🏀 NBA Playoffs: Thunder eye sweep — and rest
The Thunder will go for the sweep tonight against the Lakers — and a week off before the West finals.
That’s because the Spurs-Timberwolves series is tied at 2-2 after Minnesota (+5.5) pulled the upset Sunday night. Victor Wembanyama’s second-quarter ejection for a flagrant elbow changed everything.
The West finals will begin either May 18 or May 20.
Monday’s NBA menu
Pistons (+3.5) at Cavs, 8 ET (NBC). Total: 213.5. DET leads 2-1.
Thunder (-10.5) at Lakers, 10:30 ET (Prime). Total: 214.5. OKC leads 3-0.
AI verdict: Pistons-Cavs Under 213.5 is the strongest play based on Steve Makinen’s systems and trends.
👉 Steve Makinen’s Analytics Report →
👉 NBA player prop projections from Opta AI →
👉 Check standings & picks in the VSiN / KillerSports Challenge →
That’s because the Spurs-Timberwolves series is tied at 2-2 after Minnesota (+5.5) pulled the upset Sunday night. Victor Wembanyama’s second-quarter ejection for a flagrant elbow changed everything.
The West finals will begin either May 18 or May 20.
Monday’s NBA menu
Pistons (+3.5) at Cavs, 8 ET (NBC). Total: 213.5. DET leads 2-1.
Thunder (-10.5) at Lakers, 10:30 ET (Prime). Total: 214.5. OKC leads 3-0.
AI verdict: Pistons-Cavs Under 213.5 is the strongest play based on Steve Makinen’s systems and trends.
👉 Steve Makinen’s Analytics Report →
👉 NBA player prop projections from Opta AI →
👉 Check standings & picks in the VSiN / KillerSports Challenge →
🧠 Zach Cohen’s NBA Report: Knicks sweep 76ers
For the second game in a row, the Knicks had a home game in Philadelphia.
Well, this one turned into an absolute blowout, with New York earning a 30-point victory as a 1.5-point road favorite. The Knicks knocked down 25 triples in the game, dished out 33 assists to only nine turnovers, and out-rebounded the Sixers by 17 boards. It was a dominant performance from start to finish.
DraftKings Sportsbook now has New York as a -165 favorite to win the Eastern Conference, which feels right with the Knicks having won seven games in a row — with six being by double figures.
The Knicks also have some time until they have to play in the Eastern Conference Finals. They’re awaiting the result of the Pistons-Cavaliers series, meaning New York won’t have to play again until May 17 at the earliest. That will give the Knicks ample time to get OG Anunoby right after last week’s hamstring strain.
Wolves Even Up Score With Spurs
San Antonio and Minnesota were going back and forth in Game 4, but the game really changed with 8:39 remaining in the second quarter. That was when Victor Wembanyama threw a wild elbow at Naz Reid, resulting in an ejection for the Spurs superstar.
San Antonio did put up a good fight the rest of the way, and the team even had a chance to win in the fourth quarter. But Minnesota finally showed some poise late, and Anthony Edwards was fantastic as the Wolves found a way to tie this series up at 2-2.
For the most part, this series has been all Spurs. However, it’s down to a three-game series now, and the Timberwolves are going to make their younger opponent earn this. It also isn’t out of the realm of possibility that Wembanyama will face more punishment for his elbow, so keep an eye on that.
2026 NBA Draft Lottery
The draft will be a major talking point on Monday’s episode of Hardwood Handicappers, so tune in if you’re interested in some early bets to keep an eye on, plus some of the better prospect/team fits.
But in case you missed Sunday’s lottery, here’s how the order shook out:
1. Wizards
2. Jazz
3. Grizzlies
4. Bulls
5. Clippers
6. Nets
7. Kings
8. Hawks
9. Mavericks
10. Bucks
11. Warriors
12. Thunder
13. Heat
14. Hornets
One early thought? Don’t be surprised if something goes down between Washington and Utah. While the Wizards might like AJ Dybantsa, the Jazz are obsessed with keeping him in Utah. Perhaps Washington can pick up some assets to move back one spot. Zach believes the Wizards would be best off selecting Cameron Boozer, who is an awesome long-term fit alongside Alex Sarr.
👉 Zach’s best bets and player props →
👉 Listen to Hardwood Handicappers →
Well, this one turned into an absolute blowout, with New York earning a 30-point victory as a 1.5-point road favorite. The Knicks knocked down 25 triples in the game, dished out 33 assists to only nine turnovers, and out-rebounded the Sixers by 17 boards. It was a dominant performance from start to finish.
DraftKings Sportsbook now has New York as a -165 favorite to win the Eastern Conference, which feels right with the Knicks having won seven games in a row — with six being by double figures.
The Knicks also have some time until they have to play in the Eastern Conference Finals. They’re awaiting the result of the Pistons-Cavaliers series, meaning New York won’t have to play again until May 17 at the earliest. That will give the Knicks ample time to get OG Anunoby right after last week’s hamstring strain.
Wolves Even Up Score With Spurs
San Antonio and Minnesota were going back and forth in Game 4, but the game really changed with 8:39 remaining in the second quarter. That was when Victor Wembanyama threw a wild elbow at Naz Reid, resulting in an ejection for the Spurs superstar.
San Antonio did put up a good fight the rest of the way, and the team even had a chance to win in the fourth quarter. But Minnesota finally showed some poise late, and Anthony Edwards was fantastic as the Wolves found a way to tie this series up at 2-2.
For the most part, this series has been all Spurs. However, it’s down to a three-game series now, and the Timberwolves are going to make their younger opponent earn this. It also isn’t out of the realm of possibility that Wembanyama will face more punishment for his elbow, so keep an eye on that.
2026 NBA Draft Lottery
The draft will be a major talking point on Monday’s episode of Hardwood Handicappers, so tune in if you’re interested in some early bets to keep an eye on, plus some of the better prospect/team fits.
But in case you missed Sunday’s lottery, here’s how the order shook out:
1. Wizards
2. Jazz
3. Grizzlies
4. Bulls
5. Clippers
6. Nets
7. Kings
8. Hawks
9. Mavericks
10. Bucks
11. Warriors
12. Thunder
13. Heat
14. Hornets
One early thought? Don’t be surprised if something goes down between Washington and Utah. While the Wizards might like AJ Dybantsa, the Jazz are obsessed with keeping him in Utah. Perhaps Washington can pick up some assets to move back one spot. Zach believes the Wizards would be best off selecting Cameron Boozer, who is an awesome long-term fit alongside Alex Sarr.
👉 Zach’s best bets and player props →
👉 Listen to Hardwood Handicappers →
🏒 NHL Playoffs
Monday’s NHL schedule
Avalanche (-130) at Wild (+110), 8 ET (ESPN). COL leads 2-1.
Jonathan Davis will have his Best Bets later today.
👉 JD’s NHL plays and analysis →
Avalanche (-130) at Wild (+110), 8 ET (ESPN). COL leads 2-1.
Jonathan Davis will have his Best Bets later today.
👉 JD’s NHL plays and analysis →
⚡ Smart Edge: Don’t miss the moves
Playoff markets move fast.
Injury news, scheduling spots and betting splits can send NBA playoff numbers flying from opener to tipoff.
👉 Track real-time line movement from DonBest →
👉 Start your free trial — use code VSIN10 for 10% off
Injury news, scheduling spots and betting splits can send NBA playoff numbers flying from opener to tipoff.
👉 Track real-time line movement from DonBest →
👉 Start your free trial — use code VSIN10 for 10% off
⚾ MLB Best Bets
Greg Peterson is backing the Yankees on the run line Monday night against Baltimore.
Greg points to Ryan Weathers’ strong start to the season — a 3.03 ERA with 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings — along with the support of a Yankees bullpen that ranks second in baseball with a 3.25 ERA.
Meanwhile, Orioles starter Brandon Young owns a 4.35 ERA with shaky underlying metrics, including a 5.82 fielding independent pitching mark.
Greg’s pick: Yankees Run Line -1.5 +115 (Greg projected Yankees -1.5 -104).
👉 More best bets from Greg Peterson →
MLB betting analysis from Adam Burke, Josh Appelbaum, Zach Cohen and Steve Makinen will continue to filter in throughout the morning.
👉 More MLB coverage and picks →
👉 MLB player prop projections from Opta AI →
Greg points to Ryan Weathers’ strong start to the season — a 3.03 ERA with 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings — along with the support of a Yankees bullpen that ranks second in baseball with a 3.25 ERA.
Meanwhile, Orioles starter Brandon Young owns a 4.35 ERA with shaky underlying metrics, including a 5.82 fielding independent pitching mark.
Greg’s pick: Yankees Run Line -1.5 +115 (Greg projected Yankees -1.5 -104).
👉 More best bets from Greg Peterson →
MLB betting analysis from Adam Burke, Josh Appelbaum, Zach Cohen and Steve Makinen will continue to filter in throughout the morning.
👉 More MLB coverage and picks →
👉 MLB player prop projections from Opta AI →
