I apologize for missing yesterday's notes (computer problems). However, the NBA didn't take a day off, as the second round continued with the Pistons taking a 2-0 lead over the Cavs with a 97-91 win and the Mavs tying their series with the Spurs at 1-all with an impressive 113-91 win. The second round continues tonight on TNT with the Nets at the Heat (8:00 ET) and the Clippers at the Suns (10:35 ET).

My free play for Wednesday is on the Az Diamondbacks over the Pit Pirates at 7:05 ET. In tonight's NBA, I'm featuring one of my exclusive LEGEND Plays (3-0 in the playoffs) and in MLB, it's my 20* AL Game of the Month plus a 15* Pitching Mismatch.

Home teams have opened 4-2 SU but only 2-4 ATS in the second round after going 31-14 (22-21-2 ATS) in the first round. Four of the six games have gone 'over', continuing a recent trend that's seen 13 of the last 16 playoff games top the total. The "Zig-Zag" theory (playing 'on' the SU loser of the previous game) finished the first round with eight straight pointspread losers but "zig-zaggers" went a perfect 2-0 last night, to open the second round!

Tuesday recap

Detroit used a 19-3 run in the first half to open a 52-38 lead over Cleveland in last night's Game 2. The Cavs made a late run (to cover) but were never really in the game. LeBron, who had 22 points in the first half of Game 1, had just seven points at the half last night. He did finish with 30 points (plus 14 rebounds) but again got little help from his teammates. It remains to be seen whether the Cavs' 31-19 fourth quarter will give them any momentum come Game 3.

As for the Pistons, they needed little help from their bench in Game 2, getting only six points from their reserves after getting 43 points from their bench in their 27-point Game 1 win. All five Detroit starters scored in double figures (even Ben Wallace who had 10 points to go with a team-leading 15 rebounds) led by Rasheed Wallace, who had 29.

The Mavs must have felt that their Game 1 loss to the Spurs was an "opportunity lost" but they surely didn't show any negative side-effects in Game 2. Dallas used a 32-16 second quarter to take a 58-38 halftime lead and never looked back, winning 113-91. Howard led the way with 27 points (Mavs are now 20-0 this year when he gets 20 points or more!), Nowitzki had 21, Harris 20 and Stackhouse 19. Duncan led the Spurs with 28-9.

Wednesday's games

The Nets take on Miami tonight (Heat are favored by seven points with a total of 187 1/2) but probably will have to play without Jefferson. Jefferson has been "Mr. Consistent" for the Nets in these playoffs, topping 20 points in six of the team's seven playoff games. Jefferson scored 20 points in 22 minutes in Game 1 but left early in the third quarter with an ankle sprain and is listed as doubtful for Game 2.

Larry Ness is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of his articles at http://www.procappers.com/Larry_Ness.htm