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English Premier TODAY 15:00

Everton

v

Southampton

	HOME	DRAW	AWAY
		9/5	9/4	7/4	More markets

RECENT FORM	LAST HEAD-TO-HEADSAT EVERTON	RECENT FORM
ALALHWHWALAW​ Most recent​	2 - 1 3 - 1 1 - 0 0 - 0	HDHLALHWADHW​ Most recent​

KEY STAT: Everton have drawn four of five hosting top-eight sides

EXPERT VERDICT: Everton were unconvincing at QPR last time out but the result was everything – that victory all but ended any relegation concerns. Roberto Martinez’s men should now start to play with a bit more freedom and that could help them earn a point against a Southampton side shorn of goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

RECOMMENDATION: Draw
1


REFEREE: Lee Mason STADIUM:

​

A look at Saturday's Derby preps
By The Wizard




There are 21 3-year-olds that will run in Saturday’s three Kentucky Derby prep races. Only three – Frosted in the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct, Classy Class in the Blue Grass at Keeneland, and Cross the Line in the Santa Anita Derby – have raced at 1 1/8 miles. All three were defeated. In these Derby preps, the Wizard is searching for clues about a horse’s ability to handle 1 1/4 miles on the first Saturday in May. Distance limitation is a common denominator among many of this year’s 3-year-olds.

Wood Memorial

DAREDEVIL will be the favorite with EL KABEIR the second choice. Daredevil’s second-place finish in the Grade 2 Swale at Gulfstream at seven furlongs off a four-month layoff was a good sharpener for the Wood. Daredevil has yet to win around two turns. Both his victories have been on wet tracks. With rain expected in New York on Friday evening and ending Saturday morning, it is unlikely the track will be wet by post time for the Wood, which could make Daredevil a bit vulnerable.

El Kabeir showed a new dimension winning the Gotham closing from further back than in his prior seven starts. The fact that he can be placed anywhere during the running and has more wins (four) than any of his opposition certainly makes him formidable. My concern with El Kabeir is his ability to be as effective stretching out to 1 1/8 miles for the first time. I am not certain how good he really is following three races this winter on the inner track at Aqeuduct, facing less than stellar fields.

FROSTED looked odds-on to win the Fountain of Youth on Feb. 21 turning for home, but flattened out in the final eighth-mile after setting the pace for a good part of his journey. The fractions were faster than they initially appeared to be. Frosted has better form on the Aqueduct main track than any of his opposition. The fact that he was narrowly defeated in last year’s Remson over this course and distance suggests that he has every right to improve Saturday, especially returning to rating tactics.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL was eliminated at the start in the Gotham. He appears to be the most interesting of the longshots in the field.

The Wizard finds it difficult to latch on to any one horse to “key” on in the Wood. Instead, I will use this race as part of the $500,000-guaranteed all-graded stakes pick four (Races 8-11). This wager can be found on my Aqueduct Betting Window and the Simulcast Best Bets Sheet.

Santa Anita Derby

It’s very difficult to knock the credentials of the heavy favorite DORTMUND, who is undefeated in five career starts and is 3 for 3 over the Santa Anita dirt surface. Dortmund is making his first start at 1 1/8 miles, but based on his physical attributes and the manner in which he rates so comfortably, he should not have any issues handling the distance and farther. He is more a one-paced runner, who distributes his speed evenly, than a horse who is agile and has a quick turn of foot. In small fields his tactical speed helps him avoid trouble. In fields like the Kentucky Derby with 20 horses, traffic troubles could compromise his chances. Facing five rivals in the Santa Anita Derby gives Dortmund the upper hand.

PROSPECT PARK and BOLO, who finished second and third behind Dortmund in the San Felipe, obviously pose the biggest dangers. From a wagering standpoint, the Santa Anita Derby is pass race but it does offer a potential key horse in the late pick four.

Blue Grass

CARPE DIEM will go off the shortest price of the morning-line favorites in the three Kentucky Derby preps. There is quite a drop off between him and the quality of his opposition. Carpe Diem’s five-length victory in the Tampa Bay Derby in his first start as a 3-year-old, which came off four-month layoff, was very impressive. That sets him up well for a victory in the Blue Grass. His lone defeat was a second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Carpe Diem won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity last fall in his only start at Keeneland. His tactical speed will allow jockey John Velazquez to place him wherever he wants early on.

Of the three Kentucky Derby preps, the Blue Grass is the only race that offers a decent wagering opportunity, even though Carpe Diem will be odds-on. I am attracted to both the exactas and trifectas in the Blue Grass. The odds on the other seven runners will be well spread out. I feel that OCHO OCHO OCHO will improve on his eighth-place finish in the San Felipe with a more alert start, and CLASSY CLASS will benefit from being back on a dry surface and being more forwardly placed early in the race.

My suggested wagers are:

Exactas (5) CARPE DIEM over (1) OCHO OCHO OCHO and (7) CLASSY CLASS, reverse both for one-fourth as much
Trifecta 5 over 1-7 over ALL = $24 for a $2 wager
Trifecta 5 over ALL over 1-7 = $12 for a $1 wager

Saturday’s Full Card Selections & Betting Window will be available Friday for Aqueduct-Keeneland-Santa Anita as well as Oaklawn. Wagering strategies for all races are in the Betting Window as well as pick four plays, which can also be found on my Simulcast Best Bets Sheet.

MMA ODDSBREAKER

Justin Jones -130

Justin Jones is the younger and more exuberant fighter than Ron Stallings. Both men made their UFC debuts on short notice against very tough opposition, but it was Jones who put on a better performance against Corey Anderson (at a higher weight class, no less).

Jones is a better athlete than Stallings, and he should be a much better striker as well. As long as he can avoid being put on his back or stuck against the fence, he should be able to either win a decision or knock Stallings out

Game of the Day: Final Four Doubleheader

♦♦Michigan State Spartans vs Duke Blue Devils (-5, 138)

This year’s NCAA Tournament Final Four is a star-studded affair – on the court and along the sideline – and the action kicks off Saturday when Duke takes on Michigan State in the first national semifinal from Indianapolis. The Blue Devils are 8-3 all-time in the national semifinals under legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski, while Tom Izzo has led the Spartans to the Final Four for the seventh time since 1999.

The winner squares off with Kentucky or Wisconsin in Monday’s national championship game. Duke, the No. 1 seed from the South Regional, reached this point by holding its first four NCAA Tournament opponents to 53.5 points on 36.8 percent shooting, highlighted by a suffocating performance against Gonzaga in the regional final. Michigan State, the No. 7 seed from the East Regional, has limited the opposition to 33.9 percent shooting and 23.7 percent from 3-point range during its four tournament wins, capped by an overtime triumph against Louisville in the Elite Eight. This game is a rematch from Nov. 18, when the Blue Devils posted an 81-71 victory on this same court as part of the Champions Classic.

TV: 6:09 p.m. ET, TBS

LINE HISTORY: Duke opened as -4.5 favorites, but quickly moved to -5. Totals across Vegas and online opened at either 139 or 139.5 before being bet down to 138.

INJURY REPORT: N/A

WHAT BOOKS SAY: “I’ve been booking for almost 20 years and I cant remember a Final Four Saturday that we have had smaller decisions than we will this season. We’ve had 53 percent of bets and 52 percent of cash on Duke in this one.” – Mike Jerome of Top Bet

ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE (27-11 SU, 22-16 ATS, 20-15-2 O/U): The Spartans shot 50 percent in the first matchup but allowed the Blue Devils to shoot 54 percent, including 7-of-14 from 3-point range, while struggling to contain Jahlil Okafor down low. “We got our feet wet there,” Izzo told reporters this week in reflection of that night, when his team was led by senior forward Branden Dawson (18 points, nine rebounds). “We realized what we weren’t good enough at. It gave us a barometer to try to figure out who we are.” Who they are offensively is a team that relies heavily on two players – senior guard Travis Trice (19.8 points in the NCAAs) and junior guard Denzel Valentine, who has filled up the box score in the tournament to the tune of 13.3 points, six rebounds and 4.5 assists.

ABOUT DUKE (33-4 SU, 22-14-1 ATS, 18-17 O/U): Okafor, the likely No. 1 pick in this summer’s draft, shot 8-of-10 for 17 points in the first game against Michigan State, although the freshman center is struggling of late, totaling 15 points on 7-of-16 shooting in the last two games. “We got better (since November) and they did too,” Okafor told the media this week. “They are a better team. That’s just a game that was part of our journey. It’s going to be a different game this Saturday and we’re looking forward to it.” Okafor is complemented by two more stud freshmen – swingman Justise Winslow, who posted double-doubles in the round of 32 and the round of 16, and point guard Tyus Jones, who registered 15 points in each of the last two contests.

TRENDS:

*Spartans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
*Blue Devils are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 non-conference games.
*Over is 5-1 in Spartans last 6 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
*Under is 6-0 in Blue Devils last 6 overall.

CONSENSUS: Fifty-one percent are on Tom Izzo’s Spartans.



♦♦Kentucky Wildcats vs. Wisconsin Badgers (+5, 131)

Kentucky is two wins away from an undefeated season, although a familiar road block stands in its path to perfection. The Wildcats are back in the NCAA Tournament’s Final Four for the fourth time in five seasons and for the second straight year, their national semifinal opponent is Wisconsin – a fellow No. 1 seed that will attempt to pull the upset Saturday in Indianapolis.

The teams played a thriller in Arlington, Texas, last April with the Wildcats escaping with a 74-73 triumph on Aaron Harrison’s NBA-range 3-pointer with 5.7 seconds left. This time around, Kentucky is deeper and more experienced, although it needed two late free throws by Andrew Harrison to prevail against Notre Dame in the Midwest Region final. Wisconsin is likely a better squad as well, led by All-American big man Frank Kaminsky and blossoming forward Sam Dekker. Kentucky leans on the Harrison twins in the backcourt and a collection of athletic big men, highlighted by freshman Karl-Anthony Towns.

TV: 8:49 p.m. ET, TBS

LINE HISTORY: Books opened Wisconsin as a 6-point dog before taking a full point drop to +5 quickly. Books opened the total anywhere from 133 to 131, but have settled at 131 Friday.

INJURY REPORT: N/A

WHAT BOOKS SAY: “Also can’t remember a Final Four Saturday where neither semifinal game has had a line move. Both Kentucky and Duke opened as 5 point favorites and both games are still at -5. 54 percent of cash and 53 percent of bets are taking Wisconsin plus points.” – Mike Jerome of Top Bet

ABOUT KENTUCKY (38-0 SU, 19-17-2 ATS, 15-23 O/U): The Wildcats are two wins away from becoming the first undefeated team since Indiana in 1975-76 and if the game is close, fans can expect one of the Harrisons to take the final shot. “The biggest thing is you cannot be afraid to miss the game-winning shot. It’s not that you want to make it; it’s that you’re not afraid to miss it,” Wildcats coach John Calipari told reporters. “You’re not afraid to make a play and it go wrong. You have to have amnesia. You have to be willing to risk. Those two have it. They both have it.” Towns certainly was not afraid of the big stage in the Elite Eight, when he shot 10-of-13 for a career-high 25 points after going 0-of-3 for one point against West Virginia in the Sweet 16.

ABOUT WISCONSIN (35-3 SU, 20-17-1 ATS, 18-20 O/U): The Badgers have won each of their last three games by seven points, including a hard-fought win over Arizona in the West final as Kaminsky recorded 29 points and Dekker set a career high for the second straight game, finishing with 27 points. Kaminsky may win the Wooden Award, but he has plenty of frontcourt help in the form of Dekker and Nigel Hayes while Josh Gasser and Bronson Koenig are also 3-point threats for Wisconsin. “We know what we’re up against,” Badgers coach Bo Ryan, whose team has won 20 of its last 21, said to reporters. “Our guys are pretty smart guys. They know what it’s going to take – a pretty perfect game or close to it, to get these guys.”

TRENDS:

*Wildcats are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 NCAA Tournament games.
*Badgers are 14-5-1 ATS in their last 20 neutral site games.
*Under is 15-3 in Wildcats last 18 non-conference games.
*Over is 4-0 in Badgers last 4 games following a ATS win.

CONSENSUS: Sixty-three percent are backing the Badgers.

MSU, Duke meet in Final Four Saturday

MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS (27-11) vs. DUKE BLUE DEVILS (33-4)

Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
NCAA Tournament – National Semifinal
Tip-off: Saturday, 6:09 p.m. ET
Line: Duke -5.0

No. 1 seed Duke takes on No. 7 seed Michigan State, as coaching legends Mike Krzyzewski and Tom Izzo lead their teams into the Final Four for the 12th time combined in the past 20 seasons.

Here is the betting preview for this matchup:

The Duke Blue Devils and the Michigan State Spartans face off in the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time since 1998 (and the second time in the Final Four). The Blue Devils and Spartans have played nine times in total over that span, and Duke is 8-1 SU (3-5-1 ATS). Coach K’s one loss to Tom Izzo was a regional final in 2005 where the Blue Devils lost as 4-point favorites. Duke and Michigan State’s most recent meeting was Nov. 18 of this season, with the Blue Devils coming out on top, 81-71, covering the 8.5-point spread. This game, also played in Indiana (Banker’s Life Fieldhouse) was the second game of the season for the Spartans (third for the Blue Devils). Both teams shot over 50% from the field with Duke’s Quinn Cook and Jahlil Okafor combining for 36 points on 15-for-22 from the field. Michigan State held a +10 advantage on the glass, but shot only 5-for-20 from three (compared to Duke’s 7-for-14 from three). Duke is 9-1 SU (8-2 ATS) in its past 10 games, while Michigan State is 8-2 SU (7-3 ATS) in that same span. Both the Blue Devils and Spartans have covered (4-0 ATS) in their respective tournament games to date. Duke took care of No. 2 seed Gonzaga (66-52) as a 1.5-point favorite to reach this point, while Michigan State knocked off No. 4 seed Louisville (76-69) as a 2-point favorite. The total has gone Under in six of Duke’s past eight games, while it’s gone Over in eight of Michigan State’s past 11 games.

Michigan State rolls into this meeting as a much different team than they were in November. As Tom Izzo-coached teams so oftenly do, the Spartans are peaking at the perfect time. An issue for Michigan State, however, will be making Duke’s backcourt uncomfortable. To outrebound Duke in November by 10 and still lose by 10 points, the Spartans need to look no further than the fact that they didn’t force one turnover out of Duke guards Quinn Cook and Tyus Jones. Duke also held a huge edge at the free throw line (20-26 FTM), as Michigan State committed 22 fouls to Duke’s 16. The most anticipated matchup, however, will be what happens when Duke is on offense and Michigan State is on defense. Izzo has the Spartans playing their best defensive basketball of the season, as all four Michigan State tournament opponents have shot worse than 36.5% FG. Duke comes in with the 3rd ranked field goal offense in the country, and shot 54% against Michigan State in November, although it’s notable that Duke has struggled (by their standards) in their past two tournament games from the field, shooting 44% and 38% respectively. The Spartans are led by their trio of stars, senior G Travis Trice (14.8 PPG, 5.2 APG, 2.2 3PM), junior G Denzel Valentine (14.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 4.4 APG) and senior F Branden Dawson (12.0 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 55% FG). Trice has taken the scoring burden head-on in the tournament, leading the Spartans in three of their four wins while averaging 19 points per game and hitting 3.3 threes per game. Trice is also shooting an impressive 89% from the line after hitting just 69% over the regular season. Valentine has been more aggressive on offense in the Spartans’ most recent two victories, taking 32 shots en route to 33 points. (After taking just 15 shots in their opening round wins). Valentine also has racked up 18 assists with only 5 turnovers in four tournament games. Dawson has scored single digits in his past two contests, but boasts 11-rebound performances in each game (while also blocking four shots versus Louisville). G Bryn Forbes (8.6 PPG) has been a key offensive contributor for the Spartans off the bench, averaging 29 MPG in the tournament and making 53% of his threes (2.3 3PM) in that span.

Amidst all of the superlatives Duke has racked up, whether it be for their fifth-in-the-nation scoring offense (79.5 PPG), which shoots 50.2% from the field (3rd in NCAA), or their ever-climbing offensive efficiency as they’ve played effective offense while controlling pace in the tournament (1.2 points per-possession, 2nd in NCAA), the most important vehicle to Duke reaching the Final Four has been its defensive efficiency. Early in ACC conference play, all that was talked about when mentioning Duke was its much-maligned defense in losses to Miami and North Carolina State. Duke even went to a gimmick 2-3 zone defense to try and stop the bleeding. Now, here they are in the tournament and haven’t given up more than 0.89 points per-possession in any of their four games, while holding one of the best offenses in the country (Gonzaga) to 52 points. G Quinn Cook (15.7 PPG, 2.8 3PM), C Jahlil Okafor (17.7 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 67% FG) and F Justise Winslow (12.3 PPG, 5.9 RPG) have all been stalwarts in Duke’s tournament success. Okafor has not quite been his dominant self in the tournament with teams selling out to double him in the post, but he’s still managed 15 points per game on 66% from the field, and has contributed two blocks per game on defense. Cook has played fantastic defense in the tournament, neutralizing Utah’s Delon Wright and Gonzaga’s Kevin Pangos, while scoring 14.5 points per game himself. Winslow has been a ball of fire on defense, averaging 9.5 rebounds per game (double figures in three of four) along with 1.5 steals and 1.8 blocks per game. G Tyus Jones (11.6 PPG, 5.8 APG) has been steady, but his heroics haven’t been needed to this point. Jones did score 15 points with six assists versus Gonzaga in his best performance of the tournament.



Wisconsin, Kentucky meet in Final Four Saturday

WISCONSIN BADGERS (35-3) vs. KENTUCKY WILDCATS (38-0)

Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
NCAA Tournament – National Semifinal
Tip-off: Saturday, 8:49 p.m. ET
Line: Kentucky -5.0

After a scare against Notre Dame, undefeated Kentucky looks to continue their magical season in a Final Four rematch from 2014 versus Wisconsin.

Here is the betting preview for this matchup:

Kentucky and Wisconsin have been here before, and it resulted in one of the better tournament games in recent memory, a 74-73 Final Four win for the Wildcats (who were favored by 1) on a heroic Aaron Harrison three pointer. The 5-point spread marks a tie for the lowest amount that Kentucky has been favored this season (Dec. 27 at Louisville) and is the first time that the Wildcats have been less than a double-digit favorite since Mar. 3 at Georgia. Kentucky defeated a Notre Dame team (68-66) in the regional final to get to this point, failing to cover at -11. Wisconsin will go into its second straight game as an underdog, having beaten Arizona at +1.5 to send Bo Ryan to his second straight Final Four and the third Final Four in Wisconsin history. The Badgers have never played in the championship game. John Calipari’s Wildcats will be looking to return to the championship game after losing the title game to Connecticut last season. Calipari will be looking for his second NCAA title in his fifth Final Four appearance. Kentucky’s program will be looking for its 9th NCAA title with two more victories in Indianapolis. Kentucky is 1-3 ATS in its four tournament games and 5-5 ATS in its past 10 games. The Wildcats are 3-2 ATS in games where they are single-digit favorites this season and 19-18-1 ATS overall. While not the length of Kentucky’s season-long streak, Wisconsin is 10-0 SU (6-4 ATS) in their past 10 games. The Badgers are 20-17-1 ATS overall this season. Wisconsin is also 4-0 ATS in its tournament history when playing a No. 1 seed. The total for six of Kentucky’s past eight games has been Under, while the total has been Over for seven of Wisconsin’s past ten games.

Wisconsin gets the Final Four rematch that it may, or may not have wanted. The faces for the opposing Wildcats will have changed some, but one Aaron Harrison still remains, as the protagonist for the Badgers’ exit in 2014. Wisconsin has a better offense this time around, as C Frank Kaminsky (18.7 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 57% FG), F Sam Dekker (13.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 53% FG) and F Nigel Hayes (12.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 50% FG) are all much-improved players since last March. Graduated G Ben Brust is the only Badger lost of key players from last season’s loss. The Badgers were able to successfully convert 19-of-20 from the free throw line to stay within striking distance of Kentucky last season, but only got eight points and five rebounds in a quiet night from star Kaminsky in the loss. Kaminsky and Dekker enter the Final Four playing extremely good basketball – in Dekker’s case (21.8 PPG, 60% FG, 3.3 3PM/48% 3PT) the best basketball of his life. Without Dekker’s huge shot-making against Arizona (27 points, 8-for-11 FG, 5-for-6 3PT) with contested three’s in big moments, the Badgers would very likely be watching the Final Four from Madison, Wisconsin. Kaminsky contributed a game-high 29 points versus Arizona, and has really upped his production going to the basket and drawing contact, averaging 6.5 made free throws per game (up from 3.6 FTM/G) in four tournament games. If Kaminsky can get the talented and imposing Kentucky big men in foul trouble, it’d really turn the tables in Wisconsin’s favor to reach the title game. Wisconsin’s offense is very similar, from a pace and efficiency standpoint (1.22 points per-possession, 1st in NCAA) to Notre Dame’s. They don’t turn the ball over (7.1 TO/G, 1st in NCAA), don’t foul, and always make the extra pass. They feature the three quite as much, but Kentucky was hurt just as much by Zach Auguste and lapses in defensive rotations due to a patient offense than anything else. What should make this game interesting is that the Badgers have the size that the Fighting Irish lacked to compete on defense against Kentucky. Unsung backcourt mates G Bronson Koenig (8.6 PPG, 42% 3PT, still undefeated as starter) and G Josh Gasser (6.9 PPG, 1.3 3PT) have to be accounted for due to their ability to knock down open jumpers when the defense collapses on Wisconsin’s talented frontcourt. Gasser hit big shots en route to 10 points against Arizona in the Elite Eight.

Kentucky looked human for the first time in a long while as they desperately watched Notre Dame’s Jerian Grant sail a three point attempt to blemish its perfect record. The faces on the Kentucky players told the story: This was a truly happy and relieved bunch to make the Final Four. Kentucky is beatable, but it is still the best team in the country. If this is a wake-up call and Coach Calipari has the Wildcats come out swinging, it could be a very long evening for Wisconsin. F Karl Towns (9.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.3 BPG) was outstanding in a breakout offensive game for the projected lottery pick, feasting on Notre Dame’s undersized interior for post field goal after field goal on the way to 25 points on 10-of-13 from the field. There’s no doubt that Kentucky is at home right now if not for Towns, who also posted a 21-point, 10-rebound effort in the first round win over Hampton. Fellow freshman F Trey Lyles (8.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG) had been putting together a great tournament with double-figure scoring in Kentucky’s first three games, before a 9-point, five turnover dud against Notre Dame. Lyles had two blocks, but also had repeated defensive lapses allowing easy baskets for the Fighting Irish. C Willie Cauley-Stein (9.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.6 BPG) will be key in a possible individual matchup versus Wisconsin’s Kaminsky. Cauley-Stein would prove the most athletic defender that Kaminsky has faced, and has blocked nine shots in the tournament over four games, but he’s been quite unproductive beyond blocks (no double-figure scoring games, six rebounds combined versus Notre Dame and Cincinnati). G Andrew Harrison (9.2 PPG, 3.7 APG) has alternated good and bad games out of his four contests, while brother, G Aaron Harrison (11.3 PPG) also has only had two of four solid games, but even his one field goal versus Arizona was a huge, crunch time three – something he’s obviously made a name for doing. G Tyler Ulis (5.6 PPG, 3.8 APG), and G Devin Booker (10.1 PPG, 1.6 3PM) could prove to be x-factors off the bench for Calipari.

NEWSLETTER MLB Baseball Futures Prediction From Robert Ferringo

Take Pittsburgh Pirates ‘Under’ 85.5 Wins
The N.L. Central is a bear. It is truly the only division in baseball in which every team enters the season with a legitimate, realistic shot at winning the group. St. Louis is a flagship organization. The Brewers led the Central for more than half of last season. It wasn’t long ago the Reds were winning 90 games a year. And the Cubs are stocked with the best young talent in the game. The Pirates have made the postseason in back-to-back years, and I love how they have built their team and how they play the game. But the reality is that I don’t think they are head and shoulders above the rest of the teams in the division. And if the Reds bounce back from last year’s injury woes and if the Cubs improve as much as people think then those wins are going to come from somewhere. The Pirates have been statistical overachievers in each of the past two seasons, and I think that the numbers are going to even themselves out. If anything happens to Andrew McCutchen they are screwed, and their two best pitchers, Francisco Liriano and A.J. Burnett, also have a history of injury and/or erraticism (if that’s a word; if not I just made it up.) That’s a tenuous position to be in. They’ve lost some key pieces over the past two seasons, and I don’t expect them to be in the market of adding players at the deadline. I still expect this team to be very competitive. But I also expect them to come back to earth after two exceptional seasons. The odds of them finishing with 85 or fewer wins are a lot greater than the odds of them winning 86 or more. Play ‘under’.

NEWSLETTER NBA Basketball Prediction From Allen E astman

Take Detroit over Miami (7 p.m., Saturday, April 4)
These two teams just met six days ago, but this is a completely different game. Detroit will have some key players back, and every game this team plays their young core is getting more comfortable. The Pistons have won five of their last six games, and that one loss was down in South Beach. The change of venue up to Detroit will work in their favor. Miami has gone just 2-4 in their last six games, and they have lost four of their last five road games. This team really struggles away from home, and I don’t see them winning this game. Lay whatever points and go with the Pistons here.

NEWSLETTER NHL Hockey Prediction From Doc’s Sports

Take ‘Under’ 5.5 Vancouver at Winnipeg (6 p.m., Saturday, April 4)
Expect a playoff-like atmosphere in Winnipeg on Saturday night as the Jets host the Canucks. Both of these teams are trying to lock down playoff spots with less than two weeks remaining in the regular season. With so much on the line, the intensity should be high and things should tighten up on the defensive end. Winnipeg has three full days of rest heading into Saturday’s game, and that will allow them to fix some of their issues defensively. They’ve dropped three of their last four games, and the goaltending has been suspect in all of the defeats. Vancouver has been playing well over the last few weeks, and it’s mainly because of their strong effort on defense. Goaltender Eddie Lack has also been strong in net for the Canucks. This one feels like a 2-1 or 3-1 type of game. We’ll go Under the total.

NEWSLETTER UFC Fight Night Prediction From Raphael Esparza

Take Peralta vs. Guida ‘Over’ 2.5 Rounds (-170) (Noon, Saturday, April 4)
It’s no secret that both fighters have plenty of going-the-distance fights, and Saturday early evening I see this fight going the distance as well. Clay Guida has had 6 out of his last 7 fights go to the last round while Robbie Peralta has had three of four fights go the distance. Peralta tapped out in his last fight in the first round, so I see him fighting very cautiously against Guida and I see the first round being very boring and lacking the action. I would be shocked to see this fight NOT go the distance, and that is why 5dimes and Bovada both have -160 or higher on this fight going the distance. Grab this -170 now because this number will climb all Thursday, Friday, and Saturday morning.

NHL Grand Salami - April

The Grand Salami in pro hockey is decided by adding up all the goals scored in every game scheduled for that particular day. You can wager on 'over' or 'under' the Grand Salami total. The total is set by adding up all listed 'over/under' odds for each game on that particular day.

Note: The Grand Salami will have no action if any game is suspended or cancelled before the regulation time of three twenty minute periods. Also, regardless of the number of goals scored during the shoot out portion of the overtime, the final scored recorded for the game will give the winning team on more goal than its opponent based on the score at the end of regulation time.

*The majority of sportsbooks do not put out a total on the Grand Salami when there is only one game on the card. For tracking purposes, we will continue to show the 'over/under' for goals and combined goals scored on days with just one game.

NHL GRAND SALAMI

Date No. of Games Total Goals Combined Goals Scored Result
4/1 4 22.5 24 OVER
4/2 9 48.5 55 OVER
4/3 5 27 34 OVER
4/4 13 - - -
4/5 5 - - -
4/6 5 - - -
4/7 9 - - -
4/8 3 - - -
4/9 11 - - -
4/10 2 - - -
4/11 15 - - -

NHL Preview: Avalanche (36-30) at Kings (38-25)

Date: April 04, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

Winning two Stanley Cups in three years is certainly reason enough for the Los Angeles Kings to be confident in their late playoff chase.

Coming off their best offensive showing in five years gives them another.

The Kings will try to capitalize on another team outside of postseason position Saturday night against the Colorado Avalanche, who may need to be perfect to have a chance of qualifying.

Los Angeles (38-25-14) is tied with Winnipeg for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, but holds the tiebreaker with four more non-shootout wins.

The Kings are also one point back of Calgary for third in the Pacific Division with five games left in the regular season - one more than the Flames. Three of Los Angeles' games are against teams outside of playoff position, and they had little trouble with such an opponent Thursday, routing Edmonton 8-2 for its highest scoring output since beating Vancouver 8-3 on April 1, 2010.

The Kings don't seem overly concerned about potentially missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008-09.

"We have a lot of confidence that we can do it," said right wing Marian Gaborik, who had two goals and one assist Thursday. "We've just got to keep pushing forward. ... This team has been through a lot, and throughout it all, in a situation like this, we know what it takes. Everybody knows how to prepare themselves and how to elevate their game."

Gaborik and Jeff Carter seem to fit that description. Gaborik has eight goals and four assists in the past 15 games, while Carter has 10 goals and 12 points in 16 contests.

Carter, who also had two goals against the Oilers, has scored 12 times in his last 11 meetings with Colorado (36-30-12), tallying seven during a six-game streak.

Carter and Gaborik had a goal each and Kyle Clifford added two in a 5-2 victory over the Avalanche on March 10.

The Kings have won four straight in the series, and are 6-0-1 in the last seven.

Defenseman Drew Doughty scored his first goal in 25 games Thursday and added an assist on Carter's power-play tally.

"Drew's got to hit the net more," coach Darryl Sutter said. "He misses the net on those close ones a lot. If you hit the net, it's a good chance it's going to go in with the way he shoots it. It's a good step for him. I think it's weighed on him a lot - those numbers - the last couple months."

The Avalanche enter Saturday six points behind the Kings and Jets with four games to play, meaning a regulation loss in this one would eliminate them from playoff contention.

Colorado avoided a third straight loss Friday, scoring the final three goals in a 4-2 victory over Pacific Division champion Anaheim.

"If we win out, you never know what can happen," center Matt Duchene said. "We're going to give ourselves the best opportunity possible, and even if we don't make it we got a lot of pride in here, a lot of character."

Duchene has three goals and four assists in the last five games, giving him 11 points in 11 contests since being blanked by Los Angeles in last month's loss.

Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog scored the tying goal Friday, and has eight goals and 15 points in his last 12 road games.

NHL: Price 3/2 to win both the Hart and Vezina
By JUSTIN HARTLING

The Vezina Trophy is practically already in Carey Price's cabinet, but can the Montreal Canadiens goaltender pull the rare feat and win the Hart as well?

Price winning both the Vezina and the Hart is 3/2, with him not attaining the achievement is 1/2 per TopBet.

The last time a player took home both trophies was in 2002 when fellow Canadiens goaltender Jose Theodore achieved the feat.

Price leads the NHL in goals against average, save percentage, wins and shutouts this season. The Habs offense has been notoriously bad this season, ranking twenty-fourth in goals and twenty-third in powerplay percentage this season.

NBA Preview: Pelicans (41-34) at Trail Blazers (49-26)

Date: April 04, 2015 10:00 PM EDT

If the New Orleans Pelicans are going to even the race for the Western Conference's final playoff spot, they're going to have to do it in an arena that's home to their longest active road losing streak.

Saturday night's visit to Portland gives them an opportunity to halt that skid against the Trail Blazers at seven while also matching Oklahoma City in the standings.

New Orleans (41-34) put itself in position to do so with Friday's 101-95 win in Sacramento, moving within a half game of the Thunder and clinching its first season with at least a .500 record since going 46-36 in 2010-11.

"We know where we are. We know what we want," coach Monty Williams said. "We're playing for something bigger than all of us. And that's a cool thing and that should be fun."

The win was the Pelicans' fourth straight - canceling out a preceding losing streak - and adding another would mark a season high.

They can also win three straight on the road for the first time this season, but they haven't won in Portland since Nov. 26, 2010. Their 6-14 all-time record there is better only than their marks in Dallas (2-21), San Antonio (4-20) and Utah (6-15).

Against the Kings, Eric Gordon had 21 points, Anthony Davis had 20 and 10 rebounds, and Tyreke Evans was an assist short of a triple-double, racking up 19 points 12 rebounds and nine assists.

Quincy Pondexter added 18 points and is averaging 13.0 while shooting 55.0 percent from beyond the arc in seven games. In five games, Evans is averaging 19.4 points and shooting 61.3 percent, including 55.6 from long range.

As a team, the Pelicans have shot an impressive 48.7 percent from 3-point range on the winning streak and 48.2 percent in seven games.

The Trail Blazers (49-26) might not have the Pelicans' current winning streak, but they're certainly not limping in after celebrating their first Northwest Division title in six seasons with Friday's 107-77 win at the Los Angeles Lakers.

Portland secured the division crown earlier when Oklahoma City lost at Memphis.

"It's something that we'll always be a part of, and we need to relish this and enjoy it, because it doesn't happen all the time," coach Terry Stotts said. "It's good to be a part of history, winning the title outright. Like I told the team, the banner is going to go up, and we'll always be a part of it."

It was the fifth win in six games for Portland, which is competing with the Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio for homecourt advantage in the first round. The Blazers are also a win away from posting back-to-back seasons of at least 50.

Reserve C.J. McCollum scored a career-high 27 points as Portland's starters got a little more rest than usual, which could be helpful with Dorell Wright ruled out for at least a month with a broken hand.

The Blazers, who have seven-game home winning streaks going against four other teams in addition to New Orleans, have won four straight in the series and 10 of 13.

The last meeting was particularly ugly for the Pelicans with no starter scoring more than seven in a 114-88 home loss Dec. 20. Davis was held to seven on 3-of-14 shooting for one of his worst offensive games as a pro. From 3-point range, the team has shot 25.0 percent in the last five meetings while never making more than five.

LaMarcus Aldridge has averaged 25.5 points and 11.8 rebounds over his last four in the series, while Damian Lillard has scored 24.3 per game in his last six.

Warriors looking to regain ATS success vs. Mavs
Stephen Campbell

The Golden State Warriors saw their eight game ATS win streak come to an end against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, but they'll be seeking to get back on track at the betting window Saturday against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Warriors, who most recently edged the Suns 107-106 but failed to cover the -12.5 spread, face off against a Mavericks team who have cashed spread bets just three times in their last 10 games. The Dubs have won 11 in a row straight-up and 16 of their last 18.

At the time of writing, books had Dallas as 4.5-point home underdogs for the affair.