Back when I was a sports editor in Chicago, I used to tell people that I had the same job as I did when I was 5 years old: Watch 150 Cubs games a year.
I don’t have to watch the Cubs anymore, but they are entertaining. They had their third straight walk-off victory over the Reds and have the second-best record in baseball (behind the Braves and tied with the Yankees).
On the other hand, they already have lost their third starting pitcher to injury as Matthew Boyd tore his meniscus while playing with his kids on Wednesday.
And it’s only May.
I don’t have to watch the Cubs anymore, but they are entertaining. They had their third straight walk-off victory over the Reds and have the second-best record in baseball (behind the Braves and tied with the Yankees).
On the other hand, they already have lost their third starting pitcher to injury as Matthew Boyd tore his meniscus while playing with his kids on Wednesday.
And it’s only May.
🏀 NBA Playoffs: AI likes Detroit and the Under
Two Game 2s in the NBA tonight.
Thursday’s NBA menu
Cavaliers (+3.5) at Pistons, 7 ET (Prime). Total: 215.5. DET leads 1-0.
Lakers (+15.5) at Thunder, 9:30 ET (Prime). Total: 209.5. OKC leads 1-0.
I ran Steve Makinen’s Analytics Report through AI analysis and the computer spit back two plays:
• Cavs-Pistons Under 215.5
• Pistons -3.5
👉 Makinen’s trends, betting systems and power ratings →
👉 NBA player prop projections from Opta AI →
👉 Check standings & picks in the VSiN / KillerSports Challenge →
Gill Alexander still tops the leaderboard, but Steve Fezzik — a regular guest on Gill’s show — is a hard-charging second.
Thursday’s NBA menu
Cavaliers (+3.5) at Pistons, 7 ET (Prime). Total: 215.5. DET leads 1-0.
Lakers (+15.5) at Thunder, 9:30 ET (Prime). Total: 209.5. OKC leads 1-0.
I ran Steve Makinen’s Analytics Report through AI analysis and the computer spit back two plays:
• Cavs-Pistons Under 215.5
• Pistons -3.5
👉 Makinen’s trends, betting systems and power ratings →
👉 NBA player prop projections from Opta AI →
👉 Check standings & picks in the VSiN / KillerSports Challenge →
Gill Alexander still tops the leaderboard, but Steve Fezzik — a regular guest on Gill’s show — is a hard-charging second.
🧠 Zach Cohen’s NBA Report: Knicks win battle, take hit in war
Earlier in the day on Wednesday, Joel Embiid was ruled out for a Game 2 meeting between Philadelphia and New York. The big man was dealing with an overwhelming amount of pain in multiple areas, so the 76ers decided to hold him out. The hope is that Embiid will be able to take advantage of three days off, then be ready to go when the series heads to Philly.
The Sixers actually put up a good fight without him, covering as double-digit underdogs in a game they had a shot at winning outright. However, there’s no such thing as a moral victory in the postseason, and New York now has a 2-0 series lead.
Unfortunately for the Knicks, not all is well despite the big lead. OG Anunoby, who has a history of dealing with soft-tissue injuries, exited Game 2 with what looked like a hamstring issue. If he did strain his hamstring, he might miss a few games. However, some people believe he simply suffered a thigh contusion. We’ll find out more soon.
Spurs bounce back
After losing Game 1, the Spurs were a prime Zig Zag team. Despite the fact that Ayo Dosunmu returned for Minnesota in Game 2, San Antonio was favored by 9.5. Even the return of a solid contributor for the team that won Game 1 didn’t change anything.
Well, San Antonio did indeed get back in the win column, winning by 38 points in a game that was never close. All five Spurs starters scored in double figures, the team shot 41% from three, and they outrebounded the Wolves by 12. It was a very strong effort from San Antonio, and the series is now even at 1-1.
However, Minnesota gets to board the plane happy. The Wolves might be coming off a blowout loss, but they did their job in stealing home-court advantage.
Thursday’s games
It feels like we really only have one game to look forward to on Thursday. The Cavaliers and Pistons will meet in a big Game 2, with Detroit once again favored by 3.5. This feels like one that can genuinely go either way, but can the same be said about the second game?
Oklahoma City is a 15.5-point favorite against Los Angeles for the second game in a row. In Game 1, the Lakers only scored 90 points and lost by 18, yet it weirdly felt like Los Angeles played well for a good chunk of that game. That’s bad news looking at the rest of the series, as OKC didn’t play well at all — and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was invisible. What happens when the Thunder turn it on?
👉 Zach’s Thursday best bets and player props →
👉 Watch Hardwood Handicappers →
👉 Listen to Hardwood Handicappers →
The Sixers actually put up a good fight without him, covering as double-digit underdogs in a game they had a shot at winning outright. However, there’s no such thing as a moral victory in the postseason, and New York now has a 2-0 series lead.
Unfortunately for the Knicks, not all is well despite the big lead. OG Anunoby, who has a history of dealing with soft-tissue injuries, exited Game 2 with what looked like a hamstring issue. If he did strain his hamstring, he might miss a few games. However, some people believe he simply suffered a thigh contusion. We’ll find out more soon.
Spurs bounce back
After losing Game 1, the Spurs were a prime Zig Zag team. Despite the fact that Ayo Dosunmu returned for Minnesota in Game 2, San Antonio was favored by 9.5. Even the return of a solid contributor for the team that won Game 1 didn’t change anything.
Well, San Antonio did indeed get back in the win column, winning by 38 points in a game that was never close. All five Spurs starters scored in double figures, the team shot 41% from three, and they outrebounded the Wolves by 12. It was a very strong effort from San Antonio, and the series is now even at 1-1.
However, Minnesota gets to board the plane happy. The Wolves might be coming off a blowout loss, but they did their job in stealing home-court advantage.
Thursday’s games
It feels like we really only have one game to look forward to on Thursday. The Cavaliers and Pistons will meet in a big Game 2, with Detroit once again favored by 3.5. This feels like one that can genuinely go either way, but can the same be said about the second game?
Oklahoma City is a 15.5-point favorite against Los Angeles for the second game in a row. In Game 1, the Lakers only scored 90 points and lost by 18, yet it weirdly felt like Los Angeles played well for a good chunk of that game. That’s bad news looking at the rest of the series, as OKC didn’t play well at all — and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was invisible. What happens when the Thunder turn it on?
👉 Zach’s Thursday best bets and player props →
👉 Watch Hardwood Handicappers →
👉 Listen to Hardwood Handicappers →
🏒 NHL Best Bets
Jonathan Davis will have his Best Bets later today.
Thursday’s NHL menu
Hurricanes (-166) at Flyers (+140), 8 ET (TNT). Total: 5.5. CAR leads 2-0.
👉 JD’s plays →
Thursday’s NHL menu
Hurricanes (-166) at Flyers (+140), 8 ET (TNT). Total: 5.5. CAR leads 2-0.
👉 JD’s plays →
⚡ Smart Edge: Don’t miss the moves
Playoff adjustments happen fast.
Blowouts, injuries and market overreactions can move NBA playoff numbers quickly from opener to tip.
👉 Track real-time line movement from DonBest →
👉 Start your free trial — use code VSIN10 for 10% off
Blowouts, injuries and market overreactions can move NBA playoff numbers quickly from opener to tip.
👉 Track real-time line movement from DonBest →
👉 Start your free trial — use code VSIN10 for 10% off
⚾ MLB Best Bets
Greg Peterson likes the Rangers as a road underdog in Thursday’s opener against the Yankees. He points to MacKenzie Gore’s strong strikeout numbers, a Texas bullpen that leads MLB in ERA and New York potentially turning to a bullpen game after Ryan Weathers was scratched.
Rangers moneyline +125 (Greg projected +112).
👉 See all of Greg’s best bets →
MLB betting analysis from Adam Burke, Zach Cohen, Josh Appelbaum and Steve Makinen will continue to filter in throughout the morning.
👉 More MLB coverage and picks →
Rangers moneyline +125 (Greg projected +112).
👉 See all of Greg’s best bets →
MLB betting analysis from Adam Burke, Zach Cohen, Josh Appelbaum and Steve Makinen will continue to filter in throughout the morning.
👉 More MLB coverage and picks →
🏇 Horse racing: Preakness field shapes up
Golden Tempo, the Kentucky Derby winner, will skip the Preakness Stakes on May 16 at Laurel, but will try the Belmont at Saratoga, trainer Cherie DeVaux said Wednesday.
Ocelli, who finished third at 70-1 in the Kentucky Derby, might be the only Derby horse to run back in the Preakness.
👉 More from DRF’s David Grening →
I’m sure Mike Somich and Aaron Halterman will have plenty to say later today on VSiN At The Track.
👉 Watch VSiN At The Track →
👉 Listen to the podcast →
You also can tune in for VSiN At The Track at 11 ET tonight on our video and audio platforms.
Ocelli, who finished third at 70-1 in the Kentucky Derby, might be the only Derby horse to run back in the Preakness.
👉 More from DRF’s David Grening →
I’m sure Mike Somich and Aaron Halterman will have plenty to say later today on VSiN At The Track.
👉 Watch VSiN At The Track →
👉 Listen to the podcast →
You also can tune in for VSiN At The Track at 11 ET tonight on our video and audio platforms.
📺 RIP Ted Turner
Longtime Las Vegas oddsmaker Roxy Roxborough posted a gambler’s tribute Wednesday:
“Made the Atlanta Braves’ games the most bet-on games in American sports.”
👉 Read Roxy’s full tribute →
“Made the Atlanta Braves’ games the most bet-on games in American sports.”
👉 Read Roxy’s full tribute →
