Expert Picks From The First and Only Network in the Sports Handicapping Industry

EXTRA, EXTRA ...IT'S GRIZZLIES-SPURS IN NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS SHOWDOWN -

WE HAVE THE FULL PREVIEW PLUS A GAME-BY-GAME LOOK BACK AT THEIR REGULAR-SEASON (AND O.T.-FILLED) TILTS

THE BASEBALL REPORT: RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU KNEW THE CINCY REDS ENTERED THE WEEKEND AS MLB'S HOTTEST TEAM

By Jim Hurley:

How will the NBA's West be won this year?

Well, if you're a believer in the San Antonio Spurs - who now are making their eighth trip into the Western Conference Finals since the Tim Duncan Era first began way back in the 1997-98 season (see the chart below) - than you know the ancient-but-still-effective best power forward in league history may not have to be a dominant force a la 2003 or 2005 but he must fill up the stat sheet and play 30-or-so high-quality minutes per game.

But Duncan - a/k/a "The Big Fundamental" - needs point guard Tony Parker to score and dish and he needs key reserve Manu Ginobili (who still plays starter's minutes) to nail some twisting drives to the hoop but most of all the Spurs need to keep their cool.

You see, the Memphis Grizzlies - winners of eight of their last nine games SU (straight-up) in this year's playoffs and 8-3 SU overall this post-season ...

SERIES PREVIEW: MEMPHIS VS. SAN ANTONIO FOR THE WESTERN CONFERENCE CROWN

It may not feature marquee cities or guys you've been seeing in TV commercials round the clock for the last several weeks...but the Western Conference Championship series matching the San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies could end up being a real classic.

Both teams are playing well. Both teams are relatively healthy at the moment (knock on wood). The betting market can't decide which is the better team. The first series prices up where near pick-em, suggesting Memphis is the slightly better team overall as San Antonio has home court advantage. Sharps bet the Spurs up to -140, which is more in line with the series value of home court when even teams go to battle.

In other words...this would be a toss-up on a neutral court according to the composite view of the most important market influences...suggesting plenty of drama ahead in both cities.

It's been a while since we got to run a series through our ringer of key indicators. Let's do that now with the Grizzlies and Spurs. Remember that these numbers are from the regular season only to keep sample sizes ...

PREPARING FOR THE PREAKNESS

YES…THE RACE HAS BEEN FORMFUL
NO…THAT DOES NOT MEAN MONEY CAN’T BE MADE

This Saturday at Pimlico ORB will attempt to become the 13th Kentucky Derby winner since 1978, when Affirmed last won the Triple Crown, to at least keep hope alive for finally having by adding the Preakness Stakes to accomplishments.
As often happens following the “shakeout” that is the Kentucky Derby, many of that races’ participants decide to take a break and regroup while a less number of newcomers than you might expect come forward. This year that pattern has left the Preakness with (as of this writing) 9 runners set to go to the post. There are six refugees from the Kentucky Derby and three first time hopefuls.  

In addition to ORB, moving forward from the Derby are MYLUTE (5th), OXBOW (6th), WILL TAKE CHARGE (8th) ITSMYLUCKYDAY (15th), and GOLDENCENTS (17th). The newcomers are DEPARTING (Last out Winner of the Grade III Illinois ...