4*LA Lakers -4.5

The Lakers played a tougher schedule and had the much better road record. They also possess two of the Top 5 players in all of basketball right now. The Heat are a younger team in terms of postseason experience. I think the Lakers are the right side in game one.

3*LA Lakers -6.5

The Lakers didn't play well in game two evident by 23 turnovers for the game. I think the Nuggets are deflated after blowing that victory. The Lakers are 7-2 ATS after a close win (1-4 points) while the Nuggets are 3-5-1 ATS after a close loss. The Lakers are super focused and should win by margin tonight.

3*Boston Celtics -1.5

Miami has had a relatively easy journey in these playoffs while the Celtics are battle tested. The Heat have not played since 9/8/20. Advantage Boston in this first game. Lay it!

3*Toronto Raptors +3 (+100)

The Raptors shot just 13 free throws in their game five debacle. I would expect the defending world champs to play with a "chip" on its shoulder to force a game seven. Take the Raptors!

10*Denver Nuggets +3

The Jazz have won two in a row while shooting the lights out. Utah shot 51.7% and 51.2% from the field respectively. The Jazz also shot close to 49% from 3-point land on Friday. Denver committed a bubble-high 17 turnovers and should benefit from the return of Gary Harris Jr. The Nuggets are ranked #1 in assist/turnover margin and these teams rarely drop three games in a row in the postseason. I'm all over the Nuggets in this spot!

4*Oklahoma City Thunder +2.5

Oklahoma City does have a modest history on its side in terms of a potential Game 3 turnaround. The Thunder have won Game 3 in each of the five previous instances in which they fell into an 0-2 series hole, even rallying to take the 2012 Western Conference Finals against San Antonio. The Thunder are also 9-2 SU after a loss of 10 points or more this season. Take the Thunder in this must win game!

5*Dallas Mavs +5.5

The Mavs have already defeated the Bucks earlier this season in Milwaukee. The Bucs shot over 50% in their last game while the Mavs allowed their opponent to shoot over 50% in their last game. Take the Mavs plus the points.

3*Indiana Pacers +1.5

5*Dallas Mavericks +3

The Nuggets have alternated wins and losses in their past 7 games. Denver is coming off a victory against the short-handed Bucks. Dallas is coming off two straight losses after two straight victories. The Mavs are currently in the 7th spot out West. Denver plays much better at home as their 0.0 point differential shows. Dallas plays well at home sporting a +6.0 point differential. Both teams won on the road in the previous two meetings, with both games decided by a combined 4 points. I like the Mavs in this spot!

5*LA Lakers -1

Giannis made a career high five 3-pointers in the first meeting which the Bucks won. Bench players play better at home. I love the Lakers in this rematch. I know they really want to avenge its loss at Milwaukee. The Bucks are leaking oil as they got crushed by Miami and fell behind Indiana by 24 points before making a comeback. Take the hungry host!

5*Portland T-Blazers -4.5

Detroit traded away former franchise center Andre Drummond prior to the All-Star break and reached a buyout agreement with veteran point guard Reggie Jackson during the break, leaving Derrick Rose, John Henson, Tony Snell and Langston Galloway as the only healthy veterans drawing regular minutes. They also released (buyout) Markief Morris (LA Lakers) and some size for rim protection. The Pistons are in full tank mode while Portland comes in off a poor defensive effort at home. Swallow the 4.5 points. Take the hungry host!

5*Oklahoma City Thunder -1

The Thunder were just 11-14 after losing at Denver 110-102 in December. They have since gone 22-8, having won 10 of 13 before the break. This is a completely different team schematically and the Nuggets won't be able to adjust tonight. Take the home team! 

3*Golden State Warriors +7.5

5*Portland T-Blazers +2

Seems like a great sport for Portland as they've been off for two days while the Rockets will be playing it's third game in four days. I like Portland!

4*Memphis Grizzlies -2.5

4*Washington Wizards +4.5

4*Dallas Mavericks -3

4*Sacramento Kings -2.5

4*Charlotte Hornets +6

4*Oklahoma City -4

4*Oklahoma City Thunder PK

4*Toronto Raptors -2

4*Memphis Grizzlies +8

4*Charlotte Hornets -1.5

4*Oklahoma City Thunder -3.5

4*Memphis Grizzlies +3.5

Santa Anita Park

Race 4 (BC Filly & Mare Sprint) #6 Bellafina for win, place, and show  ML: 6/1

Race 7 (BC Filly & Mare Turf) #7 Vasilika for win, place, and show  ML: 8/1

Race 9 (BC Mile) #6 Got Stormy for win, place, and show  ML: 7/2

Race 10 (BC Distaff) BEST BET #4 Midnight Bisou WIN only ML: 6/5

3*LA Lakers -2.5

I think this game means more to the LA Lakers after Kawai Lenord dissed the purple and gold. I don't see how this Clippers team can matchup with A.D. and James. These two stars are on a mission this season. Look out! 

10*Milwaukee Bucks +2.5

The Toronto Raptors have played three extra games during this postseason. The team looks tired to me. I really believe this will be a big factor going against a Bucks' team that doesn't want to go home just yet. It's very difficult to win four straight games against a good team in 6 days. Also, closeout games are the toughest to win. I'm all over the Bucks on Saturday, and twice on Sunday!

5*Portland Trail Blazers -3

The Nuggets have played two more games than Portland in this NBA postseason. Coming off a four overtime game, I will side with the fresher team at home. No zigzag angle tonight. Take Portland!

10*Boston Celtics -2

The Bucks shot the lights out (42.6% 3-pointers) in game two, while Kyrie Irving had a sub-par performance shooting 4-of-18 from the field for just nine points. I love head coach Brad Stevens returning home off a blowout loss. This has worked well in the past, including 4-1 ATS this year. I also love the fact that the Bucks will playing its first true road game of the postseason. I'm sorry, but Detroit was lucky to be in the playoffs and not a difficult place to play. Boston is a tough venue for road teams especially the very first one. It's been 29 days since the Bucks played (Philly) at a rowdy arena. I really like the home team in this spot! 

5*San Antonio Spurs -2.5

The Spurs return home after getting blown out in game five. The Nuggets shot 50% from the field, 42.4% from 3-point land, and 80% from the free throw stripe. Major fade bate especially since Denver has a losing record on the road. San Antonio is obviously a well-coached veteran team with a lot of pride. I would expect a big bounce back effort to force a deciding game seven. Take the hungry host!

4*Orlando Magic +5.5

The Magic shot 36% from the floor and committed 16 turnovers in their game three loss. They still had a decent chance to win. I think they will play much better in this contest so I'm taking the 5.5 points!

4*LA Lakers +9.5

4*Philadelphia -3.5

4*Charlotte Hornets +4

4*Washington Wizards -2

5*Washington Wizards +6

The Wizards play really well at home (22-13) and will be fighting for their playoff lives. Bradley Beal has been on fire (two straight 40-point games) while the Wizards sit three games back of the Miami Heat for the 8th playoff spot. Washington has a +3.7 point differential at home while Utah sits at +1.1 on the road. The Wizards have a great chance to win this game outright so I'm taking the points tonight.

5*Indiana Pacers -1

The Pacers will be attempting to win back-to-back games in almost three weeks. The Thunder played four road games than one home game and now hit the road before returning home. That home game is against the Golden State Warriors. Very possible look ahead spot here for the road team. The Pacers have a +8.7 point differential at home while the Thunder have a +1.9 mark on the road. The Pacers are 17-6 at home after a SU win. Take the hungry host!

4*Memphis Grizzlies +1.5

The Magic had played three road games than played one home game and now hit the road again. That's always tough for NBA teams this time of year. Memphis defeated the Jazz recently who I believe are better than this Magic team. Orlando is 6-9 on the road after a win. Take Memphis!

3*LA Lakers +6

4*Brooklyn Nets +3.5

The Nets have lost two games in a row and their defensive effort has been a big reason why. I think they will get back on track against a Heat team playing its third game in four days. Take the Nets!

4*Atlanta Hawks +5  

The Hawks already defeated the T-Wolves in Minnesota. I believe they matchup really well against them so I'm taking the 5 points.      

4*Brooklyn Nets +3

4*Cleveland +7.5

10*Minnesota Timberwolves +4

The Jazz defeated the T-Wolves two days ago 106-102 in Utah. The Jazz celebrated a little too much and the T-wolves took notice. Minnesota is 16-8 at home and an impressive 9-3 at home after a loss. Utah is 8-8 on the road after a win. The T-Wolves have a +5.8 point differential at home while the Jazz are just +1.3 on the road. I think the T-Wolves matchup well and we are getting 4 points. Take the home dog!

4*Cleveland Cavaliers +5

4*Houston Rockets -5.5

The Rockets return home after losing to Orlando 116-109 as 6-point road chalk on Sunday. James Harden shot 1-for-19 from 3-point land. I would expect a much better performance in this one. The Grizzles are ranked 30th in 3-point shots made. Houston has already defeated the Grizzles this season by 12 and 8 points respectively. Memphis has a minus -4.5 point differential on the road while the Rockets own a point differential of plus +4.6 at home. Take the Rockets!

4*Chicago Bulls +1.5

4*Denver Nuggets -3.5

4*Chicago Bulls +3

4*Houston Rockets +2

The Rockets are coming off an ugly performance committing 20 turnovers. The Jazz shot over 60% from the field and 3-point land in their blowout win over the Spurs. Take the road dog!

4*

4*Minnesota Timberwolves -5

3*Golden State Warriors +3.5

The drama between Durant and Green is overblown. I would expect those two players to have big games in this one. Houston is 1-4 ATS after scoring 100+ points of late. Playoff revenge can be overrated. Take the Warriors for 3 units!

3*Houston Rockets +4.5

3*Oklahoma City Thunder +4

4*Denver Nuggets -2

4*Cleveland Cavs +4.5

4*Minnesota T-Wolves -2

5*Cleveland Cavaliers +5

The Cavs are not as bad as they played in game two. They should have won game one. This is a must win game and their bench should play much better at home. Take the hungry host!

10*Cleveland Cavs +13

I have been watching the NBA for about 35 years, and to my eyes the Warriors are NOT 13 points better as of right now. No way. I think LeBron and company will use the huge underdog factor in this first game and play really well. This line should be closer to 8 or 9 points. Take the road dog!

5*Boston Celtics +5

This line seems a tad high for me so I'm taking the Celtics again after cashing with them in game five. This should be a very close game either way. Take the road dog!

5*Boston Celtics -3

The Bucks set a franchise record with 14 blocks in their game four victory. They also shot the lights out from 3-point land and still won by just two points. I like the Celtics at home in this one!

4*Minnesota T-Wolves +6.5

4*New York Knicks -1.5

3*Cleveland Cavaliers +1

3*Dallas Mavs +1.5

4*Portland Trail Blazers +5

4*Dallas Mavs +5.5

3* Memphis Grizzlies +8

4*Chicago Bulls -4.5

3*Detroit Pistons -2.5

4*Detroit Pistons -6

4*New York Knicks -3.5

4*Los Angeles Clippers +2.5

4*Utah Jazz -1.5

4*New Orleans Pelicans +3

3*Portland T-Blazers -1

3*New York Knicks +2

5*Cleveland Cavilers +4

The Cavs return home after two straight blowouts in Golden State. Cleveland plays really well at Quicken Loans Arena and certainly are in familiar territory. The Cavs were 1.5-point favorites in this same situation last year. Add Durant and you get the home team plus 4 points. Cleveland is the defending NBA champions and should be super focused in this spot. I will go against the public in this one and take the home team.

5*Washington Wizards +5

I think the Wizards have a great shot at pulling off the upset, or at least keep this deciding contest close to the best. Over the past five games, the Wizards are plus +3 in point differential while the Celtics are minus -3. Washington has been blown out in Boston of late and I believe they have something to prove. The Celtics are just 6-11 ATS when playing with 2 days of rest this season. Take the road team!

4*Indiana Pacers +4

I like the Pacers to avoid the sweep or at least keep this one very close. Indiana tends to play really good basketball in this time slot at home. Take the hungry host!

5*Indiana Pacers -2

The Pacers play much better at home which is evident of a plus +4.5 point differential at Bankers Life Fieldhouse while the Nuggets are minus - 3.1 on the road. Denver is coming off a big emotional win against the Cavs. Lets not forget, Denver crushed Indiana 140-112 at home on Jan. 12 while shooting 57.8 percent from the floor. The Nuggets are 14-31 straight-up after an upset win as an underdog over the past three seasons, including 3-9 this year. Take the hungry host!

4*New Orleans Pelicans -2.5

The Pelicans will be playing with two days rest while the T-Blazers will be playing its third game in four days. Portland has a big game against the Spurs on deck. Portland will have a hard time matching up with Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. The ladder has average 38.7 points and 10.3 rebounds in three games against Portland earlier this season as a member of the Kings. Take the host!

4*Indiana Pacers -4

3*Philadelphia +2.5

4*Milwaukee Bucks +5.5

The Bucks committed 18 turnovers when these teams met less than a week ago in Houston. I think Milwaukee matches up well and should be sharper here at home. Houston has played four more games than the Bucks so far this season. Take the hungry host.

4*Detroit Pistons +2.5

4*Dallas Mavericks +1.5

4*Utah Jazz -5.5

4*Detroit +7

4*New York Knicks +3.5

4*Memphis Grizzlies +6

4*Minnesota Timberwolves +2

The T-Wolves should be one of the most improved teams in the NBA this season. They have good size, lots of team speed and a plethora of emerging young talent, namely Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. Both players should be All-Stars this year. Towns has a chance to be really special. I love the addition of head coach Tom Thibodeau, who will surely improve the defense while commanding respect in the Locker room. This team wants to start fast for their new coach and president of basketball operations. Take the road dog in this one!

5*Cleveland Cavaliers +6

The Cavs should be extremely motivated in this first game after blowing a 2-1 series lead in last year's NBA Finals. I also think they are a better team over last year's unit. They are healthy. This is the same point spread as last year's opening game when Golden State won by 8 in overtime. Cleveland is playing at another level from what they showed during most of the season. They are making almost 4 more three-pointers in the playoffs compared to the regular season. LeBron James and company seem to have a huge "chip" on their shoulders after most experts are already handing the Championship to Golden State. The Cavs have played three fewer playoff games. That's huge considering the Warriors will have just two days to get ready. The Warriors are coming off a hard-fought seven game series, while the Cavs are fresh and ready to go. I think the Cavs learned a lot from last year's finals. Cleveland wins the series in six or seven.

4*Oklahoma City Thunder +1.5

4*Toronto Raptors +5.5

4*Oklahoma City Thunder +2.5

5*Toronto Raptors -4.5

I think the Raptors back court will shoot much better in this game. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan were a combined 12-of-32 in Tuesday's overtime loss. Both players got in some extra shooting practice which should help. The Heat are hobbled as Hassan Whiteside and Dwyane Wade received treatment for their ailing knees. Only one day off should benefit the home team. Lets not forget the Heat are coming off an emotional game one win. Wade himself said "we actually had to win the game twice." I think the home team pulls away in the second half and wins comfortably.

4*Indiana Pacers +1.5

The Pacers return home after losing game two by 11 points. Role players perform much better at home. Indiana has a +4 point differential at home while the Raptors are +2 on the road. Toronto has played just eight games with two days of rest this season. They have gone 5-3 SU in those games. The Pacers have played 14 games with two days of rest. Indiana went 10-4 SU in those games. I think two days off helps the Pacers a lot. I like the home team in this spot.