The Spurs cruised to an easy 105-83 Game 1 win over the Grizzlies, but the Memphis team most expected to see in the series opener showed up for Game 2 on Tuesday night. San Antonio still managed to get the victory, but they need an extra frame to secure their 2-0 series advantage.

The Grizzlies shot horribly in the 89-93 setback, knocking down just 34 percent of their field goal attempts as big men Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph combined to hit just 10 of their 32 shot attempts. Guards Tony Allen and Mike Conley were not immune to the shooting woes either as they connected on 8-of-25 from the field.

San Antonio, which got out-rebounded 60 to 46, cooled off from its scintillating long range performance in Game 1 as it hit just 43.4 percent from the field. Nonetheless, all five starters reached double figures for the Spurs, including Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, who finished with 17 and 15 points respectively. Duncan added nine rebounds and four blocks while Parker dished out an eye popping 18 assists.

Tuesday’s game marked San Antonio’s eighth win in its last 10 meetings with Memphis, but, despite that trend, the Grizzlies are expected to get the better of the Spurs tonight. Memphis, which climbed out of an 0-2 hole in its opening round series with the Clippers, is 5-0 at home in these playoffs, winning by an average of 11.6 points per game. The Grizzlies are also 7-2 in their last nine games against the Spurs at the FedEX Forum.

NBA Playoffs Betting Trend: The Grizzlies are 10-0 straight up and 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games as a home favorite with a spread between 4 and 7.5 points.

Spurs vs Grizzlies Odds Game 3 NBA Playoffs 2013: Provided by Sportsbook.ag

San Antonio Spurs +5.5 (-110), Over 178 (-110), +200 (Moneyline)

Memphis Grizzlies -5.5 (-110), Under 178 (-110), -240 (Moneyline)

Rafael Nadal’s assault on the French Open started in 2005 when he won his first title at Roland Garros. Nadal went on to win the next three French Open tournaments; however, his run ended in 2009 when a knee injury led to a quarterfinals dismissal at the hands of Robin Soderling. The Spaniard picked up the mantle again in 2010, though, and he captured his seventh Roland Garros trophy (one shy of Max Decugis’ record) last year.

Quite simply, when Nadal is healthy he is the only choice to win the French Open. Nadal did sit out the 2013 Australian Open due to injury, but he has since dominated the ATP, garnering six titles in eight tournament entries (36-2 record).

Top ranked Novak Djokovic represents the biggest threat to Nadal, and he is a significant one. Djokovic, who would complete a career Grand Slam with a Roland Garros title, took Nadal to a fourth set in last year’s French Open final and he defeated Nadal in the 1000 Madrid final (clay) in April.

Nadal holds a 19-15 edge in 34 career meetings with Djokovic; he is 11-3 opposite Djokovic on a clay surface. Nadal and Djokovic are slated to meet in the 2013 French Open semifinals should they both advance that far.

2013 French Open Odds: Provided by CarbonSports.ag

Rafael Nadal -200
Novak Djokovic +160
Roger Federer +1000
David Ferrer +2000
Tomas Berdych +3000
Jo-Wilfred Tsonga +4000
Grigor Dimitrov +4000
Stanislas Wawrinka +5000
Ernests Gulbis +5000
Richard Gasquet +8000
Nicolas Almagro +8000
Milos Raonic +12500
Jerzy Janowicz +12500
Marin Cilic +15000
Gael Monfils +15000
Janko Tipsarevic +15000
Juan Monaco +15000
John Isner +17500
Fernando Verdasco +20000
Alexander Dolgopolov +20000
Gilles Simon +25000
Andreas Seppi +25000
Bernard Tomic +25000
Jeremy Chadry +30000
Kevin Anderson +30000
Sam Querrey +50000
Donald Young +50000

Marco Andretti (13/2): Andretti, who drives the No. 25 RC Cola Chevy for Andretti Autosport, currently sits second in the IndyCar Series points standings with 123 (leader Japan’s Takuma Sato – 136), but he has not won a race this season. Andretti did produce two third place finishes and two seventh place finishes in the season’s first four races.

Helio Castroneves (8/1): Castroneves, who won the Indy 500 in 2001, 2002, and 2009, in presently third in the points standings after finishing second, third, 10th, and 13th in the season’s first four races. Castroneves, who drives the No. 3 Hitachi Chevy for Team Penske, will start Sunday’s race from the third row.

Scott Dixon (8/1): The 2008 Indy 500 winner is presently fifth in the points standings with a total of 101, but he has finished out of the top 10 in the last two races (11th, 18th). Dixon will start near the middle of the 33-car field on Sunday, sitting in position 16 on the far inside of row six. Dixon drives the No. 9 Target Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.

2013 Indianapolis 500 Odds: Provided by Bovada.lv

Marco Andretti 13/2
Helio Castroneves 8/1
Scott Dixon 8/1
Dario Franchitti 17/2
Ed Carpenter 10/1
James Hinchcliffe 10/1
Ryan Hunter-Reay 10/1
Will Power 12/1
Tony Kanaan 14/1
A.J. Allendinger 16/1
E.J. Aiso 16/1
Carlos Munoz 22/1
J.R. Hildebrand 25/1
Ryan Briscoe 25/1
Takuma Sato 25/1
Oriol Servia 28/1
Alex Tagliani 33/1
Graham Rahal 33/1
Simon Pagenaud 40/1
Justin Wilson 50/1
Josef Newgarden 66/1
Sebastien Bourdais 66/1
Townsend Bell 66/1
Charlie Kimball 100/1
James Jakes 100/1
Katherine Legge 100/1
Sebastian Saavedra 100/1
Simona De Silvestro 100/1
Tristan Vautier 100/1
Ana Beatriz 250/1
Buddy Lazier 250/1
Conor Daly 250/1
Pippa Mann 250/1

The odds makers (and most bettors) felt the Heat would avoid the kind of rest induced disaster that led to their Game 1 loss to Chicago when they opened their series with the Pacers on Wednesday night. Miami, playing as an eight point home favorite, lived up to those expectations, but that did not keep Game 1 from being much closer than anticipated.

The Pacers came to play as well, pushing the game to overtime before eventually falling 103-102. Indiana did not shoot particularly well, connecting on just 37 of its 83 field goal attempts (44.6 percent), but it controlled the glass (43 to 38 rebounding advantage) while also keeping Miami in check from long range (Heat hit just 5-of-18 from beyond the arc).

Offensively the Pacers got big efforts from Paul George and David West, who scored 27 and 26 points respectively. Center Roy Hibbert also played well, finishing the night with 19 points and seven offensive boards. Hibbert inexplicably finished the game on the bench, a decision Pacers head coach Frank Vogel, no doubt, regretted after LeBron James waltzed his way to the rim for a game winning layup.

James posted a 30 point, 10 rebound, 10 assists triple-double in leading the Heat to a 1-0 series advantage. Miami’s other big offensive guns, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, combined for 36 points. As a team Miami shot a miserable 64 percent from the charity stripe, a figure 11 percentage points below its regular season average (.754).

Bookmakers are anticipating a more decisive win from the Heat tonight, perhaps sensing a better effort from the free throw line is in order. Maybe they feel Wednesday was a wake up call for Miami, but that would be giving both the Heat and Pacers too little credit. Whatever the reason, Miami is expected to win and do so a little more comfortably than it did in Game 1.

NBA Playoffs 2013 Betting Trend: The Over is 10-0 in the Heat’s last 10 games as a home favorite with a total between 180 and 185 (Miami was 9-1 SU and 6-4 ATS in those 10 games).

Pacers vs Heat Odds Game 2 NBA Playoffs 2013: Provided by Sportsbook.ag

Indiana Pacers +7 (-110), Over 181 (-110), +280 (Moneyline)

Miami Heat -7 (-110), Under 181 (-110), -340 (Moneyline)

The Angels have been a major disappointment this season, but they are showing signs of breaking out of their extended funk. Los Angeles, which just wrapped up a nine game home stand, rides a four game winning streak into this evening’s game thanks to an offensive breakout.

The Angels averaged 9.3 runs per game in wins over the White Sox and Mariners, helping them improve to 19-27 overall and draw within 10.5 games of the first place Rangers in the AL West standings.

If Joe Blanton’s struggles continue, Los Angeles will likely need another big offensive night in order to extend its winning streak. Blanton has been nothing short of awful this season, posting an 0-7 record, 6.62 ERA, and 1.97 WHIP in nine starts. The Angels did notch their first win with Blanton on the hill last week, though, despite his giving up 11 hits and four earned runs to the White Sox (4.1 innings pitched).

Blanton is facing KC for the second time in three starts; he yielded 12 hits and seven earned runs over 4.2 innings in a 4-11 loss to the Royals last Monday.

The fading Royals, who have dropped five of their last six games to fall to 21-22 overall, will counter Blanton with former Angel Ervin Santana. Santana brings a 2.77 ERA and 1.08 WHIP to the hill tonight as he shoots for his third win of the season. Kansas City is 4-4 in Santana’s eight starts (3-1 at Kauffman Stadium) this season, but they have lost in his last three outings thanks to an offense that produced a total of six runs.

Free Baseball Picks Los Angeles Angels vs Kansas City Royals: Provided by CarbonSports.ag

Los Angeles Angels +1.5 (-175), Over 8.5 (-120), +116 (Moneyline)

Kansas City Royals -1.5 (+155), Under 8.5 (+100), -126 (Moneyline)

Cleveland enters tonight’s game off of back to back losses to its AL Central rival Detroit. The 26-19 Indians, despite those two setbacks, still own a half game lead over the second place Tigers in the division standings. The Tribe will attempt to maintain their tenuous position as division leader this evening with right hander Zach McAllister on the hill.

McAllister has been a pleasant surprise this season, putting together a 2.65 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and .236 batting average against in eight starts. The Indians are 4-0 in his last four appearances, all of which were quality starts (three or fewer earned runs allowed in six or more innings) for the 25 year old Illinois native.

Tonight will mark McAllister’s second outing of the season against Boston. His first appearance against the Red Sox was his worst of the year as he allowed six hits and three earned runs over five innings; Cleveland lost the game 3-6.

Boston moved to within a half game of the first place Yankees in the AL East last night as it avoided the sweep at Chicago with a 6-2 win over the White Sox. The Red Sox, now 28-19 overall, will send Ryan Dempster to the hill this evening as its opens a six game home stand.

Dempster is 2-4 in nine starts with a 4.27 ERA and 1.31 WHIP, and he is trending in the wrong direction. The 15 year veteran has given up 15 hits, 11 earned runs, and seven free passes in his last two starts (9.2 innings pitched) while earning splits with the Blue Jays and Twins.

MLB Picks Betting Trend: The Indians are 1-9 in their last 10 games as a road dog in the month of May with a total between 9.5 and 10 runs.

MLB Picks Cleveland Indians vs Boston Red Sox: Provided by Sportsbook.ag

Cleveland Indians +1.5 (-150), Over 9.5 (-115), +133 (Moneyline)

Boston Red Sox -1.5 (+130), Under 9.5 (-105), -143 (Moneyline)

In the other main event we’ve got basically a #1 contender’s match in the heavyweight division between Junior Dos Santos and Mark Hunt. Dos Santos is coming off that championship loss to Velasquez and at (-370) to beat Mark Hunt oddsmakers at CarbonSports are expecting the former champ to bounce back strong.

Junior Dos Santos (-370) vs. Mark Hunt (+280) – The 39-year-old comes into this bout as an injury replacement for Alistair Overreem and Hunt has got to be feeling confident having won his last four fights. But knocking out the likes of Chris Tuchscherer, Cheick Kongo and Stefan Struve is quite a step down from the former champion Dos Santos and the elder Hunt may be no more than a “sacrificial lamb” in this spot. Hunt needs to keep this fight standing so that his heavy fists have a chance of landing but even then the chances are slim.

Dos Santos has little issue with taking shots and should be able to use his better technical boxing skills to control this fight from the outset. Taking it to the ground won’t be a problem for Dos Santos either as he is the superior grappler. Dos Santos can stay away from Hunt’s haymakers by taking it to the ground and letting his technical skills take over.

This fight likely won’t go the distance as only on of Hunt’s professional fights since 2006 have needed the judges’ card. Hunt is giving up 11 years, about 6 inches and a ton of technical skill. He is the heavier man but I fully expect Dos Santos to end this within the distance via a KO or submission.

Cain Velasquez (-850) vs. Antonio Silva (+550) – Velasquez knows all about the success a fighter can have in a rematch scenario and has to be weary of Silva in this one. It was Velasquez who used his win over Silva a year ago to comeback and avenge an earlier loss to Junior Dos Santos to reclaim the championship belt. Revenge spots are things I look for in all sports and Silva can’t fight much worse than he did in the first bout. In the opening seconds Silva threw a kick, Velasquez caught it, took Silva down and went to work. One vicious elbow busted Silva wide open and blood shot out of there like someone had simply turned on a tap. The fight was called a few minutes later when Silva couldn’t defend himself while basically being blind and you know that loss has stuck in his mind for a while now.

Silva is 2-0 in his fights since then and won them both by KO. He never had a chance to test Velasquez’s durability in that first fight and will no doubt have a much better game plan this time around. He needs to stay upright to have a chance in this fight and has worked on his take down defense a lot since losing to Velasquez before. Silva will be willing to trade blows with Velasquez and if that’s how this fight turns out the +550 odds are too good to pass up. But if it does go to the ground again, Velasquez will take control of this fight again and will be able to pound on Silva until “Big Foot” finds an answer.

There is no doubt in my mind that Velasquez will be looking to turn this into a ground battle but all it takes is one solid punch in this heavyweight division. This title has changed hands four times since late 2010 and I wouldn’t be scared to take a small shot with Silva (+550) in his revenge match and see it changes hands again.

Current UFC 160 Betting Odds at CarbonSports

The Cubs dropped their third straight game and ensured a series loss to the Pirates yesterday, falling 1-0 at PNC Park. The setback brought Chicago’s record to 18-27, leaving it tied with Milwaukee for last place in the NL Central.

Chicago will look to snap out of its funk today with struggling free agent acquisition Edwin Jackson toeing the rubber. Jackson brings a 1-6 record, 5.76 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, and .274 batting average against to the bump today, but he has actually performed better in his last two outings. The 29 year old right hander, who limited the Pirates to three hits and two earned runs over five innings in an April 3rd loss to Pittsburgh (3-0), yielded 11 hits and five earned runs over 12 innings (3.75 ERA) in splitting games with the Mets and Nationals.

The 28-18 Pirates, who are 16-6 at home this season, will counter Jackson with reliever turned starter Jeanmar Gomez. Gomez, who is making his fifth start of the season (10th appearance), owns a 2.78 ERA and 1.21 WHIP despite a rocky last outing. The Venezuela native allowed five hits and three earned runs over 4.2 innings in a 5-4 win over the Astros. Gomez has yet to pitch more than five innings in any of his four starts, but the Pirates are still 4-0 with him taking the ball to open the game.

Free MLB Picks Betting Trend: The Cubs are 7-3 in their last 10 games as a road dog at Pittsburgh with a total between 7.5 and 8 runs.

Free MLB Picks Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates: Provided by Bovada.lv

Chicago Cubs +1.5 (-175), Over 7.5 (-125), +125 (Moneyline)

Pittsburgh Pirates -1.5 (+145), Under 7.5 (-105), -145 (Moneyline)

The Tigers bid to regain the top spot in the AL Central took a positive turn last night as they knocked off the Indians 5-1. Detroit’s Max Scherzer turned in a brilliant performance, allowing just two hits and one earned run over eight innings in snapping the Indians five game winning streak. Cleveland’s only run came in the bottom of the first; Scherzer retired 22 straight following the rocky opening.

The win improved the Tigers record to 24-19 and left them 1.5 games back on the Tribe in the AL Central standings. Detroit will look to reduce Cleveland’s lead even further tonight as former Cy Young winner Justin Verlander takes the ball for Skipper Jim Leyland.

Verlander had an outstanding April, finishing the month with a 1.83 ERA, and he started the month of May in fine fashion as well, allowing just two hits over seven innings in a 9-0 win over the Astros; however, his last two starts have left much to be desired. Verlander yielded 12 hits, 11 earned runs, and seven free passes over 7.2 innings in losses to the Indians and Rangers, bringing his season ERA and WHIP to 3.17 and 1.30 respectively.

Cleveland will counter Verlander, who owns a 14-14 record and 4.57 ERA in 31 career starts against the Indians, with seven year veteran Ubaldo Jimenez. Jimenez’ season numbers are not impressive (3-2 record in eight starts with a 5.31 ERA), but he has been outstanding of late. The Dominican native has allowed just 17 hits and five earned runs while striking out 29 in his last 23.2 innings pitched (four starts). Cleveland, not surprisingly, is 4-0 in those four appearances.

Free Baseball Picks Betting Trend: The Under is 4-0 in Jimenez last four starts as a home dog with a moneyline spread between 120 and 140.

Free Baseball Picks Detroit Tigers vs Cleveland Indians: Provided by Sportsbook.ag

Detroit Tigers -1.5 (+105), Over 8 (-115), -144 (Moneyline)

Cleveland Indians +1.5 (-125), Under 8 (-105), +134 (Moneyline)

The Heat opened their second round series against Chicago with a stunning 93-86 loss at the AmericanAirlines Arena. Most pundits attributed the loss to Miami having a little too much down time following its easy opening round sweep of the Milwaukee Bucks. That assessment proved to be accurate as the Heat went on to win the next four games of the series, beating the Bulls by an average of 18.3 points per game.

Indiana did not have it as easy in rounds one or two; however, Paul George and company avoided a Game 7 against both the Hawks and Knicks, beating those two squads in six games. The Pacers had more trouble procuring road wins than the Heat, but they managed a key away victory against Atlanta and New York while taking care of business at home (6-0 at home in the playoffs).

Miami has won 10 of the last 15 meetings between these two rivals, including the most recent one, a March 10th clash in South Florida. The Heat topped the Pacers 105-91 as Mario Chalmers scored 26 points on 7-of-9 shooting (5-of-6 three-point range). LeBron James scored just 13 points while David West led the Pacers with 24. Indiana had scored back to back home wins (87-77, 102-89) over the Heat prior to the aforementioned game.

NBA Playoffs Betting Trend: The Over is 9-1 in the Heat’s last 10 games as a home favorite with a total between 180 and 185 points.

Pacers vs Heat Odds Game 1 NBA Playoffs 2013: Provided by CarbonSports.ag

Indiana Pacers +8 (-110), Over 183 (-110), +320 (Moneyline)

Miami Heat -8 (-110), Under 183 (-110), -400 (Moneyline)