Sunday, March 15, 2009
DOD Ends Sale of Expended Military Brass to Remanufacturers
AND SO IT BEGINS...
We all wondered when it was going to start--when the new administration would make their move against us as gun owners.
Oh, everyone got upset about HR45--I'll bet I got over 100 e-mails warning me about this draconian gun registration bill that had been introduced in Congress.
I was really glad to see Tom Gresham, host of "Gun Talk Radio," an editor, writer, television host on "Self-Defense TV," and one of the foremost gun spokespersons, come out and tell everyone to stop worrying about legislation so absolutely over-the-top--it would never get out of committee.
Tom said save your energy for when we really need it--don't expend it trying to warn everyone in your e-mail list about legislation that would go nowhere.
Now, Tom just interviewed me, and Larry Haynie, owner of Georgia Arms (http://www.georgia-arms.com/), on Gun Talk (http://www.guntalk.com/)--and Tom agrees, now is the time to "...unleash the hounds..." by which he means start e-mailing and writing your senators and congressmen.
Now it has come clear...now we know what they intend to do.
It is an end-run around Congress. They don't need to try to ban guns--they don't need to fight a massive battle to attempt gun registration, or limit "assault" weapon sales.
Nope. All they have to do is limit the amount of ammunition available to the civilian market, and when bullets dry up, guns will be useless.
Think we jest?
Here are copies of two letters sent to Georgia Arms just Thursday evening--effectively cancelling a contract he had to purchase 30,000 pounds of expended military brass in .223, 7.62mm, and .50 caliber:
Dear Valued Customer:
Please take a moment to note important changes set forth by the Defense Logistics Agency:
Recently it has been determined that fired munitions of all calibers, shapes and sizes have been designated to be Demil code B. As a result and in conjunction with DLA's current Demil code B policy, this notice will serve as official notification which requires Scrap Venture (SV) to implement mutilation as a condition of sale for all sales of fired munitions effective immediately. This notice also requires SV to immediately cease delivery of any fired munitions that have been recently sold or on active term contracts, unless the material has been mutilated prior to sale or SV personnel can attest to the mutilation after delivery. A certificate of destruction is required in either case.
Thank you,
DOD Surplus
15051 N Kierland Blvd # 300
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
March 12, 2009
Larry Haynie
Georgia Arms
PO Box 238
Villa Rica, GA 30180
Re: Event 7084-6200:
Dear Larry Haynie,
Effective immediately DOD Surplus, LLC, will be implementing new requirements for mutilation of fired shell casings. The new DRMS requirement calls for DOD Surplus personnel to witness the mutilation of the property and sign the Certificate of Destruction. Mutilation of the property can be done at the DRMO, if permitted by the Government, or it may be mutilated at a site chosen by the buyer. Mutilation means that the property will be destroyed to the extent prevents its reuse or reconstruction. DOD Surplus personnel will determine when property has been sufficiently mutilated to meet the requirements of the Government.
If you do not agree with the new conditions of your spot sale, please sign the appropriate box provided below stating that you do not agree to the new terms and would like to cancel your purchase effective immediately. If you do agree to the new terms please sign in the appropriate box provided below to acknowledge your understanding and agreement with the new requirements relating to your purchase. Fax the signed document back to (480) 367-1450, emailed responses are not acceptable.
Please respond to this request no later than close of business Monday, March 16th, 2009.
Sincerely,
Government Liquidation.
Got that? From now on, remanufacturers of military brass will not be able to buy surplus brass from DOD--actually from Government Liquidators, llc.--the corporation that sells surplus materials for the U.S. government. At least, not in any form recognizable as once-fired brass ammunition.
Now all brass ammunition will have to be shredded, and sold as scrap.
Georgia Arms, who brought this to our attention, is the 5th largest ammunition manufacturer of centerfire pistol and rifle ammunition in the U.S.
"We're right up there behind Hornady," Larry Haynie told me.
He also told me with the cancellation of his contract to purchase this brass, and the ending of his ability to purchase any more expended military ammunition, he will have to severely curtail his operation--laying off approximately half his 60-person work force.
Haynie further pointed out this move is a stupendous waste of taxpayer money--reducing the worth of the brass some 80%--from casings, to shredded bulk brass.
He stated most of this will now go to foundries where it will be melted down, cast in shippable forms, and likely be sold to China, one of the largest purchasers of U.S. metals on the open market.
Haynie was manufacturing over 1 million rounds of .223 ammunition every month, which he sold on the civilian market to resellers, and to law enforcement agencies across the country.
He will start tomorrow sending cancellations of orders for .223 to law enforcement agencies all over the country.
You can expect this to affect every bullet you purchase in the future--with no reloaded ammunition available, the already strained new manufacturers will be unable to meet demand. They are already turning out everything they can build for the military market. The civilian market is stressed to the point even reloading components have become hard to find.
Now, with this hit, ammunition prices will go through the roof in the next year.
Your quality piece, sitting in your gun rack, will become a very expensive wood and steel, or plastic and steel club.
What can you do?
Google "contact members of Congress" or simply type in http://www.congress.org/.
When you reach that site, type in your zip code--it will give you all your representatives, senators, and their web pages.
Or you can find the addresses and e-mails of your own senators and congressmen by going to http://www.senate.gov/ and http://www.house.gov/. Both pages have locator aids at the top of the page.
Here is a letter I just sent to Representative Bill Cassidy, Congressman from the 6th District of Louisiana, and Senator David Vitter of Louisiana. I will be sending it to every member of our congressional delegation. Feel free to copy it and paste in your own e-mail, sending it to your legislators.
We have to stop this now!
The Honorable Bill Cassidy
Member of Congress from Louisiana
Dear Congressman Cassidy:
It has come to my attention that the Department of Defense has issued a directive that all expended military brass (fired cases) will now be shredded and sold for scrap material, rather than resold by Government Liquidators LLC to the civilian market for remanufacture.
You may not be aware of it, but there is a severe shortage of ammunition available for sale to the public across the country, causing problems for shooters, hunters, and reloaders everywhere.
Now, apparently the Obama administration, realizing they cannot move against private firearms ownership since the landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Washington D.C./Heller case, has made their move in another way.
By cutting off the resale of expended military ammunition to remanufacturers, they have put a stranglehold on the nation's ammunition supply.
Further, they have reduced the return to the government on expended brass by 80%. What was sold for remanufacturer at a fair return to the government, will now cost the taxpayers untold sums of money as the cost of scrap brass is far below the price per pound for expended military ammunition.
In addition, the use of remanufactured ammunition is a huge asset to law enforcement agencies across the country who buy millions of rounds of reloaded ammunition a year from these manufacturers for practice rounds.
With this market gone, law enforcement will no longer be able to purchase inexpensive reloaded ammunition, and with the continuing combat status of military forces across the Middle East, original manufacturers of new ammunition are turning out everything they can make to the government, thus exacerbating the shortage of new ammunition in both the civilian and law enforcement market.
Lastly, in these harsh economic times, does it not strike you as cold and calculating that the Obama administration has no compunction against ruining an industry that employs thousands of American citizens in the remanufacturing of sporting and military ammunition. One major resupplier, Georgia Arms, the fifth largest manufacturer of centerfire pistol and rifle ammunition has informed me he will have to quickly lay off half his 60-person workforce, as he has had to cancel contracts with dozens of police agencies who had contracted with him to supply them with remanufactured .223 ammunition.
Georgia Arms has been practically put out of business by this directive that all expended military brass must be shredded. His current contracts have been canceled, and he is notifying his customers across the country he can no longer supply their ammunition needs.
Please look into this immediately. This move by the Obama administration is nothing but a back-door strike against firearms ownership in this country--if shooters can't buy ammunition, the guns are little better than steel clubs--and this is obviously the intent.
Thank you for your time and efforts in this serious attack against the Second Amendment rights of the American citizenry.
Sincerely,
Gordon Hutchinson
Author "The Great New Orleans Gun Grab"
Firearms Columnist for Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Mississippi Sportsman magazines.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
On the Flu Bug and Those Disappearing Microbiologists
On the Flu Bug and Those Disappearing Microbiologists
If you sell crack, join a gang, or rob the mob you can expect to die a violent death, but if you listen to your mother, eat all the right foods, and study hard in college to become a microbiologist, you should expect to live to a ripe old age and die peacefully.
That being the case, a few eyebrows were raised when five microbiologists either disappeared or died mysteriously violent deaths in 2001. A short time later the number rose to 19, and then 29.
They were found stabbed to death in the trunks of cars, thrown off bridges, or they wrapped their cars around trees after their brake fluid disappeared. Once again, this is the stuff of Hollywood spy stories, and not the way you would expect a microbiologist to give up the ghost.
By 2005, we lost 40 micro-biologists in less than 4 years, all under suspicious circumstances, and during this time someone discovered that they were all working for the government, or government contractors, on projects related to bio-terrorism, flu pandemics, or anthrax. Obviously they weren’t trying to find a cure for anything, or there would be no need to silence them.
Then it was discovered that our government was involved in strange experiments that involve exhuming bodies of people that were killed by the 1918 Spanish flu, and genetically engineered flu viruses, all the while the media is preparing the public with stories of bird flu wiping out thousands of chickens (acid test?) and even a few people here and there.
People who are becoming accustomed to the practices and motives of our criminal government tried to warn you of an impending flu pandemic, but your TV training taught you to dismiss them all as "crazy conspiracy theorists," and you naturally associated all their warnings with stories of Bigfoot and UFO abductions, just as you were trained to do.
The good folks of FEMA predicted a need for a few million plastic coffins, which are now spread out across the country, but despite this revelation, most of America still thinks their biggest concern is a toss up between the Super Bowl and American Idol.
Well it seems as if the crazy conspiracy theorists were right again, because the world-wide flu pandemic they were warning you about has been unleashed, and it will dominate the headlines until millions, if not billions of people are dead. It won’t be stopped because no one with the means to stop it wants to stop it.
Wash your hands often, pull your kids out of school, avoid crowds, if not people altogether, avoid alcohol or drugs that will weaken your resistance, and stay well-nourished.
Two of the goals here are to cull the population, and to encourage general mayhem and misery that only a World Government can save you from. You’ll be so worn out and tired of death and depression that you’ll offer little resistance to the new order. The economic collapse and World War three are part of the same plan, and it’s all been tried before. It’s the same crew behind this latest attempt, and it’s not difficult to see who’s behind it all, once again.
This flu pandemic that will soon cause people to drop like flies is no mutated bird flu. It’s a genetically engineered virus designed to kill as many people as possible. And after people do start dropping like flies, political dissidents will be accused of being flu carriers and no one will object to them being hauled away. Good luck. -- Jolly Roger
Here’s an interesting link:
http://www.legitgov.org/flu_oddities_shortnews.html
if you start at the bottom of the page and work your way up you’ll see a nice collection of news articles that document the entire process of creating and testing a flu bug that will wipe out millions of people.
(or at least that part of the process that's revealed to the public)
Thanks to Lori Price of legitgov.org for compiling these articles
__________________
“We are on the verge of a global transformation. All we need is the right major crisis and the nations will accept the New World Order.”
– David Rockefeller
If you sell crack, join a gang, or rob the mob you can expect to die a violent death, but if you listen to your mother, eat all the right foods, and study hard in college to become a microbiologist, you should expect to live to a ripe old age and die peacefully.
That being the case, a few eyebrows were raised when five microbiologists either disappeared or died mysteriously violent deaths in 2001. A short time later the number rose to 19, and then 29.
They were found stabbed to death in the trunks of cars, thrown off bridges, or they wrapped their cars around trees after their brake fluid disappeared. Once again, this is the stuff of Hollywood spy stories, and not the way you would expect a microbiologist to give up the ghost.
By 2005, we lost 40 micro-biologists in less than 4 years, all under suspicious circumstances, and during this time someone discovered that they were all working for the government, or government contractors, on projects related to bio-terrorism, flu pandemics, or anthrax. Obviously they weren’t trying to find a cure for anything, or there would be no need to silence them.
Then it was discovered that our government was involved in strange experiments that involve exhuming bodies of people that were killed by the 1918 Spanish flu, and genetically engineered flu viruses, all the while the media is preparing the public with stories of bird flu wiping out thousands of chickens (acid test?) and even a few people here and there.
People who are becoming accustomed to the practices and motives of our criminal government tried to warn you of an impending flu pandemic, but your TV training taught you to dismiss them all as "crazy conspiracy theorists," and you naturally associated all their warnings with stories of Bigfoot and UFO abductions, just as you were trained to do.
The good folks of FEMA predicted a need for a few million plastic coffins, which are now spread out across the country, but despite this revelation, most of America still thinks their biggest concern is a toss up between the Super Bowl and American Idol.
Well it seems as if the crazy conspiracy theorists were right again, because the world-wide flu pandemic they were warning you about has been unleashed, and it will dominate the headlines until millions, if not billions of people are dead. It won’t be stopped because no one with the means to stop it wants to stop it.
Wash your hands often, pull your kids out of school, avoid crowds, if not people altogether, avoid alcohol or drugs that will weaken your resistance, and stay well-nourished.
Two of the goals here are to cull the population, and to encourage general mayhem and misery that only a World Government can save you from. You’ll be so worn out and tired of death and depression that you’ll offer little resistance to the new order. The economic collapse and World War three are part of the same plan, and it’s all been tried before. It’s the same crew behind this latest attempt, and it’s not difficult to see who’s behind it all, once again.
This flu pandemic that will soon cause people to drop like flies is no mutated bird flu. It’s a genetically engineered virus designed to kill as many people as possible. And after people do start dropping like flies, political dissidents will be accused of being flu carriers and no one will object to them being hauled away. Good luck. -- Jolly Roger
Here’s an interesting link:
http://www.legitgov.org/flu_oddities_shortnews.html
if you start at the bottom of the page and work your way up you’ll see a nice collection of news articles that document the entire process of creating and testing a flu bug that will wipe out millions of people.
(or at least that part of the process that's revealed to the public)
Thanks to Lori Price of legitgov.org for compiling these articles
__________________
“We are on the verge of a global transformation. All we need is the right major crisis and the nations will accept the New World Order.”
– David Rockefeller
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Sunday NBA Betting Previews
The second big day of professional basketball action this weekend has the other eight teams still competing to advance in the playoffs. Detroit has all but thrown in the towel as eighth-seed and series could end today. Chicago was feeling great about themselves just days ago, but a loss puts them on the critical list. Orlando and Portland are both are the road and need wins to avoid being down three games to one.
Boston at Chicago 1:00E ABC
Reports out of the Windy City had the Bulls feeling pretty plucky about almost winning two games at the defending NBA champs place and with a couple of home wins, Chicago was thinking upset. Instead, Boston but the basketball equivalent of water-boarding on the Bulls and blew them away by halftime. Chicago did themselves in also with 22 turnovers. Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said nerves weren’t a problem, but how else do you explain a team making 90 percent of free throws in the first two games, misses nine in the first half? Maybe the coach is right; it’s not nerves, its expectations. With more than 48 hours to prepare, Chicago is in advantageous spot since home teams off an upset loss by 10 points or more as a favorite, playing with two days rest are 54-15 ATS the last five years. For some reason, the Celtics are still three-point underdogs.
Cleveland at Detroit 3:30E ABC
If this was a MMA fight, they would have already called it. Though Detroit will say all the right things about playing possession by possession and trying to win quarters, in there hearts do they really want to put off the inevitable? The Pistons are .500 at home this season with cheerless 13-29 ATS record. They are on 0-6 SU and ATS run and 3-11 ATS at home after failing to cover the spread in two or more games this series. The final nail in the coffin is Cleveland is 15-1 ATS after leading their last three games by five or more points at the half this season. The Cavs are eight-point road favorites.
Orlando at Philadelphia 6:30E TNT
The Orlando Magic are quickly finding out they have flaws and more than most realized. They have blown double-digit second half leads in two games, winning once in the series and trailed by 17-points to come all the way back, only to be nipped with just seconds to play. Two more buzzer beaters and Philadelphia sends Orlando home for the summer most unexpectedly, but why?
Asked King Creole of Playbook.com why he thought Orlando has been less than magical. “I'm not surprised that they are struggling in this series. Orlando is historically a very POOR favorite in the NBA Playoffs (13-23-2 ATS in their history). That includes 1-5 ATS as playoff road favorites. And they're even worse when they have high aspirations. Orlando is 6-15-2 ATS in the playoffs when they have a current win/loss percentage of .666 or greater. When priced as a favorite of 11 or less points, they are 3-12 ATS.”
He went on to add, “The rims get 'tighter' in the NBA playoffs for teams who are so dependent on three-point shooting success, like the Magic. After hitting 38-percent in the regular season on three-point attempts, the numbers are down to only 31.1 percent so far in the post-season. In Game One, they shot only 27.8 percent (5 for 18). In Game Two, they shot only 26.2 percent (6 for 23).”
Sportsbook.com still has the Magic as four-point favorites with total of 191; however they are far from safe bet at 1-8 ATS record in last nine games.
Portland at Houston 9:00E TNT
This is quickly turning into a coach’s nightmare series. Both teams have had moments of utter brilliances, which were followed by foolhardy play; those watching could have laughed out loud like at a Chris Rock concert. Yao Ming has lateral movement of a battleship, yet Portland players keep taking the ball right to him. One trip the Blazers’ players set a perfect screen to free up dribble penetration and the trip down the floor, it’s a good thing NBA refs don’t call moving screens, because the attention to detail is forgotten. Portland has to put Game 3 behind them, which might not be that easy since they are 22-41 ATS off a road cover where the team lost straight up as an underdog.
Somebody on the Houston coaching staff needs to let Aaron Brooks know he doesn’t HAVE to shoot the ball in every important situation. They might also want to remind the Rockets players that nothing bad will happen if they maintain defensive focus for four quarters. Houston continues to dominate Portland at home with 11-1 record (5-7 ATS) and they are 29-12 ATS after they failed to cover the spread this season. Oddsmakers have lowered Houston to 4-point favorites.
Boston at Chicago 1:00E ABC
Reports out of the Windy City had the Bulls feeling pretty plucky about almost winning two games at the defending NBA champs place and with a couple of home wins, Chicago was thinking upset. Instead, Boston but the basketball equivalent of water-boarding on the Bulls and blew them away by halftime. Chicago did themselves in also with 22 turnovers. Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said nerves weren’t a problem, but how else do you explain a team making 90 percent of free throws in the first two games, misses nine in the first half? Maybe the coach is right; it’s not nerves, its expectations. With more than 48 hours to prepare, Chicago is in advantageous spot since home teams off an upset loss by 10 points or more as a favorite, playing with two days rest are 54-15 ATS the last five years. For some reason, the Celtics are still three-point underdogs.
Cleveland at Detroit 3:30E ABC
If this was a MMA fight, they would have already called it. Though Detroit will say all the right things about playing possession by possession and trying to win quarters, in there hearts do they really want to put off the inevitable? The Pistons are .500 at home this season with cheerless 13-29 ATS record. They are on 0-6 SU and ATS run and 3-11 ATS at home after failing to cover the spread in two or more games this series. The final nail in the coffin is Cleveland is 15-1 ATS after leading their last three games by five or more points at the half this season. The Cavs are eight-point road favorites.
Orlando at Philadelphia 6:30E TNT
The Orlando Magic are quickly finding out they have flaws and more than most realized. They have blown double-digit second half leads in two games, winning once in the series and trailed by 17-points to come all the way back, only to be nipped with just seconds to play. Two more buzzer beaters and Philadelphia sends Orlando home for the summer most unexpectedly, but why?
Asked King Creole of Playbook.com why he thought Orlando has been less than magical. “I'm not surprised that they are struggling in this series. Orlando is historically a very POOR favorite in the NBA Playoffs (13-23-2 ATS in their history). That includes 1-5 ATS as playoff road favorites. And they're even worse when they have high aspirations. Orlando is 6-15-2 ATS in the playoffs when they have a current win/loss percentage of .666 or greater. When priced as a favorite of 11 or less points, they are 3-12 ATS.”
He went on to add, “The rims get 'tighter' in the NBA playoffs for teams who are so dependent on three-point shooting success, like the Magic. After hitting 38-percent in the regular season on three-point attempts, the numbers are down to only 31.1 percent so far in the post-season. In Game One, they shot only 27.8 percent (5 for 18). In Game Two, they shot only 26.2 percent (6 for 23).”
Sportsbook.com still has the Magic as four-point favorites with total of 191; however they are far from safe bet at 1-8 ATS record in last nine games.
Portland at Houston 9:00E TNT
This is quickly turning into a coach’s nightmare series. Both teams have had moments of utter brilliances, which were followed by foolhardy play; those watching could have laughed out loud like at a Chris Rock concert. Yao Ming has lateral movement of a battleship, yet Portland players keep taking the ball right to him. One trip the Blazers’ players set a perfect screen to free up dribble penetration and the trip down the floor, it’s a good thing NBA refs don’t call moving screens, because the attention to detail is forgotten. Portland has to put Game 3 behind them, which might not be that easy since they are 22-41 ATS off a road cover where the team lost straight up as an underdog.
Somebody on the Houston coaching staff needs to let Aaron Brooks know he doesn’t HAVE to shoot the ball in every important situation. They might also want to remind the Rockets players that nothing bad will happen if they maintain defensive focus for four quarters. Houston continues to dominate Portland at home with 11-1 record (5-7 ATS) and they are 29-12 ATS after they failed to cover the spread this season. Oddsmakers have lowered Houston to 4-point favorites.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Super Saturday of NBA Betting Options
Super Saturday of NBA Betting Options
After lollygagging during the week, the NBA returns with half the playoff teams in action on Saturday. Some teams like New Orleans are starving for victory, while Utah will try to take good fortune and even up series with the Lakers. Dallas will try to add distance between themselves and San Antonio, while Miami returns home intent on taking series lead.
Denver at New Orleans 1:00E ESPN
Chris Paul might be the most electrifying point guard in the NBA, but age and playoff experience has stung this Hornet twice in the series against Denver. Paul has 24 assists in the first two games and 35 points, but a rejuvenated Chauncey Billups has frustrated the All-Star. Denver has worked double-teaming him almost to perfection, controlling the number of trips the former Wake Forest star can make to the basket. This will be New Orleans first home game since March 12, having lost four straight. The defensive-minded Hornets have to hit the switch and collapse better on Denver shooters and they are 23-7 ATS after three straight games allowing a shooting percentage of 47 percent or higher. The Nuggets have two blowouts at home and understand they are going into Hornets nest. Denver is receiving 4.5-points and is 13-5 ATS after playing two consecutive games as a home favorite this season.
San Antonio at Dallas 4:00E TNT
There are a number of descriptive adjectives to describe how San Antonio played in Game 3 in Dallas, fortunately, that game counted as just one loss. The Spurs mustered just 30 points in the opening 24 minutes and trailed by 26 points not even halfway thru the third period before coach Greg Popovich waved the white flag and conceded the lost cause. Though the Spurs are not at full strength and don’t have the same quality of roster as previous championship teams, they have pride and are 8-1 ATS on the road in revenge games. San Antonio also fits same system the Miami was in game two of that series. Play On any team after trailing in their previous game by 15 or more points at the half, against opponent after a combined score of 160 points or less. This system favors Tim Duncan’s squad and is 25-5 ATS.
Atlanta at Miami 6:30:00E TNT
Miami knows it, so does Atlanta, the question is what can somebody do about it? This first round series is tied one to one, however for the Hawks, it might as well be 3-1, because of their futility on the road in the postseason. How bad has it been, Atlanta has lost 11 consecutive road playoff games, dating back 12 years. Last year’s seven-game series loss to Boston only enhanced the pain, losing four times by 25.1 points per game in Bean-town. The Hawks are 15-33 ATS in road games off a home loss by 10 points or more and pallid 1-9 ATS in road games off an upset loss as a favorite over the last two seasons. Bookmaker.com has Atlanta as 4.5-point underdogs, though they are just one of five teams to beat the Heat by double digits in Miami during this campaign. Watch for how the Heat react after making 15 of 26 three-pointers, having 1-9 ATS record in home games after they made 50 percent of their 3-point shots or better.
L.A. Lakers at Utah 9:00E ESPN
The Utah Jazz didn’t give into the belief of those who thought they would be swept by the Lakers and showed intestinal fortitude, outscoring Los Angeles 28-18 in the fourth quarter, with Deron Williams nailing the final dagger, with 2.2 seconds to go. Coach Jerry Sloan had seen his team allow over 55 percent shooting in the first two games and made defensive adjustments, that limited L.A. to 36.8 percent, including closing on Kobe Bryant, who was rueful 5-24. One more effort like Game 3 has Utah back to even in the series and they are 28-13 ATS at Energysolutions Arena when playing against a team with a winning record. The Lakers squandered golden opportunity to put series on ice and have to rekindle the offense with Jazz 4-12 ATS versus offensive teams scoring 103 or more points game this season. Oddmakers are still green-lighting L.A., making them four-point favorites.
After lollygagging during the week, the NBA returns with half the playoff teams in action on Saturday. Some teams like New Orleans are starving for victory, while Utah will try to take good fortune and even up series with the Lakers. Dallas will try to add distance between themselves and San Antonio, while Miami returns home intent on taking series lead.
Denver at New Orleans 1:00E ESPN
Chris Paul might be the most electrifying point guard in the NBA, but age and playoff experience has stung this Hornet twice in the series against Denver. Paul has 24 assists in the first two games and 35 points, but a rejuvenated Chauncey Billups has frustrated the All-Star. Denver has worked double-teaming him almost to perfection, controlling the number of trips the former Wake Forest star can make to the basket. This will be New Orleans first home game since March 12, having lost four straight. The defensive-minded Hornets have to hit the switch and collapse better on Denver shooters and they are 23-7 ATS after three straight games allowing a shooting percentage of 47 percent or higher. The Nuggets have two blowouts at home and understand they are going into Hornets nest. Denver is receiving 4.5-points and is 13-5 ATS after playing two consecutive games as a home favorite this season.
San Antonio at Dallas 4:00E TNT
There are a number of descriptive adjectives to describe how San Antonio played in Game 3 in Dallas, fortunately, that game counted as just one loss. The Spurs mustered just 30 points in the opening 24 minutes and trailed by 26 points not even halfway thru the third period before coach Greg Popovich waved the white flag and conceded the lost cause. Though the Spurs are not at full strength and don’t have the same quality of roster as previous championship teams, they have pride and are 8-1 ATS on the road in revenge games. San Antonio also fits same system the Miami was in game two of that series. Play On any team after trailing in their previous game by 15 or more points at the half, against opponent after a combined score of 160 points or less. This system favors Tim Duncan’s squad and is 25-5 ATS.
Atlanta at Miami 6:30:00E TNT
Miami knows it, so does Atlanta, the question is what can somebody do about it? This first round series is tied one to one, however for the Hawks, it might as well be 3-1, because of their futility on the road in the postseason. How bad has it been, Atlanta has lost 11 consecutive road playoff games, dating back 12 years. Last year’s seven-game series loss to Boston only enhanced the pain, losing four times by 25.1 points per game in Bean-town. The Hawks are 15-33 ATS in road games off a home loss by 10 points or more and pallid 1-9 ATS in road games off an upset loss as a favorite over the last two seasons. Bookmaker.com has Atlanta as 4.5-point underdogs, though they are just one of five teams to beat the Heat by double digits in Miami during this campaign. Watch for how the Heat react after making 15 of 26 three-pointers, having 1-9 ATS record in home games after they made 50 percent of their 3-point shots or better.
L.A. Lakers at Utah 9:00E ESPN
The Utah Jazz didn’t give into the belief of those who thought they would be swept by the Lakers and showed intestinal fortitude, outscoring Los Angeles 28-18 in the fourth quarter, with Deron Williams nailing the final dagger, with 2.2 seconds to go. Coach Jerry Sloan had seen his team allow over 55 percent shooting in the first two games and made defensive adjustments, that limited L.A. to 36.8 percent, including closing on Kobe Bryant, who was rueful 5-24. One more effort like Game 3 has Utah back to even in the series and they are 28-13 ATS at Energysolutions Arena when playing against a team with a winning record. The Lakers squandered golden opportunity to put series on ice and have to rekindle the offense with Jazz 4-12 ATS versus offensive teams scoring 103 or more points game this season. Oddmakers are still green-lighting L.A., making them four-point favorites.
**Lakers at Jazz**
**Lakers at Jazz**
--We have a series all of a sudden in the 1/8 matchup out West. This somewhat surprising turn of events has L.A. fans hungry for a Game 4 win. Meanwhile, Jazz enthusiasts are doing their best Gary Busey imitation (from the movie Point Break) by thinking “Utah, get me two (meat-ball sandwiches).”
--Jerry Sloan’s team will attempt to even the series in Game 4 in Salt Lake City on Saturday night at 9:05 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.
--LVSC opened Los Angeles (67-18 SU, 44-41 ATS) as a 3 ½-point favorite with a total of 211. As of Friday night, most spots had L.A. as a four-point ‘chalk’ with the total adjusted to 209 ½. The Jazz are plus-165 on the money line.
--Utah (49-36 SU, 41-44 ATS) captured an 88-86 home win in Game 3 thanks to Deron Williams’ game-winning jumper with 2.2 second remaining. Williams had struggled all night, scoring just 13 points and missing five free throws, but he came through at winning time. On the flip side, Kobe Bryant was a brick-laying machine all night long. Bryant missed a potential game winner by hitting lots of backboard and barely grazing the rim. He was 5-for-24 for the game.
--Carlos Boozer answered Sloan’s call to play nasty, producing a double-double with 23 points and 22 rebounds, including a sick left-handed dunk over Pau Gasol on a crucial possession at crunch time. Matt Harpring was huge off the bench, making 5-of-8 shots (mostly in the fourth quarter) for 11 points. Ronnie Brewer had 12 points and should get most of the credit for Bryant’s abysmal performance thanks to a tenacious defensive effort.
--Utah has lost by double-digit margins at L.A. four times this season. However, the Jazz have won both meetings in Salt Lake City. They are 2-1 both SU and ATS as home underdogs.
--Utah owns a 34-8 SU record and a 23-19 spread mark at home. Meanwhile, the Lakers are 29-13 SU and 23-19 ATS on the road.
--The 'over' is 8-1 in the last nine head-to-head meetings between these squads.
--The ‘over’ is 44-40-1 overall for Utah, but the ‘under’ is 24-18 in its home games.
--The ‘over’ is also 44-40-1 overall for L.A., but the ‘under’ is 21-20-1 in its road assignments.
--We have a series all of a sudden in the 1/8 matchup out West. This somewhat surprising turn of events has L.A. fans hungry for a Game 4 win. Meanwhile, Jazz enthusiasts are doing their best Gary Busey imitation (from the movie Point Break) by thinking “Utah, get me two (meat-ball sandwiches).”
--Jerry Sloan’s team will attempt to even the series in Game 4 in Salt Lake City on Saturday night at 9:05 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.
--LVSC opened Los Angeles (67-18 SU, 44-41 ATS) as a 3 ½-point favorite with a total of 211. As of Friday night, most spots had L.A. as a four-point ‘chalk’ with the total adjusted to 209 ½. The Jazz are plus-165 on the money line.
--Utah (49-36 SU, 41-44 ATS) captured an 88-86 home win in Game 3 thanks to Deron Williams’ game-winning jumper with 2.2 second remaining. Williams had struggled all night, scoring just 13 points and missing five free throws, but he came through at winning time. On the flip side, Kobe Bryant was a brick-laying machine all night long. Bryant missed a potential game winner by hitting lots of backboard and barely grazing the rim. He was 5-for-24 for the game.
--Carlos Boozer answered Sloan’s call to play nasty, producing a double-double with 23 points and 22 rebounds, including a sick left-handed dunk over Pau Gasol on a crucial possession at crunch time. Matt Harpring was huge off the bench, making 5-of-8 shots (mostly in the fourth quarter) for 11 points. Ronnie Brewer had 12 points and should get most of the credit for Bryant’s abysmal performance thanks to a tenacious defensive effort.
--Utah has lost by double-digit margins at L.A. four times this season. However, the Jazz have won both meetings in Salt Lake City. They are 2-1 both SU and ATS as home underdogs.
--Utah owns a 34-8 SU record and a 23-19 spread mark at home. Meanwhile, the Lakers are 29-13 SU and 23-19 ATS on the road.
--The 'over' is 8-1 in the last nine head-to-head meetings between these squads.
--The ‘over’ is 44-40-1 overall for Utah, but the ‘under’ is 24-18 in its home games.
--The ‘over’ is also 44-40-1 overall for L.A., but the ‘under’ is 21-20-1 in its road assignments.
Instead of tapering off, the Los Angeles Lakers' shooting plummeted.The defense and rebounding seemed to follow, and instead of being on the verge of a sweep, the Lakers hold only a 2-1 lead in their first-round series against Utah.The Jazz rallied from a 13-point deficit and won 88-86 on Thursday, taking advantage of the first shooting woes the Lakers have had this postseason. Game 4 is Saturday night in Utah, where the Lakers are just 2-10 all-time in playoff games."It's a chance for us to come into this building and win a game after playing very bad in that last one," Lakers guard Kobe Bryant said after practice Friday.Bryant went just 5-for-24 on Thursday, never really recovering after missing his first six shots. It was that kind of night for the Lakers, who made just 32 of 87 attempts.The Lakers didn't expect to maintain their 58 percent shooting from the first two games, but did little to compensate when they finally went cold. The Jazz were then quickest to the ball for the many bounces off the rim."They let themselves back into the series - playing hard, playing the right way," Bryant said.Bryant was quite complimentary of Utah's performance, crediting the Jazz several times for their composure in the come-from-behind victory.All compliments aside, the Jazz know they could be in for a reinvigorated Bryant on Saturday after angering the 2008 league MVP by shutting him down."When you think that you're doing a job on him, wait until you play him next time," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. "I'm sure he'll come back. That's what guys like that do. They don't sit around and feel sorry for themselves. He's a veteran player that knows how to kill you."If Bryant and the Lakers can find something in between the way they shot in the first two games and their performance in Game 3, they are confident they can get out of Utah with a win and be in position to clinch the series when it returns to Los Angeles.They nearly got a victory Thursday after opening the third quarter 10-for-15 and outscoring Utah 29-17 in the period."When we got back into the ballgame and took the lead decisively, we let down our guard," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We stopped playing the kind of defense that got us in that position and let them back in."The Jazz were hopeful that center Mehmet Okur could be back in the lineup Saturday after missing the first three games of the series with a strained right hamstring. Okur was able to practice on Friday and his status for Game 4 depended on how his hamstring felt Saturday.The 6-foot-11 Okur would be a welcome addition inside, where the Jazz have had a difficult time stopping the taller Lakers.Although relieved not to be facing a 3-0 deficit, the Jazz know going back to Los Angeles down 3-1 wouldn't be a whole lot better. Utah made many of the same mistakes it made in the first two games and could easily have lost Thursday."We didn't play well at all. Kobe's not going to go 5-for-24 again," point guard Deron Williams said.Williams had his own shooting struggles in Game 3, making Utah's comeback all the more improbable. He had carried the Jazz through the first two games, keeping Los Angeles from running away with either by averaging 25.5 points and 13 assists, but could not crack the Lakers' defense most of the night.Williams still ended up winning the game for the Jazz on a 14-foot jumper with 2.2 seconds left."They had a chance to put us away," said Carlos Boozer, who tied a team playoff record with 22 rebounds in Thursday's win. "They gave us opportunities to get back into the game and we took them. We were down by 13 and we fought back and won."The Lakers had double-digit leads in the first two games of the series, too, and were able to hold off the Jazz in both. This time Utah finally completed the rally despite getting manhandled in the third quarter.The Jazz were somewhat relieved on Friday, both for beating the Lakers for the first time in the series and they way they did it."We had a drop-off in our effort to start the third quarter," Sloan said. "We won the ballgame. That's the main thing, but still the effort has to be there."
2009 Utah Jazz Playoff Stats
2009 Utah Jazz Playoff Stats
(Complete through Thursday, April 23rd)
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF DEF TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
C.Boozer 3 113 23.3 13.7 1.7 10 31 41 5 5 1 9 13
D.Williams 3 132 21.3 4.0 11.7 3 9 12 35 7 2 14 10
P.Millsap 3 98 11.7 9.7 2.0 15 14 29 6 2 5 6 13
R.Brewer 3 92 10.7 5.0 3.0 3 12 15 9 4 1 6 4
K.Korver 3 85 10.0 1.3 2.3 1 3 4 7 1 1 2 6
A.Kirilenko 3 69 8.7 3.3 2.3 5 5 10 7 4 2 4 3
M.Harpring 3 35 6.0 1.3 1.0 0 4 4 3 1 0 0 10
C.Miles 3 45 4.7 2.0 0.3 2 4 6 1 2 0 3 6
J.Collins 3 35 2.7 3.3 0.3 4 6 10 1 1 0 0 9
R.Price 1 2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
B.Knight 3 9 0.0 0.0 0.7 0 0 0 2 1 0 3 1
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
C.Boozer 28-51 .549 0-0 .000 14-17 .824 70 27
D.Williams 19-44 .432 6-17 .353 20-26 .769 64 35
P.Millsap 15-30 .500 0-0 .000 5-8 .625 35 15
R.Brewer 11-31 .355 0-2 .000 10-14 .714 32 14
K.Korver 10-29 .345 7-16 .438 3-5 .600 30 12
A.Kirilenko 9-19 .474 1-2 .500 7-8 .875 26 10
M.Harpring 8-15 .533 0-1 .000 2-2 1.000 18 10
C.Miles 5-15 .333 1-6 .167 3-4 .750 14 6
J.Collins 1-5 .200 0-0 .000 6-8 .750 8 7
R.Price 0-1 .000 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
B.Knight 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
As of April 24, 2009, at 01:43 AM ET
(Complete through Thursday, April 23rd)
G MIN PPG RPG APG OFF DEF TOT AST STL BLK TO PF
C.Boozer 3 113 23.3 13.7 1.7 10 31 41 5 5 1 9 13
D.Williams 3 132 21.3 4.0 11.7 3 9 12 35 7 2 14 10
P.Millsap 3 98 11.7 9.7 2.0 15 14 29 6 2 5 6 13
R.Brewer 3 92 10.7 5.0 3.0 3 12 15 9 4 1 6 4
K.Korver 3 85 10.0 1.3 2.3 1 3 4 7 1 1 2 6
A.Kirilenko 3 69 8.7 3.3 2.3 5 5 10 7 4 2 4 3
M.Harpring 3 35 6.0 1.3 1.0 0 4 4 3 1 0 0 10
C.Miles 3 45 4.7 2.0 0.3 2 4 6 1 2 0 3 6
J.Collins 3 35 2.7 3.3 0.3 4 6 10 1 1 0 0 9
R.Price 1 2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
B.Knight 3 9 0.0 0.0 0.7 0 0 0 2 1 0 3 1
FG 3PT FT
M-A PCT M-A PCT M-A PCT PTS HI
C.Boozer 28-51 .549 0-0 .000 14-17 .824 70 27
D.Williams 19-44 .432 6-17 .353 20-26 .769 64 35
P.Millsap 15-30 .500 0-0 .000 5-8 .625 35 15
R.Brewer 11-31 .355 0-2 .000 10-14 .714 32 14
K.Korver 10-29 .345 7-16 .438 3-5 .600 30 12
A.Kirilenko 9-19 .474 1-2 .500 7-8 .875 26 10
M.Harpring 8-15 .533 0-1 .000 2-2 1.000 18 10
C.Miles 5-15 .333 1-6 .167 3-4 .750 14 6
J.Collins 1-5 .200 0-0 .000 6-8 .750 8 7
R.Price 0-1 .000 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
B.Knight 0-1 .000 0-0 .000 0-0 .000 0 0
As of April 24, 2009, at 01:43 AM ET
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