The Warriors kept their season alive, but for how much longer?
Golden State (+2.5) eliminated the host Rockets on Sunday with a 103-89 victory in Game 7. Next up: The Timberwolves.
VSiN.com senior editor Zach Cohen previews the Warriors-Timberwolves series, which starts Tuesday in San Francisco. I asked him what we should make of the Warriors.
The Warriors were able to fight off the Rockets. Some might call that “championship pedigree,” but I call that a 33-point performance from Buddy Hield combined with an abysmal offensive showing from a Houston team that has been mediocre offensively all season.
The Warriors now move on to face a Timberwolves team that offers a lot of the same things the Rockets did. Minnesota is big, physical and athletic, and the team is also deep and very well-coached. The Wolves also happen to have the individual late-game scoring that the Rockets lacked. Minnesota has two reliable bucket-getters in Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle. That should give the team the little extra push that Houston needed.
Keep an eye on the Rockets as the offseason approaches. I don’t normally jump on early futures for teams to win the title the following year, but I’ll be considering it with Houston for the 2025-26 championship. Most major sportsbooks post those odds as soon as the NBA Finals end, and the Rockets will likely be available at a better number than they will be later in the summer. After scoring only 89 points in a do-or-die scenario, Houston is a real threat to push the chips in and make a move for a star-level offensive player. That could be Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it’s more likely Kevin Durant. Either one of them can push the Rockets over the top.
The second round started Sunday as the Pacers (+8.5) beat the top-seeded Cavs 121-112.
Two more series open tonight:
>Knicks (+9.5 at Circa) at Celtics, 7 ET, TNT. >>Zach’s preview and prediction.
>Nuggets (+9.5) at Thunder, 9:30 ET, TNT. >>Zach’s preview and prediction.
Later this morning: Zach will post his daily Best Bets and Steve Makinen will file his Analytics Report.
>Today’s selections from the VSiN KillerSports NBA Playoff Challenge will be available shortly after 6 p.m. ET.
>Estimated scores from Makinen.
ICYMI: Steve has produced a comprehensive list of trends and betting systems for the second round.
NHL ready for Round 2
The Jets rallied with two goals in the last two minutes — tying with 1.6 second left, much to the dismay of VSiN host Scott Seidenberg — and then beat the Blues in the second OT 4-3 to earn a spot against Dallas.
The second round opens today:
>Panthers (-121) at Leafs (+109), 8 ET, ESPN
Look for Jonathan Davis‘ second-round preview later this morning.
>Estimated scores from Makinen.
Now might be a good time to review Steve’s playoff betting strategies.
Today in MLB
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
This is The VSiN Daily newsletter for Sunday, May 4. Sign up for this free email and get picks and insights delivered to your in-box every morning.
