The Canucks also fired assistants Rick Bowness and Newell Brown.

Vigneault, the Canucks’ all-time leader in coaching wins, led the club to six Northwest Division titles, two Presidents’ Trophy titles and an appearance in the 2011 Stanley Cup final.

But Vancouver was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in the past two seasons, including getting swept by the San Jose Sharks this year.

It was the first time in 12 years that the Canucks were swept in the postseason.

Vigneault has a 313-170-57 record over seven seasons in Vancouver, and a 33-32 record in the playoffs.

“We’re in a results-oriented business and if you look at the last two playoffs we’ve been in, we were the higher-seeded team but lost the first two games at home,” Canucks president and general manager Mike Gillis said at a news conference Wednesday.

“We lost consecutive games in the last two playoff years, and there comes a point in time where the message has to change and we have to be better. And we simply didn’t get the result we expected.”

Gillis wouldn’t reveal the names of any coaches in the running to replace Vigneault, but said the team would have no problem attracting suitable candidates.

“We’re in a competitive business, but I think this is a stable, profitable organization that is in a hockey market,” he said. “I think it would be a very attractive place for a coach to come and coach.”

The move had been expected since the Canucks were eliminated from the playoffs, but Gillis said he wanted to take time and ensure he was free of any emotion before making the decision.

It’s a tough end to a largely positive tenure in Vancouver for Vigneault, who guided his team through the demands of a lockout-shortened season in 2012-13.

“I am proud of many of the things we accomplished as a group these past seven seasons in Vancouver and only wish we were able to win the Canucks’ first Stanley Cup,” Vigneault said in a statement.

“I am a career coach, and it is what I love to do. I hope to coach again in this league and will always have good memories of my time and the fans in Vancouver.”

Vigneault kept a difficult goaltending situation from becoming a major distraction and secured home-ice advantage in the playoffs for the fifth straight season.

But the Canucks struggled this season with getting goals from secondary players.

Vigneault leaves after transforming the Canucks from a struggling club into a perennial contender. He was also recognized for his role in turning the Canucks around when he was awarded the 2007 Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s coach of the year.

Vigneault thanked Gillis, the Aquilini family, other Canucks executives and players as well as former GM Dave Nonis, who hired him, and former Canucks executive Steve Tambellini.

“The past seven years have been an honor for me to coach and work for a great franchise in a wonderful Canadian city,” Vigneault said. “To work in a city with such passionate and loyal fans is a privilege — I enjoyed every moment of it.”

When he arrived in 2006-07 after a season with the AHL’s Manitoba Moose, the Canucks were looking to regroup after missing the playoffs. He was also looking to prove himself after being fired from his first NHL head coaching job with the Montreal Canadiens in 2000-01.

In his first season, he guided the Canucks to a division title and a spot in the second round of the playoffs before they were eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks in five games — with four decided by one goal.

Although the Canucks missed the playoffs the following season due to a collapse down the stretch, they rebounded in 2009-10, again reaching the second round before losing a tough six-game series to Chicago.

The next season, he guided the Canucks to their third Stanley Cup final berth in franchise history. They took a 2-0 series lead at home but eventually lost in seven games to the Boston Bruins. The Game 7 loss at home sparked a riot in city streets.

The Stanley Cup final foreshadowed a shift in goaltending that would become a headache for Vigneault. Cory Schneider periodically replaced struggling starter Roberto Luongo in the series.

Vigneault managed to prevent any potential rifts between Luongo and Schneider and limited distractions to the team.

He answered endless questions about his goaltenders, especially after Schneider displaced Luongo in the first round of the 2011-12 playoffs as the Canucks lost in five games to the Los Angeles Kings.

The situation was supposed to be resolved after Luongo agreed to waive his no-trade clause prior to the 2012-13 season, but Gillis was not able to get the deal he wanted prior to the lockout that shortened the regular season to 48 games.

When the season started, the Canucks struggled at times with the compressed schedule and had numerous injuries. But they managed to pull away from the Minnesota Wild in the race for the Northwest crown and home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Vigneault guided his club to eight wins in its last nine home games, including a 3-1 victory over first-place Chicago that secured the Canucks’ fifth straight Northwest title.

But Schneider was injured in the Chicago game and didn’t come back until after the first two games of the San Jose series.

Luongo was solid in the first two losses in Vancouver, but Vigneault went with Schneider when the series switched to San Jose.

Schneider struggled in the third period of Game 3, allowing three quick goals, and mishandled the decisive shot in Game 4 in overtime before Patrick Marleau poked home the loose puck for the series-clinching goal.

Notes
Canucks center Jordan Schroeder underwent offseason shoulder surgery and is expected to recover by the start of the 2013-14 season. Gillis said no other players should require surgery. … Goaltending coach Rollie Melanson was retained. “I think Rollie works very well with Cory Schneider,” Gillis said. “He gets results in there.” … Gillis indicated management, along with the new coach, will have input in the hiring of the next assistant coaches.

The post Canucks fire coach Alain Vigneault appeared first on IdealCapper.

Toronto At Washington
When: 6:00 PM ET, Sunday, March 31, 2013
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, District of Columbia
TV: 6 p.m. ET, Sportsnet One (Toronto), CSN Washington
PREDICTION: Wizards 99, Raptors 95

Oddsmakers currently have the Wizards listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Raptors, while the game’s total is sitting at 192.

The Wizards are coming off consecutive road losses to Oklahoma City and Orlando, but they’re riding their longest home winning streak since a 10-game run in 2006-07. Washington is likely to be short-handed, as rookie guard Bradley Beal (left ankle) and veteran forward Nene (right knee) are listed as questionable. It’s the third meeting this season with the road team having won the first two. The season series concludes Wednesday in Toronto.

Toronto doesn’t have much left to play for and the team is already looking toward the future. “We’ve got a lot of young players and we’re playing for next year,” star forward Rudy Gay told reporters. “These young guys need to know what it feels like to win.” They haven’t experienced much of that lately, as the Raptors haven’t won consecutive games since a five-game streak from Feb. 8-19. Rookie center Jonas Valanciunas has been among the bright spots, scoring in double figures in 10 of the past 11 games.

Last time out for Toronto, they were a 99-82 winner as they battled the Pistons on the road. The Raptors covered in the match as a 1.5-point underdog, while 181 combined points moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.

Team record: 27-45 SU, 34-37-1 ATS

The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 6 games when playing Washington

When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing Detroit are 2-8
After playing Detroit are 3-7
After a win are 4-6

Washington has enjoyed a solid second half of the season, but the Wizards didn’t endear themselves to their coach with their showing in Friday’s 97-92 loss at Orlando. “I don’t think anybody had a good performance,” coach Randy Wittman told reporters. “Over and over again this year we just go through the motions against teams like this and it costs you.” That hasn’t been the case at home, where the Wizards have averaged 105 points and held opponents to 92.2 points per contest during their six-game winning streak.

Washington lost its last outing, a 97-92 result against the Magic on March 29. The Wizards failed to cover in that game as a 4-point favorite, while the 189 combined points took the game UNDER the total.

Team record: 26-46 SU, 42-29-1 ATS
Current streak: lost 2 straight games.

is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games at home
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto

When playing on Sunday are 4-6
Before playing Chicago are 6-4
After playing Orlando are 1-9
After a loss are 6-4

The post Toronto vs. Washington Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Like a good teammate, Dwyane Wade swooped in for the saving tip, preserving the lead and keeping the Heat’s amazing win streak rolling.

James scored 27 points and the Heat became the fourth team to win at least 20 consecutive games in a season, beating the Philadelphia 76ers 98-94 on Wednesday night.

Against a struggling Sixers team that was revved up like a playoff game, the Heat just found a way to win.

And when it was done, they took the time to admire their mark.

“Twenty is special,” Wade said. “Win 20 games in a row, it’s awesome. You can’t get around it. We’re going to try to go for the next one.”

Wade scored 21 as the Heat needed big baskets in the final 2 minutes to top the Sixers for the milestone win. He stuck with the ball on James’ misses and scored the clutch tip that made it a three-point lead with 29 seconds left and squashed the Sixers’ upset bid.

“It shows you he, like many of our guys, are just willing to make winning plays at the end,” coach Erik Spoelstra said.

Only three teams have won at least 20 consecutive games in the same season: the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers (33), the 2007-08 Houston Rockets (22) and the 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks (20). The Washington Capitols also won 20 straight, spanning the end of the 1947-48 season and the start of the 1948-49 campaign.

James and the Heat have started to acknowledge just how special this winning streak is in a season that has them running away with the Eastern Conference.

They opened a five-game road trip as 8½-point favorites over the slumping Sixers, a team they’ve defeated three times during the streak. They beat Atlanta on Tuesday for streak win No. 19, then made the flight to Philadelphia that put them in just before dawn.

“You get sleep when you can and do your job,” center Chris Bosh said.

Maybe fatigue played a bit of a role in Miami’s inability to truly put away the Sixers. Led by Thaddeus Young, the Sixers opened the third quarter on a 16-8 run that helped slice the lead to four. Miami led 71-66 at the end of the quarter.

The Sixers hung around in the fourth, too. Dorell Wright hit a 3-pointer to make it a six-point game and he followed with a steal and fast-break dunk to cut it 82-78. Sixers fans coming to see a slice of history were suddenly rooting for history denied. Philadelphia’s fans started going wild to the “make some noise” sign on the video board and started singing the catchy anthem, “1-2-3-4-5-Sixers!”

Jrue Holiday brought them back with a 3-pointer for an 83-82 lead with 5:26 left and had fans chanting, “Beat the Heat!”

Ray Allen silenced them with a big 3 in front of the Sixers’ bench for an 89-86 lead. Bosh scored to make it 91-89.

It wasn’t enough, at least not yet. Holiday, the All-Star point guard, showed no fear of the moment when he dunked on a leaping James for the tying bucket.

James came right back made one of two free throws for a 92-91 lead. Holiday dribbled the ball into Bosh’s leg, then off his own foot, leading to Wade’s tip after James missed twice at the rim. James drove from beyond the arc and missed from the right side, he put up his own rebound off the back of the rim, and Wade slid in underneath two Sixers defenders for the bucket.

“I miss two gimmes and D-Wade was able to tip ’em home,” James said. “It was just great of him not giving up on the play and putting us up.”

The Heat escaped with a scare — and No. 20.

“When you have a streak like this, you have to have some luck,” James said.

Unless they wear down, there’s no reason to think the Heat can’t keep the streak going toward 33. The rest of the road trip includes games at Milwaukee, Toronto, Boston and Cleveland.

“We just think about winning the next game and we’ll see where it takes us,” James said.

Young had 24 points and 15 rebounds for the Sixers. Holiday had 21 points and Evan Turner scored 15.

“At the end, we just couldn’t come up with that one rebound,” coach Doug Collins said. “I thought we executed, got some shots at the end, and just couldn’t quite find a way to get over the top.”

Fans in Heat jerseys dotted the arena and dozens packed the baseline three rows deep snapping pictures of Miami’s pregame drills. James wowed them with some around-the-back reverses that served as a sneak peek for what was ahead.

James, the reigning MVP, turned the second quarter into his own dunk contest. It helped that he didn’t have any competition.

With flair, James threw down thunderous dunks about every time he touched the ball. His best came on a reverse he brought between the legs that had the sellout crowd of 20,398 “Oooohhhh!” in amazement. His dunk capped a 17-2 run that put the Heat up 10 and helped them cruise toward a 51-39 halftime lead.

But the first half wasn’t all about James’ dazzling dunks. The Heat had 14 assists on 19 baskets and Shane Battier came off the bench to hit a pair of lead-stretching 3-pointers. It’s the kind of teamwork that has the Heat rolling.

“You have to have a unique group that are willing to sacrifice, a unique group willing to keep perspective of what we’re playing for and not get caught up in all the noise outside,” Spoelstra said. “There are so many distractions, not only in this league, but everyday life.”

Spoelstra could talk to Heat president Pat Riley on how to handle the distractions that come with a record winning streak. Riley played for the Lakers team that won 33 straight games. But while the two talk daily, Spoelstra said Miami’s streak hasn’t been discussed. Not once.

Thanks to a fantastic finish, they’ll have another day to bring it up.

Game notes
New Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly had a lengthy chat outside the locker room with Spoelstra before the game. Kelly had previously made a pregame visit with Collins. … The Heat have beat the 76ers 14 straight times. … The Heat missed 15-of-20 3-pointers.

The post Heat become fourth team to win 20 straight games in single season appeared first on IdealCapper.

Sharp was injured when the Colorado Avalanche’s Ryan O’Byrne hit him against the boards on Wednesday. He had to be helped off to the dressing room after suffering what appeared to be a shoulder injury.

The Hawks take on the Avalanche in Denver on Friday as they try to extend their NHL-record streak of consecutive games to start a season with at least one point to 25.

Marian Hossa, who missed Wednesday’s game, said he’s fine and missing the game had nothing to do with an injury, according to the Hawks’ Twitter account.

Andrew Shaw also will play Friday after taking an elbow to the chin from Paul Stastny on Wednesday, the Hawks tweeted.

The post Patrick Sharp to miss 3-4 weeks appeared first on IdealCapper.

Irving made it through a full practice on Sunday and took part in the Cavs’ morning shootaround Monday. Barring any setbacks, Cavs coach Byron Scott said Irving will start against the Knicks. The Cavs rested Irving all last week, holding him out of games against Chicago, Toronto and the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Cavs listed Irving as “probable” for the game with the Knicks, who were beaten at home on Sunday by the streaking Miami Heat, winners of 14 straight. Cleveland also listed rookie guard Dion Waiters and center Tyler Zeller as “questionable” because of illness.

The Cavs went 2-1 last week without Irving, who has missed 14 games in his second NBA season because of injuries. He banged knees in practice last month with teammate Omri Casspi and played in two road games despite soreness before the team sat him out. Irving missed 11 games with a broken index finger.

The NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 2012, Irving is averaging 23.3 points, 5.6 assists and 3.6 rebounds.

He scored a career-high 41 points on Dec. 15 in a loss to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Irving played that game wearing a protective mask over a broken jaw.

The Knicks have lost 10 consecutive games in Cleveland.

The post Kyrie Irving back; missed 3 games appeared first on IdealCapper.

Creighton at Southern Illinois
When: 8:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 27, 2013
Where: SIU Arena, Carbondale, Illinois
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPNU
Prediction: Creighton 78, Southern Illinois 52

Oddsmakers currently have the Bluejays listed as 11-point favorites versus the Salukis, while the game’s total is sitting at 138.

Nearly lost in the disappointment of the most recent loss was the play of senior guard Grant Gibbs, who scored a season-high 18 points to go with eight assists, five rebounds and four steals. Gibbs has surpassed his season scoring average (7.9) in each of the last three games. Southern Illinois might have trouble matching up with 6-9 senior center Gregory Echinique. He has tailed off this month, averaging 5.6 points in the last five games after averaging 13 in the previous eight, but the Salukis lack the height to get in his way.

Creighton lost its last outing, a 74-69 result against Drake on January 23. They failed to cover in that game as a 9.5-point favorite.

Team record: 17-3 SU, 12-6 ATS
Current streak: lost 2 straight games.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 7 games when playing on the road against Southern Illinois
is 5-0-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Southern Illinois
is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Southern Illinois
is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games on the road
When playing on Sunday are 8-2
Before playing Missouri State are 9-1
After playing Drake are 8-2
After a loss are 6-4

Desmar Jackson is averaging a team-high 16.3 points. The 6-5 senior guard had one of his best games in an 82-76 loss to Wichita State on Jan. 9, scoring 28 points on 10-for-19 shooting. Southern Illinois has dropped eight consecutive games against Top 25 opponents overall, losing by an average of 15.2 points. Who steps up to guard McDermott should also be interesting. The Salukis have just one player taller than 6-6, and 6-9 junior forward Davante Drinkard averages 11.6 minutes.

Southern Illinois lost its last outing, a 58-45 result against Northern Iowa on January 23. They failed to cover in that game as a 11-point underdog.

Team record: 8-11 SU, 8-8 ATS
Current streak: lost 3 straight games.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of last 7 games when playing at home against Creighton
The total has gone OVER in 4 of last 5 games when playing Creighton
is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Creighton
When playing on Sunday are 6-4
Before playing Drake are 2-8
After playing Northern Iowa are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6

The post Creighton Bluejays vs. Southern Illinois Salukis Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.

Following one missed shot, the ball rolled between forward Carlos Boozer’s legs as he fell on his backside, yet he still managed to scoop it up and feed a teammate for two more second-chance points for Chicago.

Dominating on the glass and the hardwood, the Bulls became only the third visiting team to win in Miami this season, beating the Heat 96-89 on Friday night.

Chicago outrebounded Miami 48-28. The Bulls had 19 offensive rebounds to four for the Heat.

“Everybody in both locker rooms understands what the overwhelming key to the game was,” Miami coach Erik Spoelstra said. “They were throwing it up there and playing volleyball against us.”

The Eastern Conference-leading Heat fell to 15-3 at home. Their other home defeats came against the Knicks and Warriors.

“It always feels good to beat the Heat,” said center Joakim Noah, who had 12 rebounds. “And we get a night out in the city, so we’re hyped right now. We haven’t been playing great basketball and this is probably our biggest win of the year against the defending champs. It feels good.”

The first meeting between the teams this season was a bruiser, and the Bulls repeatedly outfought and outfoxed Miami on the boards.

The Heat, who are last in the NBA in rebounds, had won four games this season when outrebounded by 15 or more. But this time the disparity beat them.

“It’s just the will of going to do it,” LeBron James said. “It’s a reoccurrence. You give a team like this extra possessions, they’re going to capitalize.”

James scored 30 points, extending his streak of scoring at least 20 points to 31 consecutive games this season, and 52 games in a row overall when including last year’s playoff run. He has scored at least 25 in eight consecutive games.

But he had just six rebounds, which led the Heat. Boozer had 12 rebounds for Chicago, and Taj Gibson added nine in 17 minutes.

The Bulls’ final offensive rebound helped seal the win. Jimmy Butler grabbed it and fed Boozer for a layup with 46 seconds left to put them up 93-86.

Chicago had 20 second-chance points to seven for Miami.

“It’s killing us, plain and simple,” said Heat center Chris Bosh, who had one offensive rebound in 38 minutes. “Is it scheme? Is it mental? We’d better figure it out.”

Boozer scored 27 points after totaling a season-high 31 on Wednesday at Orlando. Noah, back after missing one game with flu-like symptoms, had 13 points.

They set the tone with their physical play.

“I don’t know if that small ball is going to work against us,” Noah said. “Not with guys like Carlos Boozer in the game.”

While the Heat were often on their heels, they kept coming back. A jarring foul by Kirk Hinrich near the sideline staggered James and he collapsed on the Bulls bench, then was helped to his feet by coach Tom Thibodeau.

Seconds later, James sank a 3.

Noah drew a flagrant foul when he tackled James around the neck with one arm to stop a drive early in the fourth quarter. The violation led to a four-point possession for the Heat, with James sinking four consecutive free throws.

The next time Miami had the ball, James drove for a dunk that cut Chicago’s lead to 75-72. But the Heat got no closer.

“We understand how important rebounding is,” Thibodeau said, “and it showed tonight.”

Chicago won with more than mere muscle. The Bulls’ 5-foot-9 Nate Robinson made a leaping interception of a James pass, then smartly bounced the ball off Miami’s Shane Battier to avoid traveling. The ball dribbled out of bounds, allowing Chicago to keep possession.

Robinson’s 3-pointer with 6 1/2 minutes left gave the Bulls their biggest lead, 83-73.

The Bulls pounded the boards from the start and scored the final 10 points of the first quarter for a 26-22 lead. Butler’s buzzer-beater to end the first half put them up 49-48.

Marco Belinelli sank a 3-pointer to put Chicago up 75-66 after three quarters.

The Heat had won their past two games, both in overtime, but the Bulls wouldn’t let them get to OT.

Game notes

Regarding All-Star voting, James said with a chuckle: “It looks like I’m going to be a starter. Surprising.” … The Bulls are 9-8 home and 9-5 on the road. … Chicago improved to 8-1 on the road against the Eastern Conference.

The post Carlos Boozer, Bulls beat up Heat on glass, post road win appeared first on IdealCapper.

Atlanta At Houston
When: 7:00 PM ET, Monday, December 31, 2012
Where: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
Prediction: Rockets 102, Hawks 97

Oddsmakers currently have the Rockets listed as 3½-point favorites versus the Hawks, while the game’s total is sitting at 206½.

Atlanta is averaging an impressive 107.3 points during its four-game winning streak. A big reason as to why is Lou Williams, who quickly has become acclimated to his new role as a starter. Williams is averaging 17.8 points and 6.5 assists during that stretch. The 26-year-old guard collected his third double-double with 21 points and a career-high 12 assists versus Indiana.

The Hawks were a 109-100 winner in their most recent outing at home against the Pacers. They covered the 2.5-point spread as favorites, while the total score (209) made winners of OVER bettors.

Team record: 19-9 SU, 12-15-1 ATS
Current streak: won 4 straight games.

is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 7 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston

When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing New Orleans are 8-2
After playing Indiana are 4-6
After a win are 6-4

Houston: James Harden quickly endeared himself to his new team by scoring a career-high 45 points in a 109-102 victory over the Hawks on Nov. 2. Harden has been torching the competition, recording at least 20 points in a career-high 12 consecutive games. Harden scored 25 against his former team in Oklahoma City. Houston has emerged victorious in its last four meetings with Atlanta.

In their last action, Houston was a 124-94 loser at home against the Thunder. They failed to cover the 4.5-point spread as underdogs, while the combined score (218) was profitable news for OVER bettors.

Team record: 16-14 SU, 16-13-1 ATS
Current streak: lost 2 straight games.

is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 6 games
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta

When playing on Monday are 7-3
Before playing New Orleans are 3-7
After playing Oklahoma City are 4-6
After a loss are 5-5

The post Atlanta Hawks vs. Houston Rockets Free Betting Pick & Matchup appeared first on IdealCapper.