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[Can'tPickaWinner2]

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[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Game of the day: Thursday's NBA Playoff action

Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls (-2, 192.5)
Cavaliers lead series 3-2

LeBron James has placed the Cleveland Cavaliers in position to wrap up the series against Chicago when they travel to face the Bulls in Thursday’s Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. James’ epic Game 5 performance included 38 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and no turnovers to give Cleveland a 3-2 lead.

James sprained his left ankle in Game 4 but didn’t seem to be bothered by the ailment while playing 41 minutes on Tuesday. “LeBron was just outstanding in every element of the game,” Cavaliers coach David Blatt told reporters. “You can’t pick a thing that he didn’t do at the highest level.” Chicago will be looking for point guard Derrick Rose to bounce back from a shaky 16-point outing after scoring 30 or more points in back-to-back contests. Rose tweaked his shoulder and all indications are that the ailment is minor and won’t affect his availability.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN

LINE HISTORY: The Bulls opened as -1.5 home faves before shifting up to -2. The total of 192.5 has not moved since opening.

INJURY REPORT: Cavaliers - N/A Bulls - F Pau Gasol (Ques-Hamstring)


ABOUT THE BULLS: Power forward Pau Gasol (hamstring) has missed the last two games and the club is confident that he will return for Game 6. Chicago has missed a big piece of its attack with Gasol sidelined as role player Taj Gibson isn’t up to the task of picking up the slack. “I think (Gasol) knows his body,” Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters. “If he feels good enough to play, we’ll give it a shot. He’s been around long enough to understand. His health is the big thing. If he can go, he’ll go. If he can’t or doesn’t feel comfortable with it, he won’t.”

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS: James wasn’t the only Cleveland player standing out in Game 5 as point guard Kyrie Irving re-emerged to score 25 points – more than his combined output of the previous two games (23), when he was 5-of-23 from the field. Irving has been bothered by injuries to his right foot and left knee and made three 3-pointers as part of a 9-of-16 shooting effort over 39 minutes. Shooting guard Iman Shumpert (groin) bounced back for 13 points on 6-of-10 shooting after being 4-of-17 over the previous two contests.

TRENDS:

*Cavaliers are 5-16 ATS in the last 21 meetings.
*Bulls are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
*Over is 11-3 in Cavaliers last 14 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
*Under is 16-7 in Bulls last 23 vs. NBA Central.


Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Clippers (-8, 219.5)
Clippers lead series 3-2

The Houston Rockets staved off elimination and now look to tie the best-of-7 Western Conference semifinals against Los Angeles when they visit the Clippers in Thursday’s Game 6. After losing back-to-back games by an average of 29 points, Houston rolled to a 124-103 win on Tuesday to cut Los Angeles’ series lead to 3-2.

Star guard James Harden turned in his top performance of the series with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to notch Houston’s first playoff triple-double since Steve Francis recorded one in 2004. The victory helped revive the Rockets and their confidence was flowing after delivering such a stellar showing. “The tremendous motivating factor for us is we don’t want our season to end and we realize that we can focus in on just one game,” veteran guard Jason Terry told reporters. “One game only and get the win. Then we will be back in the friendly confines of the Toyota Center.” The Clippers, who are vying for their first trip to the Western Conference finals, had only three fast-break points in Game 5 after totaling 45 in back-to-back blowout victories.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

LINE HISTORY: The line has moved a half point since opening at LAC -7.5 to -8. The total has climbed from 218.5 to 219.5.

INJURY REPORT: Rockets - G K.J. McDaniels (Out-Wrist) Clippers - N/A

ABOUT THE ROCKETS: Houston didn’t appear to have much fight left after losing Games 3 and 4 by an average of 29 points but Harden, forward Trevor Ariza (22 points, eight rebounds) and center Dwight Howard (20 points, 15 rebounds) proved to be a formidable trio with elimination staring them in the eyes. Harden was bothered by the flu but still drove the lane with ease and distributed the ball generously as the Rockets dictated the flow of the game. “We played our tempo and to our pace,” guard Corey Brewer told reporters. “We didn’t want to go home. We’re trying to play it one game at a time.”

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS: Los Angeles missed an opportunity to close out the series and now feels pressure to wrap it up at home. “You look at, statistically, Game 7s on the road – nobody wants to put themselves in that position,” Griffin told reporters. “If we don’t have a sense of urgency going home after already losing a game, then we’ll be in trouble.” Griffin continued his outstanding series with 30 points and 16 rebounds while point guard Chris Paul (22 points, 10 assists) is showing little signs of hamstring issues.

TRENDS:

*Rockets are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Pacific.
*Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. loss.
*Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings.
*Over is 5-0 in Clippers last 5 home games.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bulls' Gasol plans to play in Game 6
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

After missing the past two games of an Eastern Conference semifinal series, Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol expects to return for Game 6 on Thursday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

A strained left hamstring kept Gasol on the bench for Games 4 and 5, but Gasol vowed Wednesday to play. The Bulls trail 3-2 and face elimination in the best-of-seven series.

"I'll be out there," Gasol said. " ... What percentage I will be, that's what I'll give."

Gasol, a five-time All-Star, went through running and shooting drills at Wednesday's practice but avoided jumping. He has received treatment on the leg after it started to bother him in Game 2.

Without Gasol, the Bulls have lost two straight since he last played 22 minutes in Game 3 before leaving with the injury.

"It's frustrating," Gasol said. "It's not easy. It's painful. It's hard. But things like this happen, sometimes at the worst times."

The 34-year-old Gasol averaged 18.5 points and 11.8 rebounds while remaining relatively injury free in his first season with the Bulls after winning two championships during a long career run with the Los Angeles Lakers.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bulls, Clippers home for Game 6
By THE SPORTS XCHANGE

For the Chicago Bulls to force a seventh game in the Eastern Conference semifinals series with the Cleveland Cavaliers, guards Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler are going to need some help from their friends.

With All-Star forward Pau Gasol sitting out the past two games with a hamstring strain, Chicago's offense became disjointed and erratic. Rose and Butler did almost all the scoring in the fourth quarter of games 4 and 5, tight losses that pushed the Bulls into Thursday's elimination game.

Gasol is a game-time decision in Game 6 at the United Center, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said Wednesday after Gasol was a full participant in the team's light workout. Gasol said he is feeling better and expects to play.

"Whatever percentage I'm at, that's what I'll give," Gasol said Wednesday.

Rose's sore wrist was better, Thibodeau said, and he's expected to be in the lineup.

--Scoring has not been a challenge in the Western Conference semifinals series between the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets, with the winning team at 124 points or better in three consecutive games.

In Game 6 on Thursday, the Clippers are taking a must-win mindset at Staples Center. Only 24 teams who have gone on the road in 119 game 7s in NBA playoff history were about to win. That's the prospect awaiting Los Angeles if it cannot close out the second-seeded Rockets in Game 6.

Forward Blake Griffin said the Clippers played like a team that had "bullets left in the chamber" and lost Game 5 in Houston, 124-103.

"We can't do that," Griffin said.

--The Bulls are leading the NBA in postseason shot clock violations, a puzzling fact to coach Tom Thibodeau. The Bulls had multiple fourth-quarter possessions end with either desperation shots with the clock ticking down to 1 or violations Thibodeau charts as turnovers.

"It starts with me, pushing the ball, getting everybody to run with me," said Rose, who had 12 points in the first quarter when the Bulls were attacking the paint in Tuesday's loss, but he finished just 7 of 24 from the field.

--A capacity sellout at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland for Game 5 will grow by several if the series returns for Game 7 on Sunday. The NBA is planning to add security around both teams, but not because the series has been testy, including the ejection for a flagrant kick of Bulls forward Taj Gibson in Game 5.

Gibson said fans pelted him with objects as he left the court through the tunnel and teammate Joakim Noah, the team's lead protagonist who has a hate-hate relationship with Cleveland fans, claimed Tuesday night fans were spitting at him when he walked to the locker room.

 

[superbeets]

Europa League TODAY 20:05

Dnipro

v

Napoli

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
ITV4		7/2	13/5	10/11	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT DNIPRO	RECENT FORM
AWHWHWAWADHL​ Most recent​	3 - 1	HDHWALHWHDAD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Napoli are the highest scorers in this season’s Europa League

EXPERT VERDICT: Napoli totally dominated the first leg of this semi-final with 70 per cent possession, 19 shots and 14 corners, but were held to a 1-1 draw as Dnipro grabbed a totally undeserved equaliser from an offside goal. However, the Italians were clearly superior and can still progress through to the final.

RECOMMENDATION: Napoli
2

 

[superbeets]

Europa League TODAY 20:05

Fiorentina

v

Seville

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		5/4	11/4	11/5	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT FIORENTINA	RECENT FORM
HWHLALHWALAW​ Most recent​	Unknown	ADHWAWHLHWAD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Seville have scored in their last 16 matches

EXPERT VERDICT: One goal should be enough for Europa League holders Seville to secure a passage through to the final again following their 3-0 first-leg victory and the silky Spanish side are built to attack. Fiorentina were unfortunate to lose by such a wide margin last week and a high-scoring game seems likely.

RECOMMENDATION: Both teams to score
2

 

[superbeets]

English League Two TODAY 19:45

Southend

v

Stevenage

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS5		19/20	5/2	10/3	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT SOUTHEND	RECENT FORM
HWAWAWHWALAD​ Most recent​	2 - 0 1 - 0	HWHWADHWALHD​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Southend have kept 23 clean sheets this season

EXPERT VERDICT: The first-leg of this League Two playoff semi-final was more like a boxing match than a football game, but Southend can dodge Stevenage’s punches and claim a place in the final. Southend won seven of their last eight League Two matches, keeping seven clean sheets and they should be too strong.

RECOMMENDATION: Southend
3


REFEREE: Andy Madley STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

English League Two TODAY 19:45

Wycombe

v

Plymouth

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS2		13/10	12/5	12/5	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT WYCOMBE	RECENT FORM
HWHWADHLAWAW​ Most recent​	0 - 2 0 - 1 1 - 1 0 - 0	HWHDALHWAWHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Plymouth have lost five of the last 12 meetings against Wycombe

EXPERT VERDICT: Wycombe looked all but certain to make the League Two playoff final after leading Plymouth 3-0 with four minutes to go of the first leg. However, Plymouth stuck twice late on to keep the tie alive and Argyle, who have scored seven goals in their last three matches, possess the firepower to turn the tie around.

RECOMMENDATION: Plymouth
1


REFEREE: Nigel Miller STADIUM:

 

[superbeets]

English Championship Fr 15May 19:45

Middlesbro

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Brentford

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
SS1		19/20	13/5	10/3	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT MIDDLESBRO	RECENT FORM
HWHWAWALHDAW​ Most recent​	4 - 0 2 - 0 2 - 0 3 - 1	ADALHDAWHWHL​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Brentford failed to win 12 of 23 league away games this season

EXPERT VERDICT: Middlesbrough were the best-performing home side in the Championship, losing just three games, and no side conceded fewer goals on their own patch. Brentford are 2-1 down after conceding late in the the first leg of this playoff and were thumped 4-0 at the Riverside in the regular season.

RECOMMENDATION: Middlesbrough
3

 

[superbeets]

Scottish Premiership Fr 15May 19:45

St Johnstone

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Celtic

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
BT1		15/2	15/4	4/11	More markets

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RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT ST JOHNSTONE	RECENT FORM
ADALHWAWHDHD​ Most recent​	1 - 2 0 - 3 3 - 3 0 - 1	HWND*AWAWHWAW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Celtic have lost one of their last 16 Scottish Premiership away matches

EXPERT VERDICT: St Johnstone have lost just one of their last seven league matches but Celtic bagged the Scottish title a while ago and showed against Aberdeen last week that they are in no mood to slow down. However, the Bhoys may take their time to get going and, having been level in eight of their 18 away league matches at half-time, the draw-Celtic double result could cop again.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw-Celtic double result
1


REFEREE: Crawford Allan STADIUM:

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

MLB

National League
Pirates @ Phillies
Worley is 0-1, 5.29 in his last three starts; six of his last eight went under.

Harang is 1-2, 4.26 in his last three starts; under is 7-1-2 in his last ten.

Pirates won eight of last ten games with Philly; three of last four stayed under total. Bucs won five of last seven games (over 4-2-1) overall. Phillies lost 11 of last 15 games; over is 5-3-2 in their last ten.

Mets @ Cubs
Niese is 1-1, 5.82 in his three road starts; under is 6-3-1 in his last 10 starts.

Wood is 0-1, 12.00 in his last two starts; over is 3-0-1 in his last four.

Chicago won last three games; under is 3-0-1 in their last four. Mets lost five in row, eight of last ten games with the Cubs; under is 5-1-1 in last seven series games. New York is just 7-11 on road; they scored five runs in last three games- under is 9-1-1 in their last 11 games overall.

Giants @ Reds
Lincecum is 3-1, 1.88 in his last four starts; four of his last six stayed under.

Cueto is 3-1, 3.56 in his last four starts; under is 6-2-1 in his last nine.

Giants lost last four games with Cincinnati; road team won nine of last ten in series. SF lost seven of last ten road games. Reds won their last two games, allowing four runs; their last four games stayed under the total. .

Nationals @ Padres
Fister is 1-0, 2.07 in his last two starts; four of his last five went over.

Ross is 0-3, 3.91 in his last four starts; San Diego scored 10 runs in the four games-- six of his last eight went over.

Nationals won seven of last ten games with San Diego; four of last five series games stayed under. Washington won six of its last seven games; all of them went over total. Padres won their last three home games- over is 5-2 in their last seven games overall.

Rockies @ Dodgers
Bettis is making first '15 appearance; he was 1-3, 5.64 in eight starts in 2013, 0-2, 9.12 in 21 relief appearances LY (24.2 IP).

Anderson alllowed one run in 11 IP in his last two starts.

Dodgers won their last eight games with Colorado; eight of last ten in series went over. LA 14 of last 16 home games; seven of their last eight overall went over total. Colorado lost its last 11 games; they scored ten runs in their last five games-- four of the five stayed under.

American League
Twins @ Tigers
Pelfrey is 3-0, 2.22 in his last four starts; six of his last nine went over.

Sanchez is 1-2, 5.31 in his last three starts; three of his last four went under.

Tigers won seven of last nine games with Minnesota, but lost five of last eight games overall- eight of their last 11 games stayed under. Twins won nine of last 12 games- eight of their last 12 went over. Six of last nine series games stayed under.

Bronx @ Rays
Whitley is 1-1, 3.06 in his three starts (under 2-0-1).

Ramirez allowed 10 runs in 7.1 IP in his two starts this season.

Bronx is 11-6 in its last 17 games, but lost last two; under is 10-4-2 in last 16- they're 7-3 in last ten games vs Tampa Bay, with five of last six staying under. Rays are 10-5 in last fifteen home games; three of their last four overalll went under the total.

Royals @ Rangers
Guthrie is 1-2, 5.79 in his last four starts; four of his last six went over.

Detwiler is 1-4, 8.16 in his six starts (over 4-2-1) this year.

Royals won seven of last ten games with Texas; under is 9-2-2 in last thirteen series games. KC split its last ten games; seven of those ten games went over. Rangers won seven of their last ten games; six of last eight went over.

Blue Jays @ Astros
Hutchison is 2-0, 6.92 in his last five starts; five of his last six went over. Jays scored 55 runs in his seven starts this year.

Hernandez is 1-2, 4.39 in his last four starts; over is 6-3-1 in his last ten.

Astros won four of last five games with Toronto; four of last six series games went over total. Blue Jays lost three of last four games; under is 5-1-1 in their last seven. Houston lost six of last nine games (under 6-3).

Red Sox @ Mariners
Kelly is 0-2, 8.86 in his last four starts; five of his last seven went over.

Elias is 0-1, 3.86 in his three starts, all of which stayed under.

Boston lost eight of last 12 games, with under 9-3-1 in the 12. Red Sox are 1-5 in their last six games with Seattle- over is 9-0-1 in last 10 series tilts. Seattle won four of its last five games.

Interleague
Cardinals @ Indians
Cardinals are 6-0 when Wacha starts (5-0, 2.33); six of his last nine starts went over the total.

Bauer is 0-1, 8.22 in his last three starts- they all went over.

St Louis is 11-4 overall in last 15 games, but lost four of last six on road; five of last seven away games went over. Indians lost four of their last six games- 10 of their last 11 games went over the total. Cardinals lost four of last six games with Cleveland, with six of last seven staying under total.

Win-loss records this year for team with this starting pitcher:
Pitt-Phil-- Worley 3-3; Harang 4-3
NY-Chi-- Niese 3-3; Wood 3-3
SF-Cin-- Lincecum 3-3; Cueto 4-3
Wsh-SD-- Fister 3-3; Ross 3-4
Col-LA-- Bettis 0-0; Anderson 4-2

Minn-Det-- Pelfrey 5-1; Sanchez 2-5
KC-Tex-- Guthrie 4-2; Detwiler 1-5
NY-TB-- Whitley 1-2; Ramirez 1-1
Tor-Hst-- Hutchison 5-2; Hernandez 2-4
Bos-Sea-- Kelly 3-3; Elias 0-3

StL-Clev-- Wacha 6-0; Bauer 3-3

Times this starting pitcher allowed a run in first inning:
Pitt-Phil-- Worley 0-6; Harang 1-7
NY-Chi-- Niese 3-6; Wood 2-6
SF-Cin-- Lincecum 1-6; Cueto 3-7
Wsh-SD-- Fister 2-6; Ross 2-7
Col-LA-- Bettis 0-0; Anderson 0-6

Minn-Det-- Pelfrey 0-6; Sanchez 2-7
KC-Tex-- Guthrie 2-6; Detwiler 3-6
NY-TB-- Whitley 0-3; Ramirez 2-2
Tor-Hst-- Hutchison 1-7; Hernandez 3-6
Bos-Sea-- Kelly 4-6; Elias 2-3

StL-Clev-- Wacha 3-6; Bauer 1-6

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Tour heads to Quail Hollow Club

Tournament: Wells Fargo Championship
Date: May 14-17
Venue: Quail Hollow Club
Location: Charlotte, NC

After an amazing finish to the Players Championship, the PGA tour members will set their sights on Quail Hollow and the Wells Fargo Championship this week. This event is one of the youngest on tour, being established in 2003 and has been played on the beautiful par-72, 7,562-yard course since. The venue will be the host of the 2017 PGA Championship and 2021 Presidents Cup, so it is by no means easy to traverse and the final three holes, also known as the “Green Mile,” will always prove exciting being one of the toughest final stretches on tour.

There has been some strong fields teeing it up here in the past and names such as Holmes, Fowler and McIlory have taken home the trophy over the previous five years. The finish at the tourney is usually fun to watch with six of the 12 past victors taking it in a playoff and another two doing it by a single stroke. Last season, J.B. Holmes won his third career PGA event behind an 11-under-par showing between Friday and Saturday; holding off Jim Furyk’s Sunday 65 by a single stroke.

This week, 11 of the top-25 players from the Official World Golf Rankings will make the trip to Charlotte, NC, as world No. 1 Rory McIlroy leads the way. Holmes will also be there to defend his championship along with seven other past victors as they look to become the first multiple time winners here.

Let’s now take a look at the players who will be attending this week and find a few that could come away victorious.

Golfers to Bet

Phil Mickelson (21/1): It is certainly true that “Lefty” isn’t the same player that he once was, but his track record here speaks for itself as he’s been in the top-15 nine times in the last 11 installments with five top-fives in that time. He has done well recently at Quail Hollow as well, ranking 11th last year and third in 2013. Mickelson has made five of the past six cuts and had an impressive showing at the Masters with a score of 14-under; netting him a runner-up finish. He can still crush the ball (295.3 yards per, 32nd on tour) and has one of the best scoring averages on par-fives this year (4.52, 8th on tour). Mickelson still has a few wins left and he could conquer this tournament for the first time after a decade of near victories.

Bill Haas (28/1): Haas was born in Charlotte and the local has been hot this year, getting a victory at the Humana Challenge to go along with another six top-25s in his 12 starts. He has been near the top of the leaderboard plenty of late; ranking 17th or better at four of the past six tourneys and was just a shot off the mark to get into the playoff last week at the Players Championship. He has excelled around the greens with a scrambling percentage of 65.5 (11th on tour) as he has gained 0.700 strokes on the field from tee-to-green (28th on tour). He hasn’t done terribly well at this event, though, with two missed cuts and a 44th in the past three years, but did show he can compete with a fourth in 2011 and is running hot at the moment.

Justin Thomas (40/1): Thomas has been all over the place in his rookie campaign with four top 10s and five missed cuts over 18 starts. He hit a rough stretch in the middle of the season with three failures to make the weekend in six events from Feb. 8 to Mar. 29, but has rebounded nicely and is riding a three tournament streak of top-25 finishes. He’s put up a score in the 60s in seven of the 12 rounds over that stretch and hit better than 65% of GIR and fairways while putting 1.40 strokes better than the field last week at the Players Championship. He drives the ball further than most on tour (300 yards per, 18th on tour) and ranks in the top-25 in sand save percentage (59.3%, 25th on tour), putting average (1.722, 9th on tour) and one-putt percentage (43.3%, 13th on tour). This should be an on week for the roller coaster that is Justin Thomas as he seeks his first career PGA victory.

Pat Perez (100/1): Perez is on pace to have another solid season and currently ranks just outside of the top-50 (54th) in the FedEx Cup Standings behind five top-25 finishes. He’s made each of the past four cuts, doing no worse than 26th at any of them, and was an absolute beast at the Players Championship last week while leading the field in GIR (79.2%) and fairways hit (82.1%). The Arizona State alum has been able to get to the weekend at this event in three of the past four years and was spotted near the top of the leaderboard in 2011 when he ranked sixth behind 26 birdies and a start of 65-67 to the week. Perez has just one win on the PGA tour in his career, but should be able to compete come Sunday afternoon.

Jonathan Byrd (220/1): It has been a rough 2015 for Byrd, making a mere six cuts in his 11 events, including missing the cut in three of the past four. But, when he is able to get past Friday, he has three top-25s and was competitive in his last outing in New Orleans with a score of nine-under-par in the first three rounds before dropping the ball with a 74 on Sunday. This could be the venue for him to turn the year around, though, as Byrd has been able to get a top-15 finish here in three of the past four seasons and nearly won it in 2011 when he made it to a playoff with Lucas Glover after a 15-under week, but lost on the first extra hole. He is a veteran of the tour with over $17 million in career earnings and five PGA Tour wins, so he should be able to perform once again at a course where he is comfortable.

Wells Fargo Championship Betting Odds

Rory McIlroy 3/1
Henrik Stenson 16/1
Jim Furyk 16/1
Hideki Matsuyama 21/1
Phil Mickelson 21/1
Adam Scott 28/1
Bill Haas 28/1
J.B. Holmes 28/1
Patrick Reed 30/1
Kevin Kisner 35/1
Justin Thomas 40/1
Louis Oosthuizen 40/1
Ryan Moore 40/1
Ben Martin 50/1
Hunter Mahan 50/1
Gary Woodland 60/1
Webb Simpson 60/1
Brendon de Jonge 70/1
Russell Knox 70/1
Sean OHair 70/1
Jason Kokrak 75/1
Charl Schwartzel 80/1
Daniel Berger 80/1
Rory Sabbatini 85/1
Brian Harman 90/1
Charles Howell III 90/1
Kevin Streelman 90/1
George McNeill 100/1
Nick Watney 100/1
Pat Perez 100/1
Brendan Steele 120/1
Chesson Hadley 120/1
John Peterson 120/1
Morgan Hoffmann 120/1
Martin Laird 130/1
Matt Jones 140/1
Sangmoon Bae 140/1
Shawn Stefani 140/1
Daniel Summerhays 150/1
Martin Flores 150/1
Ryo Ishikawa 150/1
David Hearn 160/1
Lucas Glover 160/1
Padraig Harrington 160/1
Kevin Chappell 170/1
Robert Streb 175/1
Bo Van Pelt 180/1
Scott Piercy 180/1
Alex Cejka 200/1
Boo Weekley 200/1
Ernie Els 200/1
Geoff Ogilvy 200/1
K.J. Choi 200/1
Troy Merritt 200/1
William McGirt 200/1
Angel Cabrera 210/1
Carlos Ortiz 220/1
Freddie Jacobson 220/1
Jonathan Byrd 220/1
James Hahn 225/1
Kyle Reifers 225/1
Luke Guthrie 225/1
Johnson Wagner 230/1
Scott Brown 230/1
Blayne Barber 250/1
Camilo Villegas 250/1
Chris Stroud 250/1
David Toms 250/1
Jason Bohn 250/1
Jeff Overton 250/1
Jhonattan Vegas 250/1
Jim Herman 250/1
Jonas Blixt 250/1
Retief Goosen 250/1
Robert Karlsson 250/1
Scott Stallings 250/1
Tony Finau 250/1
Alex Prugh 300/1
D.A. Points 300/1
Erik Compton 300/1
John Huh 300/1
John Merrick 300/1
Will MacKenzie 300/1
Zac Blair 300/1
Aaron Baddeley 350/1
Carl Pettersson 350/1
Charlie Beljan 350/1
Danny Lee 350/1
Derek Ernst 350/1
Derek Fathauer 350/1
Gonzalo Fdez-castano 350/1
Robert Garrigus 350/1
Scott Langley 350/1
Scott Pinckney 350/1
Stewart Cink 350/1
Vijay Singh 350/1
Whee Kim 350/1
Andres Gonzales 400/1
Brian Davis 400/1
Brian Stuard 400/1
David Lingmerth 400/1
Michael Putnam 400/1
Billy Hurley III 450/1
Chad Campbell 450/1
Chad Collins 450/1
Fabian Gomez 450/1
Greg Owen 450/1
Jason Gore 450/1
Jon Curran 450/1
Michael Thompson 450/1
Patrick Rodgers 450/1
Ricky Barnes 450/1
S.J. Park 450/1
Sam Saunders 450/1
Spencer Levin 450/1
Steve Wheatcroft 450/1
Steven Bowditch 450/1
Adam Hadwin 500/1
Andres Romero 500/1
Andrew Putnam 500/1
Andrew Svoboda 500/1
Bill Lunde 500/1
Blake Adams 500/1
Brice Garnett 500/1
Byron Smith 500/1
Cameron Percy 500/1
Colt Knost 500/1
Corey Conners 500/1
Eric Axley 500/1
Heath Slocum 500/1
J.J. Henry 500/1
Jarrod Lyle 500/1
Jim Renner 500/1
Jonathan Randolph 500/1
Kelvin Day 500/1
Ken Duke 500/1
Mark Hubbard 500/1
Mark Wilson 500/1
Max Homa 500/1
Mike Weir 500/1
Nicholas Thompson 500/1
Nick Taylor 500/1
Oscar Fraustro 500/1
Rick Lewallen 500/1
Robert Allenby 500/1
Roger Sloan 500/1
Steven Alker 500/1
Tim Wilkinson 500/1
Tom Gillis 500/1
Tom Hoge 500/1
Trevor Immelman 500/1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

PGA Tour Picks: Wells Fargo Championship Odds and Expert Predictions
by Alan Matthews

I've always been a fan of Rickie Fowler's game on the course, but that dude is now my idol for his game off it. I'm sure if you watched the end of Sunday's Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass you saw the kiss that Fowler laid on his incredibly gorgeous bikini model girlfriend Alexis Randock. Fowler got $1.8 million for the biggest win of his young career and then got to go home with that. Well done sir!

Some around golf thought Fowler was a bit overrated because he had just one career win entering last week, which is pretty hard to believe considering his talent. Fowler was amazing on the back nine Sunday. He was five shots out of the lead before saving par out of a bunker on No. 12, draining 12-foot birdie putt at No. 13 and then a par on 14. Then Fowler finished birdie, eagle, birdie, birdie. Since the PGA Tour began tracking hole-by-hole scores in 1983, no winner had ever played the final four holes of an event in 5-under. That seems hard to believe as well.

That stretch only got him into a three-hole playoff with Sergio Garcia and Kevin Kisner. Garcia, who had 20-foot birdie putt to win in regulation that missed badly, was eliminated after the three holes, and Fowler would beat Kisner, who missed a 10-footer on 18 (in the playoff) for the win, back on the island 17th. Fowler birdied that hole three times on Sunday and five times in six trips last week. It was Kisner's first trip to the Players; he had been runner-up at the RBC Heritage in a playoff to Jim Furyk a few weeks back. Garcia, meanwhile, won the Players in 2008 back when it was a sudden-death playoff. Fowler's previous win was the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship.

I mentioned I thought Sergio was great value to win at 33/1, so I'm still a bit peeved that payday didn't come through. I also liked Lee Westwood, who usually plays well there, at 40/1, but he missed the cut. So did Jordan Spieth in a big surprise and Phil Mickelson in perhaps not one at all (a few other big names also missed). Tiger barely made the cut and finished T69. I didn't have a great tournament. I did get Tiger "over" a finishing position of 19.5, Rory McIlroy over 6.5, Sergio under 23.5 and Henrik Stenson for a Top 20. Not much else. I thought a European would take this home at +200 but did grab the field at -275 against McIlroy, Spieth, Justin Rose and Stenson.

Despite coming right after the WGC-Match Play and the Players, there's a pretty decent field this week at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club in Charlotte. Fowler isn't in the field (I'd still be celebrating too). Also not playing are Tiger, Spieth or Bubba Watson. But eight of the world's Top 20 are set to tee it off, including McIlroy and Mickelson. The Wells Fargo returns to its early May spot in 2016 (and back to the week before the Players). It was moved back this year for the new date for the Match Play.

Last year, J.B. Holmes held off Jim Furyk by a shot for the win -- his first victory since brain surgery in September 2011 temporarily halted his career. Holmes led the field in driving distance for the week at an average of 334 yards and finished at 14 under. He led by three with three holes to play but had two bogeys in the final three to blow his shot at the tournament scoring record. Furyk shot a final-round 65 to just miss catching Holmes. Mickelson, who started the day two shots out of the lead after a 63 in the third round, shot 76 to finish in a tie for 11th. No player has ever repeated here.


PGA Tour Golf Odds: Wells Fargo Championship Favorites

McIlroy is the heavy 10/3 favorite at Bovada. He followed his Match Play victory with a T8 last year. He seems to love this course as McIlroy got his first PGA Tour win here in 2010, shooting a course-record 62 on Sunday, and has three straight Top-10 results here in addition to that.

Stenson and Furyk are 18/1 . Stenson has three Top 5s this season but missed cuts here from 2011-13. He didn't play last year. Furyk won here in 2006 and has runner-ups in '14 and 2005. He's the all-time earnings leader in the event.

Mickelson (20/1) and Hideki Matsuyama (22/1) round out the Top 5. Lefty hasn't finished worse than T-26 at this event since 2007, with three top-three finishes in that stretch. He has nine Top-12 results in 11 visits overall but no wins. Matsuyama had his fifth straight Top-25 finish on Tour this year last week. He played here for the first time in 2014 and was T38. Holmes, incidentally, is 28/1 to repeat.


PGA Tour Picks: Wells Fargo Championship Expert Betting Predictions

On finishing positions, go "under" 7.5 for McIlroy, "over" 15.5 for Stenson, under 18.5 for Furyk, over 20 for Matsuyama and under 19.5 for Mickelson. On the Top-10 props, I will take Rory at -300, Furyk at +165 and Bill Haas, a Charlotte native, at +250. Go Top 20 for Mickelson (even money) and Adam Scott (+135).

On the highest-placed finisher, I lean Furyk (+275) over Stenson (+250), Matsuyama (+330), Haas (+450) and Patrick Reed (+550). I'll also take Mickelson at +250 over Scott (+350), Holmes (+350), Kisner (+350) and Justin Thomas (+500). Head-to-head, go McIlroy (-300) over Stenson (+200), Mickelson (-130) over Scott (even), Furyk (-130) over Matsuyama, Haas (-155) over Thomas, and Holmes (-130) over Reed (even).

Love the prop of McIlroy at +350 to win against the field at -500. I'm certainly taking the field. I may throw some long shot money on Webb Simpson at 66/1 as he lives on the course and had the 54-hole lead three years ago. But I'm going with Mickelson to finally win somewhere he's overdue. Mickelson had last weekend off, never a bad thing. And this course suits him unlike TPC Sawgrass.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Chicago is expected to get Gasol back after he missed last two games, as they try and hold serve at home and force Game 7. Bulls shot less than 40% from floor in last three games, with all three decided by five or less points- they're 10-5 in last 15 games overall with six of last nine staying under total; Chicago made 10-18 from arc in Game 1, only 29-87 in last four games. Cleveland had only 13 fast break points in last two games. Rose is 28-73 from floor the last three games. .

All five Rocket-Clipper games went over, with four of five decided by 16+ points and home side winning four of five (3-2 vs spread). Houston got crushed by 25-33 points in Games 2-3 here. Jordan is +76 in this series (Rockets are +29 when he is off floor); he was even in Game 5, when Clippers lost by 21. Redick was 3-12 in Game 4 after he looked like Reggie Miller in other series games. LA had three fastbreak points in Game 5, after averaging 19.5 in first four series games. Eight of last nine Clipper games went over the total.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA Odds and Predictions: Thursday, May 14 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

Rather interesting that the New Orleans Pelicans decided to fire Coach Monty Williams now instead of right after being swept out of the first round by Golden State. Also interesting that the team apparently didn't consult superstar Anthony Davis before making the move, and Davis apparently was a big fan of Williams'. That's going to be a coveted job simply because of Davis, whom if you go by player efficiency rating was the best player in the league this year and should only get better. Sorry, John Calipari isn't leaving Kentucky for New Orleans. But there's a certain Chicago coach who probably will be target No. 1. Here are your Game 6s on Thursday and me hoping both are extended to a weekend Game 7.

Cavaliers at Bulls (-1.5, 192.5)

Cleveland actually opened as a 1.5-point home favorite, and I'm a bit surprised this line has moved that much because the Bulls could be without two key big men in Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson. Gasol has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, and he said it was only about 40 percent on Tuesday. The team misses him in the biggest way because the Bulls go through these long offensive droughts at least once a game, and Gasol can certainly help there, both with his shooting and good rebounding skills. I actually think he tries to play Thursday, but at about 50 percent I'm not sure how much Gasol will bring to the table. The Bulls really, really will need him if Gibson is suspended. He was ejected in the fourth quarter of Game 5 for "kicking" Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova after Gibson fell on Dellavedova under the basket. In my opinion, Gibson totally doesn't deserve to be suspended. Dellavedova did a punk move by leg locking Gibson's foot, and Gibson was just trying to kick it free, not kick Dellavedova. Even TNT analyst Chris Webber pointed that out on the air. If the Bulls don't have Gasol and Gibson, they have no shot. Plus, Derrick Rose has a minor wrist injury.

I suppose if there's one positive that Chicago could take from the 106-101 loss on Tuesday was that the Bulls seemed to be energized by the Gibson ejection and nearly came all the way back from a 15-point deficit. The key play was when Rose was driving for a potential tying layup on a semi-breakaway in the final minute or so and LeBron James came out of nowhere to swat it. Jimmy Butler missed a 3-pointer off the inbounds play, and that pretty much was that as the Cavs hit their free throws. LeBron played his best game of the year with 38 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, three steals, three blocks and nary a turnover. The Cavs aren't losing when he does stuff like that. Kyrie Irving is playing on one leg yet still had 25 points and five assists. He was much better than Rose, who missed his final 11 shots after a quick start. Rose must dominate that matchup.

This could be the final game, and I believe it will be, for Coach Tom Thibodeau in Chicago if the Bulls lose. Management is either going to trade him, fire him or agree to let him walk away. Thibs would jump at the Pelicans job to coach Davis, which he did for Team USA last summer as an assistant.

Key trends: The Cavs are 3-8 against the spread in their past 11 following a win. The Bulls have covered five straight Thursday games. They are 4-1 ATS in their past five after a loss. The "over/under" has gone under in four straight Bulls games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. The under is 4-1 in the Cavs' past five on the road.

Early lean: This series deserves a Game 7, but all the intangibles seem against the Bulls. I do think Gibson will be cleared and Gasol will try to go, but take Cleveland and the under.


Rockets at Clippers (-8, 219.5)

I projected Houston to avoid its first three-game losing streak of the season on Tuesday night, and indeed the Rockets did with a 124-103 victory over L.A., the third straight blowout of this series and fourth overall. How is that the same Houston team that scored 99 and 95 points in huge losses in Los Angeles in Games 3-4? It can't simply be a return home. James Harden played through the flu and had 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. He handled the ball much more than the previous two games. But the real difference was Dwight Howard, who had 20 points and 15 rebounds. Coach Kevin McHale also moved Josh Smith into the starting lineup and Terence Jones to the bench. I'm not sure how much that mattered as Smith had nine points, seven rebounds and four assists in 22 minutes and Jones 12 points and five rebounds in 24. I presume McHale sticks with what worked, however.

Blake Griffin had 30 points and 16 rebounds, and Chris Paul added 22 points and 10 assists for the Clippers, but DeAndre Jordan was limited to 24 minutes partly due to foul trouble (he was 7-for-16 from the line). Perhaps we shouldn't have been surprised that L.A. blew its first chance to advance to its first conference finals. Since Paul joined the team in 2011, the Clippers have never won a series in fewer than seven games (Spurs 2015, Warriors 2014, Grizzlies 2012). "They were more focused," Coach Doc Rivers said of the Rockets. "They played like they were the desperate team."

Key trends: The Rockets are 1-5 ATS in their past six road games. The Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their past five after a loss. The over is 5-0 in all five games this series.

Early lean: I'd certainly take the Clippers are -360 on the moneyline as this series will end. But 8 points? Nah, I'll take those. Go over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

StatFox Super Situations

NBA | HOUSTON at LA CLIPPERS
Play On - Favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points (LA CLIPPERS) an excellent offensive team (>=102 PPG) against a poor defensive team (98-102 PPG) after 42+ games, after a combined score of 205 points or more 4 straight games
39-14 since 1997. ( 73.6% | 23.6 units )
3-3 this year. ( 50.0% | -0.3 units )

NBA | HOUSTON at LA CLIPPERS
Play Against - Any team vs the money line (HOUSTON) off a home win by 10 points or more against opponent off an upset loss of 10 points or more as a road favorite
37-14 over the last 5 seasons. ( 72.5% | 22.7 units )
4-4 this year. ( 50.0% | -0.5 units )

NBA | CLEVELAND at CHICAGO
Play Under - All teams where the first half total is between 95.5 and 100.5 points in a playoff game
432-280 since 1997. ( 60.7% | 124.0 units )
24-20 this year. ( 54.5% | 2.0 units )

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

At the Gate - Thursday
By Mike Dempsey

A field of eight will line up on Saturday in the $1 million Preakness Stakes (G1), five that exit the Kentucky Derby and three new shooters.

The late addition is Mr. Z, who had a tough trip in a 13th place finish in the Kentucky Derby. The D. Wayne Lukas trainee was shipped to Baltimore but his owner Ahmed Zayat said the colt would not run in the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

Lukas must have had other ideas, and the colt was sold yesterday to Calumet Farms and entered into the race. The price was not disclosed.

Calumet Farms was the owner of Oxbow, the upset winner of the 2013 Preakness at $32.80, the biggest price we have seen in over three decades.

Here are the post positions and official morning line odds via Equibase:
1 American Pharoah 4-5
2 Dortmund 7-2
3 Mr. Z 20-1
4 Danzig Moon 15-1
5 Tale of Verve 30-1
6 Bodhisattva 20-1
7 Divining Rod 12-1
8 Firing Line 4-1

American Pharoah is the current favorite at odds of 10-13 while Dortmund and Firing Line share second choice honors, each at 4-1. All others in the race will likely end up at double-digit odds.

We will take a closer look at the contenders and some of the other stakes action from Pimlico tomorrow and Saturday.

Here is today’s opening race from Belmont Park to get the day off to a good start:

BEL Race 1 Md $40,000 (1:20 ET)
1 G R's Giant 9-5
2 Toohottoevenspeak 2-1
4 The Fixer 5-1
5 Tommaso 6-1

Analysis: G R's Giant pressed the early pace and could not match strides late with the winner in a runner up finish last out at this tag as the beaten chalk. The winner Colorado Grandslam returned to beat $50,000 starter allowance foes in his next outing on April 29. The gelding has now come up short nine times with three seconds but finds a field here he should be able to handle.

Toohottoevenspeak makes his first start since last May and drops in for a tag for the first time. The Terranova barn is 1 for 11 with runners coming back off a +180 day layoff. He showed some ability with a couple of thirds and fourths in his first four starts and all three tries on the main track were on wet tracks. He is a first time gelding here.

Wagering
WIN: #1 to win at 8-5 or better.
EX: 1,2 / 1,2,4,5
TRI: 1,2 / 1,2,4,5 / 1,2,4,5,6

Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Belmont Park:

BEL Race 8 OClm $80,000N3X (4:57 ET)
6 Blacktype 3-1
10 Abtaal 6-1
9 Artic North 9-2
8 Sycamore Lane 4-1

Analysis: Blacktype made a good late rally and overcame getting bumped around in deep stretch to get up and beat Alw-2 optional claimers by a nose last out at 6-5 at the Big A. The effort came off a five-month layoff for the Clement barn. The gelding looks capable of moving forward second off the bench and will need to as this is a tough group he faces here on the step up to the Alw-3 level.

Abtaal makes his first start off a 14 month layoff for the McLaughlin barn that is 38% winners (with a +ROI) with runners coming back off a +180 day layoff. He beat Alw-2 foes in his U.S. debut and then was seventh in the Canadian Turf (G3) at Gulfstream Park in his last outing. He has a nice pedigree, by Rock Hard Ten out of a Valid Appeal mare that has dropped two other stakes winners. This guy is a Group 3 winner, taking the Prix Thomas Bryon way back in '11. The barn is off to a quick start at the meeting and is always tough off the bench.

Wagering
WIN: #6 to win at 5-2 or better.
EX: 6,10 / 6,8,9,10
TRI: 6,10 / 6,8,9,10 / 6,7,8,9,10

Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Belmont Park
R4: #9 Night Officer 10-1
R4: #1 Monster Mash 8-1
R5: #9 Go Around 8-1
R9: #9 King Kongrats 15-1
R9: #4 R Cardinal One 12-1

Good luck today!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Chatsworth Consortium at Harrington Raceway

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 1 - Post: 5:30 - 1 mile. PACE - Class Rating: 76 - Purse:$3000 - DELAWARE OWNED OR BRED HORSES & GELDINGS CLAIMING $5,000 HARRINGTON RACE CONDITIONS


CONSORTIUM CHOICES


Chatsworth Consortium

# 4 SAN ANTONY-O 7/5


# 2 SHARKY OSBORNE 7/2


# 5 MAKENZIE MC 3/1


SAN ANTONY-O looks to be our best wagering option in this race. Many expert selectors know speed is is key. This contender has credentials with a 79 average ranking. Had one of the most favorable TrackMaster Speed Ratings of the field of starters in his last contest. Must use in your bets. Top driver-trainer team, with one of the best return on investment pcts in this grouping. SHARKY OSBORNE - Looks like a strong contender in this field of starters and his successful winning percentage says he has the ability to score in here. Talk about a dynamic duo, Wolfenden and Brewer have some of the best driver-trainer rankings at the track. MAKENZIE MC - Has formidable TrackMaster Speed Ratings and unquestionably has to be thought of for a wager in this race. Doing work quite well, earned a very compelling TrackMaster Speed Rating in his most recent gathering (73).

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by Chatsworth Consortium at Hoosier Park

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 13 - Post: 9:15 - 1 mile. PACE - Class Rating: 68 - Purse:$6000 - FILLIES AND MARES NON WINNERS OF 1 EXT PM RACE OR $5,000 LIFETIME-5YO & UNDER NO. 10 STARTS FROM 2ND TIER OFF TIME 9:19


CONSORTIUM CHOICES


Chatsworth Consortium

# 2 ROCKING KATIE 3/1


# 6 SATIN SHOOTER 7/2


# 1 CHAXIRAXI HANOVER 20/1


ROCKING KATIE gets the edge as our best wagering option in this outing. This filly getting the ultimate prize wouldn't be impossible, a chance. SATIN SHOOTER - Overall ratings appear great. Can't throw out at this point. CHAXIRAXI HANOVER - Getting a good feel about this filly. Could surprise in this event. Take a look at this fine animal's average speed rating of 67 and compare to today's class rating. Looks like a good wager.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Handicapped by The Walker Group at Pimlico

Always check program numbers.
Odds shown are morning line odds.


Race 3 - Claiming - 8.5f on the Turf. Purse: $18000 Class Rating: 92

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD. THREE YEAR OLDS, 119 LBS.; OLDER, 124 LBS. NON-WINNERS OF TWO RACES AT A MILE OR OVER SINCE MARCH 14 ALLOWED 2 LBS. SUCH A RACE SINCE THEN ALLOWED 4 LBS. CLAIMING PRICE $7,500, FOR EACH $500 TO $6,500 2 LBS. (IF


RECOMMENDED CHOICES

The Walker Group Picks

# 2 OPEN OUTCRY 9/5


# 14 MINNIE PUNT 4/1


# 5 LONELY WHISTLE 9/2


OPEN OUTCRY is my choice. Might best this group of animals here, showing respectable figures of late. Must be given consideration based on the solid speed fig recorded in the last affair. Farro has this gelding racing well and is a decent selection based on the respectable speed figs posted in route races as of late. MINNIE PUNT - Overall the Equibase speed figs of this horse look very good in this contest. LONELY WHISTLE - Garnered a solid speed rating in the last race. Can run another good one in this contest. The class rating of today's affair is much lower than his last contest.