The Pacers and Heat’s back and forth series yielded another blowout on Tuesday night as Miami took a 3-2 series lead with a 115-83 stomping of Indiana. With the exception of a mediocre night at the free throw line (69 percent), the defending Eastern Conference champions were hitting on all cylinders. The Heat connected on 43 of their 70 field goal attempts (61.4 percent) and they knocked down 9-of-16 from beyond the for a cool 56.3 percent.

LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, who were unstoppable in Miami’s Game 4 101-93 victory, again proved too much for the Pacers defense. James finished the game with 30 points (12-of-19 FG), 10 rebounds, and eight assists while Wade tallied 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting. Reserve forward Udonis Haslem (10) and small forward Shane Battier (13) were the only other Miami players to scored in double figures.

The Pacers, who were out-rebounded 49 to 35, turned in a horrendous offensive performance, shooting 33.7 percent as a team. Indiana’s leading scorer, Danny Granger, scored 10 points after leaving the game early with an ankle injury, but he still almost led the team in scoring. That distinction fell to shooting guard Paul George, however, who totaled 11 points on nine shot attempts.

Indiana, who won 23 of 33 home games during the regular season, now must find a way to quell the Heat’s momentum in order to force a Game 7. The Pacers are 2-1 in their last three versus Miami at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse, but they had few answers for James and Wade there on Sunday.

NBA Odds Betting Trend: The Pacers are 3-1 both straight up and against the spread over the last two seasons playing as a home dog coming off back to back losses.

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2012 NBA Playoff Odds Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers Game 6: Provided by SBG Global

Miami Heat -2.5 (-110), Over 182 (-110), -150 (Moneyline)

Indiana Pacers +2.5 (-110), Under 182 (-110), +130 (Moneyline)

The Boston Celtics are now just one win away from an Eastern Conference Finals appearance after smashing the 76ers 101-85 at the TD Garden on Monday night. Boston lost the rebounding battle 31 to 37 in the win and they shot a miserable 3-for-15 from long range; however, a sterling 36-of-69 effort from the field proved more than enough to secure victory.

With the exception of Ray Allen, who tallied five points on 2-of-7 shooting, the Celtics starting five were exceptional. Paul Pierce scored 16 points after nailing all nine of this free throw attempts, Brandon Bass recording 27 and six rebounds, Kevin Garnet finished the night with 20 points and six boards, and Rajon Rondo posted a 13 point, 14 assist double-double.

Philadelphia shot 46.8 percent from the field and connected on just three of its nine three point attempts in the double digit setback. Five 76ers scored in double figures, but Elton Brand was the only Philly player to finish with more than 12 points (19).

When Boston shows up to play, it is clearly the better of these two teams, but predicting when the Celtics will turn in a full effort has been difficult of late. Given that trend, the Sixers are probably the better pick in tonight’s game. Boston is 1-4 in its last five games at the Wells Fargo Center and the 76ers are 8-2 straight up and 6-3-1 against the spread in their last 10 games as a home favorite against an Atlantic foe with a total between 175 and 180 points.

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2012 NBA Playoff Odds Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers Game 6: Provided by TopBet.com

Boston Celtics +1.5 (-110), Over 175.5 (-110), +100 (Moneyline)

Philadelphia 76ers -1.5 (-110), Under 175.5 (-110), -120 (Moneyline)

Miami looked completely out of sorts in getting thrashed 75-94 last Thursday at Indiana, but LeBron James and company came back strong on Sunday to even the series at two games apiece. James in particular seemed determined not to let the Heat fall in a the dreaded 1-3 hole, scoring 40 points to go along with 18 rebounds and nine assists.

Dwyane Wade, who endured one of the worst games of his career in Game 3, also rebounded in a big way. The former Marquette star finished the contest with 30 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.  The only other Miami player to score in double figures was reserve forward Udonis Haslem, who tallied 14 points (5-of-6 FG) in 25 minutes off the bench.

The Pacers, who were out-rebounded 47 to 38, got 20 points from Danny Granger and 10 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks from Roy Hibbert, but as a group they shot just 41.8 percent from the field.

Indiana, which had dropped five of its last six against the Heat coming into this Eastern Conference Semifinals series, will need another strong defensive effort to pull off the upset this evening. With Chris Bosh out, it appears the Heat will leave the offense almost entirely in the hands of James and Wade. The Pacers will need to force Miami’s supporting cast into a more prominent role; if that comes back to bite them, so be it.

Indiana possesses the defensive chops to do that, as it proved in Game 2; however, it seems unlikely the Pacers will shut the Heat down at home twice in the span of three games.

NBA Odds Betting Trend: The Heat 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 and a total between 175 and 180 points.

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2012 NBA Playoff Odds Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat Game 5: Provided by Bovada.lv

Indiana Pacers +6.5 (-105), Over 180 (-115)

Miami Heat -6.5 (-115), Under 180 (-105)

Another late collapse caused Los Angeles to start pointing fingers again as Kobe Bryant seemed to single out Pau Gasol in his post game comments. The Lakers, who fell 100-103 on Saturday night to put them on the brink of playoff elimination, are not pointing their fingers in the right direction, though. Bryant and company’s biggest problem is the Oklahoma City Thunder, a team that has been better than them all season long and is still better than them right now.

Granted, the Thunder have had some less than stellar moments in this series, but they are not prone to frequent self destruction. And self destruction, like it or not, is what often separates teams at this point in the postseason. Some teams can handle the pressure, others cannot. Hence the eight point spread in tonight’s game.

All the in-fighting and poor late play says this team is toast. That and the fact that Los Angeles is 2-6 in its last eight games against the Thunder, losing by an average of 9.5 points per game. The Lakers have also lost three in a row and six of their last eight at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.

The Lakers look tired, old, and cranky, but fortunately for them their misery ends tonight.

NBA Odds Betting Trend: The Over is 9-1 in the Thunder’s last 10 games as a home favorite with a spread between 8 and 10.5 (OKC 9-1 straight up, 5-5 ATS  in those same 10 games).

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2012 NBA Playoff Odds Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder Game 5: Provided by TopBet.com

Los Angeles Lakers +8 (-110), Over 192 (-110), +330 (Moneyline)

Oklahoma Thunder -8 (-110), Under 192 (-110), -420 (Moneyline)

This year’s race is a wide-open affair. While Bodemeister’s 9 ½ length victory in his final prep race  and second place finish in the Kentucky Derby offers reason to tag him as the race favorite, he will have to deal with Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another, who came from the outside to win in the Derby. Bodemeister has a bigger advantage in today’s shorter Preakness Stakes.

Preakness Prediction: Bodemeister wins.

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2012 Preakness Stakes – Morning Line

1. Tiger Walk 30/1
2. Teeth of the Dog 18/1
3. Pretension 35/1
4. Zetterholm 20/1
5. Went the Day Well 6/1
6. Creative Cause 13/2
7. Bodemeister 3/2
8. Daddy Nose Best 14/1
9. I’ll Have Another 3/1
10.Optimizer 30/1
11.Cozetti 40/1

Went the Day Well was by no means an afterthought heading into the Kentucky Derby, but nor was the colt on the forefront of many minds at 20 to 1 odds to win the Run for the Roses. However, after its impressive fourth place finish at Churchill Downs, some are beginning to take notice of the H. Graham Motion (trained 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom) trainee.

Went the Day Well possesses a championship pedigree as its bloodlines feature 2002 Derby runner up Proud Citizen, multiple graded stakes winner Tiznow, and the legendary Mr. Prospector. The colt also lacks the wear and tear of some of the other contenders in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes, having participated in just four races.

Went the Day Well needed two shots to break his maiden, but after doing so in early March the colt won the Grade 3 Spiral Stakes (1 1/8 miles) before finishing just out of the money at Churchill Downs.

Piloting Went the Day Well tomorrow is veteran jockey John Velazquez. Velazquez, who guided Animal Kingdom to victory at Churchill Downs last year, is a Preakness Stakes title away from completing his own personal Triple Crown. The Puerto Rican born rider won the Belmont  Stakes in 2007 aboard filly Rags to Riches.

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Went the Day Well Odds 2012 Preakness Stakes Bets: Provided by TopBet.com

Went the Day Well (Post #8) +600 (To Win the 2012 Preakness Stakes)

While either Bodemeister or I’ll Have Another is expected to win the 2012 Preakness Stakes, these events do not always go according to plan. Certainly it appears those two are the ones to beat with the field consisting of only 11 contenders, but there are other winning candidates set to run in tomorrow’s big race.

Teeth of the Dog, a non-Derby runner, could be a factor and, at +1300 odds ($1300 return for every $100 wagered), is worth some consideration. The colt has tremendous pedigree (son of Bluegrass Cat, a multiple graded stakes winner who took second in both the 2006 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes) and is lightly raced. Since breaking his maiden in in early February, Teeth of the Dog took third behind Derby entrants Gemologist and Alpha at the Grade 1 Wood Memorial.

Creative Cause and Went the Day Well are also considered potential upset winners. Both colts, who are listed at +600 odds to win the Preakness Stakes, finished just out of the money at Churchill Downs two weekends ago, finishing fourth (Went the Day Well) and fifth (Creative Cause).

Some horse racing prognosticators are also high on Daddy Nose Best (+1300). The 10th place Derby finisher won back to back Grade 3 races prior to the its run at Churchill Downs. The colt’s pedigree includes 1995 Derby winner Thunder Gulch and the great Mr. Prospector (descendants include multiple Triple Crown race winners, such as Real Quiet, Empire Maker, Mine That Bird, Smarty Jones, Funny Cide, and Afleet Alex).

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2012 Preakness Stakes Odds and Post Draw:

1. Tiger Walk +2500
2. Teeth of the Dog +1300
3. Pretension +3000
4. Zetterholm +1800
5. Went the Day Well +600
6. Creative Cause +600
7. Bodemeister +150
8. Daddy Nose Best +1300
9. I’ll Have Another +200
10. Optimizer +2500
11. Cozzetti +3000

Creative Cause suffered the worst finish of its career at Churchill Downs two weekends ago, but given the impressive Derby field, the colt’s fifth place showing was anything but disastrous. In fact, the horse’s Kentucky Derby result has many believing a Preakness Stakes win is not out of the question.

The weekend’s field is significantly smaller and should one of the favorites (Bodemeister, I’ll Have Another) fail to perform, the Mike Harrington trained colt could be in position to take the race. Prior to the Derby, Creative Cause had never finished worst than third despite running in four Grade 1 and three Grade 2 events; a track record that suggests it will be there at the end on Saturday.

Creative Cause will be piloted by first time Preakness runner Joel Rosario. The Dominican native has been aboard the for its last six races, and he guided Creative Cause to win the Norfolk Stakes (G1) and San Felipe Stakes (G2). Prior to the Derby, Rosario and Creative Cause placed second to Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.

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Creative Cause Odds 2012 Preakness Stakes Predictions: Provided by SBG Global

#6 Creative Cause +600 (To Win the 2012 Preakness Stakes)

Bodemeister (+150): Dominated the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby prior to the Run for the Roses, winning the prestigious prep race by 9 1/2 lengths. Also made an impressive showing with its second place turn at Churchill Downs, hanging on for second in spite of a exhausting early pace. With the Preakness being slightly shorter than the Derby, Bodemeister, a Bob Baffert trainee, looks like the colt to beat.

I’ll Have Another (+200): The son of Flower Alley ran its win streak to three races with its triumph at the Derby, and everything points to I’ll Have Another being a major factor this weekend. With altered approach to the Preakness, something trainer Doug O’Neill has hinted at, this colt may have what it takes to surprise Bodemeister again.

Creative Cause (+600): Has just one win since taking first at the Grade 1 Norfolk Stakes in October of last year, but this Giant’s Causeway sired colt could be a factor on Saturday. Creative Cause ran fifth at the Derby for the worst finish of its nine race career.

Went the Day Well (+600): Went the Day Well’s day went well at Churchill Downs two weekends ago, but not well enough; the colt placed fourth in the Run for the Roses after a Gate 11 start. The lightly raced son of Proud Citizen might be ready for a bigger finish on Saturday as the Derby represented its first Grade 1 entry.

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2012 Preakness Stakes Contenders: Provided by SBG Global

Bodemeister (Post 7) +150
I’ll Have Another (Post 9) +200
Creative Cause (Post 6)+600
Went the Day Well (Post 5) +600
Daddy Nose Best (Post 8 +1300
Teeth of the Dog (Post 2) +1300
Zetterholm (Post 4) +1800
Optimizer (Post 10) +2500
Tiger Walk (Post 1) +2500
Cozzetti (Post 11) +3000
Pretension (Post 3) +3000

Bodemeister, along with Union Rags, entered the 2012 Kentucky Derby as a 9 to 2 favorite; it nearly lived up to expectations. The bay colt jumped out to an early lead  at Churchill Downs and appeared unrestrained by jockey Mike Smith for most of the 1 1/4 miles race.

The freewheeling jaunt looked as though it would pay off, but Bodemeister began to tired down the back stretch, leaving room for Post 19 starter I’ll Have Another to come from the outside and win the 138th Kentucky Derby.

Perhaps Smith and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who owns five Preakness Stakes titles, will change up the strategy some for Saturday’s race at Pimlico. However, with the Preakness ( 1 3/16 miles) being slightly shorter than the Derby, they may not alter it a great deal.

Bodemeister, who won the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby prior to his second place run at Churchill Downs, will start the Preakness from Post #7, a gate which has yielded three of the last eight winners, including Smarty Jones and Big Brown, in the prestigious race. Baffert seemed pleased with the draw.

“I think its a good post,” Baffert said. “With him, anything in the middle would have been fine. In the Preakness you just don’t want to be stuck down on the inside, where you have to use your horse a little bit.”

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Bodemeister Odds 2012 Preakness Stakes Bets: Provided by Bovada.lv

#7 Bodemeister 7/4 (To Win the 2012 Preakness Stakes)