🏀 NBA Playoffs: Let the real games begin
VSiN.com senior editor Zach Cohen gets us ready for the NBA playoff betting season.
We made it through the dog days. Now it’s time for meaningful basketball.
While many like to bash the NBA product, the quality of play when the best are fully engaged is something else. We got a glimpse of that when the Spurs and Nuggets clashed two Saturdays ago — and now we get it every night.
We made it through the dog days. Now it’s time for meaningful basketball.
While many like to bash the NBA product, the quality of play when the best are fully engaged is something else. We got a glimpse of that when the Spurs and Nuggets clashed two Saturdays ago — and now we get it every night.
📍 East Matchups
No. 3 Knicks (-290 to win series) vs. No. 6 Hawks (+230)
No. 4 Cavaliers (-600) vs. No. 5 Raptors (+425)
No. 4 Cavaliers (-600) vs. No. 5 Raptors (+425)
🎯 Play-In
No. 7 Sixers (-1.5) vs. No. 8 Magic → winner faces No. 2 Celtics
No. 9 Hornets (-5.5) vs. No. 10 Heat → winner plays loser of 7/8 for No. 1 Pistons
No. 9 Hornets (-5.5) vs. No. 10 Heat → winner plays loser of 7/8 for No. 1 Pistons
💡 Zach’s quick takes on East
Hawks vs. Knicks: Atlanta choosing this matchup was… curious. The Knicks just went into Atlanta and won a must-have game, and they’re not exactly the type to forget that slight. Tough-minded group, and now motivated.
Cavs’ path: Things broke perfectly. A soft opening matchup and a likely date with an inexperienced Pistons team. There was talk of avoiding Boston — Cleveland did it without even trying.
Cavs’ path: Things broke perfectly. A soft opening matchup and a likely date with an inexperienced Pistons team. There was talk of avoiding Boston — Cleveland did it without even trying.
🌵 West Matchups
No. 3 Nuggets (-350) vs. No. 6 Timberwolves (+280)
No. 4 Lakers (+550) vs. No. 5 Rockets (-750)
No. 4 Lakers (+550) vs. No. 5 Rockets (-750)
🎯 Play-In
No. 7 Suns (-4.5) vs. No. 8 Trail Blazers → winner faces No. 2 Spurs
No. 9 Clippers (-3.5) vs. No. 10 Warriors → winner plays loser of 7/8 for No. 1 Thunder
No. 9 Clippers (-3.5) vs. No. 10 Warriors → winner plays loser of 7/8 for No. 1 Thunder
💡 Zach’s quick takes
Nuggets-Wolves: A brutal draw for Denver. Minnesota is finally healthy, and we get a full-strength clash between two teams that know each other well. Keep an eye on Peyton Watson — his absence would be a real problem defensively against Anthony Edwards.
Lakers outlook: This broke perfectly. Home court to start, and a chance to buy time. If LeBron can split early, the possible return of Luka Dončić and/or Austin Reaves could swing the series. That’s where things get interesting.
Lakers outlook: This broke perfectly. Home court to start, and a chance to buy time. If LeBron can split early, the possible return of Luka Dončić and/or Austin Reaves could swing the series. That’s where things get interesting.
⛳ Masters: Never a doubt, right?
Rory McIlroy (13-1) survived a scary 72nd hole to finish at 12 under, one stroke ahead of Scottie Scheffler, and win the Masters for the second year in a row.
Long Shots podcast co-host Kelley Bydlon recaps the final-round sweat.
It was a tough back nine for me — I thought Cameron Young and Russell Henley both had a shot, but they just couldn’t punch through. Still a small winning week, so we’ll take it and move on to RBC Heritage.
Looking ahead to the PGA Championship in a month, Scottie Scheffler is the favorite. Unlike the Masters, I’ll probably wait until the week of the tournament before getting heavily involved.
Matt Brown, also a host on Long Shots, shared his thoughts:
Taking nothing away from Rory, but two bad swings on Friday kept the green jacket from returning to Scottie Scheffler. He’ll be thinking about those two Par 5s for a couple days, I’m sure.
Moving forward, another strong performance from Jake Knapp has me eyeing the bomber for any tournament that requires distance. It will be interesting to see how Sam Burns and Cam Young bounce back from Sunday. The tournament was there for the taking and they didn’t grab it.
Finally, watch out for Xander Schauffele. He’s hitting his stride and might finally be over the injuries that have kept him from playing at his typical elite level.
Long Shots podcast co-host Kelley Bydlon recaps the final-round sweat.
It was a tough back nine for me — I thought Cameron Young and Russell Henley both had a shot, but they just couldn’t punch through. Still a small winning week, so we’ll take it and move on to RBC Heritage.
Looking ahead to the PGA Championship in a month, Scottie Scheffler is the favorite. Unlike the Masters, I’ll probably wait until the week of the tournament before getting heavily involved.
Matt Brown, also a host on Long Shots, shared his thoughts:
Taking nothing away from Rory, but two bad swings on Friday kept the green jacket from returning to Scottie Scheffler. He’ll be thinking about those two Par 5s for a couple days, I’m sure.
Moving forward, another strong performance from Jake Knapp has me eyeing the bomber for any tournament that requires distance. It will be interesting to see how Sam Burns and Cam Young bounce back from Sunday. The tournament was there for the taking and they didn’t grab it.
Finally, watch out for Xander Schauffele. He’s hitting his stride and might finally be over the injuries that have kept him from playing at his typical elite level.
⚾ MLB Best Bets
Greg Peterson’s Monday card is live.
👉 Greg’s MLB Best Bets →
More coming:
Burke, Cohen, Appelbaum and Makinen throughout the day.
👉 MLB hub →
👉 Greg’s MLB Best Bets →
More coming:
Burke, Cohen, Appelbaum and Makinen throughout the day.
👉 MLB hub →
🤖 Free trial: Opta AI MLB props
