No new proposal from players to owners (AP)
NEW YORK (AP)—NBA players declined to present a new economic proposal to owners Friday, less than a week before the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement. Dressed in matching T-shirts urging solidarity, about 40 players attended Friday’s negotiating session, the final one before owners could vote on whether to lock them out if no deal is reached. Owners had hoped for another proposal from the union, but players felt they had gone far enough after they offered a $500 million reduction in salaries over five years on Tuesday, a move Commissioner David Stern termed “modest.” “Why did we not make one? Because we felt that the one that we made previously was sufficient,” players’ association executive director Billy Hunter said. The owners will meet Tuesday in Dallas. The sides could then meet at least one more time before the CBA expires June 30. Stern and Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver offered few details of the four-hour session, nor would they speculate on what actions they would take Tuesday when the Board of Governors meets. Silver said it would be “premature to talk about where we’re going to find ourselves next week.” With many in town for the players’ representative meetings, Hunter said he was told Thursday night the players had decided to go to Friday’s session. He said the players were sending a message of “solidarity” by attending the meeting and wearing shirts reading “STAND.” “We have to stand together, we have to be unified and be prepared to address whatever the circumstance is, but address it together,” he said, referring to the players’ intentions. Celtics All-Stars Paul Pierce(notes) and Kevin Garnett(notes) were among the players who joined the executive committee and both spoke in the meeting. Stern said the shirts were “nicely done,” adding it “great to have so many players in the room.” Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Briancmahoney.
Free Football Picks
The NFL playoffs have been very unkind to ol’ Joe so far. During Wild Card week I went a lame 2-2 ATS after the favorites tanked. In the divisional week I rode the underdogs and it killed me. The only underdog I didn’t take, the Jets, was the lone ‘dog to win ATS. That means I went 0-4 last week, in case you haven’t already figured it out. I haven’t got much to lose after losing my shirt . . . NY Jets (+7.5) at Indianapolis The Colts need to defeat the Jets by at least 8 points to cover the spread on Sunday and I just don’t see it happening. New York is rolling right now having won five straight overall and they’ve also won five straight both SU and ATS on the road. The Colts were 8-1 at home this season, including the postseason, but they were only 4-5 ATS. On defense I think the Jets can match up with anyone, even the high-flying Colts. You notice I haven’t mention the Jets’ 29-15 win over Indy in Week 16, and that’s because it’s meaningless since the Colts pulled their starters with a 15-10 lead. This one should come down to a field goal or two, which means the Jets cover. Take the Jets +7.5. Minnesota (+4) at New Orleans The Vikings destroyed the Cowboys last week, but they won’t have such an easy ride on the road at New Orleans. Minnesota was a different team on the road this season, with a 4-4 record compared to their perfect 9-0 mark at home. Despite that, I’m still taking the Vikings this weekend. Minnesota has won four straight and eight of their last nine versus the Saints. That Saints’ offense may be pass-heavy, but they also rely heavily on the run to open up those big Drew Brees passes. Running against the Vikings has been nearly impossible this season and if that continues on Sunday it will be New Orleans’ downfall. Take Minnesota +4.
NFL Playoff Wagering Consensus
NFL betting fans are gearing up for a massive weekend
as the NFC and AFC Championships get underway. With kickoff fast approaching
here’s a breakdown of how the public is supporting all the NFL odds with statistics from Sportsbook.com and Wagertracker.com. AFC Championship GameNew York Jets at Indianapolis Colts3:30 p.m. ET on CBSMoneyline: Colts -340
Jets +280Point spread: Colts -7.5 to -8Total: 39 Sportsbook.com’s bettors are having a tough time deciding in this one
at least on the moneyline. The underdog Jets are getting a slight edge at 51 percent. Over the last day or two the spread has crept up to -8 (from -7.5) in favour of the Colts; that’s led to 61 percent of Sportsbook.com’s bettors going with Indy. Wagertracker.com is still running with the 7.5 line and
obviously
getting much different results. There
bettors are backing the Jets more heavily at 45.9 percent (up from 39 at Sportsbook.com). The numbers are also a little at odds on the total. Wagertracker.com is reporting 65 percent of the action taking the over-obviously with Peyton Manning and the high-flying Colts in mind. It’s much tighter at Sportsbook.com
however
where only 51 percent of bettors are taking the over. NFC Championship GameMinnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints6:40 p.m. ET on FOXMoneyline: Saints -180
Vikings +160Point spread: Saints -3.5Total: 53 Sportsbook.com bettors are piling onto the “underdog” Vikings on the moneyline. After seeing Minnesota crush the Cowboys
obviously many bettors believe the Vikes are really in the driver’s seat-73 percent of Sportsbook.com bettors are leaning that way. It’s a much different story against the spread
as the Saints are getting 57 percent of the action at Sportsbook.com. It’s an even tighter race according to Wagertracker
where bettors are divided 50/50. There’s some consensus between Sportsbook.com and Wagertracker.com when it comes to the total. Though 53 is an unusually high number
Minny and New Orleans score a lot of points. No wonder Sportsbook.com is reporting 74 percent of bettors taking the over while Wagertracker says 69.2 percent. Clearly
bettors are expecting the scoreboard to get lit up in the NFC Championship.
AFC Conference betting – Vikings at Saints
New York Jets at Indianapolis ColtsBetting Line: Colts -7.5 New York surprised another opponent in the playoffs last week with a 17-14 victory over San Diego as the Chargers missed three FGs. Indianapolis was very composed in an easy 20-3 win over Baltimore. New York took the Week 16 encounter 29-15 as they made quick work of the Colts’ backups after the starters left the game in the 3rd quarter. The Jets’ offense is relying on two rookies to lead them as RB Shonn Greene is getting the bulk of the carries in the backfield and Mark Sanchez is trying to stay within himself in the passing game. Greene has topped 100 yards in both playoff wins as he has fresher legs than incumbent RB Thomas Jones. The veteran will still get his carries and is a pounder inside. Indy ranked 24th vs. the run this season but did a good job last week against the Ravens. However
New York has probably the best O-line in football and is very dedicated to staying with the run even if it isn’t producing results right away. They also have a physical edge on the quick but undersized front seven of Indianapolis. Sanchez isn’t asked to do too much: just not to lose the game as he did earlier in the season. He has thrown only one interception in the playoffs. TE Dustin Keller figures to be his top target but look for some deep shots to WRs Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery against a very young secondary. Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning threw only one TD in the earlier matchup before being pulled and missed several open receivers. New York remembers that and they have to do a better job in man coverage. All-World CB Darrelle Revis figures to stay with WR Reggie Wayne all game leaving CB Lito Sheppard to cover WR Pierre Garcon or rookie wideout Austin Collie. This matchup will go a long way in determining the Jets’ fortunes on defense. New York blitzes frequently but Manning is adept at seeing where the pressure is coming from and making pre-snap adjustments. However
he tends to get uncomfortable with pressure up the middle and doesn’t like to move from the pocket. The Jets will bring a lot of pressure in the A gaps (either side of C Jeff Saturday) and try to make Manning throw on the run
not his strength. The Colts pay lip service to the run and ranked last in the NFL in rushing. This game features two teams that are polar opposites on offense. The Jets will pound the ball to protect their rookie QB while the Colts place all their faith in Manning to execute scoring drives. New York has the better defense and led the league in scoring defense as well. If they can run the ball like they have in the playoffs already
this game figures to be close. We’ll take the hungry
aggressive team that has taken the fiery personality of their HC (Rex Ryan) to heart and is also getting more than a TD.Take the Jets
