Another great day for the Winning Picks on Saturday, finishing 2-1. The under once again managed to cover a Pirates game as they were only able to muster 2 runs in a 4-2 loss to the Red Sox. The Nuggets were able to pull away in the second half against the Lakers and cover to win Game 1. The Islanders were unable to cover the puck line as they fell to the host Hurricanes 3-1. We moved to 257-199-3 that year.
Yesterday’s results in the rest of the NBA/NHL playoffs went well, finishing there 2-2. And today we have more of the same from the NBA and double the games in the NHL. For the NBA, I really like to cover underdogs in three separate matchups. Despite the absence of Jimmy Butler, I think almost 15 points is too many points for the Heat to not be able to cover against the Celtics. Likewise with the near double-digit spread they give the Pelicans on the road against the Thunder. The two 8th seeds cover today, and one of them will win. It will be the Pelicans.
With Mavericks/Clippers, I think Los Angeles will cover the spread as an underdog, but I don’t think they will win in a surprising manner. In the NHL, I like to cover the top at Lightning/Panthers as well as the underside at Avalanche/Jets. As for the Capitals/Rangers, I’m on the Washington puck line and I honestly think they can steal game 1 with almost 200 underdogs.
Now for the winning choices!
Boston Red Sox at Pittsburgh Pirates (-148) O/U 8.5 1:35 p.m. on SportsNet Pittsburgh
Something has to start moving in the Pirates’ favor, right? The offense needs it the most. After looking like a reincarnated lumber company the first week of the season, they combined to score just 8 points in their last 5 games after scoring 9 points last Sunday in Philadelphia, which turned out to be their last win .
But fear not, Martin Perez is here. The veteran left-hander has been excellent this season for the Pirates. The calming presence in the rotation they needed. The Bucs must save a game against this underdog Red Sox team which is deprived of its two best hitters. I think the offense gets back on track a bit today and Perez limits Boston’s offense to lead the Pirates to a win today.
Pirates moneyline -148, Boston Red Sox 3 Pittsburgh Pirates 5
Indiana Pacers (-1) vs. Milwaukee Bucks O/U 231.5 First round of NBA playoffs 7:00 p.m. on TNT
No, Giannis has no chance? That’s the possible current state of the Bucks, as the status of former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo remains uncertain as they enter their first-round matchup with the Pacers. But even with Giannis in the lineup, the Bucks haven’t fared well with the Pacers this season with a 1-4 record against them. Certainly, the last time these teams met was January 3, before the hiring of Doc Rivers and the acquisition of defenseman Patrick Beverley.
It will have to be a Damian Lillard legacy game for the Bucks to get a victory today. He has already played well in the playoffs with Portland, especially in the first round. But even with a great game from Lillard, it won’t be enough without Giannis. Indiana wins and covers, winning the first game.
Pacers coverage -1.5, Indiana Pacers 121 Milwaukee Bucks 116
Nashville Predators vs. Vancouver Canucks (-148) O/U 5.5 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round 10:00 p.m. on ESPN
It’ll be late in the evening for Smashville on Canada’s west coast as the surging Predators take on the surprising Pacific Division champions, the Vancouver Canucks. Former Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford must get a lot of credit for the rise of the Canucks, who weren’t expected to be a playoff team before this season let alone a division winner.
Vancouver swept the season series against Nashville, but that was before this wild ride was started by the Preds. The run was largely due to the Predators coaching staff canceling a planned trip to The Sphere in Las Vegas to see the band U2. And by canceling that trip, Nashville finally found what it was looking for. And with that momentum, they’ll end up with a win in Game 1 of this series against the Canucks.
Predators Moneyline +124, Nashville Predators 3 Vancouver Canucks 2
