28 Expert Picks

Nikola Jokic averaged 26.4 points over 35 minutes per game during the regular season. Now that the playoffs are here, Jokic will spend even more time on the court. He logged at least 39 minutes in both of the first two games of this season. That enabled him to score 32 points in Game 1 and 27 points in Game 2. The Lakers need a win to have any chance of making a comeback in this series, so expect this to be a close battle. That should lead to enough minutes and shot attempts for Jokic to hit this over.

I have some issues with the Phillies bullpen and games can get turned around quickly in this tiny stadium and the Reds have some mashers, but I like the chasm in quality between these starting pitchers and scratching out a few early runs can cash for us here. Wheeler has been special, allowing a .157/.208/.213 slashline in innings 1-5 with a 1.44 ERA. I don't think the Reds starter can keep pace

The Royals are not a big strikeout team, but this is also not a very high total. Berrios has 6 Ks or more in 4 of his 5 starts and he does own the biggest bat in this lineup, getting Sal Perez 9 times in 40 career ABs. Berrios is pitching at a supremely high level, the ball will be tougher to pick up in the daytime and there likely won't be any quick hooks here. Royals offense has been down lately and I'm expecting some - held to 3 runs or less in 4 straight - and expecting some chase early in count with guys pressing. Bottom line is Berrios has ace stuff right now and could go 7+ today

I liked the Knicks going into this series, but it was plain to see that they could have easily lost both of their home games. Now the Sixers get their home crowd and perhaps the benefit of some 'home cooking' from the officials as it was pretty clear there were some missed calls down the stretch of game 2. The Sixers have played very good defense in spurts and that has led to some erratic play from Jalen Brunson among others. I suspect we see more of the same in Game 3. Great spot for the Sixers to pull away.

If the Islanders are going to get one, it figures to be this one. The Canes lost one of their top defenseman, Brett Pesce, to an injury in the Game 2 comeback win. Winger Jesper Fast missed the first two and not expected back. The Isles are giving Ilya Sorokin his first shot in net of the series. He didn't have a typically great year but historically has been money at home. The Islanders are in an identical situation to last year, trailing 2-0 in the series to the Hurricanes, and they responded with a 5-1 win in Game 3 on home ice. The Isles also ended the regular season with five straight road wins. And we don't even need that.

The Islanders might have needed some psychological counseling after blowing a onetime 3-0 during Game 2 at Raleigh, with the last three Canes goals coming in the final 2:15, turning around what had been a very late 3-2 Isles lead. The takeaway from the first two games, however, is that New York is hardly outclassed, as the Islanders have been skating with the Canes. New York also solved Carolina goalie Frederik Andersen, at least to a degree, on Monday, with Bo Horvat, Kyle Palmieri, and Anders Lee all scoring goals. Patrick Roy has made one important switch for tonight, as Ilya Sorokin will be in the Islander goal after Semyon Varmalov likely a bit shell-shocked after Monday's late loss. Play Islanders on Money Line

The Duquesne Incline is moving at a faster speed the past ten days than the Pirates offense, which has scored all of 17 runs across a nine-game span. Seven of those have been losses, including a 3-2 setback to the Brew Crew on Wednesday when Bucs batters could only muster four hits. We don't expect things to get much better on Thursday vs. Freddy Peralta, who has been dynamite early this season and especially so his last two starts vs. the Cards and O's, allowing just 1 run and 9 hits across 12 IP, with 18 Ks and only one walk. The pressure is on Mitch Keller to keep the Bucs close until the later innings. Play Brewers on Money Line

We've seen the venerable NBA Playoffs zig-zag work this week, though we suspect this particular East matchup is wired a bit differently. Our suspicion is that Cavs-Magic will proceed more upon home-road lines; the Cavs held serve as host in the first two games, and now it's Orlando's turn. Certainly, Amway Center helped Magic fortunes this season, as they were 29-12 at home (only Boston and Milwaukee better in the East). The key for Orlando getting back into this series is to shoot better after being rather icy in Games 1 (barely 32% from floor) and 2 (only 36% FGs), and for someone (Jalen Suggs? Cole Anthony?) to provide a bit more help for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Play Magic

Nestor Cortes looks healthy and is coming off of arguably his best start since the 2022 season after racking up 9 Ks over 7 IP against the Rays. It's been a while since Cortes has put together two quality starts back to back and ultimately I believe this line is an overreaction and should be 6.5.

Justin Verlander at 41 years young and will be making his second start of the season for the Astros. While Verlander is still an effective pitcher his strikeout numbers have been pointing down. At this stage of Verlader's career 7 Ks is a tall order, regardless of the opponent.

The 76ers are coming home desperate after a controversial ending to Game 2. They're expected to get defensive stalwart De'Anthony Melton back in the lineup. With a raucous home crowd behind them, look for the 76ers to take out some frustration and make this series interesting.

Freddy Peralta is certainly pitching well, however 8 strikeouts is a lot to ask from the vetern right hander. Peralta has been held under this line in 20 of his last 34 starts dating back to last season. The Pirates have been middle of the pack in regards to their K rate against opposing right handed pitchers this season. I would also make the argument that Freddy has been running a bit hot on strikeouts thus far. EIther way at this number and odds, I believe it's a good spot to fade.

Cole Anthony is 0 for 5 from beyond the arc in this series, but I like him to make at least 3-pointer in Orlando on Thursday. Anthony shot 37.5 percent from deep at home this season, compared to 30.2 percent on the road. He's nailed at least one trey in eight of his last nine home games. The Magic are desperate for offense, having scored 83 and 86 points in the first two games, so look for Anthony to get nearly 20 minutes.

I said before this series began that this had all the makings of a six or seven-game showdown, and I stand by that read. Game 2 went to OT, and Game 1 was also a one goal win for Florida. There's few things I like more than backing a team coming home down 2-0 in a series, especially when that team is as talented as the Tampa Bay Lightning. Grab Tampa to win and make this a series.

The one starter the Pale Hose had who could maybe give them some length has hit the wall and they had to go to the pen early again Wed night (5th inning). Tough turnaround on the road and while the Twins stink, even they hit the ball hard against Chicago. Nice bounce back opportunity for Bailey Ober, who has been serviceable in the past if not so much lately. Outside of Ely Jimenez no one hitting for the Sox. Errors, wild pitches; they specialize in baseball futility and their starter has an ERA approaching 8.00 and hasn't pitched into the 5th the last three times out