Three days into the second round of the NBA playoffs, what do we know?
- Steph Curry is hurt.
- A second-half lead of 20 points isn’t what it used to be.
- Road teams, all underdogs, are 5-0.
- The top-seeded Cavs are in trouble.
Curry was injured in the second quarter, but the Warriors (+6) forged ahead without him to beat the Timberwolves 99-88 in their series opener. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Curry is day-to-day with a strained left hamstring and will have an MRI today.
The Cavs, without injured starters Evan Mobley and Darius Garland and reserve De’Andre Hunter, led the Pacers by 20 in the third quarter and by 7 with 40 seconds left. But they couldn’t hold as Tyrese Halburton got his own rebound after a missed free throw and hit a three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left to give Indiana (+5.5) a 120-119 victory and a 2-0 series lead. The Pacers are now -196 favorites to advance vs. the Cavs (+165).
We have two games tonight:
- Game 2: Knicks (+10.5 at Circa) at Celtics, 7 ET, TNT. NY leads 1-0.
- Game 2: Nuggets (+11) at Thunder, 9:30 ET, TNT. Denver leads 1-0.
Later this morning: Zach Cohen will post his daily Best Bets and Steve Makinen will file his Analytics Report. Dan Karpuc went 3-1 on his NBA player props in his VSiN.com debut and will have more today.
>Today’s selections from the VSiN KillerSports NBA Playoff Challenge will be available shortly after 6 p.m. ET.
>Estimated scores from Makinen.
ICYMI: Before last night’s action, Jonathan Von Tobel posted a prescient piece on the road success in the NBA playoffs so far.
Stars-Jets opener
We have two games in the NHL tonight:
- Game 2: Panthers at Maple Leafs, 7 ET, ESPN. Toronto leads 1-0.
- Game 1: Stars at Jets, 9:30 ET, ESPN
Jonathan Davis will post his official Best Bets later today. but he had this to say on the Stars-Jets series:
I like Dallas to win the series, and it goes no more than six games. I also like the Stars to score at least three goals each game and will target their team total when I can get a decent price on Over 2.5 goals.
No word yet on the status of Toronto goalie Anthony Stolarz, who left Game 1 with a head injury.
>Estimated scores from Makinen.
Tuesday recap: In series openers, the Oilers (+117) upset Vegas 4-2 and the favored Hurricanes (-135) beat the Capitals 2-1.
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.
Steve updates his bullpen betting systems.
>Our daily matchup page with more detail by clicking on “Matchup Analysis.”
>Makinen’s daily power ratings
>DraftKings/Circa Betting Splits
Quick Hits
Golf: In a tune-up for next week’s PGA Championship, Wes Reynolds handicaps the Truist Championship, a signature event at a new course (Philadelphia Cricket Club). And don’t forget to get Best Bets from Matt Brown and Kelley Bydlon on the Long Shots podcast.
Horse Racing: Derby winner Sovereignty won’t run in the Preakness, but will aim for the Belmont.
WNBA: Tyler Shoemaker offers his win total bets for the upcoming season.
This is The VSiN Daily newsletter for Wednesday, May 7. Sign up for this free email and get picks and insights delivered to your in-box every morning.
