Indiana Pacers @ Miami Heat United States: NBA Basketball Eastern Conference Play Off Semi Final Thursday 17 May 2012 – Tip Off 7pm ET Midnight (British Standard Time) this Semi Final series has suddenly got very interesting as the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers split the first two games down in South Beach, while the momentum is with the underdog as they took the last of those games. Miami missed the presence of Chris Bosh about as much as they were expected to, although they still had their chances to win that game and move to a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. While some will be critical of LeBron James, an easy target in my opinion, it was a couple of key misses from Dwyane Wade and a lack of anything from the supporting cast that cost them the game. Granted, James did miss a couple of key free throws down the stretch, but the bigger problem is the fact no other Heat player outside of James and Wade scored more than 5 points. it is a key for the Heat, who will miss Chris Bosh throughout this series at the very least, they get production from other players. it was that production that helped them take game 1 in the second half after Bosh was withdrawn from the game. A key statistic that shows the ‘others’ are struggling is the fact that Miami are just 1-22 from beyond the arc in the series. as you can see from what I have written, most of the questions from the first two games have been about the ability of the Heat to overcome an injury to a key player. Indiana themselves want to ride the momentum they gained from game 2 and they will look to play a similar brand of basketball where they try and take away James and Wade and force someone else to beat them. However, don’t be thinking the Pacers are just happy with what they have done so far. they have really struggled offensively to find any sort of consistency against a solid Miami defence, although it was a big run in the third quarter that provided the foundations for the win on Tuesday. Indiana have now improved to 2-4 against Miami this season, splitting the series 3-3 against the spread, while also being aware that they are now 3-1 in the last 4 games. The Pacers entertained Miami twice this season, splitting the series both straight up and against the spread. Indiana won the last game here, but they had lost 4 in a row before that, both straight up and against the spread. Indiana are 6-1 against the spread in their last 7 games as the home underdog given between 0.5 and 4.5 points. Miami are just 2-6 against the spread in their last 8 games as the road favourite of between 0.5 and 4.5 points. they are 3-10 against the spread in their last 13 games against a team that has won at least 60% of their home games. I am going to back the Miami Heat recover home court advantage in this game for the following reasons: first, Indiana have not been that great in this spot this season when people are actually giving them a real chance of winning the game. they are just 1-2 against the spread as the home underdog being given 3 points or less. second, the first two games were actually both winnable for Miami and they will have felt a little disappointed they lost the second. However, they are the type of team that will realise they can beat the Pacers without Chris Bosh and will make the adjustments to ensure a third player gets their points tonight. Third, the Heat have generally bounced back when they have been upset, going 9-7 against the spread in their next game. The Pacers are 6-7 against the spread when they have won as a dog. Fourth, when the road team has lost game 2, they are 15-4 against the spread in this spot since 1991. fifth, Indiana have a record that has seen them win at least 60% of their home games. Teams with that record are 14-29-1 against the spread as the hosts of game 3 since 1991.

Indiana Pacers 83-86 Miami HeatI’ll back the Miami Heat – 1.5 Points @ 1.92

Miami Heat at Indiana Pacers

A total eclipse of the Sun with a magnitude of 1.080 will be visible across Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific regions on 22nd July, 2009. a spectacular total eclipse which may last over 6 minutes and 30 seconds, the longest in the brief history of the 21st Century. Loosely speaking, a total eclipse occurs when the moon is exactly between the sun and the earth. The patch of earth on which the shadow of the moon falls experiences an eclipse. during the eclipse, the Sun will look like a gold ring, a large one mind you. Solar eclipse can have a significant impact on your life. The phenomenon, which takes place on new Moon or Amavasya Tithi, can change the entire course of your life.

At the time of eclipse, Sun, Moon, Mercury and Ketu are conjunct in the watery sign of Cancer indicating a possibility of an outbreak of water-borne diseases resulting in a substantial loss of lives. The phenomenon may also cause severe damage to marine products. Some areas may experience cloud bursts resulting in excessive flooding and deaths.

Time frame of the eclipse H:M:S

Sparsh or the onset 5:28:00
Madhya or the zenith 6:23:43
Moksha or the culmination 7:20:24

The effect of the eclipse will be felt from 6.00 pm Tuesday evening. as this astral phenomenon is occurring in the Pushya Nakshatra. so those who have their natal moon in this nakshatra should take precautions. The signs that are prone to be effected by this eclipse are: Capricorn, Cancer and Leo.

Let’s analyse the effect of Solar eclipse on various Sun signs.

As the eclipse occurs in your 4th House, you need to be cautious in matters related to land, vehicle etc.

* Aries should observe partial fast on every Sunday for 21 weeks, and eat food items which are white in colour (kheer).

* They can also offer water, uncooked rice with a pinch of vermilion (Kumkum) to Sun while chanting the Gayatri Mantra.

As the eclipse occurs in your 3rd House, it is advisable to stay put. It’s not a good time for a Bull to do start something new.

* Taurians should chant the following mantra:

|| Om Hrim Hrom Suryaya Namaha ||

* They can also recite or listen to the recitation of the Harivansh path.

As the eclipse occurs in your 2nd House, you need to mind your language. your speech may spoil your relations with others. also, spend money judiciously.

* Geminis should chant the following mantra:

|| Om Dhruni Suryaye Namah ||

* They can also offer prayers or water to a peepal tree.

As the eclipse occurs in your Ascendant, you may be prone to problems related to health.

* Cancerians should chant the following mantras:

||Om Hram Hrim Hrom Sah Suryaya Namaha||

As the eclipse will occur in the 12th House, you may get unnecessarily entangled in legal issues such as a court case.

* Leos should chant the following mantra:

||Om Dhruni Suryaye Aadi Vyom||

* They can also recite

||Japakusuma Sankasham Kashyapeyam Mahadhyutim

Tamorim Sarvapaapaghanm Pranatosmi Divakaram||

As the eclipse occurs in your 11th House, profits may not come to you easily. Don’t fret, as this is reversible.

* Virgos should get the ‘Aa Krishnen Vedokta Mantra’ recited by a Brahmin

As the eclipse will occur in the 10th House, you may have a minor tiff with your father. also, you may face problems with your superiors.

* Librans should establish a ‘Surya Yantra’ and perform ablutions

As the eclipse will occur in the 9th House, luck will not be in your favour. But don’t blame your destiny as there are certain remedies through prayers.

* Scorpios can wear a Garnet (Laldi) after taking the advice of an astrologer.

As the eclipse will occur in the 8th House, you may face a sudden financial crisis. so be careful during financial transactions.

You can give away items representing the Sun as alms. They are as follows:

Wheat, Ruby, Jaggery, a Cow with a Calf, Gold and Copper

As the eclipse occurs in your 7th House, you may find yourself at loggerheads with your business partner and your spouse.

* Capricorns can minimise the effect of this eclipse by taking good care of their father, grandparents and elders.

As the eclipse occurs in your 6th House, your physical health may get affected. you may also face obstacles in professional life.

* Aquarians should recite the ‘Surya Kavach’ strota or give alms to blind people.

As the eclipse will occur in the 5th House, students may suffer academically and those dealing in stock market may face losses.

* Pisceans should recite the ‘Aditya Hridaya Stotra’

Solar Eclipse is considered to be a good time to offer prayers, perform ‘Tarpana’, ‘Homa’, ‘Shraadha’ and gain ‘Mantra Siddhi’.

You may offer donations in kind or cash after the eclipse culminates.

Jains can recite the following mantras:

||Om Hrim Padmaprabhu Namastubhyam Mamah Shanti Shanti||

||Shri Gautam Swami Namah||

Solar Eclipse – Its Effects and Remedies

On Sunday, visitors to Wupatki National Monument can watch one of nature’s most spectacular events, an annular solar eclipse. Wupatki National Monument staff and Lowell Observatory will be celebrating this rare celestial event with an afternoon of family activities, ranger programs and a view of the eclipse over the 900-year-old Wupatki Pueblo.

Commonly referred to as a “Ring of Fire,” an annular eclipse occurs when the moon lines up between the earth and the sun, blocking all but a thin halo of the sun’s light. Because the sun will not be completely blocked by the moon, this event cannot be viewed directly with the naked eye or sunglasses. Rangers at Wupatki will have safe eclipse glasses and solar telescopes available during the event. (Never look directly at the sun or an eclipse without special eye protection. Sunglasses are not sufficient to prevent severe eye damage.)

The full eclipse will be visible throughout much of northern Arizona. A total of 154 national parks and monuments in the West will offer full or partial views of the eclipse. for tips on safe viewing practices, eclipse resources and maps of viewing locations in the West, visit http://www.nature.nps.gov/features/eclipse/index.cfm.

Activities Prior to and during the eclipse (Visitor Center, Wupatki National Monument):

– Noon – 4 p.m.: Park Rangers and Volunteers will be giving short interpretive programs from the Wupatki Pueblo overlook (200 feet from the visitor center) throughout the afternoon. Learn about life in the pueblo and Wupatki’s connection to Sunset Crater Volcano.

– 1 – 4 p.m.: stop by the eclipse activity table on the Visitor Center patio to make your own eclipse viewer.

– 5 p.m.: Eclipse presentation by Jeff Hall, director of Lowell Observatory

Wupatki Eclipse Times (Mountain Standard Time)

– 5:24 p.m.: Partial eclipse begins

– 6:30 p.m.: Annular eclipse begins

– 6:35 p.m.: Annular eclipse ends

– 7:10 p.m.: Sun sets while still partially eclipsed

Wupatki National Monument is 37 miles north of Flagstaff via Highway 89 and can be reached at 679-2365 and www.nps.gov/wupa.

Wupatki National Monuments is open daily, except Dec. 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the entrance fee is $5 per person for visitors 16 and older. America the beautiful Passes are honored and sold. Admission is free Sunday after 5 p.m.

Free Dutch oven cooking demonstration Friday

Going fishing this weekend and not sure how to fillet and cook your catch of the day? Join Game and Fish at noon on Friday and learn how to take care of and prepare your fish and game meat. the lunchtime talk will be held at the department’s Flagstaff Regional Office, located at 3500 S. Lake Mary Road.

During this week’s talk, attendees will learn about the health benefits from fish and game meat along with tips on game and fish care and how to prepare some delicious meals. Information about indoor, outdoor and Dutch oven cooking will be presented. the group will also enjoy a taste of fish and game meat recipes and a chance to try Dutch oven desserts. the game and fish department will also have for sale “All things Edible,” a cookbook put together by Game and Fish employees. Recipes include antelope stroganoff, stir fry duck and barbecue fish, just to name a few.

The lunchtime speaker series is getting close to the end, with only this Friday and one more talk to go. the final presentation takes place June 15. the topic will be 4FRI: What is the four Forest Restoration Initiative?

For more information, call the Flagstaff Game and Fish office at 774-5045.

Send Around the Town news to Abbie Gripman at agripman@azdailysun.com or call her at 556-2241.

View solar eclipse at Wupatki on Sunday