Prediction: San Antonio in 4

ATS Trends: San Antonio: 42-20-4 ATS; 23-8-2 home; 19-12-2 away San Antonio: 40-26 Over-Under; 16-17 home; 24-9 away Utah: 33-31-2 ATS; 19-13-1 home; 14-18-1 away Utah: 32-31-2 Over-Under; 16-16-1 home; 16-16 away

#5 LA Clippers (40-26 SU) vs #4 Memphis (41-25 SU) Memphis comes into the NBA playoffs as the team that nobody wants to face because of their first round upset last year against the Spurs as the #8 seed.  Defense wins championships and Memphis has a solid defensive team allowing only 93.2-ppg and rated #7 in overall defensive efficiency.  The team is lead by Rudy Gay (18.9-ppg) and Marc Gasol (14.5-ppg).  Memphis is rated #21 in offensive efficiency and avg 95.1-ppg.  The Clippers were everyone’s pick to win the Pacific Division but went through a mid-season slump and there was almost a revolt against the Head Coach Vinny Del Negro.  They overcame their differences to finish strong and get the home-court advantage in the first round.  The Clippers are rated #4 in offensive efficiency and #15 in defensive efficiency.  This is an intriguing match-up to say the least and could go the full seven games.  LA is 2-1 SU against Memphis year winning both games at home.

Prediction: Memphis in 7

ATS Trends: LA Clippers: 33-31-2 ATS; 17-16 home; 16-15-2 away LA Clippers: 33-33 Over-Under; 14-19 home; 19-14 away Memphis: 29-36-1 ATS; 16-17 home; 13-19-1 away Memphis: 26-39-1 Over-Under; 16-16-1 home; 10-23 away

#7 Dallas (36-30 SU) vs #2 Oklahoma City (47-19 SU) The NBA defending champion Mavericks barely make it into the playoffs this year as a #7 seed.  The Mavs are a year older and not as deep this year as there were last year.  With Lamar Odum flying off the deep-end this does not leave Dallas too many options off the bench with significant playoff experience.  This team is old and has really done a good job this year after a slow start.  Dallas is led by Dirk Nowitski (21.6-ppg) and Jason Terry off the bench at (15.2-ppg).  This is a team that does not match-up well against the younger and more vibrant OKC Thunder team.  Dallas struggles to score offensively as they rated #20 in offensive efficiency.  Dallas has been solid on the defensive end as they are rated #11 in defensive efficiency.  OKC is led by two of the best young players in the game, Kevin Durant (28.0-ppg) and Russell Westbrook (23.5-ppg).  OKC is also led on the defensive end with shot-blocking wizard Serge Ibaka (3.7-bpg).  OKC likes to push the pace on offense and take chances on defense as they are rated #3 in possessions per game (97.5).  OKC is rated #2 in offensive efficiency and #10 in defensive efficiency.  There is just too much talent with this team and wouldn’t be surprised if they won the NBA Title this year.

Prediction: OKC in 5

ATS Trends: Oklahoma City: 35-31 ATS; 17-16 home; 18-15 away Oklahoma City: 31-34 Over-Under; 17-15 home; 14-19 away Dallas: 31-34-1 ATS; 16-16-1 home; 15-18 away Dallas: 33-32-1 Over-Under; 15-18 home; 18-14-1 away

#6 Denver (38-28 SU) vs #3 LA Lakers (41-25 SU) Looks like Metta World Peace has not given peace a chance with his latest melt down.  He will be suspended for the first 6 games of the series and he better hope that the series goes 7 or the Lakers pull out the win before his suspension is up.  Denver is the league’s highest scoring team avg 103.7-ppg and rated #3 rated in offensive efficiency.  Denver has 4 players avg in double-figures and they are very difficult to key on player.  Denver is the worst defensive team in the players as they rated #21 in defensive efficiency.  That won’t get it done.  Denver excels at home as they are 20-13 SU.  The problem is the Lakers have the home-court advantage.  The Lakers are playing well with the emergence of Andrew Bynum but will miss World Peace on the defensive end.   Head Coach Mike Brown was looking for his team to focus on the defense this year as they allowed 95.6-ppg and were rated #11 in defensive efficiency.   This will be a fun series to watch as the Lakers should score some points against a poor Denver defense.  The Lakers are rated #10 in offensive efficiency and the playoffs are what Kobe Bryant lives for and his fresh legs could make the difference.

Prediction: LA Lakers in 7

ATS Trends: LA Lakers: 27-38-1 ATS; 16-17 home; 11-21-1 away LA Lakers: 37-28-1 Over-Under; 18-15 home; 19-13-1 away Denver: 36-30 ATS; 14-19 home; 21-12 away Denver: 32-33-1 Over-Under; 13-20 home; 19-13-1 away

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Prediction: Chicago in 5

ATS Trends: Chicago: 39-27 ATS; 18-15 home; 21-12 away Chicago: 32-34 Over-Under; 15-18 home; 17-16 away Philadelphia: 34-32 ATS; 17-16 home; 17-16 away Philadelphia: 29-36 ATS; 11-22 home; 18-14 away

#5 Atlanta (40-26 SU) vs #4 Boston (39-27 SU) Atlanta will be the #5 seed but will have home-court advantage in this series.  Atlanta has done a great job without their top rebounder Al Horford being out most of the year with an injury.  Horford is not expected to play in this series.  Atlanta is rated #16 in offensive efficiency and #6 in defensive efficiency.  Defense is what matters in Boston as they are ranked #2 in defensive efficiency and #3 in points allowed (88.9-ppg).  Look for this to be a defensive and a possession by possession grind out series.  Boston is rated #24 in offensive efficiency and #26 in points per game (91.9-ppg).  Boston is looking to make one final run with the Big 3 (Garnett, Allen, Pierce).  These two teams are evenly matched and will get after it defensively.  We will call for the “upset”.

Prediction: Atlanta in 6

ATS Trends: Boston: 33-32 ATS; 18-15 home; 16-17 away Boston: 29-35-1 Over-Under; 13-19-1 home; 16-17 away Atlanta: 35-29-2 ATS; 17-16 home; 18-13-2 away Atlanta: 34-32 Over-Under; 19-14 home; 15-18 away

#7 NY Knicks (36-30 SU) vs #2 Miami (46-20 SU) The Knicks have had a roller coaster season when you talk about injuries and a coaching change and more injuries.  With Amare back in the lineup look for the Knicks to be a better rebounding team with him back.  Carmelo Anthony is stepping up and leading this tean but the Knicks will only go as far as their bench will take them.  Novak and Smith are keys for the Knicks and now Mike Bibby is getting minutes.  The Knicks are a team that has evolved from just focusing on offense and not caring about defense to putting most of their focus in defense under interim coach Mike Woodson.  The Knicks are a surprising #5 in the NBA in defensive efficiency.  That will be the key for them in this series.  With Melo leading the way the Knicks are rated #11 in offensive efficiency.  Miami has a lot of pressure on them this year and it is championship or bust for them.  After losing in the NBA Finals last year look for them to make a solid run this year.  Miami matches up well against the Knicks as they are 3-0 SU this year.  No on one the Knicks can stop Lebron or Wade and that will be the difference in this series.  Miami gets after it defensively allowing 92.3-ppg and rated #4 in defensive efficiency.  The Heats offense has slowed down a bit from the beginning of the year as they looked like they wanted to run and gun every game.  The Heat are rated #5 in offensive efficiency and should be well rested to put up some big numbers in this series.

Prediction: Miami in 5

ATS Trends: Miami: 32-34 ATS; 18-15 home; 14-19 away Miami: 25-39-2 Over-Under; 10-23 home; 15-16-2 away NY Knicks: 35-30-1 ATS; 20-12-1 home; 15-18 away NY Knicks: 27-29 Over-Under; 15-18 home; 12-21 away

#6 Orlando (37-29 SU) vs #3 Indiana (42-24 SU) We all know the story about Orlando and the drama that surrounded Dwight Howard.  Howard is out for the playoffs and Orlando is really hanging on by a thread.  Defensively, with Howard not in the lineup, the Magic have been horrible.  Overall, Orlando is rated #13 in defensive efficiency.  That numbers drops considerably with Howard not playing.  Orlando can’t outscore teams either.  Overall, they are rated #15 in offensive efficiency.  Indiana is a team that is flying under the radar.  Led by Danny Granger (18.7-ppg) and four others that avg in double-figures, this is a team that can score as they are avg 97.7-ppg and rated #8 in offensive efficiency.  Indiana should breeze through this round and they will give the Heat all they can handle in the conference semi-finals.

Prediction: Indiana in 5

ATS Trends: Indiana: 32-34 ATS; 15-18 home; 17-16 road Indiana: 34-30-2 Over-Under; 16-16-1 home; 18-14-1 away Orlando: 34-32 ATS; 17-16 home; 17-16 away Orlando: 35-30-1 Over-Under; 20-12-1 home; 15-18 away

http://www.rocketmansports.net/sportscapping.php?capper/capper/417/CarolinaSports/AF5_165

Starting in April and running through June, Bovada is hosting a series of online qualifiers for the World Series of Poker. Winners are awarded $12,000 prize packages that get them into the WSOP 2012 Main Event and thanks to satellites, you can play in a qualifier for just $1! That’s right: for just a single buck, you can win your way to a seat in the 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event.

On top of the online qualifiers, Bovada is also hosting the Vegas VIP Experience draw. The best place to play online poker is sending several very lucky players to Las Vegas during the WSOP where they’ll get airfare, accommodations, some spending cash and a heavy dose of that famous Bovada hospitality.

Sound pretty good? Want to get started and win your way into the big time? Join Bovada today!

A pair of low-lying contenders will square off on the final night of the regular season this Thursday as the Atlanta Hawks play host to the reigning champion Dallas Mavericks in an interconference tilt. Get a good look at what to expect on the NBA betting line when the playoffs eventually kick off next week.

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One of the most interesting things about the Mavs and the Hawks as the 2012 postseason approaches is that they’re both capable of dealing damage without getting much of the recognition. For Dallas, it’s especially unfitting, considering that just last season they won themselves rings. No big deal.

On the NBA betting line this year, the Mavericks have 35/1 odds of winning the NBA championship. Considering that it’s a mark tied with the Indiana Pacers and considerably lower than even the Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies, we’re in for an interesting playoff run. The Hawks, likewise, have just 75/1 odds on the NBA betting line.

Are either Dallas or Atlanta shoo-ins to advance deep into the postseason? Certainly not, but one might think that their having established themselves over the past half decade might have bought them some goodwill on the NBA odds.

If you think the veteran Mavs and Hawks can keep up with the contenders of the league, or even just the wave of new generation teams like the Clippers and Grizzlies, weigh in with Bovada.

Ball so hard.

Get your NBA odds at Bovada today.

After squandering their first series lead of the best-of-seven in Game 6, the Washington Capitals will look to bounce back against the reigning champion Boston Bruins and close out Round 1 on the road. Get your NHL odds for the pivotal matchup at Bovada.

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Although for the majority of the round it’s been the Bruins in the driver’s seat, there’s no denying Washington’s ability to take flex their muscle and take over games. That’s why despite Boston’s advantage in both seed and experience, this series could still go either way.

On the NHL betting line, however, there isn’t so much uncertainty. With 15/2 odds of winning the Stanley Cup, the Bruins are valued markedly higher than the Capitals at just 20/1. The steep difference is indicative of the hockey community’s opinion on unpredictable Washington.

Can the Caps, who’ve thrived behind the contributions of their stars, bring an end to Boston’s title defense early? A first-round victory could be just enough to wake the sleeping juggernaut that has been Washington over the past several seasons.

The gloves are off.

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The 138^th Kentucky Derby will take place at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 5. A 1¼ mile race for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds offering a purse of $2M, the Kentucky Derby is also the first leg of the prestigious Triple Crown.

This year, the field is full of spectacular performers. Hansen and Union Rags dueled each other in a thrilling Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), with Hansen coming out on top. Bodemeister blew away his rivals in the Arkansas Derby (G1), winning by 9½ lengths. And Gemologist is undefeated in his career, winning all five of his starts.

Make all your 2012 Kentucky Derby bets with Bovada.

2012 Kentucky Derby Longshots

Don’t count out these Kentucky Derby longshots before the big race! Rousing Sermon, Trinniberg and Done Talking all have the potential to steal the coveted title from a top contender.

Despite not having any stakes wins since his California Cup Juvenile win back in October, Rousing Sermon has turned in a few good performances. He finished runner-up in the CashCall Futurity (G1) by only a neck and he was a nose out of the runner-up spot in the Louisiana Derby (G2). Get Kentucky Derby odds on Rousing Sermon at Bovada.

Trinniberg’s two graded wins this year have been largely overlooked – mainly due to his connections not committing to the Kentucky Derby until this week. Trinniberg scored a 99 Beyer Speed Figure in his Swale Stakes (G2) victory and a 94 in the Bay Shore Stakes (G3); his speed could win the day. Get great horse racing odds on Trinniberg at Bovada.

Finally, keep an eye on Done Talking. Though he disappointed in the early part of the season, Done Talking captured the Illinois Stakes (G3) in his final Kentucky Derby prep race with a solid effort. Make your 2012 Kentucky Derby bet on Done Talking at Bovada.

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2012 Kentucky Derby Contenders

Hansen, Bodemeister and Dullahan are among this year’s top contenders for the 2012 Kentucky Derby.

Hansen was tagged as the early Kentucky Derby favorite off his victory over favored Union Rags in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) in November. He bounced back from a loss in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) with a 3-length win in the Gotham Stakes (G3) in March but had to settle for runner-up in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) in his final prep race before the Kentucky Derby. Hansen is one of a few horses with a victory at Churchill Downs and boasts vast experience on the track. Make your 2012 Kentucky Derby bet on Hansen at Bovada!

Bodemeister has raced just four times in his career but will be a top contender on Derby day. With just a short time to earn enough graded stakes to break into the top 20 list of graded stakes earnings, Bodemeister was equal to the task: he finished runner-up in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) on March 10 and then broke through with an incredible 9 ½ length victory in the Arkansas Derby (G1) in April to catapult him into the Kentucky Derby and earn him top contender status; he also earned the highest Beyer Speed Figure – 108 – of any 3-year-old this year. Find great horse racing odds on Bodemeister at Bovada.

Dullahan has the distinction of having defeated Hansen in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) in his final start before the Kentucky Derby, earning a 98 Beyer. He is a consistent performer, finishing no worse than fourth in his last six starts; he is also the winner of the 2011 Breeders’ Futurity (G1). Get great Kentucky Derby odds on Dullahan at Bovada.

Get all your 2012 Kentucky Derby betting lines at Bovada!

Yes                  +150

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Will Ozzie Guillen be the Marlins Manager for game 1 of the 2013 Regular Season?

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Albert Pujols – Total HR’s in the 2012 Regular Season?

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Albert Pujols – Total RBI’s in the 2012 Regular Season?

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Over/Under                    7.5

UFC 146 – MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

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The Vancouver Canucks have thwarted elimination, at least temporarily in the wild Western Conference. Though the lone win hasn’t rewritten their NHL odds heading into Game 5, they remain an interesting option on the betting line. This Sunday, weigh in as the Canucks look to make it two in a row against the Los Angeles Kings.

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After coming into the postseason as the consensus favorite to emerge from the conference – which is exactly what they did last year – the Canucks have come out flat in 2012, losing each of their first three showings against Los Angeles and goaltender Jonathan Quick.

With a sweep a distinct possibility, however, Vancouver forged back, aided in part by the return of superstar Daniel Sedin who hadn’t played a game since late March.

Will the shift back to Vancouver in Game 5, coupled with Sedin’s presence in the locker room and the utter desperation to avoid such an embarrassing first-round upset be enough to propel the Canucks back into the series? Has L.A. officially missed their window of opportunity to seal the deal?

It will take three more in a row for the Canucks to finish a comeback of the scale they need, but it’s far from impossible. Bet on the NHL futures – where Los Angeles has 8/1 odds of winning the Stanley Cup – at Bovada today.

The gloves are off.

Bet on the NHL today at Bovada.