We’re covering a lot of ground in today’s newsletter: NBA, NHL, MLB, Golf and the WNBA.
🏀 NBA Playoffs: Game 2s tonight
The top-seeded Pistons and Thunder opened their second-round series with victories on Tuesday night.
We have two Game 2s tonight.
Wednesday’s NBA menu
76ers (+6.5) at Knicks, 7 ET (ESPN). Total: 218.5. NYK leads 1-0.
Timberwolves (+4.5) at Spurs, 9:30 ET (ESPN). Total: 216.5. MIN leads 1-0.
👉 NBA player prop projections from Opta AI →
👉 Check standings & picks in the VSiN / KillerSports Challenge →
Gill Alexander remains red-hot at 16-6.
We have two Game 2s tonight.
Wednesday’s NBA menu
76ers (+6.5) at Knicks, 7 ET (ESPN). Total: 218.5. NYK leads 1-0.
Timberwolves (+4.5) at Spurs, 9:30 ET (ESPN). Total: 216.5. MIN leads 1-0.
👉 NBA player prop projections from Opta AI →
👉 Check standings & picks in the VSiN / KillerSports Challenge →
Gill Alexander remains red-hot at 16-6.
🧠 Zach Cohen’s NBA Report: Home teams prevail
In Tuesday’s Eastern Conference Game 1, the Pistons earned a 10-point win over the Cavaliers. Detroit, a 3.5-point favorite, actually led by as many as 18, but Cleveland fought back and had a real shot at winning late. However, everyone stepped up for the Pistons to make sure that didn’t happen.
One big contributor? Tobias Harris. The 33-year-old had 20 points and eight boards in the win. It feels like he’s due to start falling off at some point soon, but Detroit is a different team when he’s providing Cade Cunningham with a legitimate secondary shot-maker.
The other game was a little less dramatic. The Thunder, who were favored by 15.5 points, won by 18. Defensively, they were as sharp as ever, holding the Lakers to only 90 points. JJ Redick will now have his work cut out for him heading into Game 2. Can he put together a game plan that gives this Los Angeles team a chance offensively?
Wednesday Game 2s
How will Philadelphia respond to Monday’s 39-point loss to New York? The Sixers are getting 7 to 7.5 points in this game, which is right around the number we saw in Game 1. Well, a lot of people thought Philadelphia would be tired heading into that one, as Game 7 against Boston was only two nights earlier.
But the Sixers won’t have that excuse in Game 2. It’s the same rest situation, so that’s not changing. But their intensity and attention to detail must.
In the Western Conference, the Spurs will be hoping to even things up against the Timberwolves. Minnesota pulled off a stunner in Game 1, winning 104-102 with Anthony Edwards surprisingly back on the floor. Now, San Antonio has to respond with a Game 2 win — and the team is in a prime Zig Zag spot.
How big is this game for the Spurs? Apparently Gregg Popovich was involved in the team’s film session.
👉 Zach’s Wednesday best bets and player props →
👉 Watch Hardwood Handicappers →
👉 Listen to Hardwood Handicappers →
One big contributor? Tobias Harris. The 33-year-old had 20 points and eight boards in the win. It feels like he’s due to start falling off at some point soon, but Detroit is a different team when he’s providing Cade Cunningham with a legitimate secondary shot-maker.
The other game was a little less dramatic. The Thunder, who were favored by 15.5 points, won by 18. Defensively, they were as sharp as ever, holding the Lakers to only 90 points. JJ Redick will now have his work cut out for him heading into Game 2. Can he put together a game plan that gives this Los Angeles team a chance offensively?
Wednesday Game 2s
How will Philadelphia respond to Monday’s 39-point loss to New York? The Sixers are getting 7 to 7.5 points in this game, which is right around the number we saw in Game 1. Well, a lot of people thought Philadelphia would be tired heading into that one, as Game 7 against Boston was only two nights earlier.
But the Sixers won’t have that excuse in Game 2. It’s the same rest situation, so that’s not changing. But their intensity and attention to detail must.
In the Western Conference, the Spurs will be hoping to even things up against the Timberwolves. Minnesota pulled off a stunner in Game 1, winning 104-102 with Anthony Edwards surprisingly back on the floor. Now, San Antonio has to respond with a Game 2 win — and the team is in a prime Zig Zag spot.
How big is this game for the Spurs? Apparently Gregg Popovich was involved in the team’s film session.
👉 Zach’s Wednesday best bets and player props →
👉 Watch Hardwood Handicappers →
👉 Listen to Hardwood Handicappers →
🏒 NHL Best Bets
Jonathan Davis previews the Canadiens-Sabres series, which opens tonight.
JD: “I view this series as a coin-flip and going a minimum of six games.”
👉 Canadiens-Sabres series preview →
Wednesday’s NHL menu
Canadiens (+145) at Sabres (-175), 7 ET (ESPN). Total: 5.5. Game 1.
Ducks (+155) at Golden Knights (-185), 9:30 ET (TNT). Total: 6. VGK leads 1-0.
Jonathan will have his Best Bets later this morning.
👉 More NHL coverage →
JD: “I view this series as a coin-flip and going a minimum of six games.”
👉 Canadiens-Sabres series preview →
Wednesday’s NHL menu
Canadiens (+145) at Sabres (-175), 7 ET (ESPN). Total: 5.5. Game 1.
Ducks (+155) at Golden Knights (-185), 9:30 ET (TNT). Total: 6. VGK leads 1-0.
Jonathan will have his Best Bets later this morning.
👉 More NHL coverage →
⚡ Smart Edge: Don’t miss the moves
Game 2 adjustments can move fast.
Books react quickly during the playoffs, especially after blowouts, injuries and major tactical adjustments. A number that’s available overnight might be gone by breakfast.
👉 Track real-time line movement from DonBest →
👉 Start your free trial — use code VSIN10 for 10% off
Books react quickly during the playoffs, especially after blowouts, injuries and major tactical adjustments. A number that’s available overnight might be gone by breakfast.
👉 Track real-time line movement from DonBest →
👉 Start your free trial — use code VSIN10 for 10% off
⚾ MLB Best Bets
Greg Peterson has bets for nine games on Wednesday’s MLB card.
MLB betting analysis from Adam Burke, Josh Appelbaum, Zach Cohen and Steve Makinen will filter in throughout the morning.
👉 Greg Peterson’s Wednesday picks →
👉 More MLB coverage and picks →
👉 MLB player prop projections from Opta AI →
MLB betting analysis from Adam Burke, Josh Appelbaum, Zach Cohen and Steve Makinen will filter in throughout the morning.
👉 Greg Peterson’s Wednesday picks →
👉 More MLB coverage and picks →
👉 MLB player prop projections from Opta AI →
⛳ Golf: Rory returns before the PGA
The PGA Tour heads to Charlotte for the Truist Championship, the final Signature Event before next week’s PGA Championship.
With Scottie Scheffler sitting this one out, Rory McIlroy opens as the 6-1 favorite at Quail Hollow — a course he has won on four times. It’s also Rory’s first start since winning his second green jacket at Augusta last month.
Wes Reynolds has outright picks, ranging from 12-1 to 55-1, for this week’s event.
👉 Wes Reynolds’ Truist Championship Best Bets →
👉 Listen to the Long Shots podcast →
👉 Watch Long Shots →
Long Shots also will run Wednesdays at 11 p.m. ET as part of our new summer schedule.
👉 See the VSiN show schedule →
With Scottie Scheffler sitting this one out, Rory McIlroy opens as the 6-1 favorite at Quail Hollow — a course he has won on four times. It’s also Rory’s first start since winning his second green jacket at Augusta last month.
Wes Reynolds has outright picks, ranging from 12-1 to 55-1, for this week’s event.
👉 Wes Reynolds’ Truist Championship Best Bets →
👉 Listen to the Long Shots podcast →
👉 Watch Long Shots →
Long Shots also will run Wednesdays at 11 p.m. ET as part of our new summer schedule.
👉 See the VSiN show schedule →
🏀 WNBA season preview
The WNBA season opens Friday.
Tyler Shoemaker has released his preseason power ratings and season-win total projections for all 13 teams.
On the Indiana Fever:
“Health-permitting, this team should be right in the mix to win the 2026 title. Their season win total is 29.5, so the market expects a big season from the Fever as well.”
Tyler’s projection: 29.4 wins (leans under).
👉 Tyler Shoemaker’s WNBA season preview →
Tyler Shoemaker has released his preseason power ratings and season-win total projections for all 13 teams.
On the Indiana Fever:
“Health-permitting, this team should be right in the mix to win the 2026 title. Their season win total is 29.5, so the market expects a big season from the Fever as well.”
Tyler’s projection: 29.4 wins (leans under).
👉 Tyler Shoemaker’s WNBA season preview →
