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Thursday, May 30, 2013

NBA Playoff Pick-a-thon Day 42: Mulligans and Dead Zones

POST-SEASON RECORD TO DATE: 47-28 ATS 

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 4-5 ATS 

KYLE'S NHL PICKS TO DATE: 47-27-1

KYLE'S MLB PICKS TO DATE: 131-93-7

Wouldn't it be awesome if sports teams were given mulligans from time to time? In baseball for example, after a god-awful inning, either team could say, "Mulligan" and get a complete do-over. It might wear on the pitchers a bit, but hey - what goes around comes around. In football they would get the do-overs on the occasional series of downs or three or four plays throughout the game they feel they could improve upon. Maybe they could shout out words like "Interference" or "Car" like we used to during Wiffle Ball battles. 

In basketball, I imagine it would be a block of time that things just went a little southbound and screwy. For the Indiana Pacers in Game 5, that block of time was called the third quarter. Take away the those twelve minutes, and the Pacers win the game by six, covering the spread and making us look slightly more intelligent than average. 


With no basketball or hockey scheduled tonight, we have effectively entered what sports fanatics spouses affectionately call The Dead Zone. There might actually be some date nights, some attentive listening, and some meaningful conversations in living rooms across America. Or there might be Tulsa Shock New York Liberty game worth checking the line on...

In lieu of the NBA and NHL playoffs, for the seriously committed gambler there are always interesting and intriguing prop bets to consider on the slow nights. These odds were released by Bovado/Bodog earlier this week: 

Will Justin Bieber Check in to rehab on or before December 31st 2014

10:00aYes+1000 

Will Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez get engaged on or before December 31st 2014? 

10:00aYes+2000 

Will Justin Bieber be arrested in 2013? 

10:00aYes+500 




So forget date night, relax the pseudo-attentive listening face, excuse yourself from meaningful conversations and grab your stack of US Weekly's and People Magazines because it's time to do some research. 

Get to work. We'll catch you tomorrow when we actually have something worth writing about.

Vinny and Marco


KYLE'S CORNER: With the NHL on Fire It's Time to Put the MLB on Ice

Well, folks, I have some bad news, some good news, some more bad news, and then some just plain news. Sadly my baseball streak which was so full of life on Tuesday passed slowly and painfully over the course of the past two days. There was a brief service at Coor's Field after the Rockies lost to the Astros 7-5, bringing my MLB total down to 1-3 on the day. 

 

The good news is my NHL wizardry continues at an 85%+ clip over the past two weeks. Unfortunately, there are no hockey games until Saturday. Although I will continue to use my system for baseball, I'm lowering my bankroll percentage per play until things even back out. I recommend you do the same. Let's get to Friday's action.

NHL: 

Overall: 47-27-1

MLB: 


Overall: 131-93-7
Thursday: 1-3


MLB: 


Pitchers Whose Teams I Am Backing


TOR:   Jenkins (1-0, 3.60 ERA)
LAD:   Kershaw (5-3, 1.68 ERA)
STL:   Miller (5-3, 2.02 ERA)
SEA:   Iwakuma (5-1, 2.35 ERA)
TB:   Moore (8-0, 2.21 ERA)
DET:   Scherzer (7-0, 3.42 ERA)
LAA:   Hanson (2-1, 3.86 ERA)

overs: N/A


Good luck out there,

Kyle

NBA Playoff-Pick-a-thon Day 41: Rob Gronkowski to Get Full Body Transplant Surgery

POST-SEASON RECORD TO DATE: 47-27 ATS 

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 4-4 ATS 

KYLE'S NHL PICKS TO DATE: 47-27-1

KYLE'S MLB PICKS TO DATE: 130-90-7

Reports surfaced this morning that New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski has yet another date with the operating table in the middle of June. The Pro Bowler appeared in 11 games for the Patriots last season catching 55 passes for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns before injuring his forearm in late November. Since then Gronkowski has had four surgeries addressing that injury and complications arising from it. 

                            

Unfortunately, this is not the first time Gronkowski has made off-season headlines. Aside from dating porn stars and reported drunken debaucherous nights of partying, the tight end has been banged up on and off throughout his career. He had a similar back procedure in 2009 and had his ankle operated on multiple times after the 2011 season. 

                           

In light of his history and the recent recommendation that he go under the knife again for his disk issues, Gronkowski has now decided to opt for a very rare and somewhat dangerous Full Body Transplant (FBT) surgery. Much like heart, liver, and kidney transplants, the FBT surgery requires a donor with the same blood type, body size, and skill set if Rob wants to continue his football career. Rob has many large friends ranging from retired football players, old college buddies, and current "movie" stars, so finding a donor would appear to be a non-issue.

With FBT surgery still pending AMA approval, Gronkowski will be receiving his treatment at one of the most respected medical institutions in Mexico City. Asked by an ESPN Deportes correspondent if he's worried that he might lose some of his god given talent during the surgery, Gronkowski winked at her and said, "Yo Soy Fiesta, baby. I can't do what I want to do with all these damaged goods. Comprendez? Bueno." 

                               
                              No Bueno, Rob. No Bueno.

Although the procedure is in its experimental infancy, the doctors are optimistic that Gronkowski  is a perfect candidate to take advantage of its benefits. Unfortunately for Rob, his original donor - a drunk friend who signed a contract while under the influence - has fallen off the grid and is nowhere to be found. Fortunately for Rob, however, method actor Tom Hanks has purchased the movie rights to the story from Disney and has immersed himself in the lead by attending Patriots mini-camps and volunteering to be Rob's FBT surgery donor.

                              
        "FG2: Forest Takes Foxborough is going to be huge."

Ninety-nine days until football...

Can't Wait.

For now, let's talk a little b-ball: 

Indiana Pacers (+7.5) over MIAMI HEAT: Blame the officials all you want Miami fans, but on Tuesday night your Heat were exposed. As far as the officiating goes, you wouldn't even have a leg to stand on (meaning the game wouldn't have been nearly as close) had the refs not blown the 24 second violation against Indiana, effectively wiping out a bucket and turning an 11 point lead into a seven point advantage after Miami's points off the "turnover." 

                             
                "It's hard to see the rim way up there."

Officiating ultimately balances out over the course of a series, but there was no denying the rebounding tally in the fourth quarter of Game 4: Pacers 16, Heat 4. The Pacers had more offensive rebounds (6) than the Heat had rebounds at all. Add to that the fact that Roy Hibbert and David West have combined to average 41 points and 20.5 rebounds per game on 51% shooting in the series, and you can see how Indiana is competing in this series. 

                                

Comparably, the legendary James/Wade combo is averaging 44 points and 11.8 rebounds on 51% shooting. In the post, Chris Bosh, Udonis Haslem, and Chris Anderson combined have 23 fewer rebounds than West and Hibbert have grabbed. Bosh is averaging 3.3 rebounds/game while Roy Hibbert is averaging twice that on the offensive boards. This serious lack of inside presence cannot be masked unless the Heat are making the extra passes and hitting their perimeter shots. If Indiana can rush the shots, intercept/deflect the passes, they should keep this game and this series tight. 

                                 

Over the last two season, however, Indiana Pacers are a meager 6-23 SU and 10-19 ATS as road dogs of 6.5 to nine points. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat are 38-13 SU and 27-24 ATS as home favorites within that range. That being said, two of those ATS losses came against Indiana last week, and with the underdog split in the last two games, the team receiving points in this series has now won 5 of the last 7 meetings. We don't see why Indiana won't keep this a single digit game considering their efforts and successes in the first four match-ups. As much as we enjoyed rooting for Indy and backing Miami, tonight we're all in with the Pacers. 

Peace Out,

Vinny and Marco

KYLE'S CORNER: Like Joe Freakin' Dimaggio...

                         

going 0-4 with three strikeouts trying to extend his hitting streak to 57 games. 

Much like Joe, I wrestled with conflicting emotions last night - relief and sadness. When asked about that night at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland 72 years ago when Joe finally had an O-fer with a walk bringing his legendary streak to an end he said, "I'm glad it's over. I've been under a strain." He later admitted losing the streak was like losing a best friend. 

                              

Unlike Joe, ending my streak did not cost me $10,000 in advertising revenues promised to him by Heinz Corporation to promote their Heinz 57 products. Much like Joe, however, I consider my continue hockey streak to be akin to the base on balls he earned in that 57th game, which continued his streak of reaching base safely - a streak which ultimately ended at 74 games, second only to Ted Williams (84 in 1949). 

                              

But enough with the history lessons and red herrings, let's get to today's MLB action. 

Wednesday's Recap:

NHL: 

Overall: 47-27-1
Wednesday:
1-0


MLB: 

Overall: 130-90-7
Wednesday:
1-8 (Ugh!)

Thursday's Picks
NHL: No games today.

MLB: 

Pichers to Follow:

NYY:   Nuno (1-1, 1.93 ERA)
COL:   Nicasio (4-1, 4.38 ERA)




Overs:

WSH:   Haren (4-5, 5.43 ERA) @ BAL:   Garcia (1-2, 4.61 ERA) O9.5
TOR:   Dickey (4-6, 4.85 ERA) @ ATL:   Minor (6-2, 2.47 ERA) O7.5




It's slim pickins out there today, but there's always enough to start another streak.

Good luck, everyone.

Kyle



Wednesday, May 29, 2013

NBA Playoff Pick-a-thon Day 40: My Imaginary Friends

 POST-SEASON RECORD TO DATE: 47-27 ATS 

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 4-4 ATS 

KYLE'S NHL PICKS TO DATE: 46-27-1

KYLE'S MLB PICKS TO DATE: 129-82-7

KYLE'S UFC PICKS TO DATE: 9-6

Ahhh, the sweet satisfaction of losing. 

Marco and I have finally solved the problem we have of letting our emotions guide us at times through the turbulent waters of sports handicapping. Solution: make the smart choice by imagining we're betting a much larger sum of money than we can afford to lose. In case you didn't catch the italics, please re-read the last sentence rather than running to your bank and draining your savings account. By imagining the stakes were higher than just our reputations here at The Spread Zone, the Miami Heat (-3) was the sensible choice coming out of a Game 3 in which they were finally clicking on all cylinders. Their ball movement was exceptional, their role players were making shots, and all the while they made it appear effortless.

                       
                   "Do I have anything in my teeth?"

By backing my least favorite albeit the most dominant team in the NBA, I placed myself in an ideal situation for maximum in-game enjoyment. When the Indiana Pacers raced out to an 11-0 lead, I was exhilarated by their defensive energy and the up-tempo style they were playing. This is the Pacers team I love watching. Feed the post, run the floor, create points off turnovers, and put the pressure on Miami to respond.

                       

Then Miami responded - with a 13-5 run of their own. I sighed aloud, then thought, "Well, at least I'll be doubling my imaginary millions." When the game continued in this back and forth fashion, I found myself appreciating leads held by both teams equally. When Indiana was ahead, not much was at stake. When the Heat grabbed the lead, I was buying imaginary stuff from imaginary websites on my imaginary brand new laptop.

                                

When, however, the game was tied at 89 with six minutes left in regulation I began dreading the possibility that Miami just might win the game by 1 or 2 points, effectively and retroactively killing any enjoyment I'd experienced all evening. Fortunately, late mistakes by Miami and questionable calls by the refs (a balanced theme affecting both teams equally) tipped the scales in Indiana's favor and they put the game away 99-92 behind 23 points and 12 rebounds by big man, Roy Hibbert.

                       

For those of you disappointed by the joy I've managed to find in defeat, please know that had the Heat won I would have bought you all brand new imaginary Smart Phones so you could call me to complain about it. Unfortunately, you'll just have to e-mail or leave your thoughts in the comments section below. 

Fortunately, however, if it's the joy in winning you're looking for - please read on. Kyle is on an historic run, the likes of which we've never witnessed in TSZ's 295 day existence. Seriously, though, the kid's unreal. And with ten days to go until the San Antonio Spurs play somebody, it's a good freakin' thing, too. 

Peace out, home fries. May the spread be with you all.

Vinny and Marco

KYLE'S CORNER: Swimming with the Sharks


Unfortunately for San Jose any swimming they do will be on vacation somewhere during the off-season as they lost a thrilling Game 7 to the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings. Fortunately for me and anyone out there taking my advice, we went 2-0 in the NHL last night, 6-2 with the MLB picks and are now statistically swimming with the best sharks the capping industry has to offer.


If I were superstitious at all, I'd worry aloud about the statistical skies falling on our heads in hopes that repeating myself would be akin to checking the stove three times before leaving home. Knowing it's inevitable, however, I'm just going to enjoy the ride, let the house burn down, and in the meantime - keep on winning.

Let's recap:

Tuesday Overall: 8-2: 80% 

NHL: 

Tuesday: 2-0
Overall: 46-27-1
Current Two Week Streak: 11-2 (85%)

MLB: 

Tuesday: 6-2
Overall: 129-82-7

Current Two Week Streak:  34-11-1 (76%)

Wednesday's Action: 


Like I said before, it's almost impossible to maintain the streak I'm on, but like the Miami Heat during the regular season, it's also impossible to know exactly when to bet against me.

NHL: 

Detroit Redwings @ Chicago Blackhawks: Chicago to win.



MLB:

Pitchers to Follow (bet on their teams):


WSH:   Zimmermann (8-2, 1.71 ERA)
NYY:   Phelps (3-2, 3.96 ERA)
STL:   Lynn (7-1, 2.95 ERA)
COL:   Chatwood (3-0, 1.90 ERA)

Overs:


LAD:   Capuano (1-3, 5.60 ERA) @ LAA:   Weaver (0-1, 4.91 ERA) O8
TB:   Hernandez (2-5, 5.73 ERA) @ MIA:   Koehler (0-2, 3.18 ERA) O8
MIL:   Estrada (4-2, 4.94 ERA) @ MIN:   Deduno (0-1, 10.13 ERA) O9
TOR:   Rogers (1-2, 4.56 ERA) @ ATL:   Medlen (1-5, 3.16 ERA) O8
CIN:   Arroyo (5-4, 3.39 ERA) @ CLE:   Masterson (7-3, 3.20 ERA) O8

Good luck guys!

Kyle


Tuesday, May 28, 2013

NBA Playoff Pick-a-thon Day 39: Why I'd Let Pete Rose Coach My Kid

POST-SEASON RECORD TO DATE: 47-26 ATS 

TOP CONFIDENCE PICKS: 18-9 ATS

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 4-3 ATS 

KYLE'S NHL PICKS TO DATE: 44-27-1

KYLE'S MLB PICKS TO DATE: 123-80-7

KYLE'S UFC PICKS TO DATE: 9-6

For the mathematically challenged, that's a 60% + success rate across four sports. I dare you to find those numbers on Pete Rose's website. 

                                 
"Hey. I'll bet I can get my arms and legs off the ground at the same time."

                                 
        "Hey. I'll bet these underwear come in men's, too."

                          
                     "Hey, I'll bet you those are real."

See what I mean? And unless you support the Cincinnati Reds, don't bank on much baseball advice from him either. Personally, I never had an issue with Pete. He bet on his team to win. So what? If you're a fan of a team, isn't that what you would hope for in a manager? Don't you want a leader who's willing to put his money where is mouth is when he says, "We're going to play our hardest every single day of this horrendously long, 162 game schedule." I'll take that guy at the helm any day.

                        

As for the Hall of Fame, get him in there. It's not the Hall of Sound Morals or the Hall of Good Judgement or we'd be retracting the honors bestowed upon some of Cooperstown's finest. Should Ty Cobb get a pass for spousal abuse just because he hit over .400 four times and had a career average of .366? No. Nor should he be inducted into the Hall of Good Role Models, but baseball and sports in general are an entertainment industry elevated by the likes of its most FAMous athletes.

                                   

Let's face it - we live in a hypocritical society where we love greatness and success in our competitive win-or-fail culture, but then turn our noses up when we find out how it was achieved. The same fans who worshiped the likes of Bonds, Sosa, and McGuire when they hit five hundred foot home runs in the late '90's, gasped simultaneously, shaking their heads in disbelief when their suspicions about pharmaceutical assistance were confirmed. C'mon people, it's not the Hall of Smart Decisions it's the Hall of Fame - where players who gained fame through tremendous acts of athleticism and talent should be placed alongside the other famous ballplayers from the Whiskey Era, the Methamphetamine Era, and the Not Very Many Good Athletes to Compete Against Era.

               

But I digress...a lot...which is what I do when - although it was a victory for us here at TSZ - the basketball game tonight was a snooze. The Big Fundamental - Tim Duncan - was big and fundamental, while the Little Frenchman was some of both of those words, too. The San Antonio Spurs led the whole way, and while Memphis challenged them from time to time, the game never really felt close. The good news for San Antonio - lots of rest. The bad news - the Miami Heat are probably coming to town next week. Many feel as though the Heat can't lose, but Marco believes San Antonio is now the team to beat. Stay tuned - things are going to get interesting.

Miami Heat (-3) over INDIANA PACERS: Marco and I found out on Sunday night that it's much more fun too root for Indiana but pick the Heat. If the Pacers get the upset win, we're happy. If, however, the lose big we're smart gamblers. Worst case scenario - the Heat only win by 2. That would blow. Let's face it, though, with Danny Granger sidelined for the season, the Pacers don't have the offensive firepower to come back from deficits. Paul George could be that guy, but not if he's exerting all his energy playing LBJ in the post. We know Indiana will learn some things from their demoralizing loss in Game 3, but unless Coach Vogel is going to distract Miami players with this amazing trick he did on Letterman back in eighth grade, I'm afraid the Heat will be too much.

                         

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xja4eg_young-frank-vogel-on-late-night-with-letterman_sport#.UaTGBkC85xU

Enjoy the game, everyone.

Vinny and Marco


KYLE'S CORNER: The Perfect Storm

I feel like a pitcher in the 8th/9th inning pitching a perfect game. My record has been far too good, every piece of logic and statistics is against me, eventually variance has to catch up with me and smack me in the face with a shitty day. One of these ground balls is bound to have seeing eyes, find its way to the outfield and turn perfection into just another game on the schedule.

Anyways, lets get on with it.

Recap:


NHL: 

Overall: 44-27-1
Sunday: 1-0


MLB: 

Overall: 123-80-7
Sunday: 5-2

Sunday total: 6-2: 75%

Since Thursday May 16 (Just did the math)


NHL: 9-2:   82%
MLB: 28-9-1:    76%

I just need to let everyone know, it's literally impossible to maintain this, there will be a dip. This is like hall of fame sports betting numbers and I'm not Bif from back to the future with a sports almanac.

NHL:




SJ @ LAK: LA Kings to win, SJ under 2.5 goals. *Must watch game 7.

MLB: 


Pitcher/team follow:




STL:   Lyons (1-0, 1.29 ERA)
CHW:   Sale (5-2, 2.53 ERA)
LAD:   Ryu (5-2, 3.30 ERA)
CIN:   Latos (4-0, 3.17 ERA)

Overs:




LAA:   Blant
on (1-7, 6.19 ERA) @ LAD:   Ryu (5-2, 3.30 ERA) O7.5
MIA:   Slowey (1-5, 3.30 ERA) @ TB:   Hellickson (2-2, 5.37 ERA) O7.5
ATL:   Maholm (6-4, 3.38 ERA) @ TOR:   Morrow (2-3, 5.50 ERA) O9
BAL:   Gausman (0-1, 7.20 ERA) @ WSH:   Karns (0-0, 0.00 ERA) O*
PIT:   Gomez (2-0, 2.75 ERA) @ DET:   Porcello (2-2, 6.28 ERA) O9

*Means line not released but take anything under 11.5.

Good Luck!


Kyle

Monday, May 27, 2013

NBA Playoff Pick-a-thon Day 38: Heat Wave Rips Through Indiana

POST-SEASON RECORD TO DATE: 46-26 ATS 

TOP CONFIDENCE PICKS: 18-9 ATS 

KYLE'S NHL PICKS TO DATE: 43-27-1

KYLE'S MLB PICKS TO DATE: 120-79-7

KYLE'S UFC PICKS TO DATE: 9-6

Marco enjoyed tonight's game much more than I did - for the first three quarters that is. That's when he received the sarcastic phone call from yours truly, saying, "Does it make you feel any better that with the points we're only down by 14?" After a brief pause he said, "Oh yeah. Shit. I forgot," referring to the Saturday night flipping and the flopping landing on Indiana and the points. After that, I'm not sure who enjoyed the fourth quarter less - the one with three miserable quarters of losing to prepare or the one who had been celebrating a Heat blowout at the expense of his own reputation. 

                        
        "Are you shitting me? You took the Pacers?"

Although Marco and I usually share equally in our victories and defeats, I'll take the heat for this loss and that's the only way you'll catch me taking the Heat for anything. I'm turning the series over to Marco, because I simply can't take my heart out of the picks. And by heart, I mean pure, unadulterated loathing.

Had you asked me to explain my hatred for Miami this morning, I would have been at a loss. Being the self-reflective sports fan that I am, however, I put a lot of thought into my feelings after the game this evening. And by a lot of thought, I mean the eight minutes I lay still in complete darkness praying my daughter would drift off to sleep after only one bedtime story. She did, and now I know the answer: Predictability. I hate predictability in sports. 

                   

In two short seasons, the Miami Heat became the New York Yankees, the New England Patriots, and the late '90's Detroit Red Wings all rolled into one. To be fair, the New England Patriots achieved dynasty status with solid coaching and player personnel in a league whose salary cap rules are in place to ensure its reputation for parity, so I have some respect for what they've accomplished. When the New York Giants upset their perfect season in 2007, it was the best Super Bowl ever. When the New York Giants did it again two years ago, then I started to feel a little annoyed with their success. 

                        

I guess that's just me as a sports fan. I like the underdogs until they become the favorites. Even as a Laker fan throughout the years, I felt uncomfortable supporting a team with a championship or bust success meter. That's why I gave them up. Now I get to enjoy the suffering of being a Golden State Warriors fan, hoping that one day they will win me - at the very least - an NBA Finals game seven third world subsidized championship t-shirt they can put in the incinerator with me when I die. Watching the San Francisco Giants win a World Series for the first time on the West Coast was way more satisfying than the 10 NBA titles I'd witnessed in L.A. Now that they've won two in three years...ahh, who am I kidding - it's totally awesome. 

                

But screw all those other guys...

San Antonio Spurs (+3) over MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: The Grizzlies are done. No team in NBA history has come back from a 3-0 deficit, and that certainly isn't going to change against a Gregg Popavich coached team. The Spurs are very aware that in order to continue their run through the NBA Finals against either team from the East, they are going to need rest. That rest begins tonight. Take the points. If Memphis wins it will be on a desperation buzzer-beater. 

One Hundred and One Days Until Football Season,

Vinny and Marco

KYLE'S CORNER: Monday, the Morgue

The eerie title is because Monday's are sports bettors burials. Games usually have strange outcomes and too many people go all-in trying to cover their loses on the weekend. There is a reason Monday Night Football is so popular. So this will be a light day from me, until Tuesday rolls around and the gambling world returns to normal

Recap: Another fantastic day, overall 9-3, 75%.


NHL


Sunday: 1-1
Overall: 43-27-1

MLB 


Sunday: 8-2
Overall: 118-78-7


So Monday's games - I hate Monday's with a passion, but here we go:

NHL:




Chicago @ Detroit: Chicago to win.


MLB:

Pitcher Follow



PIT:   Liriano (3-0, 1.00 ERA)
STL:   Wainwright (6-3, 2.38 ERA)
SF:   Bumgarner (4-2, 2.89 ERA)

Overs:



BAL:   Hammel (6-2, 5.37 ERA) @ WSH:   Gonzalez (3-2, 3.66 ERA) O7.5
MIA:   Fernandez (2-2, 3.31 ERA) @ TB:   Odorizzi (0-0, 5.40 ERA) O7
LAA:   Wilson (4-3, 3.39 ERA) @ LAD:   Greinke (2-1, 3.48 ERA) O7
ATL:   Hudson (4-3, 4.98 ERA) @ TOR:   Buehrle (1-3, 5.90 ERA) O9

I can't stress this enough, this is a low confidence day for me - unless I use bold italics. My system works and is proven but Mondays statistically always seem to turn out bad, so I urge everyone be cautious today and best of luck! 

Every Monday Vegas smiles.

Kyle







Sunday, May 26, 2013

NBA Playoff Pick-a-thon Day 37: Are NBA Titles Protected By Pre-Nups?

POST-SEASON RECORD TO DATE: 46-25 ATS 

TOP CONFIDENCE PICKS: 18-9 ATS 

CONFERENCE FINALS: 3-2 ATS

KYLE'S NHL PICKS TO DATE: 42-26-1

KYLE'S MLB PICKS TO DATE: 112-77-7

KYLE'S UFC PICKS TO DATE: 9-6

In case you're not mathematicians, that's four sport parlay all of which are at or above 60%. With a real handicapper like Kyle on board and Marco and my continued success at guessing basketball games, there's no reason The Spread Zone shouldn't be the number one gambling resource on the Inter-Web by the end of this year. You think Kyle's good at hockey, wait until football season. But enough self-promotion, let's speak of important things.

Gambling is awesome!! In less than forty-eight hours you can go from hating teams/players, cursing them in their language and your own, and shaking your head at every ridiculously acrobatic shot they make to praising them unequivocally while muttering aloud things like, "I freakin' love that guy." Friday night, everything about the Spurs disgusted me, but last night...

Although the Memphis Grizzlies dominated most of Game 3 against the San Antonio, once the overtime began it was seventeen year veteran Tim Duncan who took over for the second straight game scoring seven points, assisting on two more, and grabbing an offensive rebound to seal the victory and give the Spurs a dominant 3-0 series lead. I freakin' love that guy - until Monday.

           

Even more impressive than the 37 year-old's physical capabilities on the court is Tim Duncan's mental focus in light of the off-court murmurs of his impending divorce. If Duncan's overtime play in Games 2 and 3 are any indication of how his divorce proceedings might go, then Amy Duncan is in big trouble. While Tim asked Amy sign a pre-nup prior to their marriage back in 2001, Amy might want to consider returning the favor by requesting a post-nup lest she find her even split at the end of the "regulation" nuptials turn into another huge win for her soon-to-be ex-husband. 

                     
       "No silly. Trophies and money don't count as assets."

If you want to know which team to back in Game 4, check back to find out if Tim Duncan's request that the Texas courts postpone his divorce proceedings until "the Spurs win the NBA championship." If the judge consents, then you might want to consider taking the Spurs, the points, and 8 to 1 odds that San Antonio claims their fifth title in fourteen years. 

Let's get to tonight's action.

INDIANA PACERS (+2) over Miami Heat: In a battle of amazing situational ATS records, we have the Miami Heat coming into Sunday night's game a perfect 7-0 ATS after a straight up loss (didn't they only lose 7 times?) in their last 7 and 4-0 ATS on the road in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Indiana has been  an immaculate 6-0 SU and ATS at home in the playoffs and they've won 4 of 5 games over the past two post-seasons when tied in a series. I think the one loss might have been to Miami last year, but let's not dwell on details. 

         
  "It's okay, buddy. Losing gets easier with each game..."

In a series where the team receiving points has won 4 of the last 5 match-ups, we're going to recommend taking the points. Miami's Big Three played well last game, in Miami, and they still lost. Give a good reason why you think the role players will finally show up on the road? I don't see it. We believe if Miami is going to win a game in Indiana, it will be Game 4. Look for Lance Stephenson to show up big at home and the Pacers to win 92-89.

Vinny and Marco


KYLE'S CORNER:

THIS IS AN ALERT: I need to make this abundantly clear: Sundays and Mondays a lot of athletes have hangovers from being idiots, so sometimes weird things happen, reduce your bankroll on today and Monday, even if I go all in on the picks I list, I only trust logic, stats, and my system 100% from Tuesday through Saturday. I am putting this warning up because this is how I do things myself. 

Alright time to recap:


NHL: 2-0. Boom (again)
Overall: 42-26-1

MLB: 6-4 (a couple 1 run heartbreaks)
MLB: Overall: 110-76-7

UFC: 7-6*
Overall: 9-6




*My 4 guarantees for parlay mixing all won, 4-0. So I think the above record doesn't do it justice, the long-shot underdogs didn't hit, and a a couple other ones were a lucky punch or split decision. While 7-6 looks pedestrian at first glance, when my 4 guarantees went 100% I think that's pretty good.

For Sunday:


NHL: LA Kings @ San Jose: LA Kings to win, game under 5.  *La Kings have young partying idiots on their team so I hope someone put a leash on them and they won't be hungover.




MLB: 


Pitcher Follow:




ATL:   Teheran (3-1, 3.99 ERA)
ARI:   Corbin (7-0, 1.44 ERA)
LAA:   Williams (3-1, 2.53 ERA)
PIT:   Rodriguez (5-2, 3.40 ERA)
WSH:   Strasburg (2-5, 2.66 ERA)
DET:   Scherzer (6-0, 3.61 ERA)

Overs:




BAL:   Gonzalez (2-2, 4.25 ERA) @ TOR:   Jenkins (1-0, 3.60 ERA) O10 * Stats are against this, but these two teams have the hottest bats in the league right now.
CLE:   Kluber (3-3, 5.19 ERA) @ BOS:   Doubront (3-2, 5.61 ERA) O10
COL:   Garland (3-5, 5.19 ERA) @ SF:   Cain (3-2, 5.12 ERA) O7.5
ATL:   Teheran (3-1, 3.99 ERA) @ NYM:   Marcum (0-5, 6.59 ERA) O8

To conclude, I cannot stress this enough, athletes are overpaid idiots who have a strong tendency not to show up on Sunday games. Please be responsible with Bankroll management today.

Best of luck

Kyle