After two anticlimactic Game 7s, the NBA and NHL playoffs head to the conference finals.
The Thunder (-8.5) blew out the Nuggets 125-93 on Sunday to advance in the West. The Thunder is a -330 favorite vs. the Timberwolves (+265).
Zach Cohen previews the series, which starts Tuesday in OKC with the Thunder favored by 7.5.
My strong feeling is that this Thunder team is nothing like the one we saw in the regular season, and I continue to think the Timberwolves are right there when compared to some of the league’s top-tier squads. I have futures on Minnesota to win the Western Conference at 14-1 and 20-1, so this is not a series I’m personally looking to get in on. I’m actually looking to hedge this. But the price is right for the Timberwolves to win two games at -160.
The Knicks are -145 favorites to win the East finals vs. the Pacers (+125) with Game 1 Wednesday in New York and the Knicks favored by 4.
Jonathan Von Tobel has a prediction and two prop bets for your consideration:
I believe the Knicks will win this series. I do not think Indiana can continue its seemingly unsustainable offensive run. I also believe the Pacers will have trouble defending Karl-Anthony Towns like they did in the regular season when he averaged 30.3 points, 12 rebounds and 2.3 steals and blocks on 56.6% shooting.
Panthers join party
The Panthers took the last spot in the NHL playoffs, routing the Leafs 6-1 on Sunday.
Florida is a -125 favorite vs. the Hurricanes (+105) with Game 1 Tuesday in Raleigh. In the West, the Oilers and Stars are both at -110 for their series, which will start Wednesday.
Jonathan Davis will have more to say later today. Look for his columns on our NHL page.
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
PGA Championship: Scottie Scheffler, the pre-tournament favorite at +450, pulled away from the field Sunday to win his third career major.
NFL: Dave Tuley has his Takes on the 2025 schedule.
WNBA: Tyler Shoemaker has a play for tonight’s lone game.
