Today we start the NBA and NHL playoff seasons with a combined six games.
First, let’s clean up the final spots in the NBA playoffs: In the East Play-In, the No. 10 seed Heat (-2) advanced with a 123-114 OT victory over the Hawks and will meet the top-seeded Cavs; the No. 8 Grizzlies (-6) survived with a 120-106 victory over the Mavs and drew the Thunder.
Now for advice on today’s NBA from Jonathan Von Tobel and Zach Cohen:
Bucks (+4.5) at Pacers (1 pm, ESPN). >Preview.
Clippers at Nuggets (3:30 pm, ESPN). >Preview.
Pistons at Knicks (6 pm, ESPN). >Preview.
Timberwolves at Lakers (8:30 pm, ABC). >Preview.
Zach and JVT have posted their predictions for the other series here.
>Dave Tuley’s first-round takes.
Steve Makinen offers his first-round trends and betting systems, including this one:
Using the records from the second half of the season has revealed quality underdogs. When the worse-seeded team had an equal or better record in the second half of the season, they won 10 of last 20 series while going 64-56 outright in games! This is a very strong indicator of potential upsets. This included series wins by the Pacers and Mavericks last year. For 2025, Minnesota (vs. LA Lakers), the Clippers (vs. Denver), and Golden State (vs. Houston) would apply.
Don’t forget to check the VSiN KillerSports NBA Playoff Challenge for today contest selections at around noon ET. The Challenge: 15 invited contestants from the world of VSiN and KillerSports with the winner based on 38 picks between the opening of the playoffs on Saturday and the end of the NBA Finals. First prize is $3,000; second is $500.
As for the NHL, Jonathan Davis has his Game 1 and series predictions for the two matchups that start today:
Blues at Jets (6 pm, TNT)
Avalanche at Stars (8:30 pm, TNT)
>JD’s playoff overview with futures Best Bets.
Steve has trends and betting systems for the NHL playoffs, including this one:
The “Zig Zag Theory” remains alive and well in the NHL playoffs over the last 13 seasons. Teams that have lost in an NHL same-series game have responded by going 496-448 (52.5%) in the next game for +23.53 units, or a ROI of +2.5%. The loss associated with backing the opposite teams, or those that won the prior contest, has been -118.13 units, or -12.5%.
Today in MLB
Greg Peterson has filed his top plays for today.
Steve Makinen, Josh Appelbaum and Adam Burke will file their contributions by mid-morning and you can find them on the MLB page.
>Our daily matchup page with more detail by clicking on “Matchup Analysis.”
>Makinen’s daily power ratings
>DraftKings/Circa Betting Splits
Quick Hits
Horse Racing: Keeneland picks from Ed Sehon. Don’t miss the replay of VSiN At The Track with Mike Somich and Aaron Halterman. They offer their Derby longshots.
Soccer: Nigel Seeley has three plays for the weekend EPL menu.
NFL Draft: Everything you need to know about betting Thursday’s draft is here.
This is The VSiN Daily newsletter for Saturday, April 19. Sign up for this free email and get picks and insights delivered to your in-box every morning.
