There was a broadcasters’ convention all week in Las Vegas and I had a client dinner during the draft, so I asked VSiN.com managing editor Adam Burke to file his notes.
🏈 NFL Draft: Surprise, surprise
The first round of the NFL Draft reminded us of one thing: even “sharp” markets can get blindsided.
Sportsbooks and prediction markets were active all day, but once the draft started, the board turned unpredictable.
What stood out:
• No. 2 twist: Arvell Reese surged to heavy favorite status — but the Jets took DE David Bailey at No. 2.
• No. 4 shocker: The Giants selected WR Carnell Tate at longshot odds (as high as 50-1).
• More surprises: The Rams reached for QB Ty Simpson at No. 13, S Caleb Downs fell to the Cowboys at No. 11, and Jadarian Price (No. 32) made it two first-round RBs despite heavy Under money (the other being Jeremiyah Love, the Giants’ pick at No. 3).
Rookie of the Year (DraftKings opening odds):
• Offensive ROY: Jeremiyah Love (+200), Carnell Tate (+350), Jordyn Tyson (+450), Fernando Mendoza (+550), Jadarian Price (+750)
• Defensive ROY: David Bailey (+350), Sonny Styles / Arvell Reese (+500), Caleb Downs (+700), Mansoor Delane (+800)
👉 Quick takes from our hosts during and after the first round →
Sportsbooks and prediction markets were active all day, but once the draft started, the board turned unpredictable.
What stood out:
• No. 2 twist: Arvell Reese surged to heavy favorite status — but the Jets took DE David Bailey at No. 2.
• No. 4 shocker: The Giants selected WR Carnell Tate at longshot odds (as high as 50-1).
• More surprises: The Rams reached for QB Ty Simpson at No. 13, S Caleb Downs fell to the Cowboys at No. 11, and Jadarian Price (No. 32) made it two first-round RBs despite heavy Under money (the other being Jeremiyah Love, the Giants’ pick at No. 3).
Rookie of the Year (DraftKings opening odds):
• Offensive ROY: Jeremiyah Love (+200), Carnell Tate (+350), Jordyn Tyson (+450), Fernando Mendoza (+550), Jadarian Price (+750)
• Defensive ROY: David Bailey (+350), Sonny Styles / Arvell Reese (+500), Caleb Downs (+700), Mansoor Delane (+800)
👉 Quick takes from our hosts during and after the first round →
🏀 NBA Playoffs: Game 3s on deck
Celtics (-7.5) at Sixers, 7 ET (Prime Video). Total: 215.5. Series tied 1-1.
Lakers (+9.5) at Rockets, 8 ET (Prime Video). Total: 206.5. HOU leads 2-0.
Spurs (-1.5) at Blazers, 10:30 ET (Prime Video). Total: 220.5. Series tied 1-1.
Injury watch: Wembanyama (questionable), Embiid (doubtful), Reaves (expected back)
👉 NBA coverage →
Lakers (+9.5) at Rockets, 8 ET (Prime Video). Total: 206.5. HOU leads 2-0.
Spurs (-1.5) at Blazers, 10:30 ET (Prime Video). Total: 220.5. Series tied 1-1.
Injury watch: Wembanyama (questionable), Embiid (doubtful), Reaves (expected back)
👉 NBA coverage →
📊 Makinen’s Game 3 Analytics
🧠 Zach Cohen’s NBA Report
Home Cooking
Thursday belonged to the home teams.
Atlanta edged New York behind CJ McCollum’s late shotmaking, while Toronto flipped the script with a 22-point win over Cleveland — a game that also flew Over.
Minnesota made the loudest statement, blowing out Denver and holding the Nuggets to just 34% shooting.
Injury Watch
Oklahoma City is going to have to adjust on the fly, as Jalen Williams is expected to miss extended time with a hamstring strain. That’s a big loss for a team that leans heavily on its secondary scoring behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Lakers, on the other hand, could be getting a boost. Austin Reaves is trending toward playing in Game 3, and if he’s out there, Los Angeles will have a real shot at pushing this series to 3-0.
Then there’s San Antonio. Victor Wembanyama (concussion) is questionable for Game 3, and that’s obviously the biggest swing factor on the board.
Philadelphia’s situation is the most interesting. Joel Embiid is listed as doubtful, but not officially ruled out. That at least leaves the door open for a potential return in Game 4 — and that would completely change the complexion of this series.
👉 Zach’s Best Bets (mid-morning) →
👉 Player prop projections from Opta AI →
Thursday belonged to the home teams.
Atlanta edged New York behind CJ McCollum’s late shotmaking, while Toronto flipped the script with a 22-point win over Cleveland — a game that also flew Over.
Minnesota made the loudest statement, blowing out Denver and holding the Nuggets to just 34% shooting.
Injury Watch
Oklahoma City is going to have to adjust on the fly, as Jalen Williams is expected to miss extended time with a hamstring strain. That’s a big loss for a team that leans heavily on its secondary scoring behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Lakers, on the other hand, could be getting a boost. Austin Reaves is trending toward playing in Game 3, and if he’s out there, Los Angeles will have a real shot at pushing this series to 3-0.
Then there’s San Antonio. Victor Wembanyama (concussion) is questionable for Game 3, and that’s obviously the biggest swing factor on the board.
Philadelphia’s situation is the most interesting. Joel Embiid is listed as doubtful, but not officially ruled out. That at least leaves the door open for a potential return in Game 4 — and that would completely change the complexion of this series.
👉 Zach’s Best Bets (mid-morning) →
👉 Player prop projections from Opta AI →
🏒 NHL Playoffs
Jonathan Davis will post his top plays for these games later this morning:
Lightning (-122) at Canadiens (+102), 7 ET (TNT). Series tied 1-1.
Golden Knights (-112) at Mammoth (-108), 9:30 ET (TBS). Series tied 1-1.
Oilers (-130) at Ducks (+110), 10 ET (TNT). Series tied 1-1.
JD’s NHL picks →
Lightning (-122) at Canadiens (+102), 7 ET (TNT). Series tied 1-1.
Golden Knights (-112) at Mammoth (-108), 9:30 ET (TBS). Series tied 1-1.
Oilers (-130) at Ducks (+110), 10 ET (TNT). Series tied 1-1.
JD’s NHL picks →
⚾ MLB Best Bets
⚡ Quick Hits
🏇 Kentucky Derby Draft + race previews
👉 YouTube →
🎾 Madrid Open picks →
🥊 UFC preview →
🏁 NASCAR picks →
👉 YouTube →
🎾 Madrid Open picks →
🥊 UFC preview →
🏁 NASCAR picks →
