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Don't be afraid of this Dodgers -1.5 RL here. The Reds have lost 8 of their last 11 games and have lost 5 straight home games. You can bet the Reds offensive struggles will continue in this game because they don’t hit the ball as well against right-handers and Gonsolin has been nails on the hill for the Dodgers all season, giving up one run in his last three starts. Also, Gonsolin didn’t give up a run when he faced the Reds in April and I think he keeps this anemic Reds offense in check again in this matchup. The Dodgers should keep it rolling here in this game, they have won three of their last five games and bats have been red hot, scoring 12 runs in their last three starts. Last note here is the Reds have feasted on right handed pitching this season and Tyler Mahle has struggled this season, giving up 12 runs in his last four home starts, and won’t have trouble scoring against him, so look for the Dodgers to win in a blowout.

Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5

I like Colorado here with Ryan Feltner going against the unproven commodity in Miami starter Daniel Castano. The Rockies looked great at the dish in their previous series against the Padres and I think the Rockies are poised to go on a run behind their offense which has come to life. The Rockies have the second-highest overall team batting average, as they have shown that they can consistently reach base safely. I see them cashing in here on the offensive side against Castano who doesn’t have much of a track record. It’s hard to bet on the Marlins as they continue to struggle defensively - they are allowing the 17th most runs per game and Castano doesn't have many starts under his belt this season. He has only pitched in 10.2 innings in the bigs and that’s nothing I’m looking to get behind. The Marlins will be forced to turn to their pen early and the Rockies will take advantage.

Prediction: Colorado Rockies +100

Funny how after Game 3 and Boston was up 2-1 the sky was falling for Golden State, now it's 2-2 and everybody is back on the Golden State band-wagon. Not me, I like Boston to win the series and riding them with with points here in Game 5 for 3 reasons: 1.) Chef Curry won't have another Herculean effort 2.) Draymond is over rated, and 3.) The Cs don’t lose twice in a row on this title run.

The Padres have been dominant with Musgrove and he is rolling, having allowed only 1 run in his last 3 starts.

Kevin Gausman has been great all season, and that includes a 1.91 ERA and .224 allowed batting average on the road. Brieske looked sharp against the Yankees in his last start, but I can't overlook the fact he had a 5.88 ERA and 10 walks in 26 innings in the month of May. The Toronto Blue Jays offense has been on fire for two weeks and I expect their bats to stay hot here.

The Pirates are on a heater winning 7 of their last 10 games and guys like Chavis and Hayes have been pounding the ball. I like Jose Quintana here to pitch multiple scoreless inning and then the Pirates pen will finish it off. I’ll take a shot with the hotter team and the plus money here.

Arizona struggled over the weekend, losing at Pittsburgh on Saturday and Sunday while scoring just 1 run over the 2 games. Arizona has struggled to get their offense going in their last 5 losses they have scored 2 or fewer runs. Cincinnati has had their own struggles this season, both offensively and quality pitching where they are 30th in the majors in ERA at 5.44.

This will be the first time the Reds are favorites with Greene on the hill and they are a poor 2-8 when he starts. Given those numbers, it is very hard to pay plus money with Cincinnati. Arizona have their ace Bumgarner on the mound today and I'll take my chances with plus odds and Bumgarner over Greene.

Do or die game for Warriors here so you would expect Warriors to win game 2. But if the Celtics were able to withstand a hot Steph Curry and a cold Jason Tatum in game 1, then I'm not counting Boston out here, especially if Tatum gets it going. This Celtics team is a much different team than what the Warriors faced in their past trips to the Finals. The Celtics not only can shoot the deep ball, but they also are so good at switching defensively and closing gaps on that end of the floor. Tatum might have struggled mightily with his shooting with a 3/17 but don't look for him to stay cold here in Game 2. I predict Boston defends (and limits) the splash brothers from the perimeter and forces Draymond Green to beat them from inside. Well I'm not willing to bet on Tatum having 2 bad games in a row and not willing to bet on Draymond Green's offensive production. Give me the 4 points here in a game that Boston could win out right.

The Celtics are at a massive disadvantage with no Horford and a banged up Smart, even if he does play. The Celtics don’t play a ton of guys as it is, and they’ve been playing every other day now for weeks, logging big minutes, and that’s going to take its toll. The Miami Heat are deep and a feisty defensive team that only makes things that much worse for Boston. Not to mention, Jimmy Butler is playing out of his mind right now and seems to be a man on a mission. The Heat have yet to lose at home these playoffs, and they’re winning those games by an average of 14.7 points. I’m not stepping in front of the Heat at home.

***TB -1.5 +105*** Austin Meadows has been flat terrible for Detroit this year . Corey Kluber is a veteran pitcher that has pitched a majority of his career in the AL Central and has seen this Detroit Tigers lineup enough to manage them. The Rays are one of the best teams in the American League while guys like free agent shortstop Jaiver Baez struggling, this will be a tough time for the Tigers, I like the Rays to win big tonight.

***Boston -128*** Whitlock has been Boston's best arm all season long, and the Sox have seen Odorozzi before when he spent time in Minnesota as well as his time in Houston a season ago. I believe their lineup will see him well tonight and should be able to put up a few early runs. The Red Sox are a much better team than their record indicates, and this is a good buy-low spot tonight. Let’s stay hot on the Diamond and cash this bet in!

Pick: Boston F5 .5 and Boston -128 ML

The Mavericks have been much better defensively at home, so there's reason to believe Dallas can force a Game 7. The problem for Mavs bettors is that Dallas has been consistently getting beat on the glass and are unable to defend at a high rate against the Suns potent offense. The Suns will dominate the paint (again) but if Dallas can force more turnovers play solid defense, and out shoot the Suns then I can see this game going back to Phoenix for a game 7. Dallas is a fickle team to beat on but if forced to play this one my money is on the Mavs here at home.

Score Prediction: Phoenix 104 - Dallas 108

James Harden finally showed signs of life, but you can't convince me that Philly is the better team here. The Heat have some major depth coming off the bench (Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo) that the 76ers just can't match. Also, Max Strus shot 40% from downtown in Game 5 and he was struggling to find success in recent games before that one. Jimmy Butler has also been the best player and most consistent player on the floor this series between both sides. Even if the Heat doesn't beat the 76ers in Game 6, the home game for Game 7 would go the Heat's way. But Miai would rather finish up the series now. The 76ers are about to fold like a lawn chair, give me the free 2.5 points with the better team.

Score Prediction: Miami 105- Philly 101

Boston has been getting solid production from their bench but now back at home i think the Bucks should get more out of their role players such as C Brook Lopez, C Bobby Portis and SG Wesley Matthews.

Not in love with this # as Celts defense is always a concern, but between Milwaukee’s defense, late-game execution and home-court advantage, I like the Bucks -2 here in Game 3. (slight lean)

Did you know that the Grizzlies are among two teams left in the playoffs with both an offensive and defensive rating in the top six during the regular season, the Phoenix Suns being the other team.

I’m not ready to say the Grizzlies are better without Brooks, but trading Payton II for Brooks in Game 3 bodes well for Memphis. Couple Payton II’s absence with the fact that the Warriors haven’t had an answer for Morant, and it seems crazy to lay 7 points with Golden State.

Bottomline - this Golden State line is just too expensive.

Picking the Suns here again in Game 3. I’m just not sure the Mavs have enough firepower to compete with Phoenix. Dallas has struggled to control the glass through the first two games of the series, and a one man show offensively.

The Suns defense is just too good and Mavericks don't have the backcourt to be a real threat in the series. The Mavericks will keep it close only if they put on a top-notch defensive performance and force the Suns into a lot of difficult shots. I’m predicting to see more of the same in Game 3.

Pick: Phoenix Suns +1.0 at -110

Prediction on Total: After surrendering 250 points over first 2 games, I think the Mavs show a little pride and step it up defensively. The Mavs only hope, since their offense sucks is to play really good defense and find a way to control the glass. Plus this being the 3rd game look for some defensive adjustments. So leaning under the 219.5 here.

Pick: Go under 219.5 points at -110

Score Prediction: Phoenix 111 - Dallas 106

Betting the Hawks have cut me to pieces in this series. I think I've seen enough to realize Miami is that much better. Its defense on Young has been a masterclass so far in this series.

The Heat’s defense ranked fourth in defensive rating this season, and it’s been able to hold Atlanta to fewer than 92 points in two of the four games thus far. 7.5 feels like a thick spread, but I like Heat here if forced to play it.

+6.5 just looks like a lot of points. The Pels have a personnel edge with Booker sidelined and an overwhelming edge in rebounding and free-throw attempt rates. Ingram is playing well and C.J. McCollum has looked dangerous AF in his last 2 games. If they both going I think Pelicans can surprise tonight. Also, Chris Paul had a minus-43 net rating in last game - 3 turnovers and only 4 points. Bad game or Pels defense? We will see tonight but I do think NO's defense has figured out how to cut the head off of the snake and that's slowing down CP3.

Sprinkling the ML and I’m hitting both NOLA’s spread and adjusted series price of +240 harder. #Believe

For all the ways the Jazz have failed in this series, they are still in a good spot. The series is tied 2-2 and the Jazz have a chance to ride the momentum from Game 4 into Dallas, steal one on the road and earn a chance to close out the series back home in front of a raucous crowd. These games have all been close but I lean Dallas to win, but with the line rising to -3, it’s tough to play the cover with as close as these games have been. I like Dallas to win the series, but I'll take the +3 points here in what should be another tight game that could go either way.

The Bulls got the piss beat out of them in Game 3. Chicago had their worst offensive performance of the series. DeMar DeRozan only scored 11, Vucevic provided 19, and LaVine scored 15. As a team, the Bulls shot just 39.3% from the field and 26.5% from 3.

I just don't see Chicago having that bad of a shooting performance again and we saw in game 2 that they can compete. Plus the Bucks offensive output hasn't exactly been stellar either - The only player on their team to top 20 points was Grayson Allen off the bench. Their next highest scorer was Bobby Portis with 18. That’s not sustainable for them either.

With Middleton set to miss Game 4 due to injury, I like the Bulls here at home today. Giannis will keep the Bucks in the game, but he can’t do it on his own. Chicago +4.5 and sprinkle the ML.

The Hawks got hit with a double whammy in game 2 - shooting only 12 of 40 from deep combined the Heat's Jimmy Butler going off for 45 points. I don't expect either of these 2 things happens tonight. I like the Hawks to claw back into this series tonight as they have played much better at home all season. Not to mention Adebayo has been a key for the Heat so far and he is potentially limited here tonight dealing with quad issues. Atlanta wins tonight.

The Grizzlies will have to look past their debacle in Game 1. This is a team that’s proven plenty of naysayers wrong this season. Ja Morant scored 32 points in Game 1 and should play with even more energy in Game 2 after tweeting what appeared to be a “taking notes” emoji following the loss to Minnesota. Jaren Jackson Jr. came to play posting seven blocks in Game 1 but shot just 4 of 13. Even with JJJ struggling, the Grizzlies scored more points in the paint than Minnesota, 60-50. I like Memphis to have a game and win by double digits, they are more than capable.

Denver is a one man show and Jokic will again be the pivotal point of attack, but the non-Jokic minutes are simply too much for Denver to overcome. Steph is back and the atmosphere going to be electric with Dub's back in the playoffs. I'm going with the splash brothers here as Nuggets just too one dimensional.

Toronto is one of the most dangerous teams that no one is taking seriously. They have a playoff pedigree, have a couple of stars (Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet), and have a rising young talent (Scottie Barnes). They are playing great basketball and have continued to get better and better as the season has gone on. The Raptors are healthy and are going to be an extremely tough out. Give me the points here in game 1 and I also played them to win this series.

***UNDER 8.5*** Runs should be at a premium with two aces on the bump, really thought this total would be 7 or 7.5. I like Mets here in a 4-3 type of game.

KD has dominated the Cavs this season, but Cleveland has recently they can still put up some points and Brooklyn’s defense isn’t reliable enough to be laying this many points.

Dallas had its 3-game win streak snapped Friday after getting blown out 135-103 on the road by the Wizards. But over the last two weeks, the Mavs have been hot going 5-2 straight up and 5-2 ATS.

I like Mavs +5 in this spot - Luka has been playing at an MVP-caliber the past five weeks and performs well against Holiday. Also the Bucks don't defend the 3 pointer very well so look for Mavs to feast behind the Arc in this game. If the 3 ball goes today for Dallas I think they win out right so sprinkle the ML.

Give me Fresno State -3 in this game. They've played a much more difficult schedule than CC and are 18-2 outright in their last 20 games.

Fresno State will has the better defense and has the rebounding edge in this matchup. Also this CC offense that has the 306th-highest turnover rate in the nation, those aren't numbers I like to bet on.

North Carolina is the blue blood program choked full of talent and #15 seeded Saint Peters doesn't have the talent to keep up with right? Well we thought the same thing against #2 seeded Kentucky, #7 seeded Murray State and #3 seeded Purdue and we know how that ended. Now the Peacocks road to the final four just got easier against #8 North Carolina. Maybe a sentimental pick but I'm not laying 8.5 points in this game, give me the Peacocks. 🦚