🏀 NBA Playoffs: Knicks take control
The Knicks are up 2-0 — and still underdogs.
After back-to-back double-digit wins over Cleveland, New York is a 2.5-point underdog Saturday in Game 3 in Cleveland.
Perhaps the market is giving Cleveland the benefit of the doubt after digging out of an 0-2 deficit vs. the Pistons. The Knicks are still big favorites in the East finals at -750.
Out West, we’ve got a true coin flip:
Thunder (+1.5) at Spurs, 8:30 ET (NBC). Total: 217.5. Series tied 1-1.
Injuries remain the wildcard, with both teams dealing with key absences heading into Game 3.
After back-to-back double-digit wins over Cleveland, New York is a 2.5-point underdog Saturday in Game 3 in Cleveland.
Perhaps the market is giving Cleveland the benefit of the doubt after digging out of an 0-2 deficit vs. the Pistons. The Knicks are still big favorites in the East finals at -750.
Out West, we’ve got a true coin flip:
Thunder (+1.5) at Spurs, 8:30 ET (NBC). Total: 217.5. Series tied 1-1.
Injuries remain the wildcard, with both teams dealing with key absences heading into Game 3.
🧠 Zach Cohen’s NBA Report
Knicks Beat Up Cavs For 2-0 Series Lead
Sharp money poured in on the Cavs all Thursday, as the spread opened at New York -6.5 and moved all the way down to 5 with a heavy majority of the tickets and money on the Knicks side. Well, sharps get things wrong all the time. New York won 109-93 in a game that never really got close.
Josh Hart was the X-Factor for the Knicks in Game 2. After being scared to even look at the basket last game, Hart came out with a newfound aggression. The jack-of-all-trades wing scored 26 points, shot 5 for 11 from deep, and he also chipped in seven assists and four boards.
Can a change of scenery get the Cavs back on track? Cleveland rallied to eliminate the Pistons, but this will be an entirely different challenge. The Knicks haven’t lost a game since April 23. They’re clicking on both ends of the floor, and they’re not the type of group to let up with a lead.
Kenny Atkinson is going to need to figure something out, and he’s going to need to figure it out fast. Unfortunately for Cavs fans and bettors, he hasn’t done much to instill confidence.
Thunder-Spurs Game 3
This series has been highly entertaining so far, but some main characters will likely be missing from this one. Jalen Williams and Dylan Harper both appear to be on the wrong side of questionable. De’Aaron Fox is also listed as questionable for the Spurs, though he looks to have a good shot at going.
San Antonio is a 1.5-point favorite here, which doesn’t seem crazy considering the way the first two games went. However, Oklahoma City has been favored in 33 consecutive postseason games, so it will be weird seeing the Thunder as underdogs. Let’s see how they deal with it.
👉 Zach’s Best Bets →
👉 KillerSports contest picks →
👉 NBA player prop projections →
Sharp money poured in on the Cavs all Thursday, as the spread opened at New York -6.5 and moved all the way down to 5 with a heavy majority of the tickets and money on the Knicks side. Well, sharps get things wrong all the time. New York won 109-93 in a game that never really got close.
Josh Hart was the X-Factor for the Knicks in Game 2. After being scared to even look at the basket last game, Hart came out with a newfound aggression. The jack-of-all-trades wing scored 26 points, shot 5 for 11 from deep, and he also chipped in seven assists and four boards.
Can a change of scenery get the Cavs back on track? Cleveland rallied to eliminate the Pistons, but this will be an entirely different challenge. The Knicks haven’t lost a game since April 23. They’re clicking on both ends of the floor, and they’re not the type of group to let up with a lead.
Kenny Atkinson is going to need to figure something out, and he’s going to need to figure it out fast. Unfortunately for Cavs fans and bettors, he hasn’t done much to instill confidence.
Thunder-Spurs Game 3
This series has been highly entertaining so far, but some main characters will likely be missing from this one. Jalen Williams and Dylan Harper both appear to be on the wrong side of questionable. De’Aaron Fox is also listed as questionable for the Spurs, though he looks to have a good shot at going.
San Antonio is a 1.5-point favorite here, which doesn’t seem crazy considering the way the first two games went. However, Oklahoma City has been favored in 33 consecutive postseason games, so it will be weird seeing the Thunder as underdogs. Let’s see how they deal with it.
👉 Zach’s Best Bets →
👉 KillerSports contest picks →
👉 NBA player prop projections →
🏒 NHL Playoffs
Carolina’s long layoff showed.
The Hurricanes gave up four goals in the first period and were blown out 6-2 by Montreal in the East opener.
Friday’s NHL menu:
Golden Knights (+160) at Avalanche (-192), 8 ET (ESPN). Total: 6.5. VGK leads 1-0.
Jonathan Davis will have Best Bets later today.
👉 NHL coverage →
The Hurricanes gave up four goals in the first period and were blown out 6-2 by Montreal in the East opener.
Friday’s NHL menu:
Golden Knights (+160) at Avalanche (-192), 8 ET (ESPN). Total: 6.5. VGK leads 1-0.
Jonathan Davis will have Best Bets later today.
👉 NHL coverage →
⚾ MLB
Greg Peterson is targeting the first game of the day: Astros at Cubs (2:20 ET).
👉 Greg’s Best Bets →
👉 More MLB analysis →
👉 Player prop projections →
👉 DonBest rotation guide →
👉 Greg’s Best Bets →
👉 More MLB analysis →
👉 Player prop projections →
👉 DonBest rotation guide →
🏇 Horse Racing
🎾 French Open
With Carlos Alcaraz out, Jannik Sinner has a clear path to a career Grand Slam.
One key betting angle: Heat in Paris could favor strong servers and first-strike players.
👉 Gill Alexander’s podcast →
👉 Zach’s preview →
One key betting angle: Heat in Paris could favor strong servers and first-strike players.
👉 Gill Alexander’s podcast →
👉 Zach’s preview →
Quick Hits
NASCAR: RIP Las Vegas native and two-time champion Kyle Busch.
Contest season: Registration is now open for Circa football contests.
👉 Contest details →
Contest season: Registration is now open for Circa football contests.
👉 Contest details →
