I’ll be making picks every week during the ongoing professional sports playoff games. Below I’ll show you the odds for the upcoming games, and then some analysis and my picks for the games. I’ll keep an ongoing total to track my results, and update it each week. All lines are taken from MyBookie. Here’s the first slate of games:
NBA Playoffs:
Game: Houston Rockets vs San Antonio Spurs
Date: May 9th
Spread:
Houston Rockets +5½-110
San Antonio Spurs -5½-110
Total:
214½ O -110 / U -110
Moneyline:
Houston Rockets +190
San Antonio Spurs -235
Analysis: This could be considered a “must-win” game for both teams. The Spurs don’t want to lose a home game, and the Rockets don’t want to have to travel back to San Antonio for a potential game 7. Nene is out for the remainder of the playoffs, but I don’t think that will hurt the Rockets very badly. They still have enough size, and they will win based on their 3-pt shooting anyways. I think Houston is the better team since LMAo has disappeared for the Spurs, and they present matchup problems across the board that the Spurs cannot contend with, as Kawhi Leonard can only guard one guy on the court at a time. PICK: Rockets +5.5
Both of these teams can score points in bunches, and the pace of play is very high. Therefore I like this game to soar over the 214.5 Total.
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Game: Washington Wizards vs Boston Celtics
Date: May 10th
Spread:
Washington Wizards +4½-110
Boston Celtics -4½-110
Total:
215 O -110 / U -110
Moneyline:
Washington Wizards +160
Boston Celtics -190
Analysis: Both teams have gotten blown out in all 4 losses on the road. Luckily for Boston, the pivotal game 5 is back home in Boston. Avery Bradley has not experienced any setbacks and should be fine as well. I think Boston will be too much at home, and look for them to cover. PICK: Boston -4.5
The first two games of this series in Boston soared over the total of 215, and I don’t look for that to change here. Over 215.
NHL Playoffs:
Game: Ottawa Senators vs New York Rangers
Date: May 9th
Spread:
Ottawa Senators +1½-210
New York Rangers -1½+175
Total:
5 O -115 / U -105
Moneyline:
Ottawa Senators +150
New York Rangers -180
Analysis: The Senators lost two not very close games in New York, yet they still were able to out shoot the Rangers. Ottawa is the better team, and I look for them to close out the series tonight in New York. Call it a hunch. PICK: Ottawa +150
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Game: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals
Date: May 10th
Spread:
Pittsburgh Penguins +1½-200
Washington Capitals -1½+170
Total:
5½ O +100 / U -120
Moneyline:
Pittsburgh Penguins +145
Washington Capitals -170
Analysis: Now THIS is the game 7 we’ve all been waiting for! Washington has not been able to get over the proverbial hump the past decade during the NHL playoffs, often lose to these very Pittsburgh Penguins. However, Washington had the most points in the NHL this year, and this game is in Washington. This is the time I finally look forward to them winning a hard-fought and low-scoring classic. PICK: Washington -170. UNDER 5.5 Total Goals
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Game: Edmonton Oilers vs Anaheim Ducks
Date: May 10th
Spread:
Edmonton Oilers +1½-300
Anaheim Ducks -1½+240
Total:
5½ O +120 / U -140
Moneyline:
Edmonton Oilers +105
Anaheim Ducks -125
Analysis: Edmonton is the better team here in my opinion, and they also happen to be 4-2 on the road during the playoffs so far. I don’t think they are intimidated by the Ducks, or by the fact that they have to play game 7 on the road. I’ll take the better odds and look for Edmonton to snag the win. PICK: Edmonton +105
Check back next week for more picks, as well as to see the results of how I did this week!
