The date for NFL Christmas in May has been set.
The league will release the 2026 schedule on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. Tim Murray and Matt Youmans will be on duty that night to spot the early edges and tough spots on the calendar.
We’ll have opening lines for all the games and, heck, we can even start mapping out Circa Survivor.
The league will release the 2026 schedule on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. Tim Murray and Matt Youmans will be on duty that night to spot the early edges and tough spots on the calendar.
We’ll have opening lines for all the games and, heck, we can even start mapping out Circa Survivor.
🏀 NBA Playoffs: Second round getting lopsided
First round: Competitive.
Second round: Not so much. Not yet, at least.
The Knicks are up 3-0. The Pistons and Thunder will try to do the same today. And if Victor Wembanyama has many more 39-point, 15-rebound games, the Spurs (now up 2-1) won’t take long to dispatch the Timberwolves.
Saturday’s NBA menu
Pistons (+4.5) at Cavs, 3 ET (NBC). Total: 214.5. DET leads 2-0.
Thunder (-8.5) at Lakers, 8:30 ET (ABC). Total: 211.5. OKC leads 2-0.
I ran Steve Makinen’s Analytics Report through AI and it spit out this pick:
Pistons +4.5
AI verdict: Too many overlapping systems point toward Detroit.
The strongest angles:
• Detroit is 12-3 SU and 13-2 ATS as an underdog this season.
• Cleveland is a brutal 15-35 ATS vs winning teams.
👉 Steve Makinen’s trends, betting systems and power ratings →
👉 NBA player prop projections from Opta AI →
👉 Check standings & picks in the VSiN / KillerSports Challenge →
Second round: Not so much. Not yet, at least.
The Knicks are up 3-0. The Pistons and Thunder will try to do the same today. And if Victor Wembanyama has many more 39-point, 15-rebound games, the Spurs (now up 2-1) won’t take long to dispatch the Timberwolves.
Saturday’s NBA menu
Pistons (+4.5) at Cavs, 3 ET (NBC). Total: 214.5. DET leads 2-0.
Thunder (-8.5) at Lakers, 8:30 ET (ABC). Total: 211.5. OKC leads 2-0.
I ran Steve Makinen’s Analytics Report through AI and it spit out this pick:
Pistons +4.5
AI verdict: Too many overlapping systems point toward Detroit.
The strongest angles:
• Detroit is 12-3 SU and 13-2 ATS as an underdog this season.
• Cleveland is a brutal 15-35 ATS vs winning teams.
👉 Steve Makinen’s trends, betting systems and power ratings →
👉 NBA player prop projections from Opta AI →
👉 Check standings & picks in the VSiN / KillerSports Challenge →
🧠 Zach Cohen’s NBA Report: Knicks bury 76ers
The Sixers stormed out to an early 12-point lead in Game 3, looking like they were ready to take advantage of the absence of OG Anunoby to set up a meaningful Game 4. However, after the hot start for Philly, it was all New York.
Once again, Jalen Brunson torched the 76ers backcourt, scoring 33 points. It was also another strong game for Karl-Anthony Towns as a playmaker, as the big man dished out seven assists and took a lot of pressure off his teammates. Mikal Bridges also stepped up for New York again, scoring 23 points on 8-14 shooting.
Joel Embiid did return for Philly in the game, but his presence seemed to hurt his team. The Sixers were force-feeding him the ball, almost ignoring Tyrese Maxey. Embiid was also a traffic cone on defense, which means he clearly isn’t healthy.
Up 3-0, New York is a 1.5-point favorite in Game 4, so we’ll see if there’s one last stand from Philadelphia. Something worth noting heading into that game? All five Sixers starters played at least 35 minutes, and Game 4 tips at 3:30 pm ET on Sunday. That’s a quick turnaround for a tired team.
Spurs Take 2-1 Lead Over Timberwolves
San Antonio came out super hot in Game 3, running up an 18-3 lead early in the first quarter. Minnesota did eventually wake up, even taking a lead early in the second quarter. However, the Spurs led for 87% of the game, according to ESPN’s team statistics. That’s two games in a row in which San Antonio has looked a class above Minnesota.
The Timberwolves are going to need to dig in next time out, as their season might as well be on the line in Game 4.
By the way, Victor Wembanyama was sensational in this game. In fact, an argument can be made that this was the best game he has ever played, as he finished with 39 points on 13-18 FG, 3-5 3PT, and 10-12 FT. He also added 15 rebounds and five blocked shots.
Wembanyama wasn’t just scoring either. He was scoring when it mattered most. He was unguardable late in the fourth quarter, delivering several kill-shots to this feisty Minnesota defense.
Saturday Slate
We’ll see if the Cavs can get back in their series against the Pistons. Then the Lakers will do their best to hang around against the Thunder. After being 15.5-point underdogs in Games 1 and 2, LA is only getting 8.5 in a home Game 3.
👉 Zach’s Saturday best bets and player props →
Once again, Jalen Brunson torched the 76ers backcourt, scoring 33 points. It was also another strong game for Karl-Anthony Towns as a playmaker, as the big man dished out seven assists and took a lot of pressure off his teammates. Mikal Bridges also stepped up for New York again, scoring 23 points on 8-14 shooting.
Joel Embiid did return for Philly in the game, but his presence seemed to hurt his team. The Sixers were force-feeding him the ball, almost ignoring Tyrese Maxey. Embiid was also a traffic cone on defense, which means he clearly isn’t healthy.
Up 3-0, New York is a 1.5-point favorite in Game 4, so we’ll see if there’s one last stand from Philadelphia. Something worth noting heading into that game? All five Sixers starters played at least 35 minutes, and Game 4 tips at 3:30 pm ET on Sunday. That’s a quick turnaround for a tired team.
Spurs Take 2-1 Lead Over Timberwolves
San Antonio came out super hot in Game 3, running up an 18-3 lead early in the first quarter. Minnesota did eventually wake up, even taking a lead early in the second quarter. However, the Spurs led for 87% of the game, according to ESPN’s team statistics. That’s two games in a row in which San Antonio has looked a class above Minnesota.
The Timberwolves are going to need to dig in next time out, as their season might as well be on the line in Game 4.
By the way, Victor Wembanyama was sensational in this game. In fact, an argument can be made that this was the best game he has ever played, as he finished with 39 points on 13-18 FG, 3-5 3PT, and 10-12 FT. He also added 15 rebounds and five blocked shots.
Wembanyama wasn’t just scoring either. He was scoring when it mattered most. He was unguardable late in the fourth quarter, delivering several kill-shots to this feisty Minnesota defense.
Saturday Slate
We’ll see if the Cavs can get back in their series against the Pistons. Then the Lakers will do their best to hang around against the Thunder. After being 15.5-point underdogs in Games 1 and 2, LA is only getting 8.5 in a home Game 3.
👉 Zach’s Saturday best bets and player props →
🏒 NHL Best Bets
Jonathan Davis will have his Best Bets later today as the Hurricanes go for a sweep and Colorado looks to continue its dominance.
Saturday’s NHL menu
Hurricanes (-192) at Flyers (+160), 6 ET (TNT). Total: 5.5. CAR leads 3-0.
Avalanche (-130) at Wild (+110), 9 ET (TNT). Total: 6.5. COL leads 2-0.
👉 JD’s plays →
Saturday’s NHL menu
Hurricanes (-192) at Flyers (+160), 6 ET (TNT). Total: 5.5. CAR leads 3-0.
Avalanche (-130) at Wild (+110), 9 ET (TNT). Total: 6.5. COL leads 2-0.
👉 JD’s plays →
⚾ MLB Best Bets
The Cubs put together their second 10-game winning streak of the season, beating the Rangers 7-1 on Friday night.
And they now have the best record in baseball at 27-12 (.692).
Greg Peterson is back on today’s Cubs-Rangers rematch in his Saturday Best Bets.
👉 Greg Peterson’s Saturday best bets →
MLB betting analysis from Adam Burke, Josh Appelbaum and Steve Makinen will continue to filter in throughout the morning.
👉 More MLB coverage and picks →
👉 MLB player prop projections from Opta AI →
And they now have the best record in baseball at 27-12 (.692).
Greg Peterson is back on today’s Cubs-Rangers rematch in his Saturday Best Bets.
👉 Greg Peterson’s Saturday best bets →
MLB betting analysis from Adam Burke, Josh Appelbaum and Steve Makinen will continue to filter in throughout the morning.
👉 More MLB coverage and picks →
👉 MLB player prop projections from Opta AI →
🥊 UFC
🏇 Horse Racing
Mike Somich and the Daily Racing Form experts have picks and analysis for Saturday’s card.
👉 Horse racing picks and analysis →
👉 Horse racing picks and analysis →
⚽ Soccer
Nigel Seeley has EPL plays while Luke DiVasta weighs in on the MLS slate.
👉 Soccer best bets and analysis →
👉 Soccer best bets and analysis →
🏀 WNBA
Opening weekend continues in the WNBA as Caitlin Clark and the Fever are in action Saturday.
👉 Tyler Shoemaker’s WNBA projections →
👉 Tyler Shoemaker’s WNBA projections →
🏁 NASCAR
