Dallas Round-Up –Mavs gear up for playoff meeting with Spurs, Rangers face tough week

With no Stanley Cup odds on the Dallas Stars, there is more time to pay attention to the Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers for Dallas sports fans. The Mavericks are headed into another playoff battle with Texas rivals San Antonio, while the Rangers are headed to the American League for a wild, and probably difficult, week.

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks ended the season on a five-game winning streak, which gave them the second seed in the Western Conference, and set up a date with San Antonio, who they beat in the season finale, although the Spurs didn’t dress Tim Duncan or Manu Ginobili. The Mavericks took three of four from the Spurs this season, making it eight of their last 10 overall, and they’ll be out for a second straight playoff ousting of the Spurs as they rolled San Antonio in five games last season. NBA championship odds have the Mavericks at +600 to win the Western Conference, and +1200 to win the title, so they’ll be the favorites in this series, and they go in completely healthy. Caron Butler complained of a bad hip down the stretch, but it didn’t seem to affect his play as he dropped 20 points on the Spurs in a 96-89 win on April 14^th.

Texas Rangers

After losing two of three to Toronto in their season-opening series at home, the Rangers took two of three from Seattle, and followed up with two wins in a three-game set in Cleveland. But it gets tougher for the Rangers starting this weekend, and to say it gets tougher may be a bit of an understatement. The Rangers head to the Bronx on Friday to kick off a three-game set with the defending World Series champion New York Yankees, but the Rangers have actually won six of their last 10 in New York. Then the Rangers head to Boston for another series in which they should be an MLB betting underdog as they‘ll face the Red Sox, and they haven’t fared that well at Fenway Park, losing eight of their last 10 games in front of the “Green Monster”. The pitching matchup to watch during this swing through the American League East comes on Sunday at Yankee Stadium, where Rich Harden is still looking for his first win as a Ranger, but he’ll be taking on veteran Andy Pettitte, so it won’t be an easy task.  Second baseman Ian Kinsler attempted batting practice and fielding drills, but he looks no closer to returning to the lineup, and he would be a boost to a Texas offensive attack that has gotten off to a slow start.  It could be a tough week for sportsbook players if you’re planning on riding with the Rangers.

Mavs Spurs Playoff Matchup – TV Schedule

The Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs played each other in the final game of the season last night and the game had implications for both teams. Both the Mavs and Spurs knew that a Mavericks win would ensure the teams meeting up in the first round of the 2010 NBA Playoffs. However Greg Popovich decided that the San Antonio Spurs were going to roll without Tim Duncan or Manu Ginobli, which all but assured the teams meeting in the first round. Pop said he just wanted to rest these two stars:

“The bottom line is I’m paranoid about Tim being healthy and Manu being healthy for the playoffs.”
Credit: Dallas News

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Mavs Playoffs – Rangers get Started – Stars Golfing

Dallas Round-Up – Mavs heading for playoffs, Rangers getting started, Stars get clubs ready

Masters 2010 odds will probably be a big focus in Dallas this weekend, but as for the professional teams, all three are at significantly different stages of their seasons. Here’s a look at how everything is shaking out.

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks are tied with Denver and Phoenix in winning percentage, but they sit in the second spot due to tiebreakers. The Mavericks lost home games to Orlando and Oklahoma City before beating Memphis on Wednesday, and starting Friday, they play three road games in four nights at Portland, Sacramento, and in Los Angeles against the Clippers. There isn’t much room to move in the West, and this closing stretch will be huge, both for seeding, and for momentum as the Mavericks have been a bit inconsistent in the past month, especially on defense, which makes basketball betting players wary.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers will wrap up their three-game set at home against Toronto on Thursday afternoon, splitting the first two games. The Rangers were held hitless by Toronto’s Shaun Marcum for seven innings, yet fought all the way back for a 5-4 win on Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s ninth-inning hit, although he is now injured. On Wednesday, Rich Harden allowed three runs on one hit in an eventful 3.2-inning stint in a 7-4 loss, striking out eight, but he also walked five. Harden signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract in the offseason, and when he’s on, Harden is lights out. However, sportsbooks won’t put too much faith in him as he’s injury-prone, and with a pitch count of 90 in 3.2 innings, you can bet that Texas management may be a bit worried. Finally, second baseman Ian Kinsler is on the disabled list with a sprained ankle.

Dallas Stars

The Stars are ready to start golfing as they are eliminated from the playoff race, so with two games left, the attention switches to off-ice issues, such as a decision from Mike Modano about retirement. The 39-year-old was the Stars’ first pick in the 1988 draft, and ironically, his last game could come this Saturday in Minnesota, where this franchise was located before moving to Dallas before the 1993-94 season. He leads the franchise in games, goals, assists and points, and he won a Stanley Cup in 1999, so he has nothing left to prove. Wayne Gretzky and Brett Hull are allegedly trying to talk Modano into joining a group looking to buy the Stars, which would be great as Modano has long been the face of the franchise. It may not raise their NHL betting odds, but having Modano on board with the ownership group would be huge for this franchise.

Dallas Sports Roundup: Mavericks – Stars – Rangers

Dallas Round-Up – Mavs headed for playoffs, Stars headed home; Rangers try to make a deal

Even though Final Four odds are hot right now, there isn’t much going on in Dallas in the world of college basketball, so let’s take a look at the pro teams who are in different phases of their season right now.

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks are on the cusp of winning the Southwest division for the first time in three years, and they’re currently in second place in the Western Conference behind the Los Angeles Lakers, although they still have to hold off Utah, Phoenix and Denver. After Thursday’s game against Orlando, the Mavericks then host Oklahoma City on Saturday before getting three days off prior to next Wednesday’s game against Memphis. Most people have been pointing to either Dallas or Denver to push the Lakers in most sportsbooks, but the Mavericks probably have the edge right now as the Nuggets are dealing with some off-court stuff, like the cancer treatment of coach George Karl, as well as injuries.

Dallas Stars

The Stars have one foot on the golf course already, which means a few of them will be curious about Tiger Woods Masters odds. While the Stars aren’t officially eliminated yet, they were seven points behind eighth-place Colorado with five games left. They need to win both home games against Edmonton and Chicago this week, along with their trip to St. Louis, but they’ll also need the Avalanche to slip up. The Blues are a point ahead of the Stars, so that game is crucial, and they’re tied on points with Anaheim, who they will host next Thursday night. They’ll also have a close eye on Friday night’s game between Colorado and Calgary, as the Flames trail the Avalanche by two points.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers are 9-17, which is good for last place in the Cactus League, but most of the news surrounding the team has to do with off-field stuff. First there was the Ron Washington scandal, now the Rangers don’t think that Ian Kinsler is going to be in the Opening Day lineup because of an ankle injury, which is disappointing after the second baseman broke out last season. Finally, the Rangers look to have come up short on a deal to acquire Mike Lowell from Boston, as the 36-year-old third baseman is due to make $12.5 million this season, and the Rangers want the Red Sox to incur some of that salary, but the Red Sox aren’t budging. There is still plenty of time to make a deal, but there are plenty of questions about this deal, namely, Lowell’s age and injury history. Will he boost the Rangers’ MLB betting odds? Stay tuned.

Recent Dallas Sports WTF Moments!

A few weeks ago the Superbowl commercial video of Dallas area media and athletes left us all laughing and wondering WTF?  Next was Texas Rangers Manager Ron Washington trying cocaine for the first time haha. Well have no fear, we have another WTF moment in Dallas Sports, Dallas Mavericks Guard / Forward Caron Butler has taken part of a spoof of the goofy Old Spice commercials that ask you to “look down, now back up”. The video is even funnier because Caron Butler’s head is huge and he lost his neck when he was transposed into the commercial.

Take a look at all of the recent WTF? moments happening in the dallas sports scene and let us know what you think or if you have a favorite.

Caron Butler’s Old Spice Spoof

Ron Washington uses Cocaine “for the first time”

Dallas Athletes & Media sing Faith Hill song for Super Bowl XLV

Dallas Round Up: Mavericks – Stars – Texas Rangers

Dallas Round-Up – Mavs, Stars winding down, Rangers just getting started

When it comes to March Madness odds, Dallas doesn’t have anything to worry about, which means more time to check in on the Mavericks and Stars, as well as the Texas Rangers.

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks are 47-24 as of Thursday as they head to Portland in the evening, and they have won seven of their last 10 games. But there may be a couple of problems with the players they brought in from Washington, as Caron Butler has been incredibly inconsistent, while Brendan Haywood wasn’t happy about coming off the bench against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night. The Mavericks went with Erick Dampier, and if they can get Haywood to be on board with the tandem setup, Dallas will have a lot of size in the post as they attempt to battle the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs, as well as the Denver Nuggets.

Dallas Stars

As of Thursday, the Stars were nine points out of the final playoff spot in the West, and it’s not looking likely that they’ll make the postseason. On Thursday, they head to San Jose, who are one of the sports betting favorites to lift the Stanley Cup, then on Saturday they’ll be in Los Angeles to face the Kings, one of the biggest surprises in the league. Finally, next Monday, they’ll travel to Anaheim to take on the Ducks, who are further out of the playoff hunt than Dallas, but they’re still a tough team to play again. The Stars will also be without Mike Modano, who had his appendix removed just under two weeks ago. But even if the Stars don’t make the playoffs, Brad Richards deserves a pat on the back for the season he’s had. Through 71 games, Richards has 21 goals and 61 assists for 82 points, and he has his sights set on his career high of 91 points, set in 2005-2006.

Texas Rangers

We’re betting management of the Rangers weren’t banking on finding out manager Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine, and that must be worrisome for a team that took a chance on Josh Hamilton’s checkered past. The Rangers are 6-13 so far in spring training, so it’s hard to say what kind of effect this has on the team as they’re basically just figuring out roster spots right now, but it’s about to get serious as the regular season approaches. Other than the manager, all eyes are on Hamilton and Vladdy Guerrero, who came from the rival Los Angeles Angels in the offseason. The Rangers will be trying to make up for the loss of Marlon Byrd, and these two are the anchors of the lineup. Finally, Rich Harden’s health has to be an issue for the Rangers. Thinking Harden will stay healthy is like picking Texas’ odds on March Madness: they look good and could be great, but we won’t be surprised if Harden ends up on the disabled list.

Dallas Sports Report 3-18-2010

Dallas Report

With March Madness brackets being crumpled up around the country and thrown into waste baskets; the professional sports world seems to have taken a pause for the moment. In actuality, everything is still moving forward as the NBA and NHL seasons are in the home stretch of the season, the MLB is in the middle of the preseason, with the regular season is only weeks away, while the NFL has the college Draft in less than a month and free agents are picking new homes. Here’s what’s happening in Dallas.

Sportsbook: NBA: Dallas Mavericks (46-22, t-2^nd in Western Conference)

The Mavericks have been able to take somewhat of a break in the last week as they’ve only played twice since last Thursday. Dallas had its 13 game winning streak snapped at home by the New York Knicks who came into the game with a chip on their shoulder after the Mavs blew the Knicks out earlier in the season in MSG by 50. The Knicks returned the favored with an embarrassing blowout of their own, 128-94. Dallas got back on their horse and were destroying the Chicago Bulls most of the game until a late run against the Mavs reserves made the final 113-106. The Mavs continue their journey to the playoffs Saturday at home versus the Celtics.

5dimes review: NHL: Dallas Stars (30-26-13, 73 points, t-11^th in Western Conference)

The Stars started this seven game home stand with two losses to playoff teams in the West; falling to the Kings 2-1 last Friday and to Colorado 5-3 on Sunday. On Tuesday, the Stars had to face the Western Conference leading San Jose Sharks and with playoff hopes dwindling, the Stars came up shining bright with an 8-2 beatdown of the Sharks. Dallas sits seven points behind the Red Wings for the final spot in the playoffs and needed that game and tonight’s game against the Flyers and Saturday’s vs. the Senators as they are must wins for the Stars with only 13 games remaining. The Stars wrap up their home stand Sunday against the streaking Coyotes. This is the make or break point of the season for the Stars.

MLB: Texas Rangers- Preseason

The Rangers made news this week when manager Ron Washington released a statement that he tested positive for cocaine last season. Owner Nolan Ryan said the team knew about the positive test right away and that Washington offered to resign. Ryan refused his resignation and the Rangers manager reportedly finished all the necessary classes and tasks that a positive test requires of you for the MLB. Washington will manage the team as planned.

OF Josh Hamilton has an infected root canal and will miss two weeks for dental work. Hamilton seems to always have something nagging him.

NFL: Dallas Cowboys – Offseason

With the NFL Draft fast approaching, the Cowboys have been silent in free agency up until now, with a major reason being the peculiar rules that being one of the final eight teams brings with an uncapped year under this current CBA. The big news right now is that the Cowboys old digs, Texas Stadium will be imploded on April 11^th and tickets are being sold to watch the show. In regards to the draft, the Cowboys have worked out a number of pro-prospects including Oklahoma St. receiver Dez Bryant who they would likely have to trade up to get to bolster their receiving corp. (Also check out our March Madness Odds)

Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics

The Mavericks will take on the Boston Celtics on Saturday March 20th at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The Celtics are 42-24 and are holding onto the 4th spot in the Eastern Conference, and just like the Mavericks have already clinched a playoff spot. The Boston Celtics have struggled with injuries since the All Star break and have been an up and down team because of this.

This year we will see if the Celtics core got to old overnight, or if they can rebound from their injuries and make a statement in the playoffs. This game will be the first of several games that will tell us a lot about what to expect from the Dallas Mavericks in the playoffs. The games to pay attention to down this final stretch before the playoffs are:

• Saturday March 20th – Boston Celtics
• Monday March 29th – Denver Nuggets
• Thursday April 1st – Orlando Magic
• Saturday April 3rd – Oklahoma City Thunder
• Friday April 9th – Portland Trailblazers
• Wednesday April 14th – San Antonio Spurs

With the exception of the game against the Trailblazers all of these games will be played at the American Airlines Center, so a little extra emphasis should be placed on the Portland game. With that said lets take a look at the Ticket, TV Channel and Betting Spreads & Information.

Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics | Tickets – TV Channel – Betting Spreads Information
Mavericks-Celtics Game Time: 8:00 PM Central Time
Mavericks-Celtics Day / Date: Saturday – March 20th 2010
Mavericks-Celtics TV Channel: KTXA – 21
Mavericks-Celtics Location: American Airlines Center – Dallas, TX
Mavericks-Celtics Spread: When Available
Mavericks-Celtics Tickets:

Mavericks vs Celtics Tickets on StubHub.com!

Dallas Update: Mavericks Stars Cowboys & Texas Rangers

NBA: Dallas Mavericks (45-21, 2^nd in Western Conference)

-       The Mavericks keep on rolling and have now won 13 games in a row after dispatching the Kings, the Bulls, the Timberwolves and the Nets in the past week. Dirk Nowitzki and crew have continued their strong play since the trade deadline but it has been rookie guard, Rodrigue Beaubois that has been a big reason for the success.  Widely thought of as heir apparent to Jason Kidd, Beaubois has seen his minutes rise this past week and his production has followed suit as Beaubois has averaged 27 minutes in the past five games after being a DNP for a lot of the previous month. In these past five games, Beaubois is averaging 17 points, 3 rebounds and 3.3 assists. He’s also shooting a shade below 55% from the field and 35% from three. Beaubois is lightning quick in transition and gives the Mavs a whole different element going into the playoffs. After a torrid schedule last week where they played five games in seven days, the Mavs get to relax a bit as they only have two games this week, and they’re against the lowly Knicks and the sliding Bulls. Look for the Mavs keep to keep the engine going full bore and get that win streak up to 15 by week’s end.

5dimes review: NHL: Dallas Stars (29-25-12, 70 points, 10^th in Western Conference)

-       The Stars just finished a week in which that had to face some of the top teams in the league. They came away 1-3, with a surprise victory over the Washington Capitals in Washington on Monday, 4-3 in a shootout. Goalie Marty Turco made 49 saves in that game. In the rest of the Stars games, they were massacred. The Stars gave up 6, 6 and 5 goals in the other three games last week and the defense has been a whole new kind of atrocious recently. The Stars will face four more playoff teams this coming week and look like a good team to bet against as their playoff hopes look grim unless they can somehow turn it around quickly.

Sportsbook: MLB: Texas Rangers – Preseason

-       Preseason is a week underway now and the Rangers got outfielder Josh Hamilton on the field, albeit a couple of games after spring training began. Hamilton came back and went 2-3 and felt fine after the game.

-       Texas acquired relief pitcher Edwar Ramirez from the Yankees for cash. Ramirez, when on, has one of the best changeups in the game.

-       1^st base top prospect and likely to threaten to be a starter out of camp this year, Justin Smoak, has a strained hip and took some time off for treatment.

-       P Rich Harden threw two and 2/3 innings and gave up four runs, walked three and threw a wild pitch. His velocity was in the mid to high 80’s which is a red flag. More to come on the often fragile Harden.

NFL: Dallas Cowboys – Offseason

-       All is quiet in Cowboys land as free agency in the uncapped year is underway. The Cowboys already have a very high payroll and will have to pay out big money to Roy Williams, who doesn’t deserve it, Flozell Adams, who is likely to be replaced in the draft or in some other means, and Marion Barber who is always hurt. Jerry Jones will probably wait until after all the March Madness betting is over and the complex structure of the free agent class of 2010 sorts itself out as the Cowboys are restricted by the “final eight rule” that prohibits them from signing an unrestricted free agent for more than 5.7 + million dollars a year. Look for the Cowboys to look at trading Marion Barber in the upcoming weeks.

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