For Jack of a Better Name

Phoenix -1.5 at LA Clippers Tonight is Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals between the Phoenix Suns and LA Clippers. The Suns have the opportunity to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993. The Clippers and Paul George saved their season with a 116-102 win in Game 5. Chris Paul is walking into the Staples Centre with the chance to advance to the Finals, which is a statement I was expecting to say in 2014 or 15 at home instead of being an opponent in 2021. With the Suns being 1.5 point favourites in a pressure situation I'm going with the Suns to win and cover. Record Straight: 53-30 Spread- 43-39-1

Montreal at Tampa Bay -200 Tonight is Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bolts are up 1-0 in the series after a 5-1 win in Game 1. Montreal was overwhelmed by Tampas offence, especially in the third period. I think the score was a little deceptive but the Lightning is clearly the better team. I'll take the Bolts to win game 2 and sweep the homestand to start this cup final. Record: 50-30

Arizona at  St.Louis -210 Chi Cubs at Milwaukee -155 Pittsburgh at Colorado -160 Tampa Bay -130 at Washington  Detroit at Cleveland -185 LA Angels at NY Yankees -125 Miami at Philadelphia -240 Seattle at Toronto -250 Kansas City at Boston -160 San Diego -185 at Cincinnati NY Mets at Atlanta -160 Minnesota at Chi Sox -125 Baltimore at Houston -280 Texas at Oakland -200 Detroit at Cleveland -150 Record: 663-520

Atlanta at Milwaukee -9 Tonight is Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks. The Bucks are up 2-1 in the series after the Khris Middleton game scoring 38 points and 20 in the 4th quarter. There are questions about Trae Young's availability with the injury suffered in game 3 after stepping on the ref's foot. I'm going on a limb and say the Bucks will win with or without Trae but I'll take the Hawks to cover myself and the spread.  Record Straight: 53-29 Spread- 42-39-1

LA Angels at NY Yankees -155  Miami at Philadelphia -110 Tampa Bay at Washington -110 Seattle at Toronto -230 Kansas City at Boston -220 NY Mets at Atlanta -165 San Diego -135 at Cincinnati Baltimore at Houston -300 Minnesota at Chi Sox -135 Chi Cubs at Milwaukee -240 Arizona at St.Louis -155 Pittsburgh at Colorado -170 Texas at Oakland -200 San Francisco at LA Dodgers -155 Record: 652-517

LA Clippers at Phoenix -6.5 Tonight is Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals between the LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns. The Suns are up 3-1 in the series after a 90s classic 84-80 win in Game 4. Now the Suns have the chance to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1993. The Suns are 6.5 point favourites with the chance to advance. The Clippers will have to rely on Paul George once again to give them one more chance to extend this series. Even though they're big underdogs I'm going with the Clippers to win and cover and put the fear in Suns and Chris Paul fans going back to the Staples Center. Record Straight: 53-28 Spread- 41-39-1

Montreal at Tampa Bay -190  Tonight is Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning. These two teams meet in the Stanley Cup Final for most likely the first and last time. The Habs are the underdog no one expected to be here. After falling down 3-1 to the Leafs, swept Winnipeg, and took out Vegas in 6. The Lightning is the defending Stanley Cup Champion juggernaut that beat Florida in 6, Carolina in 5, and the New York Islanders in 6. This is the theme of the more recent Stanley Cup Finals. The juggernaut and the underdog. In this game, I don't think Montreal's Stanley Cup experience (Toffoli) will be enough to keep up with a battle-tested Lightning squad. I'm taking the Lightning to win this game 1. Record: 49-30 

Pittsburgh at Colorado -120 Philadelphia at Cincinnati -155 LA Angels at NY Yankees -160 NY Mets at Washington -130 Detroit at Cleveland -155 Kansas City at Boston -150 Baltimore at Houston -320 Chi Cubs at Milwaukee -150 Arizona at St.Louis -170  San Francisco at LA Dodgers -175 Record: 647-512

Milwaukee -4.5 at Atlanta Tonight is Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks. The series is tied at 1 after the Bucks blew out game 2 125-91 in which the bench players got the majority of the play down the stretch. This was one of the first times a playoff game actually looked like a Wednesday night game in February. The Bucks are favoured by 4.5 and I have my ultimate trust in this Milwaukee team now. I'm going with the Bucks to win and cover no matter how many points Trae Young can score. Record Straight: 52-28 Spread- 40-39-1

Baltimore at Toronto -245 LA Angels at Tampa Bay -155 Washington -130 at Miami Philadelphia at NY Mets -120 NY Yankees -150 at Boston Atlanta at Cincinnati -145 Houston -170 at Detroit Seattle at Chi Sox -200 Colorado at Milwaukee -200 Cleveland at Minnesota -140 Pittsburgh at St.Louis -140 Kansas City -115 at Texas Oakland at San Francisco -160 Arizona at San Diego -270 Seattle at Chi Sox Chi Cubs at LA Dodgers -200 Record: 638-505

Phoenix at LA Clippers pick em Tonight is Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the Phoenix Suns and LA Clippers. The Suns are up 2-1 in the series after a 106-92 loss in game 3 behind a Paul George 27 point 15 rebound 8 assist performance. The Clippers are in a prime position to come back from 2-0 for the third straight series. In this game, I'm taking the Suns because I'm expecting a slight drop-off from Paul George plus I don't think Devin Booker and Chris Paul could both have bad games again. Record Straight: 51-28 Spread- 39-39-1

Houston -230 at Detroit Pittsburgh at St.Louis -160 Baltimore at Toronto -275 Kansas City at Texas -160 Colorado at Milwaukee -185 Atlanta at Cincinnati -125 Washington at Miami -115 LA Angels at Tampa Bay -155 Philadelphia at NY Mets -260 Houston -230 at Detroit NY Yankees at Boston -120 Chi Cubs at LA Dodgers -210 Oakland at San Francisco -120 Arizona at San Diego -280 Record: 630-499

Atlanta at Milwaukee -8 Tonight is Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks. The Hawks are up 1-0 in the series after a 116-113 win in game 1 led by Trae Young's 48 points 11 assist 7 rebound performance. At this point, it doesn't look like Trae or Giannis can be contained so it will be on the others to step up and be the necessary secondary scoring option. The Bucks are 8 point favourites once again and it's hard to believe they can contain Trae but will he have the same performance as Game 1. If the Hawks win it will either be another classic Trae performance or the rest of the Hawks stepping up. I'm going with the Bucks to win and Hawks to cover the same as Game 1. Hopefully this time with a different outcome. Record Straight: 50-28 Spread- 39-38-1

NY Islanders at Tampa Bay -165 Tonight has the best two words in sports, Game 7. The New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning face off in a do-or-die winner take all game. The Islanders saved their season and possibly closed Nassau Coliseum on a high note with a 3-2 overtime win after an Anthony Beauviller winner just over a minute into the overtime. Even with the crowd showering the ice with their beer cans it was a successful happy night in Long Island. In a game 7 anything can happen. For this game, I'm going with Tampa Bay to take advantage of home ice and win this series advancing to host the Montreal Canadiens on Monday. Record: 48-30

Philadelphia at NY Mets -120 Colorado at Milwaukee -280 Baltimore at Toronto -255 Houston -265 at Detroit Atlanta at Cincinnati -125 Washington at Miami -150 NY Yankees -120 at Boston LA Angels at Tampa Bay -165 Philadelphia at NY Mets -150 Kansas City at Texas -120 Seattle at Chi Sox -210 Cleveland at Minnesota -135 Pittsburgh at St.Louis -175  Oakland at San Francisco -110 Chi Cubs at LA Dodgers -170 Arizona at San Diego -310 Record: 623-491

Phoenix -1 at LA Clippers Tonight is Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals between the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers. The Suns are up 2-0 in the series after a 104-103 win in Game 2 which will now be known as the "Valley Oop" between Jae Crowder and Deandre Ayton. Now the Clippers have the Suns right where they want them apparently. The Clippers have been down in all three series they have been in these playoffs. Phoenix is getting Chris Paul just in time to return to the Staples Center for the Clippers' first-ever Conference Game at home. It is very poetic that Chris Paul does get to be a part of the Clippers' first Conference Final appearance. Just because they like being down I'm going with the Clippers to win and cover. Record Straight: 49-28 Spread- 38-38-1

Vegas -140 at Montreal Tonight is Game 6 of the second Stanley Cup Sem-Finals between the Vegas Golden Knights and Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens have the chance to be the first Canadian team to advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2011. The Habs are up 3-2 in the series after a 4-1 victory in Vegas. The Golden Knights are going back to Robin Lehner after Marc-Andre Fleury was in the net for the Game 5 loss. The fact that Lehner hasn't had three straight starts might cost Vegas their season. The -140 Moneyline is interesting to me because Vegas has always been the favourite but the number has gotten smaller and smaller. I do believe this is Montreal's best chance the advance. If this goes to a Game 7 Vegas has all the pedigree which is shocking to say that the team that has been around for 4 years has more experience than the 24-time champion Montreal Canadiens. If this is their chance I'm going to pick Montreal and represent Canada (Sorry Leafs fans...

Kansas City at NY Yankees -210 Oakland -150 at Texas Baltimore at Toronto -200 Boston at Tampa Bay -120 Atlanta at Cincinnati -135 Washington -120 at Miami Houston -235 at Detroit Cleveland at Minnesota -180 Pittsburgh at St.Louis -155 Chi Cubs at LA Dodgers -265 Record: 615-489

Atlanta at Milwaukee -8 Tonight is Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks. The Hawks went through a gauntlet of fans beating the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers. Trae Young has ascended to a level that I don't know any fan would know he would be ready for at 22 years old. The Bucks swept the Miami Heat and beat the Brooklyn Nets in 7 games to get to this point. In this game with the Bucks as 8 point favourites, I'm going with Milwaukee to win but Atlanta to cover. Both these teams lack a lot of experience in this field of play which should make it an even series. Record Straight: 49-27 Spread- 37-38-1

Tampa Bay -145 at NY Islanders Tonight is Game 6 of the first Stanley Cup Semi-Final between the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders. Tampa Bay has the chance to close Nassau Coliseum with a win and advance to their second straight Stanley Cup Final. This comes off the heels of an embarrassing 8-0 win in Game 5. The Lightning is not quite heavy favourites at -145 but I don't think the Islanders with let Nassau close with a loss. I'm taking New York to win and extend this series to 7. Record: 46-30

Chi Sox -165 at Pittsburgh Washington at Philadelphia -110 St.Louis -125 at Detroit Milwaukee -230 at Arizona San Francisco -130 at LA Angels Colorado at Seattle -110 Houston -220 at Baltimore Kansas City at NY Yankees -175 Boston at Tampa Bay -145 Toronto -125 at Miami Atlanta at NY Mets -140 Oakland -145 at Texas LA Dodgers at San Diego -125 Record: 607-484

LA Clippers at Phoenix -4.5 Tonight is Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns. The Suns are up 1-0 in the series after a 120-114 win. The Suns are 4.5 point favourites with Kawhi and Chris Paul still out. In the Paul George vs Devin Booker battle, I'm going with the Suns to win and the Clippers to cover and keep it close. Record Straight: 49-26 Spread- 36-38-1

Montreal at Vegas -230 Tonight is Game 5 of the second Stanley Cup Semi-Final between the Montreal Canadiens and Vegas Golden Knights. Just like last night with Tampa-New York the series is tied at 2 and one team looks to take control heading back to Montreal. Vegas won Game 4 after a 2-1 overtime victory after Nicholas Roy score just over 1 minute into the period. Now Vegas is going back to Marc Andre Fleury for Game 5 after his Game 3 blunder late in the third period. These teams are so evenly matched it doesn't make sense but Montreal made it here for a reason. Carey Price has been spectacular and the players in front of him have fed off it. Vegas is a heavy -230 favourite but just because it's Fleury again I'm going with Montreal to take control of the series heading back home. Record: 45-30

Cincinnati at Minnesota -125 Washington at Philadelphia -125 Kanas City at NY Yankees -270 Houston -180 at Baltimore Chi Sox -175 at Pittsburgh St.Louis -115 at Detroit Toronto at Miami -115 Atlanta -115 at NY Mets Boston at Tampa Bay -130 Cleveland at Chi Cubs -210 Oakland -135 at Texas San Francisco at LA Angels -125 Milwaukee -145 at Arizona LA Dodgers -120 at San Diego Colorado at Seattle -160 Record: 598-478

NY Islanders at Tampa Bay -175 Tonight is game 5 of the first Stanley Cup Semi-Final between the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning. The series is tied at 2 after a miraculous last-second save by Ryan Pulock to secure the win for the Long Island fans. Now, this is the swing game of the series and I can't lie I have no idea who to pick in this game. Even last year in Edmonton these teams were so even and while Tampa regained their captain and New York lost theirs earlier this season it should be a runaway series for the Bolts. With that logic, I'm going with Tampa Bay to win this game and take the stranglehold in the series. Record: 44-30

Atlanta at NY Mets -280 Houston -170 at Baltimore Cleveland at Chi Cubs -145 Oakland -125 at Texas Atlanta -140 at NY Mets Cincinnati -120 at Minnesota Milwaukee -120 at Arizona LA Dodgers at San Diego -135 Record: 594-474

Vegas -180 at Montreal  Tonight is Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals between the Vegas Golden Knights and Montreal Canadiens. The Habs are up 2-1 in the series after a 3-2 overtime win led by Carey Price's 45 save performance. To say Montreal was outplayed and outshot for the first 56 or 57 minutes would be an understatement. But Marc-Andre Fleury's gaffe and Josh Anderson's late-game heroics have Montreal within two wins of the Stanley Cup Final. With Vegas having a question mark in net between Fleury or Robin Lehner it seems all the momentum is with the Canadiens despite the Golden Knights still being -180 favourites. I'm hesitant on this pick either way but I'm going with Vegas to win this one and even the series at 2. Record: 43-30

Atlanta at Philadelphia -7 Tonight is Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Final between the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers. With the series tied at 3 and a winner take all scenario we have to look at the experience that both of these teams have. Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Tobias Harris all have one game 7 experience (cue Kawhi shot) also in which their injured teammate Danny Green was on the other side. We also can't forget about Doc Rivers who was the Head Coach of the LA Clippers in 2015 and 2020 when they blew 3-1 series leads which they don't have to worry about this time. But Philly is the number 1 seed in the east and the pressure is on them. Atlanta's top players will be in their first game 7 which is unknown if it is a positive or not. Philly is looking to make their first Conference Finals since 2001 and Atlanta is looking to make the second Conference Finals in franchise history (2015). Even though the 76ers core lost their only Game 7 together and now ...

LA Clippers at Phoenix -4 Today is Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns. Both teams enter this series without their leaders as Chris Paul is in Covid protocols and Kawhi Leonard is rehabbing an ACL injury. This makes the star power game between Paul George and Devin Booker. The Suns were not expected to get to this point but once they beat LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round it almost became a given they would beat the Jamal Murray-less Denver Nuggets. Now although Chris Paul isn't playing it is his second-ever Conference Finals (2018 with Houston) and he gets the opportunity to face the franchise that he was the face of until he was traded to the Rockets. The Clippers escaped Dallas in 7 in the first round which led to some turmoil on the bench and in the front office and beat Utah in 6 after an incredible Terrence Mann performance who will be relied on once again to carry some of the offensive load. In this g...

NY Mets at Washington -110 Oakland at NY Yankees -155 Cleveland at Pittsburgh -135 Toronto -160 at Baltimore Boston -125 at Kansas City Chi Sox at Houston -140 St.Louis at Atlanta -125 Miami at Chi Cubs -160 Minnesota -135 at Texas Milwaukee -140 at Colorado Philadelphia at San Francisco -135 Detroit at LA Angels -160 Cincinnati at San Diego -145 Tampa Bay -160 at Seattle LA Dodgers -200 at Arizona  St.Louis at Atlanta -130 Record: 584-468

Milwaukee at Brooklyn -2 Tonight is Game 7 between the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets with the chance to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Giannis and Khris Middleton both scored 30 or more points during Game 6 in Milwaukee to force a do-or-die game for both sides in New York. The Nets will be without Kyrie Irving which they have been since he injured his ankle earlier in the season. James Harden had a better performance in Game 6 but the Nets need him to step up in an elimination game without their third superstar teammate. We can expect Kevin Durant to be ready for this moment but some combination of Joe Harris, Blake Griffin, Jeff Green, Bruce Brown, Landry Shamet, and maybe a Mike James or Nicolas Claxton to fill in the gaps for Durant and Harden. The Bucks have better depth behind Middleton and Giannis but they need better games from Jrue Holiday and Brook Lopez. In this winner take all game and a 2 point spread you are pretty much picking the winner via the spread. I...

Tampa Bay -130 at NY Islanders Tonight is Game 4 of the first Stanley Cup Semi-Finals between the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders. The Bolts are up 2-1 in the series after a 2-1 win in Game 3. Tampa Bay played the Islanders type of game and managed to win after a Brayden Point getting the winning goal. Now the Islanders appear to be on their heels with their backs against the wall. This is a game that Barry Trotz should have his guys ready for an elimination-type game. It's hard to pick against the Lightning especially winning at the Islanders game but I'm going to do so. I think the Isles will feed off the Long Island crowd and give those fans one more game at home. Record: 42-30

Oakland at NY Yankees -130 NY Mets at Washington -120 Miami at Chi Cubs -125 Minnesota at Texas -110 Cleveland -120 Pittsburgh Philadelphia at San Francisco -120 Toronto -160 at Baltimore Boston -120 at Kansas City NY Mets at Washington -110 Cincinnati at San Diego -165 Chi Sox at Houston -130 Milwaukee at Colorado -120 Detroit at LA Angels -220 LA Dodgers -240 at Arizona Tampa Bay -145 at Seattle  Record: 572-466

Vegas -170 at Montreal Tonight is Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals between the Vegas Golden Knights and Montreal Canadiens. The series is tied at 1 after Montreal won game 2 by the skin of their teeth 3-2. The big story for this game is obviously my 5-0 record so far in the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals. Or more likely that Dominique Ducharme will not be coaching tonight due to testing positive for COVID-19. Luke Richardson will take over behind the bench similar to Montreal during last year's playoffs. During the bubble in Toronto Head Coach, Claude Julien had to be removed due to a heart issue and Kirk Muller took over. The Habs responded with a 5-0 win over Philadelphia. In this game with Vegas being -170 favourites, I think it's justified and I'll go with the Golden Knights to win this won and reclaim the home-ice advantage. Record: 42-29

Philadelphia -3 at Atlanta 76ers win Hawks cover Utah -2.5 at LA Clippers Clippers win and cover Record Straight: 46-25 Spread- 34-35-1

Cleveland -130 at Pittsburgh Oakland at NY Yankees -145 NY Mets at Washington -130 Toronto -210 at Baltimore St.Louis at Atlanta -155 Minnesota -160 at Texas Miami at Chi Cubs -170 Chi Sox -115 at Houston Boston -155 at Kansas City Milwaukee -200 at Colorado Detroit at LA Angels -210 LA Dodgers -200 at Arizona Philadelphia at San Francisco -135 Tampa Bay -115 at Seattle Cincinnati at San Diego -200 Record: 568-455

Brooklyn at Milwaukee -5 Tonight is Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals between the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks. The Nets lead 3-2 in the series with the chance to advance to the conference finals after an absolutely transcendent performance from Kevin Durant in game 5 with a 49 point triple-double playing all 48 minutes to secure the win. I will be accepting Kevin Durant's apologies now because nobody believed he could do it by himself. Now he does have two all-NBA level teammates but Kyrie Irving is not expected back in this series and James Harden played 46 minutes but had very little impact. In this game, I think Milwaukee extends this series to 7 with the win but the Nets and Durant keep it close and cover the 5 point spread. Record Straight: 45-24 Spread- 34-34-1

Tampa Bay -140 at NY Islanders Tonight is Game 3 of the first Stanley Cup Semi-Final between the Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders. The series is tied at 1 after the Bolts won Game 2 4-2. Although I have believed and put my fandom behind the Islanders I'm going with Tampa Bay to win this game. If I lose my 4-0 record betting the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals against the Isles and on the Bolts (who I picked to go to the Stanley cup final on my bracket) it will at least a double loss and I will have to sit in shame. By no means have I lost faith in Barry Trotz and his New York team but there's something different about the momentum Tampa Bay has.  Record: 41-29

Baltimore at Cleveland -130 Arizona at San Francisco -210 NY Yankees at Toronto -110 Chi Cubs at NY Mets -120 St.Louis at Atlanta -185 Chi Sox at Houston -130 Cincinnati at San Diego -185 Milwaukee -160 at Colorado Detroit at LA Angels -220 Tampa Bay -170 at Seattle Record: 563-450

Montreal at Vegas -265 Tonight is Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals between the Montreal Canadiens and Vegas Golden Knights. Vegas is up 1-0 in the series after a 4-1 victory in a Game 1 victory. This is a series where everyone is already sending Vegas to their 2nd Stanley Cup Final appearance in 4 years. While I do agree Vegas took over in the 2nd and 3rd period Montreal was in that game in the 1st period and had a chance to come back. They made it here for a reason and now they're even bigger underdogs in Game 2. They overcame that crowd in Vegas and kept the score a lot closer than it looked. I'm saying all this to put my neck on the line and the 3-0 record so far in these Stanley Cup Semi-Finals but I'm taking Montreal to win this game as major underdogs and put my faith in a young Canadiens team and Carey Price.  Record: 40-29 

Atlanta at Philadelphia -7 76ers win Hawks cover LA Clippers at Utah -8 Jazz win and cover Record Straight: 45-22 Spread- 33-33-1

Miami at St.Louis -110 Detroit at Kansas City -145 Cincinnati at Milwaukee -140 Tampa Bay at Chi Sox -130 San Diego -200 at Colorado LA Angels at Oakland -120 Pittsburgh at Washington -165 NY Yankees -160 at Toronto Baltimore at Cleveland -155 Chi Cubs at NY Mets -300  Boston at Atlanta -150 Texas at Houston -230 Arizona at San Francisco -170 Philadelphia at LA Dodgers -145 Minnesota -135 at Seattle Record: 555-443

Milwaukee -3 at Brooklyn Tonight is the swing game of a 7 game series (Game 5) of the Eastern Conference Semi-Final between the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets. The series is tied at 2 after both teams have won their games at home. Milwaukee is 3 point favourites in Brooklyn as the Nets are missing Kyrie Irving after an ankle injury and they don't expect him back in this series. The possible good news for Brooklyn is that James Harden is expecting to play barring a setback throughout the day. The Bucks look poised to take over this series with their second chance to go on a deep run. With or without Harden is a pretty big ask to guess so I'm going with Milwaukee to win but Brooklyn to cover because these teams are evenly matched. Record Straight: 45-21 Spread- 32-33-1

NY Islanders at Tampa Bay -200 Tonight is Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Semi-Final between the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Islanders lead 1-0 in the series after a 2-1 win on Sunday led by a 30 save performance from Semyon Varlamov. Although the final score was only 2-1 this game was full of chances and good end-to-end action as the Islanders had to play a Lightning style of game. It was only a few turnovers that made the difference as the Islanders led in that category 7-1. The Lightning is -200 favourites to get a split at home and I think they will do so. I know I've been all over the Islanders bandwagon these playoffs but the Lightning played their worst game of these playoffs and still only lost by one. This is the best-case scenario of this series that Tampa will have to chase New York for the right to play for Lord Stanley. Record: 39-29

Pittsburgh at Washington -170 NY Yankees at Toronto -130 Baltimore at Cleveland -170 Chi Cubs at NY Mets -130 Boston at Atlanta -120 Cincinnati at Milwaukee -110 Detroit at Kansas City -135 Tampa Bay at Chi Sox -115 Texas at Houston -200 Miami at St.Louis -125 San Diego -250 at Colorado LA Angels at Oakland -130 Arizona at San Francisco -185 Philadelphia at LA Dodgers -165 Minnesota -130 at Seattle   Record: 547-436

Montreal at Vegas -255 Tonight is Game 1 of the second Stanley Cup Semi-Final between the Montreal Canadiens and Vegas Golden Knights. Montreal was the 4 seed in the North Division coming back from a 3-1 deficit against Toronto and swept the Winnipeg Jets to advance to this point. Vegas beat Minnesota in a 7 game slugfest in the 1st round and after losing the first two games against Colorado they won 4 straight to advance to the Final Four. There are many subplots to this series the biggest one for me has to be Marc-Andre Fleury vs Carey Price with the opportunity for two veteran Canadian Goaltenders to advance for a chance to play for Lord Stanley's Mug. Another subplot has to be Nick Suzuki vs Max Pacioretty. Back in September 2018, Vegas acquired Pacioretty for Suzuki, Tomas Tatar, and a 2019 Second Round Pick that will not have an impact on this series. A big question mark for Montreal has to be Jeff Petry who missed Game 4 against Winnipeg after dislocating two fingers in Game...

Philadelphia -3 at Atlanta 76ers win and cover Utah at LA Clippers -5 Clippers win Jazz cover Record Straight: 44-20 Spread- 32-31-1

Pittsburgh at Washington -130 Toronto at Boston -125 Chi Cubs at NY Mets -135 Baltimore at Cleveland -155 Cincinnati at Milwaukee -145 Detroit at Kansas City -150 Tampa Bay -125 at Chi Sox Miami at St.Louis -200 San Diego -145 at Colorado LA Angels at Oakland -150 Arizona at San Francisco -175 Minnesota -140 at Seattle Philadelphia at LA Dodgers -165 Record: 537-433

NY Islanders at Tampa Bay -200 Today is Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals between the New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning. This is a rematch of the Eastern Conference Final of last year in the Edmonton Bubble. The Islanders were the 4th seed in the East Division in the playoffs beating the 1 seed Penguins and 3 seed Bruins to earn their way into the Final Four (which we better not keep calling this next year). The Lightning was the 3 seed in the Central after a rough end to the regular season but regained their form from the 2020 playoffs and Nikita Kucherov beating the 2 seed Florida Panthers and 1 seed Carolina Hurricanes. Both these teams have been rounding into top form during the first and second-round series'. Now we have contrasting styles facing off once again and they might be more prepared than last year. Although the Lightning is the favourites in this game and series, I'm going with the Islanders to catch Tampa off guard and win game 1. This series has st...

Brooklyn -2 at Milwaukee  Nets win and cover Phoenix -3 at Denver Suns win and cover Record Straight: 43-19 Spread- 31-30-1

San Francisco at Washington -115 NY Yankees at Philadelphia -125 Baltimore at Tampa Bay -180 Seattle at Cleveland -230 Atlanta at Miami -130 Colorado at Cincinnati -160 Toronto -130 at Boston San Diego -130 at NY Mets Chi Sox -240 at Detroit Pittsburgh at Milwaukee -180 Houston -155 at Minnesota Kansas City at Oakland -200 LA Angels -135 at Arizona Texas at LA Dodgers -230 St.Louis at Chi Cubs -130 Record: 526-429

Utah at LA Clippers -5 Tonight is game 3 of the Western Conference Semi Finals between the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers. The Jazz are up 2-0 in the series thanks to two close wins at home. Now the Clippers are at home and 5 point favourites. The Jazz had to rely on 6 players scoring all their points in game 2 and I don't believe that's a sustainable winning method. I'm going with the Clippers to win and cover the spread because with their season on the line Kawhi and Paul George are bound to take over a game. Record Straight: 42-19 Spread- 30-30-1

San Francisco -170 at Washington NY Yankees -125 at Philadelphia  Kansas City at Oakland -165 Toronto at Boston -125 San Diego -140 at NY Mets Colorado at Cincinnati -155 Chi Sox -180 at Detroit Baltimore at Tampa Bay -220 Atlanta -160 at Miami Pittsburgh at Milwaukee -320 LA Angels -125 at Arizona Seattle at Cleveland -120 Houston -120 at Minnesota St.Louis at Chi Cubs -185 San Francisco -125 at Washington Texas at LA Dodgers -285 Record: 517-422

Philadelphia -1.5 at Atlanta 76ers win and cover Phoenix at Denver -2 Suns win and cover Record Straight: 40-19 Spread- 28-30-1

St.Louis at Chi Cubs-145 San Francisco at Washington -175 San Diego at NY Mets -170 Seattle at Cleveland -160 Atlanta -120 at Miami Chi Sox -145 at Detroit Baltimore at Tampa Bay -175 Toronto at Boston -125 Colorado at Cincinnati -220 Pittsburgh at Milwaukee -300 Houston -150 at Minnesota LA Angels -140 at Arizona Kansas City at Oakland -135 Texas at LA Dodgers -310 Record: 508-417

Colorado at Vegas -130 Tonight is Game 6 of the Honda West Division Final between the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights. The Golden Knights have a chance to end the series at home and move on to the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals to face the Montreal Canadiens. The Avs have lost 3 straight games in the series after starting the playoffs on a 6 game winning streak. Even though Vegas has all the momentum, I'm going with Colorado to win and send this series the distance. Record: 37-28

Brooklyn at Milwaukee -3.5 Bucks win Nets cover LA Clippers at Utah -2.5 Jazz win Clippers cover Record Straight: 38-19 Spread- 27-29-1

Milwaukee -115 at Cincinnati LA Dodgers -230 at Pittsburgh Atlanta at Philadelphia -135 Seattle at Detroit -115 Colorado at Miami -210 Houston at Boston -110 NY Yankees -145 at Minnesota Toronto -115 at Chi Sox Kansas City at Oakland -150 Record: 503-413

Denver at Phoenix -5 Tonight is Game 2 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals between the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns. The Suns lead the series 1-0 after a 122-105 win led by an inspired Chris Paul and his improved right shoulder. Nikola Jokic was named the Regular Season MVP yesterday and must lead this team without Jamal Murray but gaining Will Barton back for this game. Jokic had a "disappointing" 22 points 9 rebounds and 3 assists which is not to the level or standard we have set for the Joker. Barton being back is just another piece that can play good defence and make open shots to help Denver even up this series. The Suns are favoured by 5 at home and this will determine if the guards and small ball (with Deandre Ayton) is too much for Denver to handle. I think Jokic will have an improved game from the 1st one but it still might not be enough for the Nuggets to keep up with the Suns. I'll take Phoenix to win but Denver to cover and keep it within the 5 point spre...

Boston -135 at NY Islanders Tonight is Game 6 of the MassMutual East Division Finals between the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders from the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island. The Islanders hold the 3-2 advantage and the opportunity at home to clinch the series and move on to the Stanley Cup Semi-Finals where they would face the Tampa Bay Lightning. Every ounce of logic in my head tells me that Boston will win this game and force a Game 7 as the teams have been so even all series. But the Islanders don't like to follow logic or play offence most of the time. I really do think this New York team has taken a step forward in terms of style even without Captain Anders Lee. If there is a Game 7 and I'm wrong it wouldn't shock me but I'm going with the New York Islanders to take this game and get their rematch with Tampa Bay in front of fans at home instead of a bubble in Edmonton. Record: 36-28

San Francisco at Texas -110 Arizona at Oakland -210 Chi Cubs at San Diego -260 Atlanta at Philadelphia -130 LA Dodgers -180 at Pittsburgh NY Mets -125 at Baltimore Colorado at Miami -115 Seattle at Detroit -140 Washington at Tampa Bay -165 Milwaukee at Cincinnati -120 Houston at Boston -140 Toronto at Chi Sox -155 NY Yankees -200 at Minnesota Cleveland at St.Louis -125 Kansas City at LA Angels -160 Record: 495-406

Atlanta at Philadelphia -6.5 76ers win Hawks cover LA Clippers at Utah -3 Jazz win Clippers cover Record Straight: 34-22 Spread- 26-27

NY Mets -115 at Baltimore Atlanta at Philadelphia -160 LA Dodgers -200 at Pittsburgh Colorado at Miami -185 Milwaukee at Cincinnati -140 Houston -120 at Boston Seattle at Detroit -130 Washington at Tampa Bay -220 San Francisco -140 at Texas Toronto at Chi Sox -150 NY Yankees -120 at Minnesota Cleveland -160 at St.Louis Kansas City at LA Angels -160 Arizona at Oakland -210 Chi Cubs at San Diego -185 Record: 489-399

Tampa Bay -125 at Carolina Vegas at Colorado -145 Record: 36-26

Milwaukee -1 at Brooklyn  Nets win and cover Denver at Phoenix -5.5 Suns win Nuggets cover Record Straight: 32-22 Spread- 25-26

NY Islanders at Boston -200 Winnipeg at Montreal -155 Record: 34-26

Miami at Boston -200 Kansas City at LA Angels -150 Chi Cubs at San Diego -120 Record: 487-398

Winnipeg at Montreal -130 Colorado at Vegas -115 Record: 33-25

Atlanta at Philadelphia -5 76ers win Hawks cover Dallas at LA Clippers -6.5 Clippers win Mavs cover Record Straight: 31-21 Spread- 24-25

Miami -125 at Pittsburgh Cleveland -120 art Baltimore Washington at Philadelphia -130 Houston at Toronto -115 LA Dodgers -140 at Atlanta Arizona at Milwaukee -260 Detroit at Chi Sox -220 Minnesota at Kansas City -140 Cincinnati at St.Louis -125 Tampa Bay -125 at Texas Oakland at Colorado -115 Chi Cubs -115 at San Francisco Seattle at LA Angels -150  NY Mets at San Diego -155 Boston at NY Yankees -150 Record: 480-390

Milwaukee at Brooklyn -3.5 Nets win and cover Record Straight: 30-21 Spread- 23-25

Carolina at Tampa Bay -170 Boston -150 at NY Islanders Record: 31-25

Detroit at Chi Sox -230 Cincinnati -125 at St.Louis Houston at Toronto -110 Tampa Bay -150 at Texas Cleveland at Baltimore -125 Miami -135 at Pittsburgh Washington at Philadelphia -120 Arizona at Milwaukee -220 Minnesota at Kansas City -115 Boston at NY Yankees -135 Chi Cubs at San Francisco -160 LA Dodgers -135 at Atlanta Oakland -135 at Colorado Seattle at LA Angels -150 NY Mets -115 at San Diego Record: 469-386

LA Clippers -3 at Dallas Tonight is game 6 of the final first-round series between the only remaining Los Angeles team which is somehow the Clippers and Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs are up 3-2 in the series with the chance to close it out at home and move on. The series has been anything but normal. Even with Luka Doncic's neck injury he still scored 42 points, 14 assists and 8 rebounds in the game 5 victory. If this series has told us anything it's that we should be going 7 because every game has been won by the road team and if that holds true it's the Clippers' turn. No matter who wins and when they will have to face the 1 seed Utah Jazz that will have time to rest and nurse any nagging injuries. We will have to go another year of waiting for the Battle of LA in the playoffs. In this one, I'm going with the Clippers to win and cover the 3 point spread because the games in this series haven't really been close and I'm riding with a 7 game series. Record Stra...

Montreal at Winnipeg -115 Colorado -120 at Vegas Record: 29-25

Boston at NY Yankees -115 Miami -115 at Pittsburgh Cleveland at Baltimore -110  Washington at Philadelphia -115 Houston at Toronto -130 LA Dodgers -135 at Atlanta Tampa Bay -135 at Texas Minnesota at Kansas City -120 Arizona at Milwaukee -200 Detroit at Chi Sox -150 Cincinnati at St.Louis -135 Oakland -130 at Colorado Seattle at LA Angels -175 Chi Cubs at San Francisco   NY Mets at San Diego -165 Record: 461-378

Denver at Portland -5 Blazers win Nuggets cover Phoenix at LA Lakers -2 Lakers win and cover Record Straight: 29-19 Spread- 21-24

Boston -145 at NY Islanders Carolina at Tampa Bay -160 Record: 29-23

Washington at Atlanta -135 Tampa Bay at NY Yankees -210 Boston at Houston -130 Texas at Colorado -125 Miami at Pittsburgh Arizona at Milwaukee -170 Detroit at  Chi Sox -210 Minnesota at Kansas City -115 Cincinnati at St. Louis -160 Seattle at LA Angels -155 Chi Cubs at San Francisco -130 NY Mets at San Diego -185 Record: 454-373

Montreal at Winnipeg -145 Vegas at Colorado -185 Record: 27-23

Washington at Philadelphia -6 76ers win and cover Atlanta at New York -1.5 Knicks win Hawks cover Memphis at Utah -9.5 Jazz win Grizzlies cover Dallas at LA Clippers -7.5 Clippers win Mavs cover Record Straight: 27-17 Spread- 18-23

San Diego at Chi Cubs -125 NY Mets at Arizona -115 Minnesota -130 at Baltimore Tampa Bay at NY Yankees -135 Miami at Toronto -160 Washington at Atlanta -150 Boston at Houston -140 Texas -115 at Colorado  St.Louis at LA Dodgers -240 Oakland -160 at Seattle Record: 450-367

Tampa Bay at Carolina -115 Tonight is game 2 between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes in the Central Division Final. It has a better ring to it than just the second round. The Bolts took game 1 by a final score of 2-1 after Aurora native Barclay Goodrow was the hero in a tight-checking game. This is a surprise to me with all the firepower that is in this series. In this game, Carolina is once again favoured to even up the series. This game and series will come down to who you believe in the experience defending Stanley Cup Champions or the young team with offensive skill up and down the lineup waiting to take the next step. Although I think the Lightning will ultimately win this series I'm going with the Hurricanes to win this game and tie the series up at 1. Record: 26-23

Boston at Brooklyn -12.5  Nets win Celtics cover Portland at Denver -2 Nuggets win and cover LA Lakers at Phoenix -5 Suns win Lakers cover Record Straight: 24-14 Spread- 17-21

Chi Sox at Cleveland -155 Tampa Bay -125 at NY Yankees Minnesota -165 at Baltimore  Miami at Toronto -160 Philadelphia at Cincinnati -110 Washington at Atlanta -135 Detroit at Milwaukee -170 San Diego at Chi Cubs -115 Boston at Houston -150 Pittsburgh at Kansas City -175 Texas at Colorado -110 NY Mets -120 at Arizona LA Angels at San Francisco -155 St.Louis at LA Dodgers -200 Oakland -155 at Seattle Record: 444-358