🏀 NBA Playoffs: The Joy of Six
The Pistons and Rockets live to see Game 6.
If this first round feels like it’s lasting longer than usual, you’re not imagining it. All four first-round series in the East will go at least six games — just the fourth time since 2003 that either conference has pulled that off.
Three first-round series could end tonight, but all three favorites are on the road.
Thursday’s NBA menu:
Knicks (-2.5) at Hawks, 7 ET. Total: 213.5. NY leads 3-2.
Celtics (-5.5) at Sixers, 8 ET. Total: 212.5. BOS leads 3-2.
Nuggets (-5.5) at Timberwolves, 9:30 ET. Total: 224.5. MIN leads 3-2.
👉 Steve Makinen’s NBA Analytics Report (by mid-morning) →
👉 NBA player prop projections from Opta AI →
👉 Check standings & picks in the VSiN / KillerSports Challenge →
Gill Alexander is 14-6 and atop the leaderboard.
If this first round feels like it’s lasting longer than usual, you’re not imagining it. All four first-round series in the East will go at least six games — just the fourth time since 2003 that either conference has pulled that off.
Three first-round series could end tonight, but all three favorites are on the road.
Thursday’s NBA menu:
Knicks (-2.5) at Hawks, 7 ET. Total: 213.5. NY leads 3-2.
Celtics (-5.5) at Sixers, 8 ET. Total: 212.5. BOS leads 3-2.
Nuggets (-5.5) at Timberwolves, 9:30 ET. Total: 224.5. MIN leads 3-2.
👉 Steve Makinen’s NBA Analytics Report (by mid-morning) →
👉 NBA player prop projections from Opta AI →
👉 Check standings & picks in the VSiN / KillerSports Challenge →
Gill Alexander is 14-6 and atop the leaderboard.
🧠 Zach Cohen’s NBA Report: Pistons, Rockets fight off elimination
Detroit didn’t come through for Zig-Zag bettors on Wednesday, winning 116-109 as a 10.5-point favorite. But the Pistons did avoid getting bounced at home and now head to Orlando with a chance to force Game 7 back in the Motor City.
Game 5 turned into more of a shootout than expected, which was surprising given the defensive identities of both teams. Paolo Banchero poured in 45 points for Orlando with Franz Wagner sidelined by a calf injury, but Cade Cunningham matched him with 45 of his own — and got just enough help to keep Detroit alive.
Wagner’s status is now the story for Game 6. Banchero is more dangerous when he doesn’t have to share the floor, but Orlando would still prefer Wagner’s perimeter defense and downhill pressure. Either way, this series suddenly has some life again. Detroit is down to +100 to win it at DraftKings.
Houston also extended its season, grinding out a 99-93 road win over the Lakers. All five Rockets starters scored in double figures, and Houston defended at a high level all night. Now the Rockets head home with a chance to force Game 7 — and maybe make some history. No team has ever come back from 3-0 in an NBA playoff series. If Kevin Durant returns for Game 6, Houston suddenly becomes very interesting.
Cleveland also held serve in Game 5, beating Toronto 125-120 to take a 3-2 series lead. The Raptors still covered as 9.5-point underdogs and should feel good heading home, but this remains one of the least compelling series on the board unless you’re holding a Cavs future.
What’s happening Thursday?
A lot. We get three closeout games, and all three favorites are on the road.
The Knicks have taken control of their series and now head to Atlanta looking to finish off the Hawks. The Celtics looked dead a few days ago, but Joel Embiid’s 33-point Game 5 has suddenly made Sixers-Celtics interesting again. And in the late game, Denver gets another crack at a shorthanded Minnesota team with a chance to send the series back home for Game 7.
👉 Zach’s Best Bets →
Game 5 turned into more of a shootout than expected, which was surprising given the defensive identities of both teams. Paolo Banchero poured in 45 points for Orlando with Franz Wagner sidelined by a calf injury, but Cade Cunningham matched him with 45 of his own — and got just enough help to keep Detroit alive.
Wagner’s status is now the story for Game 6. Banchero is more dangerous when he doesn’t have to share the floor, but Orlando would still prefer Wagner’s perimeter defense and downhill pressure. Either way, this series suddenly has some life again. Detroit is down to +100 to win it at DraftKings.
Houston also extended its season, grinding out a 99-93 road win over the Lakers. All five Rockets starters scored in double figures, and Houston defended at a high level all night. Now the Rockets head home with a chance to force Game 7 — and maybe make some history. No team has ever come back from 3-0 in an NBA playoff series. If Kevin Durant returns for Game 6, Houston suddenly becomes very interesting.
Cleveland also held serve in Game 5, beating Toronto 125-120 to take a 3-2 series lead. The Raptors still covered as 9.5-point underdogs and should feel good heading home, but this remains one of the least compelling series on the board unless you’re holding a Cavs future.
What’s happening Thursday?
A lot. We get three closeout games, and all three favorites are on the road.
The Knicks have taken control of their series and now head to Atlanta looking to finish off the Hawks. The Celtics looked dead a few days ago, but Joel Embiid’s 33-point Game 5 has suddenly made Sixers-Celtics interesting again. And in the late game, Denver gets another crack at a shorthanded Minnesota team with a chance to send the series back home for Game 7.
👉 Zach’s Best Bets →
🏒 NHL Best Bets
On the third try, the Flyers finally eliminated the Penguins 1-0 in overtime.
Jonathan Davis will post his top plays for these games later this morning.
Thursday’s NHL menu:
Stars (+102) at Wild (-155), 7:30 ET (TNT).
Oilers (-130) at Ducks (+110), 10 ET (TNT).
👉 JD’s NHL picks →
Jonathan Davis will post his top plays for these games later this morning.
Thursday’s NHL menu:
Stars (+102) at Wild (-155), 7:30 ET (TNT).
Oilers (-130) at Ducks (+110), 10 ET (TNT).
👉 JD’s NHL picks →
🏇 Kentucky Derby: First scratch
Derby week got its first shakeup Wednesday when Silent Tactic scratched with a foot bruise.
Mike Somich and Aaron Halterman covered the news out of Churchill Downs on the latest VSiN At The Track podcast, including concerns around Renegade and Golden Tempo, who are both dealing with quarter cracks, plus strong buzz around Further Ado and Chief Wallabee coming out of workouts.
Plus, they have their picks for Friday’s card, including the Oaks.
👉 Watch the latest episode →
👉 Listen to the podcast →
Mike Somich and Aaron Halterman covered the news out of Churchill Downs on the latest VSiN At The Track podcast, including concerns around Renegade and Golden Tempo, who are both dealing with quarter cracks, plus strong buzz around Further Ado and Chief Wallabee coming out of workouts.
Plus, they have their picks for Friday’s card, including the Oaks.
👉 Watch the latest episode →
👉 Listen to the podcast →
Have you downloaded your VSiN Kentucky Derby Betting Guide?
VSiN Pro subscribers can grab it now, and if you’re not yet a subscriber, our Triple Crown special gets you the guide plus full VSiN Pro access through the Belmont Stakes.
One of the best features in the 19-page PDF: Daily Racing Form past performances for the full Derby field.
👉 Download the Derby Betting Guide →
👉 Get the Triple Crown special →
Stay tuned to VSiN: We’ll have Derby guests sprinkled throughout Thursday’s programming, including Peter Fornatale and Chris Fallica at 11:15 a.m. ET (A Numbers Game) and Eddie Olczyk at 5 p.m. ET (Follow The Money).
VSiN Pro subscribers can grab it now, and if you’re not yet a subscriber, our Triple Crown special gets you the guide plus full VSiN Pro access through the Belmont Stakes.
One of the best features in the 19-page PDF: Daily Racing Form past performances for the full Derby field.
👉 Download the Derby Betting Guide →
👉 Get the Triple Crown special →
Stay tuned to VSiN: We’ll have Derby guests sprinkled throughout Thursday’s programming, including Peter Fornatale and Chris Fallica at 11:15 a.m. ET (A Numbers Game) and Eddie Olczyk at 5 p.m. ET (Follow The Money).
⚾ MLB Early-Bird Specials
If you’re out here on the West Coast, rise and shine. Five of Thursday’s 11 MLB games start before 10 a.m. Pacific.
Greg Peterson has a play on the first game of the day: Tigers-Braves.
👉 Greg’s MLB Best Bets →
Adam Burke and Josh Appelbaum will file this morning, along with Steve Makinen’s Analytics Report.
👉 More MLB coverage →
👉 MLB player prop projections from Opta AI →
Greg Peterson has a play on the first game of the day: Tigers-Braves.
👉 Greg’s MLB Best Bets →
Adam Burke and Josh Appelbaum will file this morning, along with Steve Makinen’s Analytics Report.
👉 More MLB coverage →
👉 MLB player prop projections from Opta AI →
