WUNDERDOG AFTERNOON PLAY
Game: Oakland at Texas (2:05 PM Eastern)
Pick: Texas -120 (moneyline)
The Athletics are 7-11 on the season including 3-6 on the road, yet they are nearly even money here? Yes they have the pitching advantage but the Rangers have been pounding left-hand pitching to the tune of 9.2 runs per game on the season and the A's offense will be hard pressed to keep up. Vicente Padilla has not gotten off to a big start for the Rangers, but he does own a career 5-1 mark against the A's. And this Oakland offense is producing only four runs per game against right-hand pitching. Texas is 27-17 the past two seasons vs. poor power teams (those averaging under .75 HRs per game). With Padilla on the mound during that span, the Rangers are 8-1 vs such teams! Oakland is just 39-54 in expected close games (line of -125 to +125) over the past two seasons. That includes a 14-28 mark on the road in those games. I'll back the Rangers on the moneyline in this one.
Game: Oakland at Texas (2:05 PM Eastern)
Pick: Texas -120 (moneyline)
The Athletics are 7-11 on the season including 3-6 on the road, yet they are nearly even money here? Yes they have the pitching advantage but the Rangers have been pounding left-hand pitching to the tune of 9.2 runs per game on the season and the A's offense will be hard pressed to keep up. Vicente Padilla has not gotten off to a big start for the Rangers, but he does own a career 5-1 mark against the A's. And this Oakland offense is producing only four runs per game against right-hand pitching. Texas is 27-17 the past two seasons vs. poor power teams (those averaging under .75 HRs per game). With Padilla on the mound during that span, the Rangers are 8-1 vs such teams! Oakland is just 39-54 in expected close games (line of -125 to +125) over the past two seasons. That includes a 14-28 mark on the road in those games. I'll back the Rangers on the moneyline in this one.
diceituponlineDOTcom 4/30/09
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15 dimes Vancouver ML -140
5 dimes Van/Chi under 5 goals +110
Here are my series picks for 2nd rd. NHL
10 dimes Vancouver over chicago
5 dimes Anaheim over Detroit
5 dimes Carolina over Boston
20 dimes Pittsburgh over Washington.
Fireman:
2 Team Tease = 10 Dimes
Sixers EVEN (tease down 5)
Rockets EVEN (tease down 5)
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15 dimes Vancouver ML -140
5 dimes Van/Chi under 5 goals +110
Here are my series picks for 2nd rd. NHL
10 dimes Vancouver over chicago
5 dimes Anaheim over Detroit
5 dimes Carolina over Boston
20 dimes Pittsburgh over Washington.
Fireman:
2 Team Tease = 10 Dimes
Sixers EVEN (tease down 5)
Rockets EVEN (tease down 5)
Chip Chirimbes
Orlando at Philadelphia
Play: Orlando +5.5
This is the spot where the Orlando Magic supporting cast have to step forward and establish true professionalism. With Dwight Howard the NBA's defensive player of the year the Magic have gone from a 4.5 point favorite to a 5 point underdog, a hugh swing. Orlando keeps it closer than most might think. Take MAGIC!
Orlando at Philadelphia
Play: Orlando +5.5
This is the spot where the Orlando Magic supporting cast have to step forward and establish true professionalism. With Dwight Howard the NBA's defensive player of the year the Magic have gone from a 4.5 point favorite to a 5 point underdog, a hugh swing. Orlando keeps it closer than most might think. Take MAGIC!
Brandon Lang
Wednesday ...
10-Dime Portland Trail Blazers - When you're in a do-or-die situation, like the Blazers are tonight, you tend to play your absolute best. I know youth has been a concern in this series, but the fact remains this is a Blazers team that is well-coached, that has scorers, that has paint presence and that quietly remained one of the top Western Conference teams throughout the 2008-09 campaign.
Houston could have wrapped this thing up the other night, in Game 5, especially when the Rockets opened the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run and had their largest lead of the game, 68-64. But showing plenty of poise, the Trail Blazers stared adversity - and elimination - in the face and emerged victorious after Houston's offense crumbled.
Portland's composure in that final period stemmed from its ability and willingness to attack gaps in Houston's defense, and that's the type of confidence it has no choice but to display if it wants to stave off elimination once again, and take this series back home for Game 7. The Blazers' aggressive ways created fouls and opened up their deadly shooters from the perimeter.
If Portland can do that in the first quarter tonight, it will silence the crowd and immediately steal the momentum for the game. That's what we want, as we're going to see both teams win two quarters apiece. Then it comes down to the final few minutes, and which team can play the best defense. I want the dog in this do-or-die contest.
Free pick - Chicago Bulls (See daily video for your analysis on this game)
Wednesday ...
10-Dime Portland Trail Blazers - When you're in a do-or-die situation, like the Blazers are tonight, you tend to play your absolute best. I know youth has been a concern in this series, but the fact remains this is a Blazers team that is well-coached, that has scorers, that has paint presence and that quietly remained one of the top Western Conference teams throughout the 2008-09 campaign.
Houston could have wrapped this thing up the other night, in Game 5, especially when the Rockets opened the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run and had their largest lead of the game, 68-64. But showing plenty of poise, the Trail Blazers stared adversity - and elimination - in the face and emerged victorious after Houston's offense crumbled.
Portland's composure in that final period stemmed from its ability and willingness to attack gaps in Houston's defense, and that's the type of confidence it has no choice but to display if it wants to stave off elimination once again, and take this series back home for Game 7. The Blazers' aggressive ways created fouls and opened up their deadly shooters from the perimeter.
If Portland can do that in the first quarter tonight, it will silence the crowd and immediately steal the momentum for the game. That's what we want, as we're going to see both teams win two quarters apiece. Then it comes down to the final few minutes, and which team can play the best defense. I want the dog in this do-or-die contest.
Free pick - Chicago Bulls (See daily video for your analysis on this game)
Rocky Atkinson
Rocky Atkinson | NBA Sides Thu, 04/30/09 - 7:05 PM <SUP>ax </SUP>
<DT> double-dime bet 556 CHI -3.0 (-110) Bodog vs 555 BOS <DD>Analysis: Boston @ Chicago 7:05 PM EST
Play On: 3* Chicago -3
I don't think there is any way that Perkins will have the kind of game he had last game. With Garnett and Powe still out for the Celtics, the Bulls should be able to take Game 6 here tonight. Chicago is 15-4 ATS this year when playing against a team with a winning record in the 2nd half of the season. Chicago is 17-8 SU at home vs Boston since 1996. Celtics are 3-10-1 ATS in their last 14 games vs. a team with a losing SU record. Celtics are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. NBA Central. Bulls are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Bulls are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 Conference Qu©arterfinals games. Bulls are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning SU record. Bulls are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Bulls are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Bulls are 13-4-1 ATS in their last 18 games following a SU loss. We'll play Chicago for 3 units tonight! Thanks and good luck, Rocky
Rocky Atkinson | NBA Sides Thu, 04/30/09 - 7:35 PM ax
double-dime bet 558 PHI -4.0 (-110) BetUS vs 557 ORL
Analysis:
Orlando @ Philadelphia 7:35 PM EST
Play On: 3* Philadelphia -4
Dwight Howard appears to be suspended a¤nd out for this game here tonight. Throw in Courtney Lee to the injured list and of course they are still without Jameer Nelson and his 16.7 points per game. The Magic will be missing 45.7 points per game tonight for this one. Magic are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 playoff games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5. Magic are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games. Magic are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU win. Magic are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Magic are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Magic are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing SU record. Magic are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 vs. NBA Atlantic. Magic are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 road games. Magic are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. 76ers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Southeast. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning SU record. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. 76ers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points. Magic are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings. We'll play Philadelphia for 3 units tonight! Thanks and good luck, Rocky
</DD>
Rocky Atkinson | NBA Sides Thu, 04/30/09 - 7:05 PM <SUP>ax </SUP>
<DT> double-dime bet 556 CHI -3.0 (-110) Bodog vs 555 BOS <DD>Analysis: Boston @ Chicago 7:05 PM EST
Play On: 3* Chicago -3
I don't think there is any way that Perkins will have the kind of game he had last game. With Garnett and Powe still out for the Celtics, the Bulls should be able to take Game 6 here tonight. Chicago is 15-4 ATS this year when playing against a team with a winning record in the 2nd half of the season. Chicago is 17-8 SU at home vs Boston since 1996. Celtics are 3-10-1 ATS in their last 14 games vs. a team with a losing SU record. Celtics are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. NBA Central. Bulls are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Bulls are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 Conference Qu©arterfinals games. Bulls are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning SU record. Bulls are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Bulls are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Bulls are 13-4-1 ATS in their last 18 games following a SU loss. We'll play Chicago for 3 units tonight! Thanks and good luck, Rocky
Rocky Atkinson | NBA Sides Thu, 04/30/09 - 7:35 PM ax
double-dime bet 558 PHI -4.0 (-110) BetUS vs 557 ORL
Analysis:
Orlando @ Philadelphia 7:35 PM EST
Play On: 3* Philadelphia -4
Dwight Howard appears to be suspended a¤nd out for this game here tonight. Throw in Courtney Lee to the injured list and of course they are still without Jameer Nelson and his 16.7 points per game. The Magic will be missing 45.7 points per game tonight for this one. Magic are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 playoff games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5. Magic are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games. Magic are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU win. Magic are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Magic are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Magic are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing SU record. Magic are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 vs. NBA Atlantic. Magic are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 road games. Magic are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. 76ers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Southeast. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning SU record. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. 76ers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points. Magic are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings. We'll play Philadelphia for 3 units tonight! Thanks and good luck, Rocky
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SCOTT FERRALL'S PAY PICKS:
NBA PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND PICKS FOR THURSDAY PICKS ARE IN ALL CAPS AND RANKED IN ORDER OF CONFIDENCE ( )
Against the Spread
Orlando
PHILADELPHIA -5 ½ (1)
Portland
HOUSTON -4 ½ (2)
BOSTON +3 (3)
Chicago
OVER/UNDER
Orlando / Philadelphia UNDER 185 ½ (1)
Portland / Houston UNDER 180 (2)
Boston / Chicago OVER 195 ½ (3)
Money Line
Portland
HOUSTON -220 (1)
Orlando
PHILADELPHIA -240 (2)
BOSTON +140 (3)
Chicago
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NBA PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND PICKS FOR THURSDAY PICKS ARE IN ALL CAPS AND RANKED IN ORDER OF CONFIDENCE ( )
Against the Spread
Orlando
PHILADELPHIA -5 ½ (1)
Portland
HOUSTON -4 ½ (2)
BOSTON +3 (3)
Chicago
OVER/UNDER
Orlando / Philadelphia UNDER 185 ½ (1)
Portland / Houston UNDER 180 (2)
Boston / Chicago OVER 195 ½ (3)
Money Line
Portland
HOUSTON -220 (1)
Orlando
PHILADELPHIA -240 (2)
BOSTON +140 (3)
Chicago
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SCOTT FERRALL'S PAY PICKS:
MLB PAY PICKS FOR THURSDAY PICKS ARE IN ALL CAPS AND RANKED IN ORDER OF CONFIDENCE ( )
San Diego (Geer)
DODGERS (MCDONALD) -145 (1)
BOSTON (BECKETT) -103 (2)
Tampa Bay (Garza)
Angels (Ortega)
YANKEES (BURNETT) -230 (3)
Arizona (Scherzer)
MILWAUKEE (SUPPAN) -112 (4)
Florida (Volstad)
CUBS (MARSHALL) -115 (5)
ST. LOUIS (BOGGS) -115 (6)
Washington (Cabrera)
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MLB PAY PICKS FOR THURSDAY PICKS ARE IN ALL CAPS AND RANKED IN ORDER OF CONFIDENCE ( )
San Diego (Geer)
DODGERS (MCDONALD) -145 (1)
BOSTON (BECKETT) -103 (2)
Tampa Bay (Garza)
Angels (Ortega)
YANKEES (BURNETT) -230 (3)
Arizona (Scherzer)
MILWAUKEE (SUPPAN) -112 (4)
Florida (Volstad)
CUBS (MARSHALL) -115 (5)
ST. LOUIS (BOGGS) -115 (6)
Washington (Cabrera)
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Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAY
(Power Angle Play)
Toronto +120 over KANSAS CITY
The Blue Jays are 8-2 in their last 10 during game 4 of a series and 38-14 in their last 52 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game, while the Royals are 14-31 in their last 45 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600 and 1-5 in Davies' last 6 starts following a team loss in their previous game. After Posting a 12.47 ERA in his first start I belive that Brian Burres will bounce back with a strong effort today. He will be facing a KC squad that is 22nd in scoring at 4.2 rpg and 25th in hitting at .247. The Royals also score just 4.4 rpg at home and in their 8 day games they have hit just .200 and have scored just 3 rpg. toronto has had no such hitting problems as they are 4th in scoring (5.9 rpg) and 1st in hitting (.290), plus they average 6.5 rpg on the road and 6.1 rpg vs righty starters. That Toronto offense will take aim at a struggling Kyle Davies, who is 1-1 with a high 6.88 ERA in his slast 3 starts, plus he is 1-1 with an 8.18 ERA at home. The Jays offense will win this one as I just don't see KC putting up enough runs to outscore them.
POWER ANGLE For This Play--- Since June 22nd 2008 The Blue Jays are a sparkling 25-3 after allowing 6+ runs.
1 UNIT PLAY
Oakland/ Texas Under 11
The Under is 26-11 in Athletics last 37 road games vs. a team with a winning home record and 6-1 in Bradens last 7 starts as a road underdog, while the Under is 8-1 in Padillas last 9 starts with the total set at 11.0 or higher. You won't see this that often, me taking an Under in a Rangers home game, but Padilla is due for a good game and 6 of his last 7 home starts with teh total of 11 or higher have gone under the total. Dallas Braden has been pitching well this year as he owns a 2.52 ERA overall, including a 1.89 ERA in his last 3 starts. His starts have averaged just 5.3 rpg overall and a mere 2 rpg in his 2 road starts. No more than 9 in this one.
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3 UNIT PLAY
(Power Angle Play)
Toronto +120 over KANSAS CITY
The Blue Jays are 8-2 in their last 10 during game 4 of a series and 38-14 in their last 52 after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game, while the Royals are 14-31 in their last 45 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600 and 1-5 in Davies' last 6 starts following a team loss in their previous game. After Posting a 12.47 ERA in his first start I belive that Brian Burres will bounce back with a strong effort today. He will be facing a KC squad that is 22nd in scoring at 4.2 rpg and 25th in hitting at .247. The Royals also score just 4.4 rpg at home and in their 8 day games they have hit just .200 and have scored just 3 rpg. toronto has had no such hitting problems as they are 4th in scoring (5.9 rpg) and 1st in hitting (.290), plus they average 6.5 rpg on the road and 6.1 rpg vs righty starters. That Toronto offense will take aim at a struggling Kyle Davies, who is 1-1 with a high 6.88 ERA in his slast 3 starts, plus he is 1-1 with an 8.18 ERA at home. The Jays offense will win this one as I just don't see KC putting up enough runs to outscore them.
POWER ANGLE For This Play--- Since June 22nd 2008 The Blue Jays are a sparkling 25-3 after allowing 6+ runs.
1 UNIT PLAY
Oakland/ Texas Under 11
The Under is 26-11 in Athletics last 37 road games vs. a team with a winning home record and 6-1 in Bradens last 7 starts as a road underdog, while the Under is 8-1 in Padillas last 9 starts with the total set at 11.0 or higher. You won't see this that often, me taking an Under in a Rangers home game, but Padilla is due for a good game and 6 of his last 7 home starts with teh total of 11 or higher have gone under the total. Dallas Braden has been pitching well this year as he owns a 2.52 ERA overall, including a 1.89 ERA in his last 3 starts. His starts have averaged just 5.3 rpg overall and a mere 2 rpg in his 2 road starts. No more than 9 in this one.
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ROCKETMAN
Boston @ Chicago
Play: 3* Chicago -3
I don't think there is any way that Perkins will have the kind of game he had last game. With Garnett and Powe still out for the Celtics, the Bulls should be able to take Game 6 here tonight. Chicago is 15-4 ATS this year when playing against a team with a winning record in the 2nd half of the season. Chicago is 17-8 SU at home vs Boston since 1996. Celtics are 3-10-1 ATS in their last 14 games vs. a team with a losing SU record. Celtics are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. NBA Central. Bulls are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Bulls are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 Conference Quarterfinals games. Bulls are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning SU record. Bulls are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Bulls are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Bulls are 13-4-1 ATS in their last 18 games following a SU loss. We'll play Chicago for 3 units tonight!
Orlando @ Philadelphia
Play: 3* Philadelphia -4
Dwight Howard appears to be suspended and out for this game here tonight. Throw in Courtney Lee to the injured list and of course they are still without Jameer Nelson and his 16.7 points per game. The Magic will be missing 45.7 points per game tonight for this one. Magic are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 playoff games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5. Magic are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games. Magic are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU win. Magic are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Magic are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Magic are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing SU record. Magic are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 vs. NBA Atlantic. Magic are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 road games. Magic are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. 76ers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Southeast. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning SU record. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. 76ers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points. Magic are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings. We'll play Philadelphia for 3 units tonight!
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Boston @ Chicago
Play: 3* Chicago -3
I don't think there is any way that Perkins will have the kind of game he had last game. With Garnett and Powe still out for the Celtics, the Bulls should be able to take Game 6 here tonight. Chicago is 15-4 ATS this year when playing against a team with a winning record in the 2nd half of the season. Chicago is 17-8 SU at home vs Boston since 1996. Celtics are 3-10-1 ATS in their last 14 games vs. a team with a losing SU record. Celtics are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. NBA Central. Bulls are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Bulls are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 Conference Quarterfinals games. Bulls are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning SU record. Bulls are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Bulls are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Bulls are 13-4-1 ATS in their last 18 games following a SU loss. We'll play Chicago for 3 units tonight!
Orlando @ Philadelphia
Play: 3* Philadelphia -4
Dwight Howard appears to be suspended and out for this game here tonight. Throw in Courtney Lee to the injured list and of course they are still without Jameer Nelson and his 16.7 points per game. The Magic will be missing 45.7 points per game tonight for this one. Magic are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 playoff games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5. Magic are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games. Magic are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU win. Magic are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Magic are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Magic are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing SU record. Magic are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 vs. NBA Atlantic. Magic are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 road games. Magic are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. 76ers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Southeast. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning SU record. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Conference Quarterfinals games. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. 76ers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. 76ers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points. Magic are 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings. We'll play Philadelphia for 3 units tonight!
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Stephen Nover
Boston at Chicago
Play: Chicago -3
The Bulls are confident, cocky and steaming mad about Rojan Rondo's hard foul on Brad Miller at the end of Tuesday's game that wasn't called a flagrant foul.The Celtics have been leaning more heavy on their starters than the Bulls. Chicago's bench has outscored Boston's reserves nearly double, 125-63.The strain of three overtime games and being on the road should prove too much for the taxed Celtics in this situation with Chicago being in a must-win spot.The Bulls are guard-oriented so they can take advantage of the situation. Boston's defense isn't as good without Kevin Garnett and James Posey, who starred for the Celtics in last year's playoff.
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Boston at Chicago
Play: Chicago -3
The Bulls are confident, cocky and steaming mad about Rojan Rondo's hard foul on Brad Miller at the end of Tuesday's game that wasn't called a flagrant foul.The Celtics have been leaning more heavy on their starters than the Bulls. Chicago's bench has outscored Boston's reserves nearly double, 125-63.The strain of three overtime games and being on the road should prove too much for the taxed Celtics in this situation with Chicago being in a must-win spot.The Bulls are guard-oriented so they can take advantage of the situation. Boston's defense isn't as good without Kevin Garnett and James Posey, who starred for the Celtics in last year's playoff.
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Mark Franco
Portland at Houston
Pick: Houston -4.5
The Blazers have lost 12 of their last 13 games at Houston and 10 of their last 11 road playoff games overall. The Rockets have won eight straight home games, but are still trying to advance out of the first round for the first time since 1997 and will this season without T. Mac.The Rockets will show they are too tough at home to let an opportunity to close out a young Blazers team slip away. The Rockets have the Lakers in waiting and will not want to risk traveling back to Portland for a game seven.
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Portland at Houston
Pick: Houston -4.5
The Blazers have lost 12 of their last 13 games at Houston and 10 of their last 11 road playoff games overall. The Rockets have won eight straight home games, but are still trying to advance out of the first round for the first time since 1997 and will this season without T. Mac.The Rockets will show they are too tough at home to let an opportunity to close out a young Blazers team slip away. The Rockets have the Lakers in waiting and will not want to risk traveling back to Portland for a game seven.
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