ATP Tour Match of the Day: Abierto Mexicano

If you like clay court tennis, today is your day with a couple great semi-final matches in Acapulco.

First up will be Almagro and Bellucci.  They've played once before with Almagro coming out on top in a three-setter.  Almagro is on a 12-match winning streak and is on his favorite surface.

Bellucci is more of an all-court player, but is also tough on clay.  Almagro has played a lot of tennis the past couple weeks, but he should be a little too much for Bellucci. 

Prediction:  Almagro in two tough sets.

Then the nightcap, Ferrer and Dolgopolov.

Ferrer is the top seed in Acapulco and has never lost to Dolgopolov.  But Dolgopolov from the Ukraine is playing the best tennis of his life and sees a great opportunity here.

Prediction: I actually like Dolgopolov here in a three-set upset victory.

Should be a great day of tennis on clay, the action will be on Tennis Channel.  I hope more fans show u today that did yesterday.

Thursday Night NBA Play of the Week: Miami at Chicago

The Heat and the Bulls.

This could be a possible playoff matchup down the road.

The Bulls are getting 2.5 at home in a series where the home team usually wins.  The Bulls are also 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 home games.

Injuries of note include Mike Miller OUT for the Heat and James Jones is probable.  Should be a good game, and a good cover for the Bulls.

Fantasy Golf Buy, Sell and Hold for The Mayakoba Classic

Check out this week's AudioBoo for the Mayakoba.

All the big names in golf are playing at the Accenture Match Play, which leaves a bunch of players that will be hungry for a win in Mexico.  That means The Mayakoba Classic in Mexico is the place to be this week for PGA Tour Fantasy Golf.

Last year's winner Cameron Beckman is in the field along with Brian Gay, David Toms and a bunch of international players.

The course is a Greg Norman designed El Camaleon Golf Club and while playing 18 holes it will test the golfers in holes that take you through mangroves, along the ocean and through a mini jungle.

Here is this week's Buy, Sell, and Hold.

Buy:

Brian Gay (A) - With only a few A-level players playing in Mexico, Brian Gay is a must start. He finished T-5 at the Bob Hope and has been playing well. Gay currently sits 31st on the money list and is looking to improve on that this week.

David Toms (B) - Toms is always dangerous is a weak field event like this one. He has two missed cuts this season, but he could turn that around in Mexico.

Jhonattan Vegas (C) - How can you not play Vegas this week? He had another good run at the Northern Trust and is very consistent, Sits fourth on the money list.

Sell:

Scott Stallings (C) - Four events in 2011 and four missed cuts.

Chad Collins (C) - He's another one o the C-level players this week you don't want to pick. Has played in six events and has four missed cuts to his credit.

Michael Sim (A) - Sim has not finished under par in any tournament so far in 2011. With a limited number of A players to pick from this week, Sim is one to pass on.

Josh Teater (B) - With four missed cuts in six events so far this year, keep this Kentucky native off your team until later in the year. He's a fine player with potential, but after missing the cut badly at the Northern Trust, don't pick him up.

Hold:

Scott Verplank (C) - Veteran Scott Verplank is a late entry into the field this week. He is trying to shake off a nasty wrist injury and make some noise in 2011. He has only played one event so far this year, but if he feels health he could have a good week. A definite hold.

Remember to listen to the AudioBoo above for the "flyer" of the week.

Kindle Free Pick of the Week: Fat, Forty, and Fired

It's the #1 non-fiction book in the Kindle Store.

Recounting the life he led during the nine months he was not working, Marsh opens with his operation for "anal fistula"; the six-week convalescence enables him to reflect on his next step after learning that the firm he runs in Sydney, Australia, is being closed. Breaking open the family nest egg, he decides to escape the pattern of "enforced inertia that kept men in a tie and at the office" and to take a year off. Marsh's epiphanies during his hiatus include the realization that he is fat, but more poignantly, that he is an alcoholic. While the light tone of the book sometimes undermines his struggle with alcohol, Marsh clearly takes it seriously. The strength of the memoir lies in the intimate and often humorous moments he shares as he reconnects with his wife and four children. Whether it is his preschool-aged daughter announcing to her gymnastics teacher, "We don't touch Daddy's willy because it's dirty," or the more somber account of his wife talking him out of having a glass of wine, Marsh is at his best in vignettes. The narrative slows in the middle, during a European trip with his wife, but when Marsh finally re-enters the workforce, he does so recognizing that instead of obsessing about the time he misses with his family, he should enjoy the moments he has.

Get it while it's free.

Big XII Basketball Play of the Day for 2/19/11: Texas

The Texas Longhorns put their undefeated Big XII record on the line today as they travel to Lincoln and take on Nebraska.

A very touch Texas team is favored by 6.5 on the road in a dangerous place.   Nebraska has been known to sneak up on highly ranked teams at home before.

Last year Texas blew out the Cornhuskers by 40.  This year again, all the trends seem to be pointing to Texas.  The Longhorns are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 road games, that's strong.  They also are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a road favorite, that is an even stronger trend.

Looks like Texas should be a safe play today, and I see them pulling away in the second half. 

Take Texas and give the 6.5.  This game tips off at 1:30 pm Eastern.