At 9:00pm ET, my selection is on Manchester City. There is a very clear class distinction between these clubs. Manchester City is among the best teams on the planet and Al Hilal is not. This will quickly become apparent when the teams collide at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. In each of yesterday's Round of 16 matches, the superior team won by at least 2 goals. City was the only team in the group stage to have a perfect 3-0 record and the full nine points, outscoring opponents by a combined 13-2 score. While Man. City was scoring 13 goals in its 3 group stage matches, Al Hilal managed only 3. Al Hilal was already outmatched but playing without captain Al-Dawsari reduces its chances even further. Man City will get up early and Al Hilal won't be able to match. City controls play and wins in a one-sided match. Play on Manchester City.

At 12:05pm ET, my selection is on Cleveland on the run-line. The Cleveland Guardians suffered a disappointing loss yesterday, squandering a 6-1 lead to fall 9-6 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Today, the Guardians aim to rebound and avoid a series sweep with a stronger performance. Cleveland's starter, Logan Allen, holds a 2-2 record at home, while St. Louis counters with Matthew Liberatore, who struggles on the road with a 1-4 record and a 4.23 ERA. Allen benefits from facing the Cardinals for the first time, potentially giving him an edge. In contrast, Liberatore has faced Cleveland twice, pitching 5 2/3 innings with a 0-1 record and a 6.35 ERA, with both games decided by a single run—one won by Cleveland, the other by St. Louis. Given these factors, today’s matchup suggests another tight contest, making the run-line an appealing option. Play on Cleveland. 

At 7:30pm Et, my Eastern Conference Game Of The Year is on Hamilton. Montreal has a perfect record. Hamilton is winless. The Alouettes have also dominated the Tiger Cats over recent years. The Tiger Cats are going to surprise them Friday night though. The Tiger Cats are coming off a bye week, giving them extra time to rest, recover, re-group and strategize. This will be crucial against a Montreal team that played a physical game against Edmonton last week. The Tiger Cat offense is in good hands. Hamilton’s quarterback, Bo Levi Mitchell, is a seasoned veteran nearing 39,023 career passing yards, needing just 19 yards to pass Tom Clements for 11th all-time. His experience will be pivotal in orchestrating the offense against Montreal’s stout defense. Mitchell’s return to form after a tough 0-2 start will spark the team, especially after a bye week to prepare and adjust strategies. With receivers like Tim White and Kenny Lawler, Hamilton’s offense is explosive. The Montreal offense may take a hit as starting quarterback, Davis Alexander, suffered an apparent injury in last week's game versus Edmonton and was absent from practice early in the week. If he goes, he may be less than 100%. If he doesn't, McLeod Bethel-Thompson represents a step down. Play on Hamilton. 

At 8:30pm Et, my MLS Game Of The Week is on Dallas. After missing the playoffs last season, FC Dallas endured a sluggish start to the 2025 campaign, earning 18 points from its opening 16 matches, with four wins, six losses, and six draws. This included a six-match winless streak in league play, capped by a 1-0 away loss to Seattle Sounders and draws against FC Cincinnati and Philadelphia Union. However, Dallas regained momentum with a 4-2 victory over Sporting Kansas City last week. Now sitting in 10th place, just one point behind ninth-placed Colorado Rapids and five points off the top seven, Dallas aims to sustain this upward trajectory with a second consecutive win on Wednesday. The Earthquakes, 0-1-1 their last 2 games, will be without Ian Harkes, who was sent off in their draw against Portland Timbers last time out, while Noel Buck, Niko Tsakiris and Bruno Wilson all remain out with injury. Off its big win and momentum back on its side, playing at Toyota Stadium, Dallas will have the edge.

At 7:40pm Et, my Run-Line Club selection is on Kansas City on the run-line. Michael Wacha delivered an outstanding performance in his most recent start, allowing just two hits over six innings in a win against Texas. In eight home starts this season, Wacha has been exceptional, posting a 2.58 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. Conversely, Drew Rasmussen has been solid overall but has struggled in his last two outings, posting a 5.23 ERA over 10.1 innings. Additionally, Rasmussen has been less effective on the road, and the Royals previously defeated him this season. Kansas City is poised to capitalize again on Wednesday. Play on KC. 

At 9:00pm ET, my WC Wipeout is on Chelsea. Off a 3-1 loss to Flamenco, we will see the best of Chelsea tonight. There is a big class difference between these teams. To give some perspective, Chelsea was -200 to win the Group, entering the tournament. Esperance Sportive Tunis was +4000. Though it only needs a draw, Chelsea is likely to beat Esperance Sportive de Tunis by multiple goals due to its superior squad quality, tactical sophistication, and attacking prowess. Prior to the 3-1 loss to Flamengo, Chelsea demonstrated fluid attacking football in its 2-0 win over LAFC, with players like Pedro Neto, who has scored twice in the tournament, and Enzo Fernandez driving their offensive threat. Esperance, while resilient in its 1-0 win over LAFC, struggled offensively against Flamengo, managing only one goal in the group stage and relying heavily on defensive organization. Chelsea’s 4-2-3-1 formation, high passing accuracy (88% vs. Esperance’s 81%), and ability to create chances through wide players and set-pieces give it a clear edge. With key Esperance player Youcef Belaïli suspended, an absolutely critical loss, the Blues are poised to exploit Esperance’s limited attacking output and secure a comfortable victory by at least two goals.

At 8:00pm ET, my selection is on the Washington Mystics. The Minnesota Lynx are performing strongly, but the current point spread is too large, especially given its significant increase since the opening line. The Washington Mystics have won two of their last three games, with their sole loss by a single point. Minnesota is off 3 straight big wins but all those were at home. The last time that the Lynx were on the road, they lost by 10. Historically, matchups between these teams are competitive, with the most recent game decided by seven points. Seven of the last eight encounters were decided by 11 points or fewer, and five of those by seven points or fewer. This is going to be another close one. Grab the points.

At 7:10 ET, my selection is on the Cincinnati Reds, on the run-line. Playing at home in Great American Ball Park provides a significant edge, as the Reds leverage their familiarity with the hitter-friendly venue. Cincinnati's starting pitcher, Nick Lodolo, has been a model of consistency this season, boasting a 3.71 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 15 starts. His most recent outing was a quality start against the Minnesota Twins, allowing just three hits over six innings in a victory. In contrast, the Yankees' starter, Allan Winans, is making his first start of the season after struggling in relief, posting a 7.20 ERA and 1.58 WHIP through eight appearances with a 1-4 record. While both teams won Sunday, recent team performance further supports the Reds, who have gone 5-3 in their last eight games, while the Yankees have faltered with a 3-7 record over their last ten. Historical matchups between these teams also tilt in Cincinnati’s favor, with five of the past nine games decided by a single run and the Reds sweeping last season’s three-game series. Given these factors, I'm backing Cincinnati at +1.5 runs. 

At 6:00 PM ET, my selection is on Salzburg. Before the tournament, I projected that Red Bull Salzburg and Al Hilal would compete for second place in their group, with Real Madrid as the clear favorite. Despite similar pre-tournament odds of +800 and +900 to win the group, Al Hilal’s surprising draw against Real Madrid has created additional betting value on Salzburg today. Given Al Hilal’s confidence from that result, their likely victory over Pachuca, and Real Madrid’s expected win against Salzburg, the Saudi side should be content with another draw. This makes Salzburg getting an extra +0.5 goals, particularly appealing. In my pre-tournament analysis, I noted: “Salzburg’s youth-driven, high-pressing, and attacking style brings energy and unpredictability, making them a strong contender for second place.” Play on Salzburg. 

At 3:00pm ET, my Golden Goal selection is on Real Madrid. Real Madrid, by far the strongest team in the group, faces Pachuca, the weakest. Frustrated by a draw in its opening game, Real Madrid will come out with intensity from the start, determined to secure a decisive victory. Pachuca, having conceded two goals to Salzburg in its previous match, will struggle to contain the formidable Spanish side. Real Madrid is poised to score multiple goals and Pachuca will be fortunate to get any. The class difference will be clear from the start. The better team will dominate possession and scoring chances and will win by at least 2 goals. Play on Real Madrid.

At 1:00pm Et, my WNBA Early Riser is on the Chicago Sky. The Mercury face a challenging scheduling situation, as they are concluding a demanding four-game road trip with an early start time. Coming off an impressive 89-81 upset victory against the league-leading New York Liberty, all three games on this road trip have been tightly contested, decided by eight points or fewer. Furthermore, the Mercury face the Liberty again in their next game at home, increasing the likelihood of overlooking the Sky in this matchup. Chicago is off a 7-point loss and it won by 12 in its previous game. Historical data supports a close game: the teams’ earlier meeting this season in Phoenix was decided by five points, and their most recent game in Chicago also ended with a five-point margin. Given these factors, taking the points with the Sky is the way to go

At 6:00pm ET, my selection is on the Las Vegas Aces. The Aces are poised to upset the Mercury, primarily due to their superior offensive firepower and home-court advantage, despite the absence of A’ja Wilson due to concussion protocol. While the loss of Wilson is of course very significant, the Aces have demonstrated resilience, as seen in their recent comeback win against the Dallas Wings, led by Jackie Young’s 28-point performance and Jewell Loyd’s clutch contributions. Coach Becky Hammon commented: "I liked our fight." The Aces perimeter scoring, bolstered by Young, Chelsea Gray, and Loyd, will exploit the Mercury’s inconsistent defense, which allows 81.7 points per game on the road. Additionally, playing at home, where the Aces average 91.4 points, gives them an edge over a Mercury team missing the likes of Megan McConnell, even with Kahleah Copper’s probable return. The Aces have won 9 of the past 10 meetings and they will continue their series dominance today. Play on Las Vegas.

At 6:00pm ET, my selection is on Porto. Getting an extra half goal with arguably the stronger team is always something which appeals to me. We already saw a draw in this group yesterday and another one is entirely possible today. If there is a winner, it's more likely to be Porto. Coached by Abel Ferreira, Palmeiras' balanced squad combines physicality and tactical discipline with flair. However, Porto’s attack offers pace and clinical finishing and ultimately Porto's European experience will provide an edge. 

At 7:00pm ET, my CFL Game Of the Month is on Hamilton. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are poised to upset the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Tim Hortons Field due to their potent offensive capabilities and home-field advantage. Despite a Week 1 loss to Calgary, Hamilton showcased a strong passing game led by quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who threw for 304 yards and a touchdown, supported by dynamic receivers like Kenny Lawler and Tim White. Their offense averaged 407.8 yards per game last season, ranking first in the CFL. Mitchell will fully exploit a Saskatchewan defense which allowed 281 passing yards per game. Additionally, the energy from the home crowd during the season opener, coupled with the team’s motivation to rebound from their Week 1 loss, should provide the edge needed to outscore the Roughriders, who, despite a solid Week 1 performance, face challenges with early-season injuries and a less dominant rushing attack. Last year's game here was close, a 33-30 final. Hamilton won by 4 here the previous year. Play on Hamilton

At 7:30pm Et, my Eastern Conference Game Of the Month is on Atlanta. The Dream hold a significant advantage over the Sky based on current team performance and key roster challenges. The Dream boast a strong 6-3 record overall, including 3-1 at home, demonstrating their consistency and dominance on their court. Conversely, the Sky struggle with a 2-6 record, including a 1-4 mark on the road and an 0-4 record in conference play, highlighting their difficulties, particularly away from home. Chicago’s challenges are compounded by the season-ending injury to Courtney Vandersloot, the team’s captain, leader, and all-time scoring and assists leader. Her absence leaves a significant void in leadership and production that the Sky cannot easily fill. Adjusting to this loss will require time, and the team is unlikely to be prepared for a competitive road performance against a formidable opponent like Atlanta. The Dream are coming off a commanding 19-point victory over Indiana and previously secured a 24-point win at home, underscoring their offensive firepower and home-court strength. In their most recent h2h matchup, Atlanta defeated Chicago by 16 points, further illustrating the gap between these teams. Given these factors, Atlanta is well-positioned to deliver another decisive victory. Lay the points.

At 7:15pm Et, my Run-Line Club selection is on the Atlanta Braves -1.5 runs. The Braves are poised to dominate the Rockies on this Friday the 13th at Truist Park. The Braves may only be 17-14 at home but they are coming off an important series win at Milwaukee and are ready to ride the momentum back home. Plus, the Rockies are 7-27 on the road, worst in baseball. In addition to playing at home, the Braves have superior offensive firepower and pitching depth. The Braves boast a potent lineup with players like Matt Olson, who has already shown his ability to crush the Rockies with two homers and six RBI in a single game last season, and Michael Harris II, who consistently delivers in clutch situations. They're complmented by the likes of Acuna and Ozuna. Meanwhile, the Rockies are hampered by injuries to key players like Jeff Criswell and Austin Gomber, weakening their already inconsistent pitching staff. That means that German Marquez and his 2-8 record (7.00 ERA, 1.68 WHIP) will get the call today. The Braves already hammered him in the spring. Atlanta’s home advantage at Truist Park, combined with their recent history of overpowering Colorado—such as 8-2 and 6-3 victories earlier in 2025—suggests they’ll pound Marquez and the Rockies, once again. Play Atlanta on the run-line. 

At 7:30pm Et, my selection is on the New York City Fc. I had the over in New York City's recent match at Nashville. City came through with two goals in a 2-2 draw. That was on the heels of a 3-0 loss vs Houston. That same pattern - a home loss, followed by a road draw - was repeated a few weeks back, in the middle of May. Off the road draw, City returned home and won 2-0 (and 3-1 in its next game). Once again, a resilient NY City FC team will respond to going winless in two matches to get back to securing max points tonight. Since entering MLS in 2015, City has never lost a regular-season home fixture against Atlanta. Also, Atlanta has allowed multiple goals in every one of its away fixtures in the league this season. Play on NY City FC.

At 8:30pm ET, my selection is on the Oklahoma City Thunder. This series is tied but OKC has dominated and led for most of it. The Thunder learned their lesson in Game 1 and were much better in Game 2. They are likely to beat the Indiana Pacers by a comfortable margin again in Game 3 due to their superior defensive prowess and ability to exploit Indiana’s vulnerabilities. OKC’s aggressive, switch-heavy defense, led by players like Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, and Alex Caruso, has consistently disrupted opponents, forcing turnovers at a league-leading rate (21.8% of possessions in the playoffs). Despite Indiana’s low-turnover offense (12.7% TOV%), the Thunder’s relentless ball pressure and transition defense (allowing just 9.3 fast-break points per game) can neutralize the Pacers’ fast-paced, three-point-heavy attack. Additionally, OKC’s depth and versatility, with players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (averaging 30.2 points in the playoffs) and Jalen Williams exploiting mismatches, give them an edge over Indiana’s less consistent supporting cast. The Thunder’s dominant record against Eastern Conference teams and their ability to win on the road suggest they’ll dominate in Indianapolis. Lay the points.

At 4:07pm ET, my Run-Line Club is on the Athletics. The Athletics are looking to avoid a series sweep, which should bolster their determination. I favor Sears to outperform Hendricks in this afternoon’s matchup. Sears has excelled in his five daytime starts, posting an impressive 2.17 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. In contrast, Hendricks has struggled, going 0-2 with a 6.89 ERA in his daytime outings. Following yesterday’s tight 2-1 game, another close contest is likely. Grab the +1.5 runs with the Athletics.

At 10:pm ET, my WNBA Game of the Week is on LA. This marks the third matchup of the season between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Golden State Valkyries. The road team secured victories in the first two encounters, but the dynamics shift for Monday's game. The Sparks entered their initial home game against Golden State following a challenging loss in Phoenix, which appeared to impact their performance. In contrast, the Sparks now come off a commanding double-digit victory in Dallas, providing positive momentum. Additionally, Los Angeles benefits from an extra day of rest compared to Golden State; the Valkyries are coming off a massive upset win against Las Vegas on Saturday. Such an emotional high sets the stage for a letdown for the Valkyries, positioning the Sparks favorably for Monday night’s contest at Crypto.com Arena. Lay the points. 

At 8:00pm ET, my NBA Playoff Game Of The Year is on Oklahoma City. In Game 1, the Thunder maintained control for much of the way, only to see their lead slip away in the fourth quarter. To their credit, the Pacers have consistently demonstrated an ability to stage improbable comebacks in the final period. However, a repeat performance is unlikely in Game 2. Oklahoma City has learned its lesson and will not let another lead slip away. The Thunder have been the best team all season and that's the team we will see the entire way on Sunday. The Thunder have a proven track record of responding to playoff losses with victories in the following game. In each previous series, they showcased their Game 2 dominance: defeating Memphis by 19 points, overwhelming the Nuggets by 43 points after dropping Game 1, and securing a 15-point win over Minnesota. Backs to the wall after Thursday's loss, expect the Thunder to rebound strongly with another decisive Game 2 win and cover. 

At 7:30pm Et, my MLS Game Of The Week is on Chicago. DC United is off a win but hasn't won consecutive games all season. Playing at home hasn't provided United any sort of advantage. The Fire ended the month of May with a fifth win in their last six matches, across all competitions. A much improved team from last season, Chicago is very good on the road. The Fire have a 100% road record this season against teams with fewer points than them currently in this competition. The Fire have also scored 20 of their 28 goals on the road. With five MLS away victories, Chicago is tied with the Philadelphia Union for the most in the league, thus far. The Fire will score multiple goals and DC United will be unable to keep pace. Play on Chicago.

At 7:30pm ET, my WNBA Eastern Conference Game Of the Week is on the Connecticut Sun. The Sun suffered a significant defeat against the New York Liberty in their most recent game, falling 100-52. However, that loss came on the road against the defending champions and the league's top team, who boast the highest offensive and defensive ratings. Additionally, the Sun were coming off a notable upset victory against the Indiana Fever just two days prior, marking their second consecutive road game. A letdown was not surprising. Earlier this season, when the Sun faced the Dream on the road, they were listed as +7 point underdogs. Now, playing at home, the Sun are receiving an even larger point spread. That's providing us with excellent line value. Meanwhile, the Dream are playing their third consecutive road game and have a showdown against Indiana, a team they’ve faced twice already, looming next. Four of Atlanta’s five wins this season have been by eight points or fewer. This is going to be another close game. Grab the points. 

At 8:00pm ET, my Slam Dunk Club selection is on Minnesota. The Lynx hold a perfect 7-0 record, making them the last undefeated team in the Western Conference, while the New York Liberty also stand at 7-0 in the East. However, the Lynx have struggled to cover the spread, going 0-5 ATS in their last five games. Tonight’s matchup and venue presents an opportunity to reverse that trend. The Lynx previously faced theMercury on May 30th in Phoenix, securing a hard-fought victory in a closely contested game. Playing at home in the Target Center, however, will provide the Lynx with a significant advantage. In their last home game against the Mercury, a playoff matchup, the Lynx won by 13 points. Additionally, in last season’s two regular-season home games against Phoenix, Minnesota secured convincing victories by margins of 13 and 24 points. Historically, the Lynx have dominated this matchup, posting a 9-1 record (6-0 at home) in their last 10 meetings with the Mercury, with seven of those wins by double digits. This will be another decisive Lynx victory. Lay the points.

At 6:00pm Et, my Western Conference Game Of the Year is on Las Vegas. Revenge is on the docket at Climate Pledge Arena on Sunday. On May 25th, the favored Aces suffered a decisive 102-82 loss to the Storm. Perhaps fueled by motivation from its elimination by Las Vegas in last season’s playoffs, the Storm came out strong and were up 22 by halftime. The Aces bounced back with a 15-point victory over Los Angeles on Friday, providing momentum for Sunday. Recall that after Seattle won the first meeting last season, Las Vegas dominated, going 5-0 straight-up and 4-1 against the spread in the subsequent five games, including an 11-point win in the rematch less than two weeks later. With the current betting line lower than it was for the May 25th game, the revenge-minded visitors are providing us with strong value. Play on Las Vegas

At 8:00 PM ET, my Eastern Conference Playoff Game of the Year is on the Indiana Pacers. This series concludes tonight. The Pacers have a perfect 3-0 record both straight-up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) following a loss in these playoffs, with convincing victories by 26, 20, and 9 points, averaging over 18 points per win. Despite a 26-22 road record after their loss at Madison Square Garden, Indiana boasts an impressive 34-13 home record at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Pacers' star Tyrese Haliburton emphasized the team's composure, stating, "We understand what the stakes are. We're fine. There's no need to panic or anything." Pascal Siakam acknowledged the opponent's effort in the previous game, noting, "They played harder than us. It's OK. We played hard, but they played harder." Lay the small number and expect Haliburton, Siakam and the rest of the Pacers to elevate their intensity and performance to secure the win and cover at home tonight.

At 2:30pm ET, my Ligue 1 Game Of The Week is on Metz. There's a lot at stake at Stade Auguste Delaune. This is the second of two legs, the first finished at 1-1. That means that the winner of this match will play in the French top flight next season while the loser will not. Reims has real trouble scoring and is winless in its last six matches, losing four times. Reims finished the Ligue 1 season in 16th place with just 33 points. Conversely, Metz has lost just one of its last 12 matches, achieving victory in seven of those. Metz has also won five of its past seven away matches. Importantly, when backing Metz at +0.5, we win in the event of another draw. Metz was the better team in the first match, creating substantially more offense, and has been in better form all season. Play on Metz.

At 8:30pm Et, my Western Conference Playoff Game Of The Year is on Minnesota. Its improbable that the Timberwolves will smash the Thunder the way that they did in Game 3, this score will likely be much closer. However, the decisive win in Game 3 significantly boosted the Timberwolves' confidence, reinforcing their belief that executing their game plan can and will lead to victory against this opponent. With Game 4 at Target Center, where Minnesota has a strong postseason record, I anticipate the Timberwolves will even the series. With Game 4 being played at Target Center, I expect Minnesota to even the series. SGA may have won the MVP but this is Anthony Edward's house. The Wolves have only lost one game here in the playoffs and that was when they had a very long layoff in between games. They've won each of their last 3 games here by double-digits and by a combined 77 points. The Thunder have dropped 3 of their last 4 away games, highlighting the increased difficulty of winning on the road in the postseason compared to the regular season. I like the Wolves outright but in game which could be decided on the final shot, I will take the points. Play on Minnesota.

At 4:10pm ET, my RL Club selection is on the NY Mets. The White Sox were quite competitive recently. They've won 3 of their past 5 games and both the losses came by a single run. Those 5 games had all had one thing in common. They were all played at Chicago. The Sox haven't been nearly the same team on the road. As a matter of fact, they're 5-21 on the road. Conversely, the Mets enter Sunday night with an 18-6 home record. Holmes has been solid for the Mets, he's got a 2.81 ERA in five day games. He's given up five home runs on the season, none of them were during the day. The Mets swept last year's 3 games. All 3 wins came by more than 1 run. The Mets are stronger in all areas and this will be another "rout."

At 2:30pm Et, my selection is on Elversberg. Its a Bundesliga relegation playoff pitting Heidenheim, the 16th-placed team in the Bundesliga, against Elversberg, the third-placed side from the 2. Bundesliga. There's a spot in Germany’s top flight next season on the line. This is the second of two matches. The first, which was played at Heidenheim on Thursday, resulted in a 2-2 draw. The visitors got an early 2-0 lead and the home team battled back to salvage the tie. That means that the stakes for Monday's match at Elversberg are extremely high. For a club that had never competed above the third tier before 2023, Elversberg’s potential promotion to the Bundesliga would mark a historic milestone. With significant financial implications for both teams, Elversberg enters the match in stronger form, riding the momentum of its recent success (undefeated in its last 9 matches!) to close out the regular season. Though the level of competition wasn't the same, Elversberg has played better football all season and that gives a lot of confidence. Earning the draw in the first leg and now playing at home will provide the edge. Elversberg has an opportunity to make history. Its happening!

*play at pk, if available 

At 6:00pm ET, my Super Smash is on Las Vegas. The Aces didn't cover last game but I like the way that they battled back to win the game. They were down nine points going into the 4th quarter. They will carry the momentum from that comeback into today's game at Climate Pledge Arena. The Aces are favored for a good reason. They've got superior offensive efficiency and a championship pedigree. They also have an ability to exploit Seattle’s depleted roster. The Aces boast a potent lineup led by A’ja Wilson, the reigning WNBA MVP, who averages 26.9 points and 11.9 rebounds per game, consistently dominating against Seattle’s frontcourt. Despite injuries to key depth players like Megan Gustafson and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, Las Vegas maintains a strong core with Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, and Kelsey Plum, contributing to a 46.9% effective field-goal percentage compared to Seattle’s 42.8%. The Storm are missing key players like Katie Lou Samuelson and Jordan Horston. Their lack of depth will make it difficult to counter the Aces’ balanced attack. Lay the small number with the better team.

At 1:35pm ET, my MLB Early Riser is on Pittsburgh on the run-line. The first two games of this series were both decided by 1 run. Pittsburgh won 6-5 on Friday and followed it up with a 2-1 victory yesterday. Sunday's game looks like it could be another close one, the type of game we'll be happy to have an extra +1.5 runs to work with. Rookie pitcher Logan Henderson has been lights-out for the Brew-Crew. Milwaukee's right-hander has a 1.69 ERA through his first three starts. That's great but it doesn't compare to what Pittsburgh's Bailey Falter has been doing. Falter hasn't  allowed a single run over his past three outings, a span of 16 2/3 innings. In four May starts, he's only allowed 1 run. The Pirates won 3 of those, the 4th was a 2-1 loss. As a matter of fact, 3 of the 4 games were decided by 1 run. Scores of 3-2, 2-1 and 1-0. The other was a 4-0 Pittsburgh win. Play Pittsburgh at +1.5 runs. 

At 3:00pm ET, my La Liga Game Of The Year is on Osasuna. This match holds greater significance for Osasuna; the visitors are striving to secure a top-eight finish and a coveted spot in European competition. Currently positioned 14th, Alavés has successfully avoided relegation, largely due to a strong run of form in recent matches. With its primary objective achieved and no further tangible goals to pursue, Alavés may struggle to maintain its intensity, potentially leading to a dip in performance. However, historical context suggests that Alavés’ current form may be irrelevant in this fixture. Osasuna have dominated at this venue, winning its last six visits to Mendizorroza. More talented and with more to play for, expect Osasuna to extend its streak here to seven consecutive victories. Play on Osasuna.

At 10:00pm ET, my WNBA Game Of The Month is on Las Vegas. Off a road loss versus an expansion team, the Washington Mystics face a formidable challenge as they travel to face the Las Vegas Aces in the Aces' home opener at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Coming off a commanding 25-point road victory in their last game, the Aces are poised to make a strong statement in front of their home crowd. After a disappointing playoff loss in their most recent home game, Las Vegas is highly motivated to deliver a dominant performance against Washington. Historically, the Aces have dominated this matchup, winning all three encounters last season by double-digit margins, including a 21-point rout at home. Expect Las Vegas to capitalize on its momentum and home-court advantage to secure a decisive victory tonight. Lay the points. 

At 8:00pm ET, my NBA Slam Dunk is on New York. I had long since cashed with the over so the crazy ending of Game 1 didn't matter to me. It mattered to the Knicks and their fans though and we can be confident that they will keep their foot on the gas pedal the whole way tonight. The reality was that the Knicks were the better team almost the entire way. "There's a lot of things we did good and we put ourselves in position to win," Towns said. "We played 46 good minutes. Those two minutes are where we lost the game (in regulation), and that's on all of us." The Knicks are still 30-18 at home compared to Indiana's 25-21 on the road. New York bounces back with a big win. Lay the points. 

At 2:30pm Et, my Golden Goal selection is on Elversberg. The upcoming Bundesliga relegation playoff match carries immense stakes, pitting Heidenheim, the 16th-placed team in the Bundesliga, against Elversberg, the third-placed side from the 2. Bundesliga, with a spot in Germany’s top flight next season on the line. Heidenheim’s campaign faltered, culminating in a 4-1 defeat to Werder Bremen on the final matchday, relegating them to the playoff spot. In contrast, Elversberg capped an outstanding 2. Bundesliga season with a 2-1 victory at Schalke, securing third place. For a club that had never competed above the third tier before 2023, Elversberg’s potential promotion to the Bundesliga would mark a historic milestone. It's happening! With significant financial implications for both teams, Elversberg enters the match in stronger form, riding the momentum of its recent success. Given its trajectory and opportunity to make history, my recommendation is to back Elversberg.

At 8:30pm ET, my Slam Dunk Club is on OKC. The team that emerges victorious in this series is the likely NBA Championship winner. The Timberwolves have performed exceptionally well and are entering this series following a less demanding matchup, allowing them significant rest. However, extended rest can sometimes be a disadvantage, as evidenced by their performance after a long break before the previous series, where they lost Game 1 to Golden State, scoring only 88 points and falling by double digits. Conversely, the Oklahoma City Thunder faced a challenging series against the Denver Nuggets, which has sharpened their resilience and preparedness. They excelled in the final critical test, securing a convincing Game 7 victory which will propel their momentum into Game 1. The Thunder boast an impressive 40-7 home record and they typically deliver "decisive" victories. Minnesota may hang around for a while but OKC pulls away for a double-digit win. Lay the points. 

At 10:00am ET, my EPL Game Of The Week is on Leicester City. Both Leicester City and Ipswich Town face will be relegated next season, but Sunday's clash at King Power Stadium carries extra weight for the Foxes. This match marks the final appearance of Leicester legend Jamie Vardy, who will lace up his boots for the club one last time. With 199 career goals, the 38-year-old striker is on the cusp of a historic 200th goal, and the electric atmosphere at King Power will fuel his drive to deliver a memorable farewell. Vardy, a cornerstone of Leicester’s miraculous 2015-16 Premier League title and 2021 FA Cup triumph, is unlikely to exit quietly. He's always had a knack for clutch moments and he's a likely candidate to find the net against an Ipswich side struggling defensively. Leicester, buoyed by the emotional weight of Vardy’s send-off (and likely 200th goal) will harness the home crowd’s energy to secure three points. Its a party for Jamie Vardy! Play on Leicester

At 10:15 PM ET, my Run Line Club selection is on the Athletics. The Athletics have faced a challenging stretch, playing their last six games against formidable opponents, the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. All six contests were decisively one-sided, with the team formerly known as Oakland losing four, including a crushing 19-2 defeat to the Dodgers yesterday, concluding their series in Los Angeles.Historically, games against the San Francisco Giants, their former Bay Area rivals, have been significantly more competitive. In the last nine encounters, seven were decided by two runs or fewer, with three determined by a single run, highlighting the tight nature of this rivalry.The Athletics will rely on JP Sears (4-2, 2.80 ERA), who has been a standout performer this season. Sears has faced the Giants twice, both in 2024, delivering exceptional results. He posted a 1-0 record with a 0.61 ERA, surrendering just one run while striking out 18 and issuing one walk over 14.2 innings. On the Giants’ side, Logan Webb's most recent start against the Athletics resulted in a 1-0 San Francisco victory. As the Athletics aim to recover from yesterday's debacle, the +1.5 run-line offers value, given Sears’ dominance against the Giants and the closely contested history of this matchup.

At 12:40pm ET, my home run club is on Cincinnati. The Reds need to avoid being swept by the White Sox. Despite earning victories in the first two games of the series, the White Sox struggle on the road with a 5-17 record. Chicago's pitcher, Bryse Wilson, typically a reliever, carries a 4.88 ERA and has not recorded a win since June of last year. In seven daytime appearances, including one start, Wilson has a poor 6.85 ERA and a 1.95 WHIP. In contrast, Reds starter Nick Martinez has performed solidly at home, posting a 3.57 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. With Martinez getting the better of Wilson, the Reds capitalize on their home advantage and win in "blowout fashion."

At 7:00pm ET, my selection is on the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers have had an amazing season. Don't count them out yet. If they do lose a game, it'll be the next one. They're not going down in front of the home fans. Mitchell is questionable and appears he'll be a game-time decsion. You know he's going to be out there, if at all possible. With or without him, we will see the best of Cleveland. Indiana may have won here before but the Cavs still have a 36-9 home record. Lay the points. 

My La Liga Game Of the Week is on Real Sociedad. Real Sociedad, playing at home and still with an outside chance to secure European qualification, enters this match with high stakes. Competing at Estadio Anoeta provides a significant advantage. While Celta Vigo has been formidable at home, its away form is poor, earning only 13 points from 17 road matches, ranking 17th in La Liga. A determined Real Sociedad side, fueled by motivation and home support, is poised to deliver a crucial victory for their fans in San Sebastián.

At 10:00pm ET, my NBA Quarterfinals Game Of the Year is on Minnesota. In the last game, the Timberwolves fell just short of covering the spread, with the Warriors sinking a late three-pointer to secure the ATS victory. Despite this, Minnesota asserted dominance in the series. Even with Curry, Golden State faced a formidable challenge; without him, the Warriors are significantly outmatched.  Edwards outshines Butler, and the Timberwolves' supporting cast surpasses the Warriors' roster. While Golden State will play with desperation, it won’t suffice. Minnesota, a proven road team with a near-identical home and away record, is poised to tighten its grip on the series with a decisive victory and cover on Monday. Lay the points. 

At 6:10pm ET, my run-line club selection is on Cleveland. After getting blanked by Wheeler on Sunday night baseball, the Guardians will face another tough pitcher in Peralta. They've got one of their own going in Lively though. Lively has pitched well so far this season and has an excellent 0.82 ERA in 2 May starts. A close, low-scoring game may well be in the cards. All 3 of last season's games were of that variety. The one with Peralta pitching had a final score of 2-1. In such a game, having +1.5 runs in your back-pocket is a really nice feeling. Playing at Progressive Field also helps. The Guardians are 12-7 at home. The Brewers are 8-14 on the road. Grab the +1.5 runs with the Guardians.

At 2:45pm ET, my Serie A Game Of The Week is on Roma. Turning a draw into a victory is of critical importance in this afternoon's Serie A matchup in Bergamo. Though a win is always preferred, Atalanta knows it can essentially wrap up third place in the standings with a draw. Surging Roma, which hasn't given up on Champions League qualification, needs more and will be giving it everything its got. Having goalkeeper Mile Svilar makes it tough to score against Roma. Svilar has recorded 15 clean sheets in Serie A this season. No keeper has more in a season for nearly 20 years. Play on Roma.

At 3:00pm ET, my Champions League Game Of The Week is on Arsenal. We were against Arsenal last match, when the Gunners lost to Bournemouth. Part of my thinking was that Arsenal was already going to be thinking about today's match. (PSG also lost its last league game.) Winning here, after dropping the first leg at home, is no easy task. If anyone is up for the challenge, its Arsenal. The Gunners are undefeated in their last 7 road matches overall. They've won their last 4 European road matches, scoring at least 2 goals in each. The Gunners will benefit from the return of Thomas Partey. A very important player, Partey was suspended for the first leg and was badly missed. PSG is expected to have Dembele but he may not be at full health. Go with the Gunners. 

At 9:38pm ET, my selection is on the Los Angeles Angels +1.5 runs. Among the standout performers in the early weeks of the season is Los Angeles Angels’ left-hander Tyler Anderson. The 35-year-old veteran boasts an impressive 2-0 record, complemented by a 2.64 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. The Angels have secured victories in five of his six starts. In contrast, the Toronto Blue Jays have struggled on the road, posting a 5-10 record. Following a tightly contested one-run game, Toronto’s last five games have been decided by two runs or fewer, indicating a trend of close matchups. This comes on the heels of a three-game losing streak. The Angels, having had a rest day to regroup after a significant loss to the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, are poised to rebound with a more competitive effort. Given Anderson’s strong performances and Toronto’s road challenges, I'm going with the Angels the on the run-line.

At 7:00pm ET, my TNT Slam Dunk is on Boston. It's always a good time when Boston and New York face each other. A good time for Boston fans, at least. The Celtics have defeated the Knicks 4 straight times and they've won 8 of the past 9 meetings. In sweeping the 4 regular season games, the Celtics won by an average of greater than 16 points. Three of the 4 wins were by 13 or more points. The Knicks had their hands full with the Pistons. The Celtics had little trouble against Orlando. The Celtics tipped off the 2nd round of last year's playoffs with a dominant 25 point win, holding Cleveland to only 95 points. They will flex their muscles and remind the Knicks who's boss once again. Lay the points.

At 6:00pm ET, my Eastern Conference Slam Dunk is on Cleveland. The Pacers were competitive in the regular season but now will get a taste of how good the Cavaliers really are. Indiana is 21-21 on the road. Cleveland is 36-7 at home. Indiana just had to battle with everything to get past the Bucks. Cleveland took the life out of Miami from the start, crushing the spirit of the Heat and winning the final 2 games by 37 and 55 points. The Pacers play at a very fast pace that was too much for Milwaukee. The Cavaliers have the athleticism to keep up with them though as well as a greater ability to slow the Pacers down. Their superior defense will dictate today's outcome. Cleveland wins by more than 10. Lay the points. 

At 9:00am ET, my EPL Annihilator is on Newcastle United. Some may not yet realize how strong NewCastle is this year. The gap between these teams is entirely real. The Magpies have won six of their last seven top-flight matches. The Magpies, who have the fourth-best away record in the Premier League, have a +21 goal differential. The Seagulls will be without Joao Pedro, their top scorer, as he's suspended. The Magpies can taste that top 4 finish and they won't let the opportunity for maximum points escape them. Play on Newcastle 

At 12:30pm ET, EPL Game of the Week is on Bournemouth. Having the extra half goal in our favor is important, when playing Arsenal matches. The Gunners have been involved in 13 ties this season. In this case, the Cherries will cash for us, in the event of a draw. Arsenal is in a difficult spot. The Gunners have had some time to recover from their first thriller vs PSG but they've got the second leg of that crucial series on deck. Looking ahead is natural. The Cherries are tough on the road, having lost only 4 league matches on the road all season. They will shock their distracted hosts on Saturday.

At 8:05pm Et, my Run-Line Club selection is on the Texas Rangers. Having an extra +1.5 runs at our disposal is a welcome luxury for a game involving the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners tend to play a lot of 1-run games. Their last game with Woo on the mound was a 1-run 4-3 win for Seattle. Leiter pitches for Texas. His last start was a 3-2 Texas loss. The son of Al Leiter (and nephew of Mark Leiter) has a stellar 2.03 ERA through his first three starts this season. Two of those were decided by 1 run. Woo did defeat the Rangers last month but he's 1-2 with a 6.95 ERA in 5 starts against them, 0-2 with a 12.71 ERA in 3 road games against them. Go with Texas +1.5 runs.  

At 2:30pm ET, my Bundesliga Game Of The Month is on Heidenheim. Friday's match between VfL Bochum and Heidenheim, while featuring two of the Bundesliga's less prominent sides, promises to be a compelling contest with significant implications. VfL Bochum faces the prospect of becoming the first team relegated this season with a loss. Trailing Heidenheim by four points, only a win offers Bochum a realistic chance of survival. However, Heidenheim enters the fixture with momentum, buoyed by a recent 1-0 clean-sheet victory against Stuttgart. Playing at Voith-Arena, where they enjoy strong home support, further bolsters Heidenheim's confidence. Bochum, conversely, has struggled significantly in away matches, making a positive result for them unlikely. Bochum will have to "go for it" and that will make them vulnerable to counter-attacks. Healthy on the injury-front, Heideheim will take advantage. 

My Thursday Afternoon EPL Annihilator is on Brentford. The reason for this Thursday contest is because Forest played in the FA Cup on Sunday, losing 2-0. That means that Brentford is far more rested, having last played back on April 19th. That extra rest will work in the Bees favor for this match. Brentford lost the reverse fixture but has shown an ability to win on the road. The Bees can't afford a loss if they want to keep their hopes of European football alive. They may not ultimately realize that dream but they will battle their hosts tooth and nail on Thursday afternoon.

My WOLVES/LAKERS BEATDOWN play is on the Minnesota Timberwolves at 10:00 EST. LA was 25-7 straight up when favored at home in the regular season, while Minnesota was 7-7 straight up during the regular season as an underdog on the road. But that was then, and this is now. The Minnesota franchise can erase two decades of losing in the playoffs to the Lakers with an outright win in Game 5. They're the better team here and the media and the bookmakers are slow in recognizing that Anthony Edwards has completely taken over this series. LeBron and Luka just don't have the supporting cast or chemistry to pull this one out of the fire. Minnesota is too deep and now too experienced. And also confident. While I feel the outright victory is a very real possibility, my official call is to grab the points, because Minnesota rolls!

My WESTERN CONFERENCE GAME OF THE WEEK is on the Houston Rockets at 10:00 EST. Houston will look to tie up this series before heading home for Game 5. Jimmy Butler sat out Game 3 and it's unclear if he'll play in this one. But whether he does or not, I like Houston to, at the very least, keep this one competitive until the final bucket. Basically, I feel that whichever team has its hands on the ball last will win Game 4. Fred Van Vleet was a bright spot in Game 3 for Houston with 17 points. Stephen Curry is obviously amazing, but without Butler at 100%, the lineup gets thin pretty quickly for the Warriors. Houston was the No. 2 seed coming into this one, and Golden State was a No. 7. I'm not counting out the Rockets quite yet. Jalen Green had a big game in Game 2 following the loss at home in Game 1 and I expect a similar response tonight. Grab the points, Rockets roll!

My EASTERN CONFERENCE CRU$HER is on the Pacers at 9:30 EST. So far, the home floor advantage has proved crucial in this series, but I think that the Pacers have a legitimate shot at winning Game 4 outright. That said, in a contest that I see coming right down to the wire, I'll recommend to grab as many points as you can. Indiana had a ten-point halftime lead in Game 3, before the Bucks went on a miraculous second-half comeback to save their season essentially. Giannis Antetokounmpo had another big night with 37 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Gary Trent Jr. exploded for 37 points, hitting nine three-pointers. Suffice it to say, I'm not expecting lightning to "strike twice" for Trent Jr. in Game 4. Damian Lillard was just 2 of 12. Aaron Newsmith had 18 points for the Pacers in Game 3, while Tyrese Haliburton has so far dished out an average of 11.3 assists during the Playoffs. Look for Indiana's depth prove to be crucial in its competitiveness in Game 4. Grab the points, Pacers roll!

My BLOWOUT PLAY is on the LA Clippers at 6:00 EST. James Harden and Kawhi Leonard are through playing "second fiddle" to Nikola Jokic and I believe they can smell the proverbial blood in the water. Denver's offense has looked bad in all three games and frankly, the Nuggets are lucky to only be down 2-1 after holding on for the 112-110 OT win in Game 1 at home. Jokic appears visibly frustrated with the rest of his team. The Clippers though are just getting stronger with each outing. That progression continues in Game 4 at home in my opinion, so lay the points with confidence, because the Clippers are going to roll!

My SLAM-DUNK play is on the Orlando Magic at 7:00 EST. The Orlando Magic will be trying desperately to avoid the 0-3 hole. They managed a solid cover in Game 2's 109-100 loss. The big question for Boston is whether or not Jason Tatum will play. He didn't play in Game 2 and they still won. He could sit again here now with a comfortable 2-0 lead. That for sure works in Orlando's favor in Game 3. Whether Tatum plays or not though, I think this one sets up well for the Magic to finally respond and to, at the very least, take this contest right "down to the wire." While 33-8 overall on the road this year, the Celtics were just a mediocre 20-20-1 ATS away from friendly confines. The Magic were 22-19 SU/ATS at home and I believe the conditions are correct for them to make a response in Game 3. While I think an outright victory is very possible for the Magic, my official call will be to grab as many points as you can with Orlando.

My EASTERN CONFERENCE ROUND ONE GAME OF THE YEAR is on the Indiana Pacers at 7:00 EST. Many might think that this is a good spot for the Bucks to bounce back in, but I'm not one of those people. Indiana destroyed Milwaukee 117-98 in Game 1, and I believe a similar outcome will happen here in Game 2 as well. The Pacers are just too deep offensively. Game 1 saw Pascal Siakam lead the way with 25 points, while Tyrese Haliburton had a double-double. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player on the floor, admittedly overall, and while he had 36 points and 12 rebounds in Game 1, he got little help (note, Kyle Kuzma became the first player in playoff history to play more than 20 minutes and not record a single stat.) Damian Lillard is listed as questionable. It's rumored that he's "good to go." But whether he plays in Game 2 or not, I don't see him being super-effective right out of the gate. The Bucks are just 20-20 on the road this year, while the Pacers are 29-11 at home. Lay the points, Pacers roll!

My PLAYOFF SLAM-DUNK is on Oklahoma City Thunder at 1:00 EST. Can Ja Morant and the Grizzlies upset the Thunder in Game 1 outright? I don't think so! In fact, I can't see Morant, or Memphis being very competitive whatsoever in this one. The Grizzlies lost to Golden State, before then beating Dallas on Friday to secure the final playoff spot in the West. But Morant needed an injection in his ankle to even play, and he'll likely need another one before Game 1. OKC has won nine straight in this series and I'm expecting SGA and company to extend that streak. Memphis struggled big time after the All-Star break, ranked No. 18 in defensive efficiency, while posting a 12-16 record. Lay the points and look for SGA and OKC to keep the foot on the gas from start to finish. Thunder roll!

My Western Conference ROUND ONE GAME OF THE YEAR is on the Minnesota Timberwolves at 8:30 EST. These franchises have not me in the Playoffs since the 2004 Confernece Finals featuring Shaq, Kobe and KG. The Lakers are essentially two players. Granted, their two fantastic players, who have the ability to take over a game or situation at any moment. Austin Reaves had a great regular season, but the bench then starts to wear thin pretty quickly after that. Minnesota made big changes this year as well by shipping out Karl Anthony Towns and going instead with Julius Randle. But Anthony Edwards put the team on his back in the second-half of the season and finished by averaging 27.6 points, 5.7 boards and 4.6 assists per game. Note that only the Oklahoma City Thunder have a better record in the West than the Wolves do since March 1st (17-4.) Over that stretch the Wolves have posted the second-best offense (121.9 points per 100 possessions), and the seventh-best defense (110.7 points allowed per 100 possessions.) I think this is a bad matchup for LA without Anthony Davis in the line-up. While the outright upset is a possibility in my opinion, my official call will be to grab as many points as you can with the Wolves.

My SLAM-DUNK PLAY is on the Indiana Pacers at 1:00 EST. I think that the home-floor advantage will prove critical here for the Pacers at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon. These teams have similar overall records, with Milwaukee entering at 48-34 overall. Indiana finished 50-32. The Bucks, though, were just 20-20 on the road this season, while the Pacers were 29-11 in front of the hometown crowd. These teams met last year and Indiana posted a 4-2 series victory. The Pacers advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference Final before getting swept in four games by the Celtics. Tyrese Haliburton had a big second half and finished averaging 18.6 points and 9.2 assists. Last year the Pacers finished fifth in the standing, but this year they have home-court by finishing in fourth. Doc Rivers team has hand plenty of ups and downs this year. Milwaukee won its final eight games of the regular season, but with nearly a week off between games, I believe they'll lose that momentum. Damian Lillard also won't be playing, so Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to have to shoulder the load in this series. I say the Pacers strike fast, hard and relentlessly in Game 1. Lay the points, Indiana rolls!

My NBA SLAM DUNK is on the Atlanta Hawks at 7:00 EST. Miami destroyed Chicago on Thursday, while Atlanta is off a loss to Orlando. The winner of this game will then move on to face the No. 1-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. Both teams are tired. Each has injury issues. Miami was able to take care of Chicago on the road, but overall this year the Heat have struggled on the road, going just 17-23 away from friendly confines this season. Atlanta on the other hand is 21-19 at home. While these teams split their regular-season series 2-2, I believe that here in this Playoff contest, that the home floor advantage really will be a factor working in favor of Trae Young and the Hawks tonight. In fact, each team won on its home floor in those regular season matchups, and there's no reason not to think that this won't continue here in Atlanta tonight. Young melted down in the Orlando loss, but he has a golden opportunity for redemptions here. Grab the point/s, the play is on Atlanta.

My EUROPA LEAGUE GAME OF THE MONTH is on Lyon +0.5 goal at 3:00 EST. These teams are only a week on from their 2-2 first-leg draw in France, and everything points to another tight battle until the bitter end here at Old Trafford as well on Thursday in my opinion. In fact, I'd say that the home side is ripe for the picking. Goaltender Andre Onanan looked terrible with Rayan Cherki scoring late to equalize for the French side. Man U then suffered a 4-1 away loss at Newcastle United in Premier League action in another error-filled disaster. Man U only has 38 points after 32 games in the EPL, and it'll officially be its lowest points total in the Premier League era. Manchester United desperately needs a win here for Champions League qualification for next year. Somehow, Man U has maintained a decent Europa League record, though, with six wins and five draws (the only team without a loss.) Lyon followed up their draw with a win over Auxerre in Ligue 1 last weekend.  Cherki, Georges Mikautadze and Alexandre Lacazette all contributed in the 3-1 victory. Lyon enters on top form, having won seven of its last nine matches across all leagues, scoring 24 goals over that span. Lyon is also unbeaten in its last 12 Europa League away games, going with nine wins and three draws. While the outright is possible, my official call is to grab the underdog on the +0.5 goal option.

My PLAY-IN GAME OF THE YEAR is on the Miami Heat at 7:30 EST. The Heat have defeated the Bulls two other times in the Play-In Tournament, and I expect them to advance once again in 2025 as well. Chicago ended the regular-season with a 39-43 record and in ninth spot, while Miami finished in tenth, two games behind at 34-45. The loser will be eliminated, while the winner will move on to play the winner of the Hawks/Magic. Chicago won the season series by a score of 3-0, but experience counts now in the Playoffs. Yes, Jimmy Butler is long gone from Miami, but it till has plenty of talented players, including Tyler Herro. While Chicago does average 117.8 PPG, it concedes 119.4. Billy Donovan's side also only managed a sub-par 18-23 record at the United Center. Miami last played in the Play In Tournament in 2023 against the Bulls, and then moved on to the Finals to play Denver. Miami averages 110.6 PPG, but is one of the better defensive clubs in conceding just 110.6 as well. I think Eric Spolestra will have "something up his sleeve" here once again for the Bulls. Grab the point/s, Heat roll!

My PLAY-IN TOTAL OF THE YEAR is on the over between the Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic. The winner of this tie will clinch the No. 7 seed in the East, while hte loser will have one more opportunity to try and get a playoff berth with the No. 8 seed. The Magic faltered down the stretch of the regular season, mostly due to injuries to key contributors. Quin Snyder's team is just 4-6 in its last ten games, but they did close the regular-season with two straight wins. Orlando closed with five straight victories. One of those games was a 119-112 home win here over Atlanta just last week. I foresee a similar pace and final combined score here as well, and that's why I'm rolling with the over.

My CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GAME OF THE MONTH is on PSG on the spread option at 3:00 EST. Aston Villa fans would love to see their team complete a comeback against Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their quarter-final, but I don't predict that happening. The Ligue 1 Champion owns a 3-1 advantage from the opening contest and while they've suffered some second-leg catastrophes, the difference between a one-goal and a two-goal disadvantage is a night and day difference in the Champions League. Aston Villa has struggled in this spot in the past, going 0-2 on occasions where it lost the first leg of a European knockout match by two or more goals. Clearly, PSG can't take anything for granted, as the Lions have still won each of their four games on home soil. Regardless, look for PSG to once again dominate this matchup from start to finish, as I expect a similar final score here, as what we saw in the first leg. Because of that, I'll suggest laying the -0.5 goal.

My SLAP-SHOT PLAY is on Vancouver Canucks on the puckline option at 10:00 EST. Neither team will be in the playoffs, but I'm definitely expecting the Canucks to dial up the pressure here and not only win this game, but to do so in blowout fashion. This is the fourth and final matchup of the year between the clubs and Vancouver is so far 3-0 in the season series. Tyler Toffoli leads the Shakrs with 30 goals this year, and while he has three over his last five games, fatigue will clearly be a major issue for the visiting side tonight playing the second game of the back-to-back. Vancouver lost 3-2 in OT to the Wild in their last game. The Canucks are led by Marcus Pettersson and they average 2.88 GPG. The Sharks on the other hand rank dead last in the league by conceding 3.80 GPG and over their nine-game slide, they're conceding an average of 5.11. Look for the Canucks to post a big win here, before a much more difficult end of season game vs. the Golden Knights. Lay the 1.5 goals and take Vancouver on the puckline.

My PUCKLINE SLAP-SHOT PLAY is on the Calgary Flames at 8:00 EST. Calgary is in a fight for its playoff life with three games remaining, as the Flames sit in ninth spot in the standings, four points behind St. Louis for the eighth spot. Calgary beat Minnesota 4-2 last time out here at home, but I'm anticipating an even bigger blowout here vs. the toothless Sharks. San Jose is just 8-22-9 on the road and it enters with zero momentum after eight straight losses. One of those setbacks includes a 3-2 home loss to the Flames last week. But now here at home and with so much on the line, I'm expecting Calgary to push the pace and to take advantage of this matchup. Clearly, we can't take Calgary on the moneyline, but with an expected blowout predicted, let's lay the 1.5 goals for the Flames on the puckline option instead!

My 8* RUNLINE RIPPER is on the San Francisco Giants at 3:00 EST. San Francisco is off to its best start since 2003 at 10-3. New York on the other hand has now lost four of its last five and sits at 7-6. After scoring 25 runs over its first eight games, New York has just 11 over its past five. The Yanks hand the ball to Will Warren (0-0, 6.00 ERA), who comes in off a poor effort against the Pirates, conceding four runs off six hits over four innings. Jordan Hicks (1-0, 2.38) and the visitors will look to take advantage. Note that Hicks is 0-1 with a respectable 3.27 ERA in six career appearances against the Yanks. Lay the price, and grab San Francisco on the runline option.

My 10* LA LIGA GAME OF THE MONTH is on FC Barcelona at 12:00 EST. Leganes is on the cusp of relegation and FC Barcelona can smell the blood in the water on Saturday afternoon. A victory on the road would move FC Barcelona a full seven points clear of second-place Real Madrid. Borja Jimenez's side though is currently relegated to the 18th spot. The home side is off a 1-1 draw with Osasuna, which ended a three-game slide. El Lega actually somehow managed the 1-0 win in the reverse fixture in the middle of December, so Hansi Flick's side will be out to not only win here but to avenge that monumental upset. Barcelona is the reigning Segunda Division Champion and it has the best away record in the division. Barcelona enters on top form after a 4-0 win over Borussia Dortmund, led by two goals from Robert Lewandowski. I'm laying the 1.5 goals and expecting a blowout for FC Barcelona!

My 8* SLAM-DUNK is on the LA Lakers at 10:30 EST. Only one week left to go in the NBA's regular season and we have two teams meeting for a third time this year. Houston beat LA 119-115 at home in January, and then the Lakers responded with a 104-98 home in March. Houston just had its three-game win streak snapped here last time out in a 134-117 loss to the Clippers. With a final home game vs. the Nuggets, it's Houston that could get caught "looking ahead" here. But the bottom line is, that the Rockets have already clinched the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference and in their last loss they rested starters Alperen Sengun, Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. (all are listed as questionable for this one as well.) LA is coming off the 112-97 win over the Mavericks, a victory that clinched them a berth, but they're still trying to lock down the No. 3 overall spot in the West. LA actually held Houston to just 41.6 percent shooting from the field in their most recent matchup, and that was with the Rockets at full strength. Look for LA to dial up the pressure from start to finish and lay the points with confidence.

My EASTERN-CONFERENCE GAME OF THE WEEK is on the New York Knicks at 7:00 EST. Detroit is so far 2-1 in the season series, but I think that New York has a legitimate shot at evening it up after this evening in the final regular season matchup between the clubs. New York is off a tough 119-117 loss to the Celtics, while Detroit fell 127-117 to the Kings. Detroit has now lost two straight here at home, also losing 109-103 to Memphis. With two straight against the Bucks to close out the year, will the home side get caught "looking ahead" to those important end-of-season divisional matchups?! Clearly, the answer is yes. The Knicks are still battling for a playoff spot, currently sitting in third spot, two games ahead of the Pacers. Detroit will be either fifth or sixth, depending on how it finishes up against the Bucks to close out the season. Cade Cunningham has helped turned around the Pistons this year, but I think that Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau will have his team prepared tonight. Look for the Knicks to push the pace and while an outright is possible, let's grab the points. Knicks roll!

My 8* SIDE WINNER is on the Sacramento Kings at 10:00 EST. The Nuggets lost their fourth-straight game 125-120 at home to the Pacers and afterward, Denver went out and fired Head Coach Mike Malone, and GM Calvin Booth. Making a coaching change can have one of two effects: either the team responds in a big way, or nothing really changes and it continues to scuffle. Denver had a winning overall record, and to fire both coach and GM with only four games remaining in the regular season feels like extremely poor timing and a complete panic decision. And if it's not that, and this is a bigger overall problem, then a coaching change won't have any effect. The Kings are moving in the opposite direction after three straight wins, most recently a 127-117 victory at Detroit. Sacramento has scored 125, 120 and 127 points over its last three victories. It plays with the added incentive of revenge here as well following a 116-110 loss to Denver in March. Look for the Kings to step up here and to, at the very least, keep this one competitive enough to earn the comfortable cover. Grab the points, Sacramento rolls!

My 8* TOP GETAWAY GAME is on the Tigers on the runline at 1:10 EST. Detroit is 7-4 and first in the AL Central after five straight wins, including the first two in this series. The Tigers continue to get great starting and bullpen pitching, and I expect those trends to carry over here in the finale of this three-game series. After this the Yanks return to the Bronx to take on the Giants. The starters are a "wash" for all intents and purposes. Max Fried is 1-0 with a 2.61 ERA for the Yanks, while Jack Flaherty is 1-0 with a 2.38 ERA for the Tigers. The difference though in this series over the first two games has been at the plate and down the stretch with bullpen pitching. Fried owns a 1.55 WHIP so far, while Flaherty has a tiny 0.88 WHIP. While I do think an outright upset is possible here in the finale as well, I think the value is to lay the reasonable price for the extra 1.5 runs. The play is Detroit on the runline.

My 10* ATLANTIC DIVISION GAME OF THE MONTH is on the New York Knicks at 7:30 EST. New York is 50-28, but it's 5-1 SU in its last six. It's off a dominant 112-98 win over Phoenix here two nights ago and I believe the Knicks will carry that defensive momentum and confidence over ino this one. Boston is 58-20 and it's won four of its last five SU. With a final road game of the season at Orlando tomorrow night, Boston could be caught looking ahead to that difficult contest (note that the Celtics close out the regular season with back-to-back "cream puffs" at home against Charlotte.) New York's final week is much more difficult though, with a game at Detroit, followed by a home game against Cleveland, then a regular-season finale at Brooklyn. That puts added importance on this contest. The Knicks also play with the added incentive of revenge following a 118-105 loss in their most recent matchup in February. The Celtics have plenty of injury issues as well, with Al Horford out and Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown all listed as questionable. Jalen Brunson though is expected to suit up for New York. Whether he does or not though, I love the way this one sets up for the home side. The play is on New York.

My 8* ROUND-TRIPPER is on the LA Angels on the runline at 7:05 EST. LA comes to Tampa sitting at 6-3 and with Kyle Hendricks heading to the mound to start, it has to be feeling pretty confident it cane keep the good times rolling. He struggled in 2024, but he looked good in his debut for the Angels, going six innings and giving up two runs in the no-decision. Shane Baz is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA for the Rays. Tampa is just 4-5 after four straight losses, as the Rays' offense continues to struggle. And now they face a red-hot starter in veteran Hendricks, and I believe that offense will continue to have issues here. Mike Trout and company though have looked good at the plate early on. The value here lies on the visitors on the runline option in my opinion.

My 10* CBB GAME OF THE MONTH is on Houston at 8:50 EST. Houston stunned Duke by outscoring the Blue Devils 15-3 over the final few minutes to win 70-67 in the final Four and I think the Cougars will carry that confidence and momentum over into the National Championship game. LJ Cryer had 26 points, as the Cougars have proved they can win games with either their offense or the defense. Florida was foruntate in its win over Auburn after trailing for nearly 85% of the game. Walter Clayton Jr. was superb with 34 points, but now he's going to run into a real buzzsaw of a defense in this smothering Cougars' unit. Houston should be favored here in my opinion after beating Duke, so my official call will be to grab as many point/s as you can.

My 8* SLAM-DUNK is on the Sacramento Kings at 7:00 EST. Sacramento is in the middle of a playoff battle. Sacramento will most likely be playing Dallas in the Play-In Tournament, but it won't want to back its way into the Playoffs obviously. Sacramento enters playing well, having won two straight, most recently an impressive 120-113 road win at the Cavaliers. The Kings have struggled in the second game of back-to-backs this year, but I'm anticipating a very tight and competitive battle here. Detroit isn't playing very well though all of a sudden, having dropped three of its last four, including a 109-103 loss here to Memphis last time out. Furthermore, the Kings also play with the added incentive of "revenge" following a tight 114-113 home loss to Detroit on December 26th. Expect another very back-and-forth war here in Detroit as well, and grab the points. Kings roll!

My 8* SLAM-DUNK is on the Houston Rockets at 8:30 EST. Houston won't be rolling over here and it clearly has a very legitimate shot at winning this game outright on the road. The Rockets enter having won two in a row, most recently a confidence-building 125-111 home win over the Thunder on Friday. The Warriors have won five straight, most recently a 118-104 home victory over Denver. This is the final game of the five-game season series and so far Golden State owns a 3-1 edge, so Houston plays with the added incentive of revenge as well. Keep your eyes on Rockets' center Alperen Sengun, who had 31 points, two boards, four assists and three steals in his team's most recent win. Overall the Rockets average 114.5 PPG, while conceding 109.1. The Warriors average 113.9 PPG, while conceding 110.8. Houston has a much tougher schedule to close out the regular season and it won't want to back its way into the playoffs. In a contest that I see being decided by whichever team has its hands on the ball last, I'm grabbing the points. Rockets roll!

My 10* ULTIMATE SIDE is on Houston at 8:45 EST. Most of the money is on the Duke Blue Devils in this matchup, but I feel the value is on the defensive-minded Houston Cougars. Cooper Flagg is a phenomenal player, but Houston has some fantastic play-making guards, experience and depth. Duke beat Houston 54-51 in the 2024 Sweet 16, and everything points to a similar battle here as well in my opinion. LJ Cryer is the key to the Houston offense and Duke will struggle to cover him from the outside at times, giving the underdog the chance to keep this one competitive late. Cryer had 30 points in the 81-76 victory over Gonzaga and I believe he can match pace here with Flagg on the biggest stage. Grab the points, Houston rolls!

My 8* SLAM-DUNK SIDE WINNER is on the Memphis Grizzlies at 7:30 EST. Enough is enough for Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies, who enter off four straight losses and who are now desperate to snap the slide. However, they've played four very difficult and hot teams in the Thunder, Lakers, Celtics and Warriors in those setbacks. What better way to snap a losing slide than to play a losing team like the Heat then? Miami is 35-41 overall, including only 18-19 at home. The Heat are playing their best basketball of the season right now after six straight wins, but after winning 124-103 at Boston last time out as a 10.5-point underdog, I think a letdown is inevitable. Miami is just 6-8 ATS in back-to-back situations this season. The Heat have excelled since the Jimmy Butler trade, but now they run into a desperate visiting side. This becomes an almost "do or die" game for the visitors, and I believe that matters here tonight. Lay the points, Grizzlies roll!

My 10* CBC SLAM-DUNK Wednesday play is on Butler at 7:00 EST. I really do believe this game will be decided by whichever team has its hands on the ball last. Butler is 15-19 and Boise State is 25-10. Butler advanced with an impressive win over Utah as an underdog to advance, and I expect the Bulldogs to carry that momentum over here. Boise State was expected to beat George Washington in its first round matchup, and it did easily. But now it runs into a more veteran team here in the Bulldogs, and I think this one will be much more competitive than what the oddsmakers are trying to lead us to believe. Keep your eyes on Pierre Brooks II for Butler, as he led with 22 points and nine rebounds in the win over Utah. Tyson Degenhart had 19 points in the Broncos victory. Butler played well in an underdog role last time out and everything points to that being the case again here on Wednesday. Grab the points, Bulldogs roll!

My 10* CBC GAME OF THE YEAR is on Arizona State at 8:30 EST. Nebraska looked terrible down the stretch of the regular season, losing its final five games and missing the Big Ten Tournament because of it. The Huskers are 17-14 overall. Brice Williams leads an offense that averages 75.4 PPG, and a defense that concedes 72.9. Arizona State finished 13-19 SU, and 17-15 ATS this season. The Sun Devils also played terribly down the stretch, losing ten of 11 and losing in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament to K-State. Overall the team averages 73.9 PPG, while allowing 76.5. A consistent bright spot for ASU has been the play of BJ Freeman, who leads the team with 13.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG, and 2.6 APG. These teams haven't played a serious game in weeks. Each looked bad this season, but they each have a big opportunity to now end the season on a possible positive note. I see these teams being very evenly matched and because of that, I'm grabbing the points. Sun Devils roll!

My 10* NON-CONFERENCE GAME OF THE WEEK is on the Memphis Grizzlies at 7:30 EST. Memphis beat Boston 127-121 on the road as a seven-point underdog back on December 7th. The Grizzlies are now 44-30 though after losing four of their last five, most recently falling 134-127 at home to the Lakers. Clearly, the home side is eager to snap out of this poor stretch. And now I think the Grizzlies catch the Celtics at a great time. Boston is rolling along at 55-19 following eight straight victories. That includes all five so far on its current Western road swing. But with a night off before three home games vs. the Heat, suns and Wizards, would anyone fault the defending champs if they got caught looking ahead? The Grizzlies simply don't have that luxury, and they're finally getting healthier as well. I'll stop short in calling for an outright upset, but I definitely feel the conditions are correct for a competitive battle until the final moments. Because of that, I'm grabbing the points. Grizzlies roll! 

My 10* INTERLEAGUE GAME OF THE MONTH is on the Tigers on the runline at 9:10 EST. Detroit has allowed 13 runs through two games. It'll look to avoid its second 0-3 start in the last three years. The Tigers have been hitting the ball though, as they so far have three home runs and a collective .260 batting average. Reese Olson was only 4-8 last year despite a highly respectable 3.53 ERA for the Tigers. He'll face Roki Sasaki of the Dodgers, who is 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA this year. It's difficult to say anything negative about the Dodgers. They're loaded with talent from top to bottom and are once again one of the favorites to win the World Series. But note, Detroit has won each of its last four games as a road underdog following an extra-innings loss. Detroit has also covered the run line in nine of its last ten night games following a road loss. I think Olson will give the Tigers a chance to win this game outright, but, at this price, I can't turn down the extra 1.5 runs of insurance. The play is Detroit on the runline.

My 8* SLAM-DUNK is on the Indiana Pacers at 8:00 EST. The Thunder beat the Pacers by six points on the road in December, so this is a revenge spot for the visitors. The Thunder are 9-1 their last ten overall, but Indiana is right-behind at 8-2 over the same span. The Pacers didn't get caught looking ahead to this game last time out, hammering Washington 162-109. Their only loss in their last seven games was a 1-point setback to a desperate Lakers side. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the favorite to win the MVP this year by averaging 32.9 PPG, I think he'll have a hard time covering another spread here vs. this red-hot Pacers side. Indiana owns the fourth-lowest turnover rate and while I really respect this Thunder defense, I see the Pacers being able to have success offensively in this one. I'm not calling for an outright upset, but I do think it'll be a lot closer than what most are expecting. Grab the points, Pacers roll!

My 10* ELITE 8 GAME OF THE YEAR in on Texas Tech at 6:05 EST. I'm going on record right now saying that I believe the Red Raiders have what it takes to move on to the Final Four. But that said, my official call for this pick is to grab as many points as you can. Florida used a late second-half push to win and cover against Maryland, but I think the Gators will have a much more difficult time against Texas Tech. Walter Clayton Jr. was big for Florida in the Sweet 16 with 22 points and six assists. One blow for Florida is the status of Alex Condon, who suffered an ankle injury, putting him uncertain for this contest. Florida continues to shine defensively, as points are likely to once again be at a premium in this one. The combination of JT Toppin and Elijah Hawkins was too much for Arkansas in the Sweet 16. Florida has a slight size advantage, but the Red Raiders are gritty, battle-tested team that continues to exceed expectations. I'm grabbing the points and expecting a battle until the final horn. The play is Texas Tech.

My 10* SWEET 16 GAME OF THE YEAR is on Texas Tech at 10:05 EST. The Razorbacks have yet to lose a post-season game against the spread. They beat South Carolina 72-68 in the SEC Tournament's first round, but then lost 83-80 to Ole Miss in the second, going on to cover though with the 4.5 points. Arkansas has since won its first two games to open up the NCAA Tournament as well, dispatching KU 79-72 as a 5-point underdog, before a 75-66 upset victory over St. John's as a 7-point dog. Texas Tech is 3-1 SU over its four post-season games as well, losing to Arizona 86-80 in the second round of the Big 12 Conference Tournament, while also winning both of its first two games of the NCAA Tournament, most recently the 77-64 victory over Drake. The Red Raiders are just 1-3 against the spread in that span though, finally managing an ATS cover last time in the victory over Drake. Arkansas is a well-coached team with a bunch of veterans, but Texas Tech has the skill and athletic advantage. It's difficult for me to see the Hogs slowing down JT Toppin, as the 6-foot-9 All-American is averaging 17.9 points and 9.2 boards per game. Arkansas' defense thrives on creating turnovers, but the Red Raiders are 26th in the country in protecting the ball, conceding just 9.9 turnovers per game. Lay the points with confidence.

My 8* REVENGE SLAM-DUNK is on the Denver Nuggets at 9:00 EST. Denver is 45-28 after losing three of its last four. It's coming off a 129-119 loss to Chicago here at home as a 2.5-point favorite. With upcoming home games against Utah, Minnesota, and San Antonio though, there's no reason to hit the panic button if you're a Nuggets fan. Denver has a prime opportunity to bounce back here against the Bucks, as it also plays with the added incentive of "revenge" following a 121-112 loss in Milwaukee in late February. The Bucks are now 2-3 in their last five following a 108-106 setback at Phoenix on Monday. With a night off before games at home vs. the Knicks and Hawks, another letdown appears imminent to me for Milwaukee in this difficult position. I'm expecting Denver to play like the more desperate team here, and that will be more than enough to cover the spread. Lay the points, Nuggets roll! 

My 10* NIT QUARTERFINAL GAME OF THE YEAR is on North Texas at 9:00 EST. I believe the Mean Green will win this game outright, but the official call will be to grab the points. The Mean Green are 26-8 and the Cowboys are 17-17. Oklahoma State managed a nail-biting 85-83 win over SMU to move on, with Bryce Thompson leading the way with 24 points. The Cowboys have managed 78 PPG in the NIT, but for the season they're averaging 73.1. Atin Wright leads UNT in scoring this year with 14.9 PPG and overall the Mean Green average 67.8 PPG. The difference though comes on the defensive end, with UNT conceding 59.9 PPG, and OKS allowing 76.8. The Cowboys' ineffecitve defense will allow the Mean Green to sneak into their building here and find a way to post the victory. Grab the points, the play is North Texas.

My 8* SLAM-DUNK WINNER is on the Houston Rockets at 8:00 EST. Houston is 46-26 and No. 1 in the Southwest, but its looking to rebound here following a 116-111 loss to Denver here on Sunday. With a three-game road trip up next for Houston, with stops at Phoenix and the Lakers, tonight's contest takes on added importance for the home side. Atlanta is off three straight victories and after this it has games at Miami and Milwaukee. The Rockets beat the Hawks 100-96 in Atlanta back in late January and I expect an even bigger lop-sided final outcome here in favor of Houston now that it's at home. Atlanta is just 16-18 on the road, while the Rockets are 26-11 at home. I think the conditions are completely correct for a home-side blowout. Lay the points, Rockets roll!