VSiN.com senior editor Zach Cohen says pace will make the race in the Eastern Conference finals.
Indiana hasn’t exactly played fast since the start of the postseason, as the team’s pace is 99.27 through 10 games. That would have been good for only 18th in the NBA during the regular season, but it’s the third-fastest pace since the start of the playoffs. However, the Pacers are likely going to look to turn things up a notch in the Eastern Conference Finals.
One of the few advantages Indiana has over New York is depth, as the Pacers have nine players playing at least 13.0 minutes per game in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Knicks only have seven players averaging double digits in minutes since the start of the postseason. So, if Indiana can push the ball up the floor and suck New York into a track meet, the team might be able to physically wear the Knicks out over the course of this best-of-seven series.
>>Zach has more analysis and a prediction for Game 1 (8 ET, TNT) with the Knicks favored by 4, down from the opening 4.5.
>More on the importance of pace from Jonathan Von Tobel.
Dan Karpuc has three Game 1 props for your consideration.
>>Do your own research with our NBA Prop Analyzer.
ICYMI: Steve Makinen‘s conference finals trends and his Game 1 Analytics Report.
In the Western Conference opener, the Thunder covered the closing -7 with a 114-88 victory over the Timberwolves on Tuesday night. Game 2 is Wednesday with OKC at -7.5 at Circa.
Oilers-Stars preview
Jonathan Davis will post his picks later this morning for tonight’s Oilers-Stars opener (8 ET, ESPN).
In the East, the Panthers — series favorites but +112 underdogs in Game 1 — defeated the Hurricanes 5-2.
Scottie’s back for more
Scottie Scheffler, coming off a victory in the PGA Championship as the +400 favorite, is back for the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial in Fort Worth.
Given that only 10 of the top 30 players are entered, Scheffler is an even shorter favorite at +250 with Jordan Spieth at 22-1 the next closest.
If you can’t do that, Wes Reynolds has some options for you. Here is his longest shot:
Ryo Hisatsune (120-1, FanDuel): Hisatsune made the cut last week at the PGA and has two top-5 finishes in his last eight starts. He was fifth earlier this year at the Valero and T-13 last year at the Byron Nelson, so he has gone well in the state of Texas.
Wes and Matt Brown share their picks on the Long Shots podcast. >>Listen.
I checked in with VSiN PrimeTime host Matt Youmans, who did bet Scheffler last week:
I also bet on him +275 two weeks ago when he went 31 under and won by 8. This is a similarly weak field in Texas. I’ll probably pass this time, but wouldn’t argue with anyone who does it.
MLB Today
Greg Peterson already has filed his top plays for today.
Josh Appelbaum and Steve Makinen will post their Best Bet contributions later this morning.
Quick Hits
WNBA: Steve Makinen has put together 13 betting systems for the “W.” For example: Huge favorites are a betting disaster. Since the start of the 2021 season, favorites of 12 points or more are 105-13 SU but just 44-74 ATS (37.3%).
College Football: The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman offers his favorite win totals on the VSiN College Football Betting Podcast with host Tim Murray. (All of Tim’s guests seem to love Clemson.)
