NBA Playoff Pick-a-thon Day 43: Birdman Grounded For Game 6

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: 134-96-7

Our statistical updates are now unofficially sponsored by Amazon.com. Don't worry, we'll never sell out entirely. But neither will they - check out the great sales on anything you can imagine. Rival bids for sponsorship include ebay.com, Oldnavy.com, 1800flowers.com, and 32redpoker.com (the best spot for you on-line gamblers). 

                             

That's how I felt yesterday, scrolling through my limited cable channels for some sort of sporting event worth watching. With my Giants cancelled due to tornado warnings, the NBA and the NHL on off days, and the College World Series in the (snooze) regional rounds, I found myself perusing the Internet for something, anything to write about. Sadly, the first headline I stumbled upon sent to me from Yardbarker.com, "David Wright Voted "Hottest Cub" by CougarLife.com.

                              

My initial reaction was, "Seriously? David Wright? C'mon Ladies." Then I clicked on the link and my shock turned to dismay when I saw that the runner-up was Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels. That any woman would want this lump of Cole up their stockings is not only horrifying, but the vanilla choices on top of their list also made me question CougarLife's staff diversity.

                         

Fortunately, the redeemed themselves and staved off accusations of racism with Matt Kemp, Carlos Gonzalez, and Robinson Cano in the heart of the order. I decided to pretend it's a baseball line-up to make sense of the Hamels pick. Unfortunately, they coughed up said redemption with choices like Miguel Cabrera (7), Buster Posey (8), and Bryce Harper (10). I size (of current and potential) contracts does matter when it comes to "hotness" consideration.

On a side note, and then I promise to put this god-awful topic to bed (most likely with a 50 year-old woman), Anthony Rizzo was the only Cub to be considered for this Hot Cub award, finishing sixth in voting between Cargo and Miggy. Check out the shot of his balls they published on their website.

                           

Aren't you grateful the NBA and NHL are back tonight? I know I am. Let's get to the potentially thrilling Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Miami Heat.

INDIANA PACERS (+3) over Miami Heat: Whenever there is a meaningful Game 6 in a series that would have an even better, more highly rated Game 7, you can count on the referees to make sure that happens. Brooklyn-Chicago? You bet. New York-Boston? Not so much, because fans know that if they want another look at a bunch of fossils they can hit the museum. Unfortunately, for Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, nobody outside of Texas follows the Spurs, so Game 7 was never going to happen.

Bettors will also find that the Indiana Pacers are 2-0 SU when trailing in a series this post-season (both wins against Miami), while Miami is only 6-4-1 ATS when trying to close a series out since LBJ's arrival in South Beach. Sure, they won 9 of those games, but the Pacers are getting a whopping three points.

              

Indiana's advantage throughout this series has been their interior defensive presence and their post play. With Chris Anderson's wings clipped by the NBA for his shoving of Tyler Hansborough in Game 5, Miami will not only be down a big man, they will be out an 82.9% post-season field goal shooter. Asked if he had any regrets about his actions, the Birdman replied, "It is what it is, bro." Excuse me for a moment - poetic language always makes me a little weepy.

              

Final point before I sign, seal, and deliver is that the Indiana Pacers are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 after a 10+ point loss. Take the points and take the next flight to Miami to watch the Pacers clinch a trip to the NBA Finals. Okay, perhaps a wee bit hyperbolic, but take the points/Pacers tonight. 

Vinny and Marco

KYLE'S CORNER: Return of the King...(s), Bruins, Blackhawks, and Penguins

NHL is finally back, yay! To preamble, my series bets killed it. As I mentioned earlier to take LAK, Chicago (when they were down), Pittsburgh -1.5, Boston, and the Miami Heat (-1.5). I had a great LAK, BOS, CHI, PITTs series parlay which made me smile. Now I'm just waiting for Heat to seal the deal.

This round the play for me is: 

1. Take Pittsburgh now to win series. 

2. Wait for Chicago to win Game 1, then take LAK +1.5.

Recap: Stupid late games keeping me up 'til all hours. Ridiculous. Finished with a 3-3-1 split on the MLB games, bringing my current totals to:

NHL: Overall: 47-27-1

MLB: Overall: 134-96-8


Saturday's Bets:
 
NHL: 

Boston @ Pittsburgh to win, Over 5.5, Pittsburgh team Over 3

LAK @ Chicago: Under 5, Chicago to win.

MLB:

Pitcher's to Back:

MIN:   Correia (5-4, 3.96 ERA)
LAA:   Williams (4-1, 2.58 ERA)
TOR:   Buehrle (2-3, 5.51 ERA)

Overs:

TOR:   Buehrle (2-3, 5.51 ERA) @ SD:   Richard (0-5, 8.35 ERA) O8

BOS:   Doubront (3-2, 5.29 ERA) @ NYY:   Hughes (2-3, 4.97 ERA) O9

WSH:   Gonzalez (3-3, 3.90 ERA) @ ATL:   Hudson (4-4, 5.37 ERA) O7.5

CHW:   Quintana (3-2, 3.75 ERA) @ OAK:   Straily (3-2, 5.08 ERA) O7.5

MIL:   Fiers (1-3, 5.66 ERA) @ PHI:   Cloyd (1-1, 5.74 ERA) O9

DET:   Verlander (6-4, 3.68 ERA) @ BAL:   Hammel (7-2, 4.98 ERA) O8.5

Good luck, all. Enjoy your weekends.

Kyle