Gotta love this season of NBA and NHL playoffs, plus MLB with the NFL draft humming in the background.
The Lakers’ comeback OT win vs. the Rockets definitely was the must-watch event of the night. My condolences if you had the Rockets, who were up 6 with 30 seconds left in regulation — and the ball.
NBA teams were 1713-1 in the playoffs over the last 29 years when leading by six or more in the final 30 seconds of regulation. (stat via Keerthika Uthayakumar)
The Lakers’ comeback OT win vs. the Rockets definitely was the must-watch event of the night. My condolences if you had the Rockets, who were up 6 with 30 seconds left in regulation — and the ball.
NBA teams were 1713-1 in the playoffs over the last 29 years when leading by six or more in the final 30 seconds of regulation. (stat via Keerthika Uthayakumar)
🏀 NBA Playoffs: Four home dogs
Saturday’s NBA board gives us four games and four home underdogs.
Pistons (-2.5) at Magic, 1 ET (NBC/Peacock). Total: 213.5. Series tied 1-1.
Thunder (-9.5) at Suns, 3:30 ET (NBC). Total: 214.5. OKC leads 2-0.
Knicks (-2.5) at Hawks, 6 ET (NBC). Total: 214.5. ATL leads 2-1.
Nuggets (-1.5) at Timberwolves, 8:30 ET (ABC). Total: 229.5. MIN leads 2-1.
Pistons (-2.5) at Magic, 1 ET (NBC/Peacock). Total: 213.5. Series tied 1-1.
Thunder (-9.5) at Suns, 3:30 ET (NBC). Total: 214.5. OKC leads 2-0.
Knicks (-2.5) at Hawks, 6 ET (NBC). Total: 214.5. ATL leads 2-1.
Nuggets (-1.5) at Timberwolves, 8:30 ET (ABC). Total: 229.5. MIN leads 2-1.
🧠 Zach Cohen’s NBA Report
Night Of Collapses
The Rockets had a 101-95 lead over the Lakers with 34.4 seconds remaining in Game 3. Jae’Sean Tate secured a defensive rebound and got the ball to Jabari Smith Jr., and Houston was supposed to win — and potentially cover (-6.5) — from there. Then Marcus Smart stole the ball from Smith, got fouled on a three and made all three free throws to make it a three-point game. Ime Udoka responded by calling a timeout, as he wanted to settle his team down and get Reed Sheppard back on the floor. However, Sheppard ended up coughing up the rock, leading to a clutch triple from LeBron James. From there, the Lakers held on for overtime and stole a 112-108 victory. Los Angeles now has a 3-0 series lead, and Houston is going to be thinking about that one for a long time.
The Blazers also let Game 3 get away. They led the Spurs by as many as 15 points in the second half, and it sure looked like they were on their way to taking a 2-1 series lead with Victor Wembanyama sidelined with a concussion. But Dylan Harper had other plans. The rookie went crazy in the second half, knocking down some key triples and looking unstoppable attacking the rim. He finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds in 30 minutes, and Stephon Castle added another 33 of his own.
Packed Saturday
I have a bunch of picks already posted on the VSiN picks page, but the final two games of the night are the most interesting. Will Atlanta pick up a third consecutive win over New York, essentially putting the series to bed? Minnesota is in the same spot against Denver. The Nuggets, who many consider to be legitimate title contenders, have lost two straight and need to stop the bleeding.
👉 Zach’s best bets →
👉 NBA player prop projections from Opta AI →
Contest check: See how the VSiN / KillerSports Challenge contestants are attacking today’s card.
👉 Leaderboard + today’s picks →
The Rockets had a 101-95 lead over the Lakers with 34.4 seconds remaining in Game 3. Jae’Sean Tate secured a defensive rebound and got the ball to Jabari Smith Jr., and Houston was supposed to win — and potentially cover (-6.5) — from there. Then Marcus Smart stole the ball from Smith, got fouled on a three and made all three free throws to make it a three-point game. Ime Udoka responded by calling a timeout, as he wanted to settle his team down and get Reed Sheppard back on the floor. However, Sheppard ended up coughing up the rock, leading to a clutch triple from LeBron James. From there, the Lakers held on for overtime and stole a 112-108 victory. Los Angeles now has a 3-0 series lead, and Houston is going to be thinking about that one for a long time.
The Blazers also let Game 3 get away. They led the Spurs by as many as 15 points in the second half, and it sure looked like they were on their way to taking a 2-1 series lead with Victor Wembanyama sidelined with a concussion. But Dylan Harper had other plans. The rookie went crazy in the second half, knocking down some key triples and looking unstoppable attacking the rim. He finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds in 30 minutes, and Stephon Castle added another 33 of his own.
Packed Saturday
I have a bunch of picks already posted on the VSiN picks page, but the final two games of the night are the most interesting. Will Atlanta pick up a third consecutive win over New York, essentially putting the series to bed? Minnesota is in the same spot against Denver. The Nuggets, who many consider to be legitimate title contenders, have lost two straight and need to stop the bleeding.
👉 Zach’s best bets →
👉 NBA player prop projections from Opta AI →
Contest check: See how the VSiN / KillerSports Challenge contestants are attacking today’s card.
👉 Leaderboard + today’s picks →
⚡ Smart Edge: Don’t miss the moves
Big slates mean more opportunities — and sharper action.
MLB openers and early limits are where respected bettors attack first. Tracking those moves can give you an edge before the market settles.
👉 Track real-time line movement →
👉 Start your free trial (use code VSIN10 for 10% off)
MLB openers and early limits are where respected bettors attack first. Tracking those moves can give you an edge before the market settles.
👉 Track real-time line movement →
👉 Start your free trial (use code VSIN10 for 10% off)
🏒 NHL Best Bets
Two favorites are going for a sweep today.
Hurricanes (-125) at Senators (+105), 3 ET (TBS). CAR leads 3-0.
Stars (+114) at Wild (-135), 5:30 ET (TBS). DAL leads 2-1.
Penguins (+100) at Flyers (-120), 8 ET (TBS). PHI leads 3-0.
Jonathan Davis breaks down the games and has 20 prop bets for your consideration.
👉 JD’s NHL picks →
Hurricanes (-125) at Senators (+105), 3 ET (TBS). CAR leads 3-0.
Stars (+114) at Wild (-135), 5:30 ET (TBS). DAL leads 2-1.
Penguins (+100) at Flyers (-120), 8 ET (TBS). PHI leads 3-0.
Jonathan Davis breaks down the games and has 20 prop bets for your consideration.
👉 JD’s NHL picks →
⚾ MLB Best Bets
In case you went to bed early on the East Coast, the Cubs rallied for a 6-4 victory over the Dodgers and their 10th win in a row.
Greg Peterson has the full Saturday card covered.
👉 Greg’s Best Bets →
Adam Burke and Steve Makinen will have their contributions later today.
👉 More MLB coverage →
👉 MLB player prop projections from Opta AI →
Greg Peterson has the full Saturday card covered.
👉 Greg’s Best Bets →
Adam Burke and Steve Makinen will have their contributions later today.
👉 More MLB coverage →
👉 MLB player prop projections from Opta AI →
🏇 Kentucky Derby
The post positions for the Kentucky Derby will be drawn today (2:15 ET).
DRF ranks the contenders ahead of the draw.
👉 Derby contenders →
It’s also opening day at Churchill Downs.
👉 Horse racing picks →
DRF ranks the contenders ahead of the draw.
👉 Derby contenders →
It’s also opening day at Churchill Downs.
👉 Horse racing picks →
⚡ Quick Hits
Department of corrections: Thanks to those of you who pointed out that I added mistakes to Adam Burke’s NFL draft notes. Jeremiyah Love went No. 3 to the Cardinals and Carnell Tate was picked fourth by the Titans. Apologies to you and Adam.
⚽ MLS picks →
⚽ EPL picks →
🎾 Madrid Open picks →
🥊 UFC preview →
🏁 NASCAR picks →
⚽ MLS picks →
⚽ EPL picks →
🎾 Madrid Open picks →
🥊 UFC preview →
🏁 NASCAR picks →
