Sean Murphy Handicapper Review & Free Sports Picks

My selection is on Los Angeles over Colorado at 9:35 pm et on Wednesday.

The Rockies have taken the first two games of this series but I look for the Angels to answer back on Wednesday. Walbert Urena has quietly been pitching well for the Halos. Over his last three outings he has allowed just tow earned runs on 14 hits over 17 innings of work with the Angels winning two of those games (both at home). It's been a completely different story for Rockies starter Michael Lorenzen. The former Angel has been roughed up to the tune of a 5.05 FIP and 1.90 WHIP in 13 appearances this season. The bullpen matchup is more of a wash but it is worth noting that the Angels will have all of their high-leverage arms available after Sam Aldegheri did yeoman's work, throwing 89 pitches in long relief in last night's contest. Colorado has a deep bullpen but not an effective one. The Rockies have three different relievers that likely won't be available for this game due to workload concerns and another in Welinton Herrera that is currently on the I.L. Take Los Angeles (8*).

My selection is on the 'over' between Toronto and New York at 8 pm et on Wednesday.

I don't think this total is being appropriately priced, largely due to the Liberty's recent run of 'under' results. The expansion Tempo have played five road games to date and those contests have totalled 194, 202, 188, 172 and 215 points. They are coming off an 'under' result last time out but that was in a game that was never in doubt against the struggling Storm. New York got off to a red hot offensive start to the campaign but injuries have played a role in its recent lull. The 'under' has cashed in New York's last five games, putting it well into uncharted territory entering Wednesday's contest. I do think we'll see the Liberty snap back offensively in this spot as they'll undoubtedly be pushed by a Tempo team that has knocked down 30+ field goals in five of its last eight games. Toronto has been matador-like defensively, yielding 32 or more made field goals in six of its last seven contests. Take the over (8*).

My selection is on Phoenix minus the points over Seattle at 10 pm et on Wednesday.

We'll lay the points with the reeling Mercury on Wednesday as they look to snap their six-game SU and ATS losing streak. Phoenix ran into a hot-shooting Minnesota team two nights ago and lost by a whopping 34 points - on its home floor, no less. The Mercury earn a brief reprieve on Wednesday as they face one of the league's weakest teams in the Storm. Seattle has lost three straight games with all three of those defeats coming by double-digit margins. The Storm haven't displayed much of a home-court advantage this season, going 2-3 SU and ATS on this floor. Look for the Mercury to bounce back with a convincing victory. Take Phoenix (8*).

My selection is on San Antonio minus the points over New York at 8:30 pm et on Wednesday.

The Knicks enter this series in uncharted territory as they've won a season-high 11 straight games SU and are one ATS victory short of their season-high seven-game ATS winning streak. I do think the Spurs gain the upper hand in the opener of this series and it's worth noting that the SU winner has gone a perfect 24-0 ATS in San Antonio's last 24 contests. The Spurs of course check in off an 'upset' victory in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals in Oklahoma City. I often like to fade teams coming off such wins and in this case, San Antonio has reeled off consecutive victories, however, I feel this line is a little light. Note that the Spurs have put together four different ATS winning streaks lasting at least three games going back to March 23rd alone. They're a solid 19-10 ATS since that date. New York did have San Antonio's number during the regular season, taking two of three meetings SU and all three ATS. That's certainly been factored into this line and while I likely won't make a habit of laying points in this series, I do think it's the right move in Game 1. Take San Antonio (8*).

Finals Total of the Year. My selection is on the 'under' between New York and San Antonio at 8:30 pm et on Wednesday.

We won with the 'over' in each of the Knicks last two games but I won't hesitate to go the other way and back the 'under' as they travel to San Antonio to open the NBA Finals on Wednesday. Of note, the Knicks have produced just two 'over' streaks lasting three games or more dating back to January 2nd. I've said it many times before and it's worth stating again here, New York wants to dictate the pace and it wants that pace to be deliberate. The Knicks have opened their first three playoff series' by hoisting up 80, 84 and 88 (helped by overtime) field goal attempts in Game 1. The Spurs of course saw Game 7 of their series against the Thunder creep 'over' the total thanks only to a 'meaningless' and perhaps unnecessary dunk in the closing seconds. San Antonio has delivered just three different 'over' streaks since March 14th and only five going all the way back to December 13th. Both of these teams have been incredibly consistent defensively in these playoffs. The Knicks have held the opposition to 40 or fewer made field goals in 12 of 14 games while the Spurs have limited opponents to 41 or fewer made field goals in 16 of 18 contests. Take the under (10*).