Thursday, May 04, 2017 Boston Celtics vs. Washington Wizards (NBA) - 8:05 PM EDT Premium Pick Pick: Money Line: -210 Washington Wizards Pick Title: 9 Star Thirsty Thursday Momentum Changer (WIN) It certainly looks like the officials are calling the close one FOR the home team. Boston is fresh off a Game 2 free throw attempt advantage of 34-22 as well as getting called for 8 less whistles than Washington in that game. It's more than ironic that the Celtics had no one in major foul trouble Tuesday while the Wizards saw both Marcin Gortat & Markieff Morris foul out with 6 personals. In Game 2, SG Bradley Beal went a fluky 1-for-9 from beyond the arc. This WON'T happen again @ home. Washington has been 1 of the consistent home teams (33-11) this season & has taken care of the Shamrocks by double-digits the past 2 times in D.C.. Kudos to PG Isaiah Thomas in playing 2 games with a major distraction -- thinking of his 22-year-old sister Chyna who recently passed away. Emotions aside, this series has been consistent sided with the home team winning now 6 straight games. My bottom line say when a team that's close to even with you in talent is up 2-0 on you, this type of one-sided activity usually doesn't continue SU. There were many variables that went Boston's way in Game 2 that will be missing tonight. The Wizards' shooting percentages should rise along with an abundance of touch fouls toward the home team. HC Scott Brooks saw 2 early leads in the first 2 games of the series evaporate. Expect momentum to stay sustained after the half with Washington finishing the deal. I just don't see a 5'9" guard rule the paint on the road. With their backs against the wall, let's go to the Verizon Center to play my 9 Star Thirsty Momentum Changer on the WASHINGTON WIZARDS! Wednesday, May 03, 2017 Texas Rangers vs. Houston Astros (MLB) - 8:10 PM EDT Premium Pick Pick: Money Line: -178 Houston Astros Pick Title: 9 Star Western Division Killers (WIN) The Houston Astros are making the claim early of ruling the AL West Division this season. Their sizzling 14-4 record where it counts is no fluke as they were ranked 2nd in overall ERA in the major leagues entering the week along with ranking 5th in bullpen ERA chiming in @ 2.82. The Rangers have started quickly offensively in this series jetting out to leads but only watch as they faded late in the game. The major downfall for Texas has begun & ended with their bullpen that's blown 6 of 8 save opportunities entering the week & has a very high 5.06 ERA. The Stros' have been consistently hitting the ball & came into this series as the #1 team in the AL with a .271 batting average. The Rangers have struggled @ the plate where they have an overall .219 B.A. & have fared against RHP slightly better @ .228. My bottom line says that Houston bats are alive as Jose Altuve has hit 2 HR's, has 4 RBI's & scored 5 times in going 6-for-13 @ the plate spanning the past 4 games. Texas will be hard-pressed to come back after losing an 8-7 heart-breaker last night. Houston DH Carlos Beltran looks like the mini-slump is over going 3-for-5. I like the experienced Charlie Morton on the hill for the Astros (struck out 12 in his last outing versus Oakland) instead of the quick success of the Rangers' RHP Nick Martinez whose had 2 good outings after being called up from the Round Rock Express (Texas' Triple-A affiliate in Papillion, Nebraska playing in the Pacific Coast League's American Southern Division). Keep in mind that Martinez has struggled with Stros' RF Josh Reddick who was 7-for-14 with 1 HR versus him when @ Oakland. I love or chances since the Rangers are coming in losers of 6 of 8 along with the fact Houston hits RHP excellent @ .281. Let's go for the sweep tonight @ Minute Maid Park as we side with the team with momentum (won 4 of their last 5) HOUSTON ASTROS as my 9 Star Western Division Killers! Tuesday, May 02, 2017 Washington Wizards vs. Boston Celtics (NBA) - 8:05 PM EDT Premium Pick Pick: Point Spread: 5.0/-103 Washington Wizards Pick Title: 9 Star Public Missed Perception Smart Play (LOSS) The MUSHES & Jon Q. Public will be using "EYE test" handicapping tonight when they zero in on Boston. I feel the more of those the better for line value purposes. However, what I do believe is the 16-0 lead & 38-24 lead after quarter 1 was no fluke by the Wizards. HC Scott Brooks will make adjustments which include the neutralization of Washington Huskies' product Isaiah Thomas (lost her sister earlier & just came back from Tacoma, Wash. from her funeral-dedicated Game 1 to her). Adjusting the Washington"D" is paramount since most of the Celtics comeback in Game 1 was due to them driving in the paint then kicking it out for multiple 3's. I don't expect veteran center Al Horford to record lights-out shooting again going 10-for-13 from the field. Big man SF Jae Crowder was also 6-for-8 from beyond the arc after putting up 27% in the 1st round. My bottom line points to Brooks' adjustment of Washington staying spread & neutralizing ball pressure by getting better ball movement off the ball. John Wall & Bradley Beal are a talented guard duo that shouldn't get overshadowed by Thomas & Avery Bradley for a 2nd straight time. Wizards' 6'11" center Marcin Gortat is expected to see action coming off an ankle injury. PF Markieff Morris is off the same related injury & remains a game-time decision. I'm not confident that we'll see the home hardwood shamrocks to shoot 19 treys from 3-pt. land or witness Washington shooting under 60% from the charity stripe. Boston does not play consistent defense & is frequently shown hacking opponents instead of moving their feet. These 2 teams are hard to separate which is close to what the Rockets-Spurs series brings. Another BIG plus for us is so many undefeated trends favoring the Celtics. They usually don't work when this lopsidedness occurs. Let's make tracks up to the TD Garden in Boston to play the WASHINGTON WIZARDS (buying to +8 1/2 around -193 or so) as my 9 Star Public Missed Perception Smart Play NOTES: It sure looked like our only loss was a fluke with a little help from the officials in Boston. A tremendous amount of so-called touch fouls led to 2 big men fouling out. Thus, the Celtics came back from another big deficit & was able to buck big odds in covering 8 1/2 in OT. Current Seasons Record: MLB 2017 Overall Seasonal Record: 3-1----75% NBA 2016-17 Overall Seasonal Record: 12-2----86% NHL 2016-17 Overall Seasonal Record: 27-19----59% Thanks again to all loyal readers & customers!
 

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