If you read this email as often as I hope you do, you know I tend to focus on the games ahead and not dwell too much on what could have been.
But after the Lakers were eliminated 4-1 by the Timberwolves late Wednesday, I wanted to see what the pre-flop series numbers were, so I checked Zach Cohen‘s preview. (The Lakers were -190 favorites vs. Minnesota’s +166.)
I was pleased to see Zach recommended the T-Wolves, so I asked him if the series played out like he thought it would:
There were just unfair expectations with the Lakers. They had some really good stretches, especially offensively, but the trade they attempted to make for Mark Williams showed that Rob Pelinka knew they were a big piece away. They’ll address the center spot this summer and be a legitimate contender next season. And the Timberwolves have been a borderline top-five team since mid-December that was slept on a little because of a slow start that made the Karl-Anthony Towns-for-Julius Randle swap look worse than it really was. I expect them to make similarly quick work of their second-round opponent — especially if it’s the Warriors.
Mark Williams, whose trade to the Lakers from Charlotte was voided because he didn’t pass his physical, posted a smiley face on X minutes after the Lakers’ 103-96 loss. Ouch!
As for the aforementioned Warriors, they still need to beat the Rockets, who held off elimination with a 131-115 rout to cut their deficit to 3-2.
We have two Game 6s tonight:
- Knicks (+1.5 at Circa) at Pistons, 7:30 ET, TNT. NY leads 3-2.
- Nuggets (+7) at Clippers, 10 ET, TNT. Denver leads 3-2.
>Check here later this morning for Zach’s Best Bets and Steve Makinen‘s Analytics Report.
>Today’s selections from the VSiN KillerSports NBA Playoff Challenge will be available shortly after 6:30 p.m. ET.
>Estimated scores from Makinen.
NHL tonight
The Capitals and Panthers advance to the second round last night and four more teams will try to do so tonight:
- Maple Leafs (+105 at Circa) at Senators (-117), 7 ET, TBS. Toronto leads 3-2.
- Golden Knights (-164) at Wild (+147), 7:30 ET, ESPN. Vegas leads 3-2.
- Stars (+155)Â at Avalanche (-173), 9:30 ET, TBS. Dallas leads 3-2.
- Kings (+142) at Oilers (-158), 10 ET, ESPN. Edmonton leads 3-2
VSiN hockey analyst Jonathan Davis will have his Best Bets later this morning.
>Estimated scores from Makinen.
Your guide to the Derby
The VSiN Kentucky Derby Betting Guide is now available for download by VSiN Pro subscribers.
Not a VSiN Pro subscriber? Find an option that works for you.
The 15-page PDF includes:
>Best Bets from Dave Tuley, Ed Sehon and Aaron Halterman as well as 1/ST BET analysts Jeremy Plonk and Millie Ball.
>Derby betting strategy from Mike Somich.
>Profiles of 20-horse field by Sehon.
VSiN will have special Derby coverage all week with a YouTube-only edition of VSiN At The Track with Mike Somich and Aaron Halterman on Friday (2:10 p.m. ET) and then the two will host a Derby-themed show in the hours leading up to post time on Saturday (4-8 p.m. ET).
>>Check out our Derby hub for video and picks for today’s card at Churchill.
And if you need a little extra bankroll, 1/ST BET is offering $200 signup bonus. >>Go here.
Today in MLB
Gill Alexander, host of A Numbers Game, comes up with a “most wins in May” wager. Better yet, he takes you through his handicapping process. >>Watch the segment.
Greg Peterson already has filed his top plays for today.
Steve Makinen, Adam Burke and Josh Appelbaum will post their contributions later this morning.
>Our daily matchup page with more detail by clicking on “Matchup Analysis.”
>Makinen’s daily power ratings
>DraftKings/Circa Betting Splits
Quick Hits
NFL: Steve Makinen tries to find a correlation — if any — between draft grades and improvement on the field.
This is The VSiN Daily newsletter for Thursday, May 1. Sign up for this free email and get picks and insights delivered to your in-box every morning.
