Love will provide an impact in Sunday's divisional clash.


Cleveland (49-27) leads Chicago (46-30) by three games in the Central with six to play and also is trying to fend off Atlantic Division champion Toronto for the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference behind Atlanta.


Love, who sat out a 114-88 rout of Miami on Thursday with a sore back, said he would "be good and ready to go tomorrow," following practice Saturday.


He'll try to help lead Cleveland to its 18th consecutive home victory and 11th win in 13 overall. The Cavaliers started their lengthy run at Quicken Loans Arena with a 108-94 victory against the Bulls on Jan. 19, Chicago's only other visit to Cleveland this season.


The Bulls are heading into Ohio having dropped seven of nine on the road and are trying to add to a 113-98 win from Feb. 12 to salvage a split of the season series. The Cavaliers were without Love in that defeat due to an abrasion on his right eye, and the Bulls were missing Jimmy Butler (shoulder) and Kirk Hinrich (toe) out.


Hinrich is expected to miss his second straight game Sunday because of an injured left knee, and Derrick Rose, who had 30 points in the win, is still recovering from his knee surgery.


"It's going to be a challenge for us," said forward Pau Gasol, who leads the league with a career-high and NBA-best 50 double-doubles. "It's going to be a really good test for us. We should approach it with everything we've got, as if it was a playoff game."


Chicago has won six of its last eight games without Rose and overcame shooting 38.8 percent to beat Detroit 88-82 on Friday. Gasol had 26 points, including a key three-point play in the final seconds, and 10 rebounds.


"I've been able to do things that I haven't done in my entire career, but the most important thing to me is team success. It's how well we play as a team and how ready we get for the playoffs," Gasol said.


Gasol has shot just 33.3 percent (16 for 48) in the three games against Cleveland, his worst against any East opponent, while averaging 14.7 points. He had 18 points on 6-of-16 shooting in the February win but is shooting 52.1 percent while averaging 20.1 points in Chicago's last eight games.


Love, whose 37 double-doubles have him in the league's top 10, has likewise struggled to make baskets against Chicago with his combined 26.7 percent (8 of 30) in two meetings - his worst against any team. He's totaled 32 points in those games but has grabbed 28 rebounds.


LeBron James' 31.0 points per game in the three contests is his second-best against an East team, trailing only his 34.0 average versus Boston.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Heat (34-41) at Pacers (33-43)


Date: April 05, 2015 6:00 PM EDT

(AP) - Paul George was so excited he took a picture of his game shoes and posted it online.


No more street clothes for the two-time All-Star. The wait is over.


A little more than eight months after breaking his right leg during a Team USA scrimmage in Las Vegas, George will make his season debut Sunday night against the visiting Miami Heat.


Coach Frank Vogel said George will play about 10 to 15 minutes, likely in the first and third quarters.


"It's almost like being drafted again and getting thrown back out there again for the first time. It's that same feel," said George, who will be wearing his new No. 13 for the first time.


Larry Bird, president of basketball operations for the Pacers, said Saturday that George had been cleared for game action a while ago, but was kept out because he was still working out with a limp. Before Friday night's 93-74 victory over Charlotte, George started lobbying harder, but still couldn't convince the top brass to let him play.


Indiana (33-43) is tied for the No. 10 spot in the East with the Hornets, 1 1/2 games behind Boston for the eighth and final playoff spot and a game behind ninth-place Miami (34-42).


Less than 24 hours after the victory over Charlotte jump-started the Pacers' fading playoff hopes, Bird and other team officials decided to put their biggest star back on the court.


"He's not going to run as smooth as he used to, but over time he'll get better and better. Just in the last month I've seen a major difference," Bird said. "Everybody thinks Paul George is coming back and that he's 100 percent, but he's not 100 percent and he's in no condition to go out and play a 30-minute game."


But it's quite a turnaround from Aug. 1, when George ran into a basketball stanchion and broke his leg in two places. He had surgery within hours, and then returned to Indianapolis three days later.


After returning to full practices Feb. 26, three days sooner than expected, the biggest question in Indy was whether it would be wise to bring George back. George said he has participated in full contact drills over that time and he is confident he will not re-injure the leg.


Now George will make his grand entrance against the team that has eliminated Indiana from the playoffs each of the past three seasons - including twice in the Eastern Conference finals.


"I probably won't be able to sleep (Saturday night), but I'm excited," George said. "I'm excited to get over this hurdle."


Apparently, George faced a bigger hurdle than initially thought.


Team doctor Tim Hupfer said George had a 14-millimeter by 420-millimeter titanium rod inserted into the bone and then underwent a second surgery in October, a procedure the team had not previously divulged.


"We did some things to help increase the stress across the fracture and stimulate some healing," Hupfer said.


Hupfer also said the medical staff will monitor whether George has any pain in the leg but there are no other medical limitations.


"It was me," George said when asked who made the final decision. "But I had to push it through Larry and the whole front office. But it was me telling everybody I was ready. We kind of knew it would be around this time. I just told them I was ready."


The Heat looked like they'd end Saturday tied with Brooklyn for seventh in the East, but wound up below the cut. Miami led Detroit by nine points with two minutes left, but the Pistons ended the game on a 10-0 run to win 99-98.


"We're all very disappointed in this locker room right now but it has to be a quick turnaround," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Thankfully we play (Sunday)."


Whether they have a few key big men remains to be seen. Hassan Whiteside reopened a right hand laceration in the second quarter against the Pistons - he was initially hurt March 24 - and Chris Andersen left after being kicked in the foot.


Both are considered questionable.


The Pacers can lock up a potential head-to-head tiebreaker over the Heat with a win. They took the first two meetings of the season before falling 89-87 at Miami on Jan. 23.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: 76ers (18-58) at Knicks (14-62)


Date: April 05, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

In the first meeting of the season in late November, the New York Knicks handed the Philadelphia 76ers their 13th straight loss in an eventual franchise-worst 0-17 start.


The Knicks may not have imagined at the time that they'd sail right past the 76ers for the NBA's worst record, but that's how it stands as the Atlantic Division's cellar dwellers meet Sunday night for the final time in a disastrous 2014-15 for both clubs.


New York (14-62) wasn't in any better of a position than Philadelphia (18-59) entering that Nov. 22 meeting at Madison Square Garden. After a 91-83 win, the Knicks were just 4-10 but retained some hope in their first season under team president Phil Jackson.


Instead of righting the ship they've done nothing but sink, and by the time they visited the Wells Fargo Center on Jan. 21 they had endured losing streaks of 10 and 16 games to fall below the 76ers in the standings.


Philadelphia lost that one 98-91 and swapped last place with New York a few times in the ensuing weeks, but the 76ers have now opened a 3 1/2-game lead on the Knicks for the worst mark in the Eastern Conference ahead of this return trip to the Garden.


"It's frustrating, and mentally it's a grind," forward Lou Amundson said after Friday's 101-87 loss at Washington extended the Knicks' current slide to nine.


Any combination of five more New York losses or Minnesota wins will give the Knicks the NBA's worst overall record and best shot at winning the draft lottery. The club with the worst record will have a 25 percent chance of getting the top pick, while the second-worst has odds just below 20 percent.


The Knicks will now try to avoid losing to Philadelphia for the second time on their losing streak after a 97-81 defeat at Wells Fargo on March 20.


Nerlens Noel was the key for the 76ers in that contest, finishing with 23 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks, but the Rookie of the Year candidate left Saturday's 92-91 loss at Charlotte with a laceration on his right eyelid and didn't return.


Noel is unlikely to play against the Knicks, who have also lost five straight at home, and his absence won't be any help to Philadelphia as it looks to end a five-game overall skid and win for just the third time in nine visits to the Garden.


"He got hit pretty good ... and his right eye is still swollen and it's blurred," coach Brett Brown said. "You can see the cut and you can see the swelling. We've had ice on it and it's still starting to swell up. I'm not sure about him for (Sunday)."


Having already set a franchise record for losses, New York is on the brink of its third overall skid of at least 10 games after previously dropping that many in a row only four times in team history and never twice in the same season.


Tim Hardaway Jr. returned for New York against the Wizards after missing nine games with a wrist injury, but went 0 for 7 with two points and two assists. Andrea Bargnani, who had averaged 20.3 points over the previous three games, scored two in 19 minutes.


With a victory, the 76ers will avoid losing the season series for the first time since their last split in 2010-11.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Capitals (43-25) at Red Wings (40-24)


Date: April 05, 2015 5:00 PM EDT

After they failed to help themselves and the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, the Washington Capitals aren't likely to be in a giving mood when the clubs meet at Joe Louis Arena.


With another chance to wrap up a playoff spot by the time Sunday ends, the Capitals will try to regroup with their eighth win in 11 games against a Detroit team looking to build on a critical overtime victory.


Washington (43-25-11) rallied from an early three-goal deficit Saturday to earn a point in a 4-3 overtime loss at Ottawa. The Caps now need a win and a Senators loss - Ottawa visits Toronto later Sunday - to clinch its seventh playoff berth in eight seasons.


"Obviously I'd like to get the extra point and get it done and go from there, but it didn't happen when we went to overtime," coach Barry Trotz told the team's official website. "We've still got to win some games."


The end of Washington's three-game winning streak did no favors for the Red Wings (41-24-13), who are tied with Boston for the Atlantic Division's final automatic playoff spot and have a three-point edge on the Senators.


The Red Wings, however, kept their distance on Ottawa with Saturday's 3-2 shootout win at Minnesota to snap a three-game skid. Gustav Nyquist and Riley Sheahan provided the scoring while Jimmy Howard helped end the team's recent defensive troubles with 22 saves.


Detroit had allowed 3.33 goals per game and given up at least five goals six times while going 4-9-2 over its previous 15.


'Obviously we needed another point," said coach Mike Babcock, whose Red Wings are seeking their 24th consecutive postseason appearance. "Both Boston and Ottawa won, so it was key that we found a way to get points.'


Babcock is now expected to turn to backup netminder Petr Mrazek, who hopes to get on track after going 0-1-1 with a 3.35 goals-against average in his last three games.


In his only career appearance against the Capitals, Mrazek replaced an injured Howard 1:53 into the game Jan. 10 and surrendered two goals in a 3-1 road defeat. Behind Howard, Detroit pulled out a 4-2 win at Washington on Oct. 29.


Alex Ovechkin had scored five times during the Capitals' win streak before coming up empty Saturday. Troy Brouwer, though, had a goal and an assist and he's scored in each of his past three games against the Red Wings.


Joel Ward has four goals in his last four meetings, while John Carlson has three goals and six assists in his eight matchups.


Braden Holtby could get his franchise-record 23rd straight start after he surrendered three goals in the first 10 minutes Saturday before settling down with 24 saves. He's 3-1-0 with a 2.71 GAA in four career starts versus Detroit.


"It's a big game (Sunday) for sure," defenseman Matt Niskanen said. "They're in the same position as us. We'll try to gut out a win on the road."


Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit's second-leading point producer with 60, returned after missing seven of the previous nine games due to an ankle injury. The veteran center has seven goals and 10 assists in his last 15 contests.


Nyquist, second on the Red Wings with 26 goals, has five tallies and three assists in five career meetings with the Capitals.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Penguins (42-24) at Flyers (31-29)


Date: April 05, 2015 12:30 PM EDT

The Pittsburgh Penguins figured to be a shoo-in for their ninth consecutive postseason appearance, but they've made their fate increasingly precarious as the season winds down.


They hope Evgeni Malkin's likely return can provide a spark in Sunday's visit to the Philadelphia Flyers, who can sweep the series for the first time in 31 years.


The Penguins (42-25-11) are 3-7-1 in their last 11, slipping from a top-three spot in the Metropolitan Division to wild-card contention, and still haven't clinched a playoff berth.


Sidney Crosby has 15 points over his last 12 games, but Pittsburgh has totaled just 18 goals in the past 11. Crosby extended his point streak to five games Saturday with his 27th goal and Brandon Sutter scored his 18th to put the Penguins up 2-0 on Columbus in the second period, but they surrendered four straight goals in a 5-3 defeat. They've blown two-goal leads three times in the last six games.


"We need points," Crosby said. "It's not a surprise. It's pretty clear."


Malkin missed a second straight game due to an undisclosed injury, and Pittsburgh fell to 4-7-2 without him, totaling 22 goals in those games. Malkin, second on the team with 70 points, has 13 goals and 18 assists in 24 career games at Philadelphia.


"It seems like things are moving along," coach Mike Johnston told the league's official website. "There was good reaction to (Friday's) skate when he skated with our team so plans are still looking at (Sunday) morning and see how he is."


Kris Letang, whose 54 points rank third for the club, has missed the last three games with a concussion.


Crosby scored on the team's third shot Wednesday against Philadelphia, but Brayden Schenn scored twice and the Flyers won 4-1 for their seventh straight victory in the series and third this season. Philadelphia has only swept the series twice and not since winning seven meetings in 1983-84.


The Flyers have seven power-play goals on 24 chances during the seven-game series winning streak and have scored one in five straight games overall.


Philadelphia (31-29-18) is 2-2-4 in its last eight and will miss the playoffs for the second time in three years. The Flyers fell 3-2 in a shootout at Carolina on Saturday, finishing 10-20-11 on the road while giving up 3.1 goals per game.


They're 21-9-7 at home, however, allowing 2.3 goals per game.


"It's been two different stories at home and on the road for us," goaltender Ray Emery said. "I think that's pretty much the difference in our year. I don't know why, but we'll put that in the past and learn from it."


Steve Mason, 4-1-0 with a 1.60 goals-against average in his last six starts versus Pittsburgh, will be in net.


Meanwhile, Marc Andre-Fleury has given up 19 goals in his last five starts against the Flyers, though it's not clear if he'll get the nod Sunday after facing 34 shots Saturday. He hasn't started both ends of a back-to-back since Dec. 22-23. Backup Thomas Greiss is 2-0-1 against Philadelphia with a 1.63 GAA.


Flyers left wing Michael Raffl has five goals in his last seven games while Jakub Voracek has seven goals and eight assists in his last 11 matchups with Penguins.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Blues (48-23) at Blackhawks (48-24)


Date: April 05, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

Entering last Sunday, the Chicago Blackhawks appeared unlikely to challenge for the Central Division title. By the end of this Sunday, they could be in first place.


So could their opponent.


On the strength of a four-game win streak, the Blackhawks can move up in the Central as they host the potentially short-handed St. Louis Blues in the first of two critical matchups between the division foes in five days.


Chicago (48-24-6) held a Western Conference wild-card spot at this time last week as the fourth-place team in the Central, five points behind St. Louis (48-23-7) and eight back of division-leading Nashville.


The Blackhawks have since moved past Minnesota for third and are within one point of the Blues and two back of the Predators, who dropped their third straight with a 4-3 overtime loss Saturday against Dallas.


These teams will also meet Thursday in St. Louis. Chicago won the last two matchups after losing the first this season and has taken the past six at United Center, including two in last year's opening-round playoff win over the Blues.


Including that series, the Blackhawks are 11-0-2 in the clubs' past 13 meetings in Chicago. St. Louis, though, is 14-3-3 on the road since Jan. 2.


"With them twice in the next three games, they're huge games for us," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "They're four-point games with so little time to make up ground. ... We know they're meaningful."


Quenneville's club is coming off a stunning 4-3 victory in Buffalo. The Blackhawks trailed the league's worst team with less than two minutes to go until Jonathan Toews scored twice in a 47-second span, briefly moving them ahead of St. Louis until the Blues rallied for a 7-5 win over Dallas.


Toews has scored three game-winners and assisted on another during Chicago's four-game streak.


"He's had a big, big week," Quenneville said of Toews, who has five goals in the past five games. "He's a special player, and the bigger the stage, the bigger the response."


St. Louis heads into Chicago having won back-to-back games after losing five of six. The Blues rallied from a two-goal deficit by scoring the final four Thursday, including two by Jaden Schwartz as part of his second career hat trick.


"This is the type of character that we have in this dressing room. Even if we're down by however many goals, we're going to find a way to battle through that," defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said.


The Blues have played the past two games without top scorer Vladimir Tarasenko and the last three without second-leading scorer Alexander Steen. Both players are day-to-day because of lower-body injuries, but Steen was on the ice for Saturday's optional skate in Chicago, a positive sign that he might return soon.


The Blackhawks are the only team to hold Steen without a point this season even though he played all three meetings. Tarasenko scored one of his career-best 36 goals in the most recent matchup, a 4-2 home loss Feb. 8.


Chicago is expected to play its 18th consecutive game without superstar forward Patrick Kane.


Kris Versteeg has two goals and two assists in two games versus the Blues this season but has two points in his last 16 contests. Toews has been limited to one assist in the season series.

 

[CNOTES]

Preview: Senators (39-26) at Maple Leafs (29-43)


Date: April 05, 2015 7:30 PM EDT

Although the Ottawa Senators could finish the regular season as the hottest team in the NHL, it may not be enough to reach the playoffs.


Last week's loss to the lowly Toronto Maple Leafs would loom large in that scenario.


With help needed soon, the Senators will try to continue doing their part and win a fourth straight game by avenging that defeat against the Maple Leafs on Sunday night.


Ottawa (40-26-12) has collected a league-leading 38 points since Feb. 18, going 18-3-2 to become a serious playoff contender. However, the Senators are still three points back of Boston, Pittsburgh and Detroit in the race for the Eastern Conference's two wild cards.


The Senators, Penguins and Red Wings have four games left in the regular season, while the Bruins have three.


Going unbeaten the rest of the way may not assure Ottawa of postseason play, but the club is certainly making every effort to get there after failing to qualify last season.


The Senators again avoided a potential crisis, blowing a three-goal lead before Kyle Turris scored in overtime of Saturday's 4-3 win over Washington.


"You never like to give up three-goal leads, obviously, but we didn't really back off, we just had some mishaps that cost us three goals," said right wing Mark Stone, who scored his third goal in five games. "You try not to change your mindset but it's part of the game. You get up like that you feel a little more comfortable."


There hasn't been much room for comfort during a three-game win in streak in which each contest has gone past regulation. That's a welcome change after losing the three previous games, including a 4-3 overtime defeat on March 28 that marked Ottawa's fifth straight loss in Toronto.


Turris has been key of late, collecting 12 points in 10 games and figuring in the decisive tally in the last two. He assisted on Patrick Wiercioch goal with 17 seconds left in overtime of Thursday's 2-1 win over Tampa Bay.


Andrew Hammond continues to be a revelation in net, going 17-1-1 with a 1.86 goals-against average in 20 games since being recalled from the minors in January. He's 8-0-1 with a 1.08 GAA in nine road games, but didn't get the call at Toronto last week as Craig Anderson had 27 saves.


Hammond stopped 22 shots in a 5-3 home victory over the Maple Leafs on March 21.


While Ottawa is trying to defy the odds and reach the playoffs, Toronto (29-43-7) isn't likely to increase its chances of winning the draft lottery and a chance to select star prospect Connor McDavid.


With three games left in the season, the Maple Leafs' 65 points are only higher than Edmonton (59), Arizona (56) and Buffalo (52). That would give Toronto a 9.5 percent chance at getting the first pick in June's draft.


The Leafs don't seem too concerned with improving those odds, as three of their last four games have been decided by one goal. However, they've still dropped 12 of the last 15 after falling 2-1 in a shootout at Boston on Saturday.


"You want to end off on a strong note," said James Reimer, who had 49 saves before being beaten on one of two shootout attempts.


Reimer may get another start since he's 11-3-1 with a 2.37 GAA and three shutouts in 17 career meetings with the Senators after making 22 saves against them last week.


Tyler Bozak netted his first career hat trick in that matchup, but he's come up empty while mustering one shot in three games since. The center has six goals and four assists in his last five home matchups with Ottawa.

 

[CNOTES]

Well just a awful night in the NBA and NHL.......But there will be days like that......


APRIL RATED PLAYS:


nba


*****...................................5- 4
double play...........................5 - 6
triple play.............................5 - 0
slam dunk.............................2 - 4


cbb


*****....................................0 - 0
double play............................1 - 0
triple play..............................3 - 3
slam dunk..............................1 - 2


nhl


*****...............................4 - 5............... + 2,76
double play........................4 - 4............... - 1.16
triple play..........................1 - 2............... - 690
hat trick............................3 - 5............... - 15.14

 

[CNOTES]

NBA ATS


NBA > (507) GOLDEN STATE@ (508) SAN ANTONIO | 04/05/2015 - 07:05 PM
Play ON GOLDEN STATE using the against the spread in All games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game
The record is 27 Wins and 12 Losses for the this season (+13.8 units)


NBA MONEYLINE


NBA > (509) PHILADELPHIA@ (510) NEW YORK | 04/05/2015 - 07:35 PM
Play AGAINST NEW YORK using the money line in Home games after 3 or more consecutive losses
The record is 2 Wins and 16 Losses for the this season (-15.85 units)


NBA > (505) MIAMI@ (506) INDIANA | 04/05/2015 - 06:05 PM
Play ON MIAMI using the money line in All games on Sunday games
The record is 20 Wins and 7 Losses for the last two seasons (+18.15 units)


NBA > (503) CHICAGO@ (504) CLEVELAND | 04/05/2015 - 03:30 PM
Play ON CLEVELAND using the money line in All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 25 Wins and 11 Losses for the this season (+14.85 units)


NBA > (507) GOLDEN STATE@ (508) SAN ANTONIO | 04/05/2015 - 07:05 PM
Play ON SAN ANTONIO using the money line in Home games second half of the season
The record is 10 Wins and 1 Losses for the this season (+8.95 units)


NBA > (501) HOUSTON@ (502) OKLAHOMA CITY | 04/05/2015 - 01:00 PM
Play ON HOUSTON using the money line in All games when playing with 2 days rest
The record is 16 Wins and 3 Losses for the last two seasons (+12.3 units)


NBA FIRST HALF


NBA > (507) GOLDEN STATE@ (508) SAN ANTONIO | 04/05/2015 - 07:05 PM
Play ON SAN ANTONIO in the first half in Home games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 13 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+10.8 units)


NBA > (505) MIAMI@ (506) INDIANA | 04/05/2015 - 06:05 PM
Play AGAINST INDIANA in the first half in All games second half of the season
The record is 21 Wins and 46 Losses for the last two seasons (-29.6 units)


NBA > (503) CHICAGO@ (504) CLEVELAND | 04/05/2015 - 03:30 PM
Play ON CLEVELAND in the first half in Home games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 15 Wins and 4 Losses for the this season (+10.6 units)


NBA TOTALS


NBA > (511) UTAH@ (512) SACRAMENTO | 04/05/2015 - 09:05 PM
Play UNDER UTAH on the total in All games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season
The record is 11 Overs and 43 Unders for the last two seasons (+30.9 units)


NBA > (507) GOLDEN STATE@ (508) SAN ANTONIO | 04/05/2015 - 07:05 PM
Play UNDER SAN ANTONIO on the total in All games after 3 or more consecutive wins
The record is 27 Overs and 66 Unders for the last three seasons (+36.3 units)


NBA > (501) HOUSTON@ (502) OKLAHOMA CITY | 04/05/2015 - 01:00 PM
Play OVER OKLAHOMA CITY on the total in All games revenging a loss vs opponent
The record is 22 Overs and 8 Unders for the this season (+13.2 units)


NBA > (509) PHILADELPHIA@ (510) NEW YORK | 04/05/2015 - 07:35 PM
Play UNDER NEW YORK on the total in All games after a loss by 10 points or more
The record is 17 Overs and 39 Unders for the last two seasons (+20.3 units)

NBA > (503) CHICAGO@ (504) CLEVELAND | 04/05/2015 - 03:30 PM
Play UNDER CLEVELAND on the total in All games on Sunday games
The record is 61 Overs and 120 Unders for the since 1992 (+52.9 units)

NBA > (505) MIAMI@ (506) INDIANA | 04/05/2015 - 06:05 PM
Play UNDER INDIANA on the total in All games versus the first half line in all games
The record is 67 Overs and 110 Unders for the last two seasons (+36.3 units)

 

[CNOTES]

NHL MONEYLINE


NHL > (55) OTTAWA@ (56) TORONTO | 04/05/2015 - 07:35 PM
Play AGAINST TORONTO using the money line in All games second half of the season
The record is 8 Wins and 32 Losses for the this season (-23.5 units)

NHL > (57) PITTSBURGH@ (58) PHILADELPHIA | 04/05/2015 - 07:35 PM
Play ON PHILADELPHIA using the money line in Home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season
The record is 9 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+8 units)


NHL PUCKLINE


NHL > (55) OTTAWA@ (56) TORONTO | 04/05/2015 - 07:35 PM
Play AGAINST TORONTO using the in All games second half of the season
The record is 8 Wins and 32 Losses for the this season (-23.5 units)


NHL > (57) PITTSBURGH@ (58) PHILADELPHIA | 04/05/2015 - 07:35 PM
Play ON PHILADELPHIA using the in Home games when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season
The record is 9 Wins and 2 Losses for the this season (+8 units)


NHL TOTALS


NHL > (57) PITTSBURGH@ (58) PHILADELPHIA | 04/05/2015 - 07:35 PM
Play UNDER PITTSBURGH on the total in Road games revenging a loss versus opponent
The record is 3 Overs and 12 Unders for the this season (+9.35 units)

 

[CNOTES]

NHL PLAYOFF PICTURE THROUGH GAMES ON APRIL 4

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic Division

1. Montreal Canadiens (47-22-10, 104 points), clinched playoff spot

2. Tampa Bay Lightning (48-24-8, 104 points), clinched playoff spot

3. Detroit Red Wings (41-24-13, 95 points)

Metropolitan Division

1. New York Rangers (50-21-7, 107 points), clinched division

2. New York Islanders (46-27-6, 98 points)

3. Washington Capitals (43-25-11, 97 points)

Wild Card

1. Pittsburgh Penguins (42-25-11, 95 points), fourth in Metropolitan

2. Boston Bruins (41-25-13, 95 points), fourth in Atlantic

--

Ottawa Senators (40-26-12, 92 points), fifth in Atlantic


WESTERN CONFERENCE

Central Division

1. Nashville Predators (47-22-10, 104 points), clinched playoff spot

2. St. Louis Blues (48-23-7, 103 points), clinched playoff spot

3. Chicago Blackhawks (48-24-6, 102 points), clinched playoff spot

Pacific Division

1. Anaheim Ducks (50-23-7, 107 points), clinched division

2. Vancouver Canucks (45-29-5, 95 points)

3. Calgary Flames (43-29-7, 93 points)

Wild Card

1. Minnesota Wild (44-26-7, 95 points), fourth in Central

2. Los Angeles Kings (39-25-14, 92 points), fourth in Pacific

Winnipeg Jets (40-26-12, 92 points), fifth in Central

--

San Jose Sharks (39-31-9, 87 points), fifth in Pacific

Dallas Stars (38-31-10, 86 points), sixth in Central

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Sunday, April 5

Hot teams
-- Washington won six of its last nine games.
-- Senators won their last three games, allowing five goals.
-- Chicago won four in row, 11 of last 15. St Louis won its last two games, scoring 11 goals.

Cold teams
-- Detroit lost five of its last seven games.
-- Montreal lost five of its last six games. Florida lost four of its last five.
-- Toronto lost nine of its last eleven games.
-- Penguins lost eight of their last eleven games. Philly lost ten of its last thirteen.

Series records
-- Red Wings lost five of last seven games with Washington.
-- Canadiens won five of last six games with Florida.
-- Maple Leafs won seven of last ten games with Ottawa.
-- Flyers won five of their last seven games with Pittsburgh.
-- Blackhawks won six of their last seven games.

Totals
-- Six of last seven Washington-Detroit games wernt over.
-- Over is 3-0-2 in last five Montreal games.
-- Seven of last eight Toronto-Ottawa games went over.
-- Six of last nine Penguin-Flyer games stayed under total.
-- Over is 3-1-1 in last five Chicago games.

Back-to-back
-- Washington is 2-7 on road if it played night before; Detroit is 3-0 at home.
-- Florida is 5-6 if it played the night before.
-- Ottawa is 4-3 on road if it played night before. Toronto is 3-1 at home.
-- Philly is 3-8 if it played night before. Penguins are 3-5 on road if they played night before.

 

[CNOTES]

NHL
Short Sheet

Sunday, April 5

Washington at Detroit, 5:05 ET
Washington: 8-2 SU after losing their previous game in overtime
Detroit: 29-34 SU as a home favorite

Montreal at Florida, 5:05 ET
Montreal: 22-12 SU in road games vs. division opponents
Florida: 80-98 SU at home after scoring 1 goal or less in previous game

Ottawa at Toronto, 5:05 ET
Ottawal: 25-14 SU revenging a loss versus opponen
Toronto: 7-26 SU after having lost 5 or 6 of their last 7

Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 12:35 ET
Pittsburgh: 9-19 SU vs. division opponents
Philadelphia: 8-1 SU in home games after 2 or more consecutive unders

St Louis at Chicago, 7:35 ET
St Louis: 16-2 SU after scoring 6 goals or more in their previous game
Chicago: 27-29 SU after successfully covering the spread in 2 or more consecutive games

 

[CNOTES]

Sunday, April 5


Game Score Status Pick Amount


Washington - 5:00 PM ET Detroit -140 500 TRIPLE PLAY
Detroit - Over 5.5 500


Montreal - 5:00 PM ET Montreal -133 500 DOUBLE PLAY
Florida - Under 5 500


Ottawa - 7:30 PM ET Toronto +160 500 *****
Toronto - Over 5.5 500


St. Louis - 7:30 PM ET Chicago -145 500 HAT TRICK
Chicago - Under 5 500

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Sunday, April 5

Hot Teams
-- Rockets won nine of their last eleven games (4-1 last five AU).
-- Cavaliers won 12 of their last 15 games (2-3 last five HF). Chicago won six of its last eight games (0-4 last four AU).
-- Warriors won their last eleven games (9-2 vs spread; 6-2 AU) Spurs won/covered nine of their last ten games.
-- Utah won three of its last four games (0-3 last three AU).
-- Clippers won nine of last ten games, covered five of last six.

Cold Teams
-- Thunder lost four of their last five games (1-3 last four HF)
-- Miami lost six of its last eight games (2-6 last eight AU). Pacers lost nine of their last twelve (2-5 last seven HF).
-- 76ers lost their last five games (0-0 AF). Knicks lost last nine but covered three of their last four.
-- Sacramento lost its last four games (2-8 last ten HF).
-- Lakers lost four of their last five games.

Series Records
-- Rockets won their last three games with Oklahoma City.
-- Bulls are 6-4 in their last ten games with Cleveland.
-- Heat lost three of last four visits to Indiana.
-- Spurs won seven of last eight games with Golden State.
-- Knicks won four of last five games with Philadelphia.
-- Jazz won three of last four games with Sacramento.
-- Clippers won nine of last ten games with the Lakers.

Totals
-- Six of last eight Rocket-Thunder games stayed under.
-- Six of last seven Chicago road games went over total.
-- Six of last eight Indiana home games went over total.
-- Over is 10-2 in last twelve Golden State games.
-- Last four Philly-New York games stayed under total.
-- Four of last five Sacramento home games stayed under.
-- Seven of last ten Clipepr-Laker games went over total.

Back-to-Backs
-- Miami is 5-3-1 vs spread on road if they played night before.
-- Warriors are 8-5 on road if they played night before.
-- 76ers are 6-5 on road if they played night before.
-- Utah is 7-4 vs spread if they lost the night before.
-- Clippers are 1-4 vs spread at Staples if they played nite before.

East vs West
SU: West 241-174 ATS: West 214-198-3
East teams HF vs West: 53-57
East teams HU vs West: 45-52
West teams HF vs East: 81-79-3
West teams HU vs East: 24-21

 

[CNOTES]

NBA
Short Sheet

Sunday, April 5

Houston at Oklahoma City, 1:00 ET
Houston: 12-24 ATS in road games after 2 or more consecutive wins
Oklahoma City: 27-14 ATS at home revenging a same season loss vs opponent

Chicago at Cleveland, 3:30 ET
Chicago: 13-22 ATS after 1 or more consecutive unders
Cleveland: 22-10 ATS in home games after playing a home game

Miami at Indiana, 6:05 ET
Miami: 5-1 ATS after having lost 6 or 7 of their last 8 games
Indiana: 7-12 ATS off a home win

Golden State at San Antonio, 7:05 ET
Golden State: 28-13 ATS after a win by 10 points or more
San Antonio: 1-5 ATS after having won 15 or more of their last 20

Philadelphia at NY Knicks, 7:35 ET
Philadelphia: 21-11 UNDER after 3 or more consecutive losses
NY Knicks: 24-35 ATS after 1 or more consecutive losses

Utah at Sacramento, 9:05 ET
Utah: 10-2 ATS in a road game where where the total is between 190 and 194.5
Sacramento: 9-21 ATS revenging a same season loss vs opponent

LA Clippers at LA Lakers, 9:35 ET
LA Clippers: 13-24 ATS after 3 straight games committing 14 or less turnovers
LA Lakers: 12-2 OVER revenging a road blowout loss vs opponent of 20 points or more

 

[CNOTES]

NBA

Sunday, April 5


Jazz G Trey Burke, out Sunday

Burke will not play Sunday against the Kings due to a sore lower back.


T-Wolves' PG Ricky Rubio, out for season

Rubio has been shut down for the remainder of the season with a sore right ankle.


76ers' C Nerlens Noel, questionable Sunday

Noel is questionable to play against the Knicks on Sunday after injuring his eye last game.


Home team, under trending in Rockets-Thunder game

The Houston Rockets visit the Oklahoma City Thunder Sunday afternoon in matchup where the home team and the under are trending.

The home team is 4-0 against the spread in the last four meetings and the Thunder are currently 1.5-point home favorites.

Meanwhile, the under is 6-0 in the last six meetings and the total for today's game is sitting at 217.

 

[CNOTES]

Sunday, April 5


Game Score Status Pick Amount


Houston - 1:00 PM ET Oklahoma City +1 500 *****
Oklahoma City - Under 219 500 *****


Chicago - 3:30 PM ET Chicago +8.5 500
Cleveland - Over 197.5 500


Miami - 6:00 PM ET Miami +6 500
Indiana - Over 190 500


Golden State - 7:00 PM ET San Antonio -6.5 500 TRIPLE PLAY
San Antonio - Under 211 500 TRIPLE PLAY

Philadelphia - 7:30 PM ET Philadelphia -1 500 *****
New York - Under 185.5 500


Utah - 9:00 PM ET Sacramento -2 500
Sacramento - Over 190 500 TRIPLE PLAY


L.A. Clippers - 9:30 PM ET L.A. Clippers -13.5 500 SLAM DUNK
L.A. Lakers - Over 207.5 500

 

[CNOTES]

Sunday, April 5


Game Score Status Pick Amount


St. Louis - 8:05 PM ET St. Louis +102 500 DOUBLE PLAY


Chi. Cubs - Over 7 500