Fun night here in Las Vegas.
Thanks to an invite from Circa owner Derek Stevens, I watched the Golden Knights beat the Ducks 3-1 in Game 1 of their second-round series. Apparently, Dave Tuley was there too.
👉 Tuley’s view from the building →
Thanks to an invite from Circa owner Derek Stevens, I watched the Golden Knights beat the Ducks 3-1 in Game 1 of their second-round series. Apparently, Dave Tuley was there too.
👉 Tuley’s view from the building →
🏀 NBA Playoffs: Conference semifinals roll on
The Knicks and Timberwolves struck first on Monday.
New York blasted a tired Philadelphia team 137-98 in Game 1, while Minnesota stole home-court advantage with a 104-102 win in San Antonio as a 9.5-point underdog.
Tuesday’s NBA menu
Cavs (+3.5) at Pistons, 7 ET (Peacock). Total: 214.5. Game 1.
Lakers (+15.5) at Thunder, 8:30 ET (NBC/Peacock). Total: 214.5. Game 1.
👉 Cavs-Pistons series preview →
👉 Lakers-Thunder series preview →
👉 NBA player prop projections from Opta AI →
👉 Check standings & picks in the VSiN / KillerSports Challenge →
New York blasted a tired Philadelphia team 137-98 in Game 1, while Minnesota stole home-court advantage with a 104-102 win in San Antonio as a 9.5-point underdog.
Tuesday’s NBA menu
Cavs (+3.5) at Pistons, 7 ET (Peacock). Total: 214.5. Game 1.
Lakers (+15.5) at Thunder, 8:30 ET (NBC/Peacock). Total: 214.5. Game 1.
👉 Cavs-Pistons series preview →
👉 Lakers-Thunder series preview →
👉 NBA player prop projections from Opta AI →
👉 Check standings & picks in the VSiN / KillerSports Challenge →
🧠 Zach Cohen’s NBA Report: Conference semifinals underway
On Monday, the Knicks hosted the 76ers in Game 1 and beat the pulp out of a tired Philly team. The Sixers, only one full day removed from a Game 7 win over Boston on Saturday, didn’t seem to have their legs at Madison Square Garden, and the Knicks weren’t looking to show any mercy. New York rolled 137-98, with Jalen Brunson scoring 35 points on 12-of-18 shooting.
It’ll be interesting to see how Philadelphia responds. Losing Game 1 was understandable. A flat effort in Game 2 would be another story entirely. DraftKings reopened the Knicks as 6.5-point favorites for Wednesday.
The second game was a lot more interesting. Minnesota went into San Antonio as a 9.5-point dog and beat the Spurs 104-102 in a terrific back-and-forth game. The big story was Anthony Edwards returning to give the Timberwolves 25 minutes off the bench, and he came up huge offensively in the second half.
Originally expected to miss the first few games of the series, Edwards worked his way back faster than expected and looked like a real difference-maker. With him looking healthy, Minnesota is now down to +155 to win the series. This just got interesting, and Ayo Dosunmu’s eventual return will only make the Wolves stronger.
Tuesday’s Game 1s
The Cinco de Mayo slate starts in Detroit, where the Pistons are 3.5-point favorites over Cleveland in what should be the tighter of the two openers. Then the Lakers head to Oklahoma City, where the defending champs are laying 15.5 in Game 1.
Big non-playoffs news
The Mavericks hired Masai Ujiri to run basketball operations. That’s a massive upgrade for Dallas after the Nico Harrison era, and Ujiri now gets to build around Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.
👉 Zach’s Best Bets →
👉 Watch Hardwood Handicappers →
👉 Listen to Hardwood Handicappers →
It’ll be interesting to see how Philadelphia responds. Losing Game 1 was understandable. A flat effort in Game 2 would be another story entirely. DraftKings reopened the Knicks as 6.5-point favorites for Wednesday.
The second game was a lot more interesting. Minnesota went into San Antonio as a 9.5-point dog and beat the Spurs 104-102 in a terrific back-and-forth game. The big story was Anthony Edwards returning to give the Timberwolves 25 minutes off the bench, and he came up huge offensively in the second half.
Originally expected to miss the first few games of the series, Edwards worked his way back faster than expected and looked like a real difference-maker. With him looking healthy, Minnesota is now down to +155 to win the series. This just got interesting, and Ayo Dosunmu’s eventual return will only make the Wolves stronger.
Tuesday’s Game 1s
The Cinco de Mayo slate starts in Detroit, where the Pistons are 3.5-point favorites over Cleveland in what should be the tighter of the two openers. Then the Lakers head to Oklahoma City, where the defending champs are laying 15.5 in Game 1.
Big non-playoffs news
The Mavericks hired Masai Ujiri to run basketball operations. That’s a massive upgrade for Dallas after the Nico Harrison era, and Ujiri now gets to build around Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.
👉 Zach’s Best Bets →
👉 Watch Hardwood Handicappers →
👉 Listen to Hardwood Handicappers →
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🏒 NHL Best Bets
Vegas opened the second round with a 3-1 win over Anaheim on Monday while the Hurricanes took 2-0 series lead vs. the Flyers.
Tuesday’s NHL menu
Wild (+164) at Avalanche (-198), 8 ET (ESPN). Total: 6.5. Game 2. COL leads 1-0.
Jonathan Davis will have his picks later this morning.
👉 More NHL coverage →
Tuesday’s NHL menu
Wild (+164) at Avalanche (-198), 8 ET (ESPN). Total: 6.5. Game 2. COL leads 1-0.
Jonathan Davis will have his picks later this morning.
👉 More NHL coverage →
⚡ Smart Edge: Don’t miss the moves
Game 1 numbers can disappear fast.
Early playoff openers are some of the fastest-moving markets on the board. Injury updates, series adjustments and sharper limits can move a number in minutes.
👉 Track real-time line movement from DonBest →
👉 Start your free trial — use code VSIN10 for 10% off
Early playoff openers are some of the fastest-moving markets on the board. Injury updates, series adjustments and sharper limits can move a number in minutes.
👉 Track real-time line movement from DonBest →
👉 Start your free trial — use code VSIN10 for 10% off
⚾ MLB Best Bets
Steve Makinen has updated his MLB bullpen power ratings, and the Braves and Mariners are tied for the top spot.
Steve’s top 5 bullpens
1. Atlanta (23)
2. Seattle (23)
3. Texas (19)
4. Dodgers (18)
5. Milwaukee (17)
👉 Steve’s bullpen ratings + betting systems →
👉 Greg Peterson’s Tuesday picks →
👉 More MLB picks →
👉 MLB player prop projections from Opta AI →
Steve’s top 5 bullpens
1. Atlanta (23)
2. Seattle (23)
3. Texas (19)
4. Dodgers (18)
5. Milwaukee (17)
👉 Steve’s bullpen ratings + betting systems →
👉 Greg Peterson’s Tuesday picks →
👉 More MLB picks →
👉 MLB player prop projections from Opta AI →
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