The Thunder are returning to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012 after dismantling the T...

<p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/28" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/28">Thunder</a> are returning to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012 after dismantling the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/27" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/27">Timberwolves</a> in five games in the Western Conference finals. Who would Oklahoma City rather play to capture the city's first championship?</p><p>The short answer: It doesn't really matter. The Thunder are -650 to win the title on theScore Bet/ESPN Bet, meaning they'll be huge favorites over either the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/9" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/9">Pacers</a> or <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/3" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/3">Knicks</a>. Oklahoma City entered the season at +300 to win the NBA Finals but quickly shortened its odds after proving its superiority. The Thunder moved up to -110 to win the title by the All-Star break; they were -150 after winning a league-best 68 games.</p><p>However, the odds suggest the Thunder should root for the Pacers to close their series out during Game 5 on Thursday night, rather than a 3-1 Knicks comeback.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>OKC would be larger favorites against Indiana (Thunder -750/Pacers +525) than the team would be versus New York (Thunder -700/Knicks +500).</p><p>The Thunder answered every question about their youth and inexperience throughout their Western Conference playoff run. Many skeptics loudly doubted their championship chances, as there was no precedent for the NBA's youngest team also being the best. OKC then came back from a 2-1 deficit to defeat the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/26" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/26">Nuggets</a> in seven games.</p><p>Secondary scoring plagued last year's playoff run. This season, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102799" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102799">Jalen Williams</a> had 24 points, seven assists, and five rebounds in Game 7 against the Nuggets before averaging 22 points on 46% 3-point shooting versus Minnesota. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102801" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102801">Chet Holmgren</a> also averaged 18 points and six boards in the Western Conference finals.</p><p>The Thunder have no flaws with their secondary scorers playing at an elite level. They finished the regular season with the second-best net rating in NBA history behind the 1995-96 <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/6" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/6">Bulls</a>. They statistically have one of the best defenses in league history.</p><p>OKC's suffocating defense swarms opposing guards with aggressive ball pressure, and the team rotates like a group of synchronized swimmers. Even the best offenses and players appear confused and disoriented when the Thunder turn up the defensive intensity.</p><p>They led the NBA in forced turnovers, steals, and deflections, and they were second in blocks. OKC also turned the ball over fewer times than any other team. Consistently dominating the possession battle has led the Thunder to the Finals. That's why it doesn't matter who their opponent is.</p><p>Oddsmakers have disrespected the Pacers throughout these playoffs. They entered their series against the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/7" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/7">Cavaliers</a> and Knicks as underdogs. It might be the same if they advance to the Finals. However, the Thunder can negate any Pacers advantage.</p><p>Indiana's depth has dragged it this far. Its war-of-attrition strategy has worn out the Knicks due to full-court pressure and the team pushing the pace offensively with a 10-man rotation. But OKC is just as deep, with its bench averaging nearly the same points per game and more minutes per contest than the Pacers.</p><p>Indiana also hasn't played a defense anything close to the Thunder's, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93893" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93893">Tyrese Haliburton</a> hasn't faced the kinds of individual defenders that OKC will throw at him.</p><p>The Pacers have the second-best playoff offensive rating thanks to rapid ball movement and their running various actions per possession. But the Thunder rotate and recover efficiently, offsetting any potential advantage. Despite Haliburton's brilliance, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/70382" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/70382">Lu Dort</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/25024" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/25024">Alex Caruso</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102799" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102799">Jalen Williams</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110284" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110284">Cason Wallace</a>, and others will take their turns disrupting his rhythm and dribble-drive ability.</p><p>Indiana would be running into a buzzsaw and a problematic matchup if it advances. The Knicks wouldn't have much of a chance either, especially after the exhaustion of a seven-game series. However, oddsmakers think the Knicks' star power would produce a slightly more competitive matchup. Regardless, the Thunder will soon reap the rewards of a masterclass in team building, finally culminating in a championship.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

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What the odds say: Would Thunder rather play Pacers or Knicks in NBA Finals?

When the Knicks choked away a nine-point lead with less than a minute remaining in Game 1 of the ...

<p>When the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/3" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/3">Knicks</a> choked away a nine-point lead with less than a minute remaining in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals, the series odds flipped in the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/9" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/9">Pacers</a>' favor. Since then, Indiana has remained in the driver's seat and is one win away from its first finals appearance since 2000.</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Date</th>
<th>Odds</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Pre-series</td>
<td>Knicks -150/Pacers +125</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>After Game 1</td>
<td>Pacers -155/Knicks +135</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>After Game 2</td>
<td>Pacers -550/Knicks +380</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>After Game 3</td>
<td>Pacers -210/Knicks +180</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>After Game 4</td>
<td>Pacers -600/Knicks +400</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>With oddsmakers assigning the Knicks a 20% chance of winning the series, could they become the 14th team in playoff history to erase a 3-1 deficit?</p><p>The Knicks are the first team in NBA history to come back from a 20-point deficit three times in the playoffs - twice against the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/1" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/1">Celtics</a> and once against the Pacers. That's a sign of resilience, but their opponent doesn't build a 20-point lead by accident.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Pacers' success counters the notion that rotations are shortened during the playoffs. Depth matters more than ever, and it is a big reason why the Pacers are on the doorstep of the NBA Finals. Indiana plays incredibly fast and frequently picks up full court defensively. It has that luxury because it recycles in similar prototype players who don't drop the Pacers' production levels.</p><p>Indiana has eight players who average at least seven points per game and nine players who play at least 12 minutes per game throughout the playoffs. The Knicks have only seven players who are consistently in Tom Thibodeau's rotation. The Pacers' bench is averaging 10 points per game more than New York's.</p><p>New York's sloppy Game 4 effort could be a result of fatigue. The Knicks appeared sluggish, accumulating too many turnovers and displaying nightmarish transition defense. </p><p>The Knicks committed 17 turnovers in Game 4 and are averaging 15 per game this series. The Pacers are scoring more than 21 points per game off turnovers. Turnovers are a recipe for disaster against an offense that prides itself on getting down the floor before the defense is set. The game favors New York when it's played at a slower pace. But an even more glaring problem is contributing to the Pacers' offensive explosions.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45223" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45223">Jalen Brunson</a>'s title as the king of New York is reserved for prestigious athletes or celebrities. He's earned every bit of that moniker. But here's the harsh reality: The Knicks have been at their best this series with Brunson riding the pine. The superstar has dealt with foul trouble, forcing Thibodeau to bench him for long stretches.</p><p>When Brunson committed his fifth foul with 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of Game 1, the Knicks led by two as he took a seat on the bench. They immediately exploded on a 14-0 run and led by 13 when Brunson returned five minutes later before squandering the lead in the final minutes.</p><p>Brunson again dealt with foul trouble in Game 3, picking up his fifth foul with seven minutes remaining as the Knicks led by one. Thibodeau extended Brunson's absence because of how effective the Knicks' defense was without him. Towns' fourth-quarter heroics lifted New York to its lone win as Brunson played a playoff-low 31 minutes. The Knicks were minus-six in Brunson's minutes, the only Knick with a negative plus-minus.</p><p>Despite blowing Game 1, New York outplayed Indiana for 46 minutes. In the only game the Knicks won (plus the one they should have won if not for a historic collapse), Brunson sat for long fourth-quarter stretches.</p><p>None of this is to say the Knicks are a better basketball team without Brunson, or that he should be playing anything less than his typical minutes load. He's the offensive engine of the group. If he's not working, the offense sputters. He also possesses a clutch gene, leading the playoffs in fourth-quarter and clutch points.</p><p>But the Knicks are a truly abysmal defensive team with Brunson on the floor, especially when he shares time with Towns. New York's defensive rating with Brunson on the court is 129 in the Eastern Conference finals. For context, the Jazz had the NBA's worst defensive rating during the regular season at 119. Without Brunson, the Knicks' defensive rating is 98 against Indiana, which would rank as the best among all playoff teams.</p><p>The Pacers constantly target Brunson, putting him in action and forcing mismatches. Brunson typically guards <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93847" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93847">Aaron Nesmith</a>, who's shooting 70% from the field with Brunson as his primary defender. But Nesmith's even more effective as a screener, setting ball screens for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93893" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93893">Tyrese Haliburton</a> to force Brunson to switch onto the ball or get lost in pick-and-roll coverage. New York's defense is even easier to exploit when Towns is also on the floor.</p><p>New York's offense can't keep up without Brunson, but it also can't defend with him. It's an unsolvable conundrum. The Pacers have the best offensive rating among remaining playoff teams and lead all postseason squads in 3-point percentage, drilling nearly 40% of their attempts. If the Knicks can't slow down the Pacers' offense, they can't win three consecutive games. New York held Indiana to 100 points in its lone win. Slowing down the Pacers in consecutive games has been an impossible task, especially for a Knicks team that plays lineups with defensive liabilities.</p><p>Crunch time was a perceived strength for New York entering this series with Brunson, the NBA's Clutch Player of the Year. However, Indiana has been the more clutch team with a better offensive and defensive rating in three clutch games against the Knicks. Haliburton has scored 11 clutch points on 57% shooting and four assists, while Brunson has scored 13 clutch points on 33% shooting and just one assist.</p><p>It's conceivable the Knicks force a Game 7 in New York (+225 to go seven games on theScore Bet/ESPN Bet). These teams are fairly even, and all four games have been highly competitive. The Knicks are 4.5-point home favorites for Game 5. New York's been at its best with its back against the wall, but it has already tried nearly everything and still trails 3-1.</p><p>As fatigue kicks in, Indiana's 10-man rotation will reap the rewards as the Knicks' suspect bench suffers. That makes a Knicks comeback an improbable climb. Indiana has been on the right side of improbable during the postseason; its good fortune won't run out before the Finals. </p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

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What are the Knicks' chances of coming back?

The Knicks didn't just lose Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals to the Pacers. They suffered ...

<p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/3" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/3">Knicks</a> didn't just lose Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals to the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/9" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/9">Pacers</a>. They suffered one of the most improbable collapses in playoff history, leaving Madison Square Garden speechless and stunned.</p><p>New York led by nine with under a minute remaining in the fourth quarter. Prior to Wednesday, teams leading by nine or more in the final minute of a playoff game were 1,434-0 since 1997. At one point in the fourth, Indiana was +2500 on the live moneyline. But the Pacers' resiliency and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93847" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93847">Aaron Nesmith</a>'s shooting display willed them back in the game. Nesmith drilled six threes in the last five minutes of the quarter, including three in the final minute.</p><p>Missed shots, fumbled passes, and clanked free throws from the Knicks gave the Pacers the ball with seven seconds remaining, trailing by two. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93893" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93893">Tyrese Haliburton</a>'s heroics arrived for another iconic postseason moment, as he stepped back for a shot that hit the back iron, soared into the sky above the shot clock, and somehow fell through the net. While everyone assumed it was a three and the Pacers had won, Haliburton's foot was on the line, sending the game to overtime.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>From there, the Pacers' momentum carried them to a win as New York looked tired and discombobulated in the extra period, still trying to process its collapse in regulation. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45223" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45223">Jalen Brunson</a>, who finished with a remarkable 43 points, only made one field goal and committed two turnovers in the extra period.</p><p>The Knicks entered the series as -150 favorites, while the Pacers were +125 underdogs. That flipped after the Pacers stole Game 1 on the Knicks' home court. Indiana is now -165 (62.3% implied probability) to advance to the Finals, and the Knicks are +140.</p><p>As I wrote in the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3288434" href="https://thescore.com/news/3288434">preview</a>, this is a clash between evenly matched teams with similar statistical profiles. The Knicks should be optimistic because they outplayed the Pacers for most of the game before faltering in the final minutes. On the other hand, they blew a game in which they outplayed the Pacers and are now trailing in the series.</p><p>Brunson committed his fifth foul with 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. With the Knicks superstar off the court, the Pacers were primed to take advantage. Instead, New York exploded on a 14-0 run, thanks to timely buckets from <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/46480" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/46480">OG Anunoby</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37817" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37817">Karl-Anthony Towns</a>. The Knicks were in the driver's seat when Brunson returned, but it didn't matter.</p><p>The Pacers threw various defenders at Brunson, including Nesmith, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102757" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102757">Andrew Nembhard</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/6158" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/6158">T.J. McConnell</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110238" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110238">Ben Sheppard</a>, who applied full-court pressure. None of them could slow down the NBA's Clutch Player of the Year until fatigue kicked in during overtime. Indiana also had no answers for Towns, who finished with 35 points. The Knicks dominated the offensive rebounding battle in the first half with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/62053" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/62053">Mitchell Robinson</a> on the floor, creating extra possessions that often resulted in points.</p><p>Neither team earned consistent defensive stops in the high-scoring affair. The Pacers received contributions from across their roster. Haliburton and Nesmith led with 31 and 30 points, respectively, but six players scored double figures, and 10 saw the floor. Their depth might ultimately earn them a trip to the Finals, as the Knicks deploy a thin rotation that could wear down as the series advances.</p><p>Whichever squad can implement a reliable defensive game plan - more Robinson and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96035" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96035">Miles McBride</a> might work for the Knicks - will win this series. Indiana's unimaginable comeback victories in each series make it seem as if they're destined for a Finals appearance. But the Knicks have also shown resiliency throughout the playoffs. They won't fall easily and are a 5.5-point home favorite for Friday's Game 2.</p><p>Oddsmakers essentially viewed this series as a coin flip before it tipped off, so the odds will continue to swing in both directions after each game.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

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Pacers become series favorites after improbable Game 1 comeback

The NFL world was abuzz Wednesday as NFL owners voted on a proposal to ban the tush push, a play ...

<p>The NFL world was abuzz Wednesday as NFL owners voted on a proposal to ban the tush push, a play the Super Bowl champion <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/19" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/19">Eagles</a> have become synonymous with.</p><p>The tush push wasn't why Philadelphia won the Big Game, but no team executed it better. Complaints mounted among clubs that lacked the personnel to replicate the Eagles' success, with critics arguing the play resembled rugby more than football.</p><p>As reports swirled regarding the tush push's future, betting markets and bettors tried to anticipate the outcome.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/105247" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/105247">Jalen Hurts</a>' rushing touchdown prop opened at 12.5 but sank to 9.5 ahead of the vote. He led all quarterbacks with 14 touchdowns last season, with 11 coming from the tush push on the 1-yard line.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/99272" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/99272">Saquon Barkley</a>'s rushing touchdown prop grew from 10.5 to 11.5 this week because he would presumably earn more goal-line touches if the play became extinct. Barkley ran for 13 touchdowns in 2024.</p><p>"We saw an influx of action on Hurts' under as bettors seemingly expected the tush push to be banned," said Adrian Horton, head of North American trading at theScore Bet. "Between the news of a ban and that money coming in, we moved his total all the way down to 9.5 on Tuesday night ahead of the owners' vote, with Saquon bumped up to 11.5 rushing TDs in a corresponding move."</p><p>Many bettors tried to get ahead of the vote when they believed the NFL would ban the tush push. Over 90% of the handle (money wagered) is on Hurts' under rushing touchdowns, and 99% of the handle is on Barkley's over rushing touchdowns. Those are the two most bet rushing touchdown props on theScore Bet/ESPN Bet.</p><p>But then came the reversal, and bettors guessed wrong. The vote ended 22-10, two votes shy of the 24 required to ban the play. Thus, the tush push lives on, disappointing many teams and bettors who banked on the play's banishment. Both Hurts and Barkley's rushing touchdown totals have moved to 10.5.</p><p>After the league finalized the vote, 45.5% of the bets and 55.9% of the handle have come on Hurts' under touchdown total of 10.5</p><p>At least for this season, the tush push will continue to live in the Eagles' playbook.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p><p> </p>

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NFL's tush push vote leads to betting frenzy

Defeating the defending champion Celtics should turn Knicks skeptics into believers, but more of ...

<p>Defeating the defending champion <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/1" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/1">Celtics</a> should turn <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/3" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/3">Knicks</a> skeptics into believers, but more of the former still exist than the latter.</p><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/8" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/8">Pistons</a> were the fourth-most-bet first-round team on theScore Bet/ESPN Bet. The Celtics were the most-bet team to win the second round despite being massive favorites over New York. Now, the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/9" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/9">Pacers</a> have received 62% of bets to advance to the Finals as slight underdogs.</p><p>Fading the Knicks is a common - and losing - approach, but it's not just bettors. All 11 of <a href="https://x.com/NbaWoody/status/1923681650921308258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1923783152134131852%7Ctwgr%5Ef5d7cb96e8a53deb5b4f0426c179b7d89c1c0ad9%7Ctwcon%5Es3_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fawfulannouncing.com%2Fespn%2Fexpert-picks-collectively-wrong-second-round-matchups-eastern-conference.html">ESPN's analysts</a> predicted the Celtics would defeat the Knicks. When will anyone outside of New York believe in this team?</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>No. 3 Knicks (-155) vs. No. 4 Pacers (+130)</h3><p>The Pacers and Knicks have renewed a decades-old rivalry with consecutive postseason meetings. Indiana beat the injury-riddled Knicks in a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden last season, making this a revenge series for New York.</p><p>The Knicks' identity has completely flipped during this playoff run. New York's offense carried this team during the regular season as its defense fell thanks to the addition of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37817" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37817">Karl-Anthony Towns</a> and the prolonged absence of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/62053" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/62053">Mitchell Robinson</a>. Then Robinson returned from a foot injury, and the Knicks began to ride their defense, toughness, offensive rebounding, and mental fortitude to their first conference finals appearance since 2000.</p><p>How can a team adopt the identity of a player playing<strong> </strong>less than 20 minutes per game? The Knicks' longest-tenured player has been that impactful. New York has a 101 defensive rating and is outscoring opponents by 8.5 points per 100 possessions with Robinson on the court. Teams outscore the Knicks by 4.5 points per 100 possessions when he's off the floor. He leads the team in net rating.</p><p>The Knicks rebound a remarkable 39.3% of their misses when Robinson is on the court. That could present a problem for the Pacers, who rank outside the top 10 in rebounding rate among playoff teams. New York has scored the second-most second-chance points this postseason. Indiana plays fast and scores on the break, but the team's transition opportunities could be restricted if it sends more guys to the glass to limit the Knicks' offensive rebounding.</p><p>The Pacers' defense has dramatically improved over the last few months. Their depth and on-ball defenders allow them to pick up full court, which they'll implement against the Knicks in an effort to wear down <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45223" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45223">Jalen Brunson</a>.</p><p>New York should let <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37879" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37879">Mikal Bridges</a> assume more ball-handling responsibilities instead of having Brunson labor it up the floor against pressure. This will help Brunson and the Knicks combat Indiana's war-of-attrition strategy. If any New York starter suffers an injury, the odds will flip in Indiana's favor.</p><p>Brunson and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93893" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93893">Tyrese Haliburton</a>'s playoff runs have been defined by clutch moments. They'll face off against each other after their <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8m6nA7fcuQ">WWE faceoff </a>last summer and the questionable decision to gift Haliburton a spot on Team USA's Olympic squad over Brunson. However, the two will spend little time guarding each other as the weakest perimeter defenders on their respective squads.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93847" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93847">Aaron Nesmith</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102757" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102757">Andrew Nembhard</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102759" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102759">Bennedict Mathurin</a> will receive most of the reps on Brunson. While certain defenders have limited Brunson more than others, he's found ways to score against length and athleticism. He's totaled the most fourth-quarter and clutch points in the postseason by a massive margin.</p><p>Haliburton has been a force during these playoffs, snaking his way into the lane and collapsing the defense to earn quality shots for his teammates. But Haliburton faced the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/10" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/10">Bucks</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/7" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/7">Cavaliers</a>, two teams with lackluster point-of-attack defenses incapable of stopping dribble-drive penetration. The Knicks present a bigger challenge with Bridges, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/46480" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/46480">OG Anunoby</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30695" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30695">Josh Hart</a>. Bridges will likely start on Haliburton as Anunoby draws the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/39061" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/39061">Pascal Siakam</a> assignment.</p><p>But Brunson and Haliburton won't determine this series' outcome. Role players will. Indiana has the best postseason 3-point percentage at 40.6%. Nembhard leads playoff players in 3-point percentage at 50%. Nesmith (48%),<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37711" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37711"> Myles Turner</a> (45%), and Siakam (44%) have all been lights out from three.</p><p>Granted, the Knicks' defense will prevent the Pacers from generating consistently clean looks. Indiana has attempted 21.3 wide-open threes per game, the second most behind the Thunder this postseason. The Pacers are hitting 43% of those. Negative shooting regression based on poorer-quality shots is inevitable. Still, the Knicks must match their shooting prowess.</p><p>Bridges has struggled offensively despite some key fourth-quarter moments against the Celtics. He shot 43% from the field versus Boston and less than 30% from three in the first five games. He didn't attempt a single free throw. Anunoby shot 36% from the field against the Celtics and failed to reach double digits in half of the games. He's shooting 27% on corner threes on a league-leading 40 attempts during the playoffs, down from his 38% regular-season mark.</p><p>Towns was a menace on the boards, but he rarely attempted threes in the first five games of the Boston series. New York abandoned the pick-and-pop between Towns and Brunson after it was one of its most effective play types this season. However, Towns averaged 30 points in three games against the Pacers this campaign.</p><p>Bridges, Anunoby, and Towns must be consistent offensive threats for the Knicks to contend with the Pacers' offense. Brunson can put on a cape and carry New York to a win, but he needs help from his supporting cast. Sometimes basketball isn't rocket science. It's simply about who makes more shots.</p><p>These teams have similar statistical profiles. The Knicks have better individual talent, but the Pacers are far greater than the sum of their parts. Indiana's offense is an all-encompassing system that led the NBA in passes per game compared to New York's heliocentric approach.</p><p>The Knicks are imperfect, but they possess an unmatched collective will to win. They're out for revenge. Toughness, defensive intensity, offensive rebounding, and shooting regression are in the Knicks' favor. That, plus Brunson's clutch gene, will result in mayhem on Seventh Avenue as New York earns its first trip to the finals this century.</p><p><strong>Pick: Knicks (-150), Knicks in 7 (+175)</strong></p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31342845/related

Eastern Conference finals betting preview: Knicks disrespect continues

Playoff scars are a mandatory rite of passage for any NBA champion. The Thunder's second-round lo...

<p>Playoff scars are a mandatory rite of passage for any NBA champion. The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/28" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/28">Thunder</a>'s second-round loss to the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/21" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/21">Mavericks</a> last year was a modest blemish on their path to contention after they missed the postseason the prior campaign.</p><p>OKC's Game 7 shellacking over the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/26" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/26">Nuggets</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37604" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37604">Nikola Jokic</a> on Sunday should erase any concerns about the group's lack of playoff experience. Being the NBA's youngest team hasn't hurt the Thunder's efforts to bring Oklahoma City its first title.</p><p>OKC shortened its title odds (-180) with only four teams still vying for a championship. The<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/27" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/27"> Timberwolves</a> are the next club in the Thunder's path, but oddsmakers aren't giving Minnesota much of a chance to advance to the Finals.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>No. 1 Thunder (-350) vs. No. 6 Timberwolves (+280)</h3><p>The playoffs are all about matchups. The Wolves benefited from ideal matchups as they faced the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/18" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/18">Lakers</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/16" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/16">Warriors</a>, who were missing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/148" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/148">Steph Curry</a> for the final four games.</p><p>Minnesota's series against the Thunder is a different challenge. Oklahoma City won 68 contests, had the NBA's second-best net rating ever, and then defeated the 2023 champion Nuggets in seven games. But the Wolves have won 25 of their last 31 contests. Do the Thunder deserve to be substantial favorites?</p><p>OKC's roster can negate any potential advantage the Wolves have.</p><p>The Wolves' size helped them against the smaller Lakers and Warriors, but <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60051" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60051">Isaiah Hartenstein</a> has eliminated the Thunder's size and rebounding woes. OKC outrebounded the Nuggets in Games 2-4 and kept the margin close in Games 5 and 7.</p><p>Minnesota has a five-day rest advantage over the Thunder, but OKC's youth and depth should mitigate any exhaustion concerns following a seven-game series. The Thunder consistently rely on a nine- or 10-man rotation and have a deep cast of capable reserves at every position.</p><p>The Wolves have the second-best opponent turnover rate and are second in points off turnovers this postseason, but OKC rarely turns the ball over. The Thunder have the best turnover rate during the regular season and playoffs. Plus, they lead the postseason in opponent turnover rate, points off turnovers, and fastbreak points.</p><p>Anything the Wolves do, the Thunder can do better.</p><p>Additionally, Minnesota's half-court offense struggled versus Golden State and L.A. Now it's facing the NBA's best half-court defense, which wreaks havoc on opposing offenses with outstanding ball pressure.</p><p>The Wolves have only scored 0.964 points per possession in the half court during the playoffs, ranking in the 50th percentile and below their 1.008 regular-season mark, per Synergy. The Thunder's defense has allowed 0.865 points per possession in the half court, ranking in the 94th percentile.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93912" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93912">Anthony Edwards</a> has been sensational, averaging 26.5 points, eight rebounds, and nearly six assists in 10 playoff games. His supporting cast has been equally as good, particularly <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/31118" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/31118">Julius Randle</a>, who's exorcised his playoff demons in his first season with the Wolves. He's averaging 24 points per game, six rebounds, and six assists. Minnesota has at least six players averaging at least eight points and eight players averaging at least six.</p><p>The Thunder will attempt to take the ball out of Edwards' hands and force others to make plays. Randle, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93891" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93891">Jaden McDaniels</a>, and Co. have done that exceptionally well, but they haven't seen a defense like the Thunder's.</p><p>Oklahoma City has a multitude of tough defenders like <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/70382" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/70382">Lu Dort</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/25024" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/25024">Alex Caruso</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102799" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102799">Jalen Williams</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110284" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110284">Cason Wallace</a> to throw at Edwards. And when the Wolves have four-on-three opportunities, the Thunder can rotate and recover better than anyone.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30615" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30615">Rudy Gobert </a>has had an impactful postseason, but mostly because he's faced favorable matchups against small centers. In addition to Hartenstein, the Thunder can play <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102801" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102801">Chet Holmgren</a> at the five to create more space and force Gobert to chase him on the perimeter.</p><p>As for the Thunder's offense, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60411" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60411">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> turned things around in the last few games against Denver after struggling with his efficiency and the Nuggets' zone. He scored at least 31 points in the final three contests and shot over 60% during that stretch. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102799" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102799">Jalen Williams</a> also had a shaky series, but a 24-point Game 7 showing on 10-for-17 shooting should silence any questions about whether he can meet high-stakes playoff moments.</p><p>OKC has various players who can explode offensively on any night while competing at a high level defensively. The team's depth and nightmarish defense, as well as Gilgeous-Alexander's star power, will be too much for the Wolves to overcome as the Thunder slide into their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012.</p><p><strong>Pick: Thunder -1.5 series spread (-165), Thunder in six (+425)</strong></p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31335825/related

Western Conference finals betting preview: Will Wolves upset Thunder? 

The NFL released each team's schedule Wednesday. With the official matchups and dates set, let's ...

<p>The NFL released each team's schedule Wednesday. With the official matchups and dates set, let's dive into win totals for the first time this offseason and look at Week 1 spreads.</p><p>Although rosters are mostly set with free agency and the draft in the rearview, there could be slight changes to win totals before the season kicks off in over three months.</p><h3>NFL win totals</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Win total (over odds)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Eagles</td>
<td>11.5 (-110)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chiefs</td>
<td>11.5 (+100)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bills</td>
<td>11.5 (-145)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ravens</td>
<td>11.5 (+100)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>49ers</td>
<td>10.5 (+120)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lions</td>
<td>10.5 (-105)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bengals</td>
<td>10.5 (+120)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Commanders</td>
<td>9.5 (-120)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Buccaneers</td>
<td>9.5 (+115)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rams</td>
<td>9.5 (-140)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chargers</td>
<td>9.5 (-110)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Texans</td>
<td>9.5 (+105)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Packers</td>
<td>9.5 (-115)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Broncos</td>
<td>9.5 (+110)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Seahawks</td>
<td>8.5 (+120)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Steelers</td>
<td>8.5 (+120)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Patriots</td>
<td>8.5 (+105)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vikings</td>
<td>8.5 (-130)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dolphins</td>
<td>8.5 (+125)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bears</td>
<td>8.5 (+110)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cardinals</td>
<td>8.5 (-110)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jaguars</td>
<td>7.5 (-120)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Colts</td>
<td>7.5 (+100)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cowboys</td>
<td>7.5 (-135)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Falcons</td>
<td>7.5 (-125)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Raiders</td>
<td>6.5 (-155)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Panthers</td>
<td>6.5 (-125)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Titans</td>
<td>5.5 (-145)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jets</td>
<td>5.5 (-150)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Giants</td>
<td>5.5 (+115)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Saints</td>
<td>5.5 (-130)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Browns</td>
<td>4.5 (-175)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Unsurprisingly, the Super Bowl champion <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/19" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/19">Eagles</a> and runner-up <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/6" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/6">Chiefs</a> have the highest win totals at 11.5. Philly returns with the league's most complete roster, and Kansas City has the best quarterback. They're joined by the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/1" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/1">Bills</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/12" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/12">Ravens</a>, two perennial AFC contenders. The Eagles and Chiefs are +600 to win the Super Bowl, while the Ravens are +650 and the Bills are +700.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/23" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/23">49ers</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/9" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/9">Bengals</a> missed the playoffs after disappointing seasons last year but are two of three teams with 10.5 win totals. Both groups have the talent to return to Super Bowl contention. The oddsmakers agree as the 49ers are +1300 (sixth best) to win the big game and the Bengals are +1600 (seventh best).</p><p>The most-bet over win totals on theScore Bet/ESPN Bet are the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/25" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/25">Bears</a> (8.5), <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/3" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/3">Patriots</a> (7.5), and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/11" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/11">Steelers</a> (8.5). Bettors expect a major leap from <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/199760" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/199760">Caleb Williams</a> in Year 2 after a shaky rookie campaign. Former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson accepted the head coaching job in Chicago. Will his offensive brilliance allow the Bears to jump from a five-win squad to nine wins? In addition to Johnson, the Bears also invested heavily in their offensive line after Williams constantly scrambled for his life.</p><p>The Patriots are a popular worst-to-first pick because of Mike Vrabel's hire and the flashes rookie quarterback <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/199741" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/199741">Drake Maye</a> displayed in his first year. New England improved its offensive and defensive line and added weapons for Maye, including four-time Pro Bowler <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/65482" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/65482">Stefon Diggs</a>.</p><p>The Steelers have had 21 consecutive non-losing seasons, tied for the most in NFL history. Over bettors will cash in if they extend that streak to 22. Pittsburgh is always well-coached, but its quarterback situation is uncertain. Banking on the Steelers' success assumes <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/747" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/747">Aaron Rodgers </a>signs with them at some point this season.</p><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/23" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/23">49ers</a>' win total of 10.5 is the most popular under bet after they won only six games last season. Although injuries contributed to their demise, a five-win increase from last year seems like a large leap for an aging roster and a still unproven quarterback.</p><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/18" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/18">Giants</a>' win total of 5.5 is the second-most-popular under bet for, well, obvious reasons. They have a weak roster and play in one of the league's toughest divisions. Bettors are understandably not excited by the trio of rookie <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/209911" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/209911">Jaxson Dart</a>,<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/12258" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/12258"> Russell Wilson</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/64259" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/64259">Jameis Winston</a>. Having three quarterbacks essentially means having no quarterback.</p><p>Finally, the Chiefs' win total of 11.5 is the third-most-bet under. Many teams have faltered following a Super Bowl loss. Kansas City might do the same despite its generational quarterback.</p><p>Week 1 doesn't begin until Sept. 4, but theScore Bet/ESPN Bet have already posted lines for the opening week:</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Matchup (spread)</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cowboys @ Eagles (-7)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Chargers vs. Chiefs (-3)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Raiders @ Patriots (-3)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bengals @ Browns (+5.5)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cardinals @ Saints (+4)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Steelers @ Jets (+3)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dolphins @ Colts (-1)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Giants @ Commanders (-7)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Bucs @ Falcons (+2)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Panthers @ Jaguars (-3)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>49ers @ Seahawks (+1.5)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Titans @ Broncos (-7)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Texans @ Rams (-3)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lions @ Packers (+1)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ravens @ Bills (-2)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Vikings @ Bears (-1)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The Eagles kick off the season Thursday night against their divisional rival <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/17" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/17">Cowboys</a>, who will watch Philly raise a banner. The Chiefs and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/8" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/8">Chargers</a> will play on a neutral site in Brazil on Friday.</p><p>Opening weekend features some marquee conference showdowns, including the Ravens versus the Bills and the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/26" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/26">Lions</a> versus the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/27" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/27">Packers</a>. Again, these spreads will surely move before Week 1 rolls around, but it's always a pleasant sight to see NFL lines posted in the spring.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31298324/related

First look at NFL win totals, Week 1 spreads following schedule release

The Mavericks gifted the Lakers a lifeline by shipping Luka Doncic to the West Coast. Their futur...

<p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/21" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/21">Mavericks</a> gifted the Lakers a lifeline by shipping <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/68198" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/68198">Luka Doncic </a>to the West Coast. Their future appeared bleak after facilitating perhaps the worst trade in NBA history, until they also received a miraculous new lease on life when pingpong balls rewarded their incompetence and spite by granting Dallas the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.</p><p>Monday's draft lottery sent shockwaves across the NBA after the Mavs landed the top pick with a 1.8% chance of drawing the first selection. The prize is a potentially franchise-altering prospect in <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/162169" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/162169">Cooper Flagg</a>. He's -50000 to be drafted first overall.</p><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/25" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/25">Spurs</a> also surprisingly leaped to the second pick in the lottery. They have a decision to make: draft a young prospect to grow with<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110276" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110276"> Victor Wembanyama</a> and San Antonio's young core, or pair the French sensation with<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30611" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30611"> Giannis Antetokounmpo</a>. The Spurs have the assets to make a run at Antetokounmpo if he becomes available. However, they may forego attempting to acquire the 30-year-old superstar to draft Rutgers' <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/162652" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/162652">Dylan Harper</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Harper will be selected No. 2 regardless of which team is picking. He's -2000 to be drafted second overall. </p><p>The draft essentially starts with the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/4" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/4">Sixers</a> at No. 3, who, after a disastrous season, must balance their immediate championship window with their long-term future.</p><p>Philadelphia could trade the pick for a win-now asset, but the club already has a monstrous payroll. It's logical to draft an impactful player on a manageable contract. So, who will it be?</p><h3>No. 3 pick odds</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Odds</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Ace Bailey</td>
<td>even</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VJ Edgecombe</td>
<td>+165</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tre Johnson</td>
<td>+500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kon Knueppel</td>
<td>+2200</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dylan Harper</td>
<td>+2500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Khaman Maluach</td>
<td>+2500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jeremiah Fears</td>
<td>+5000</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>No one could've predicted the Sixers ending up with the third pick in the draft after entering the season with the third-best odds to win the East. Fresh off an offseason lauded for signing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/1889" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/1889">Paul George</a> in free agency, the campaign turned ugly quickly as injuries derailed a once-promising year.</p><p>While the Sixers won't be worse than a 24-win group next season, there's still uncertainty surrounding <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/31932" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/31932">Joel Embiid</a>'s health and the aging George. Philadelphia must find a prospect who can help the team win instantly while ensuring he can guide the franchise into the post-Embiid era alongside<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93855" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93855"> Tyrese Maxey </a>and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/121672" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/121672">Jared McCain</a>.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/162648" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/162648">Ace Bailey</a> has the highest upside after Flagg and Harper, and most draft boards firmly believe he's the third-best player available. But Bailey is a volatile prospect. He showcased flashes of his raw talent, athletic ability, and difficult shotmaking in his lone season at Rutgers. However, inconsistent performances and inefficiency - he had a 53% true shooting mark - are glaring red flags, along with his poor passing.</p><p>Developing a consistent and efficient offensive skill set is a project the Sixers may opt away from for a win-now player with lower upside.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/121790" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/121790">VJ Edgecombe</a> could be the most logical and safest option. The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/teams/109" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/teams/109">Baylor</a> product is an athletic specimen who can serve as a wing slasher and a solid catch-and-shoot shooter. He's also an NBA-ready defender. After averaging 15 points per game for the Bears, Edgecombe could thrive as a role player on a contender.</p><h3>To be drafted in the top 5 odds</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Odds</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>VJ Edgecombe</td>
<td>-1500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tre Johnson</td>
<td>-425</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jeremiah Fears</td>
<td>+200</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kon Knueppel</td>
<td>+200</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Khaman Maluach</td>
<td>+320</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Collin Murray-Boyles</td>
<td>+1300</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Kasparas Jakucionis</td>
<td>+1800</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Derik Queen</td>
<td>+2200</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Noa Essengue</td>
<td>+3000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jase Richardson</td>
<td>+4000</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>After the Mavs, Spurs, and Sixers, the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/12" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/12">Hornets</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/30" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/30">Jazz</a> round out the top five picks.</p><p>Edgecombe won't slip much further if the Sixers don't draft him at three. Nearly every mock draft has him landing in the top five. If Philadelphia opts for Edgecombe or someone other than Bailey, Charlotte and Utah will take a chance on the Rutgers star as those organizations attempt to inject life into lifeless franchises.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/163396" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/163396">Tre Johnson</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/163591" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/163591">Jeremiah Fears</a> are two of the best guards in the class. Johnson is considered the better prospect after averaging nearly 20 points per game on 40% shooting from three as a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/teams/1069" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/teams/1069">Texas</a> freshman. There's almost no chance he slips past five. Fears is a more polarizing prospect as an athletic guard who only shot 28.4% from three in his lone season at <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/teams/811" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/teams/811">Oklahoma</a>. </p><p>The Hornets and Jazz need a high-upside player. While <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/162172" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/162172">Khaman Maluach </a>has a high floor, his ceiling is lower than other projected top picks as a rim-running big. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/110943" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/110943">Collin Murray-Boyles</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/121822" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/121822">Derik Queen</a> have higher ceilings but are more risky prospects. One could sneak into the top five past Johnson or Fears.</p><p>Flagg, Harper, Bailey, and likely Edgecombe will be the top four picks in some order. The fifth spot is up for grabs as the draft process plays out over the next month.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31286986/related

NBA draft odds: Who will round out the top 5 after Flagg goes 1st?

The Knicks became the favorite to win the Eastern Conference (+120) and moved to the second-best ...

<p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/3" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/3">Knicks</a> became the favorite to win the Eastern Conference (+120) and moved to the second-best odds to win the championship (+500) after earning a 3-1 series lead over the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/1" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/1">Celtics</a> on Monday.</p><p>New York opened its series against Boston as a +500 underdog on theScore Bet/ESPN Bet and is now -600 to advance, while the Celtics are +400. Following the loss, Boston jumped from +200 to +2500 to win the title.</p><p>Practically nobody believed in the Knicks after they scraped by the physically imposing and less-talented <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/8" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/8">Pistons</a>. The Celtics garnered more bets to advance to the conference finals than any other team in the second round. However, the Pistons unlocked the Knicks' identity, forcing them to match their toughness.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>New York sacrificed defense for offense when it traded for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37817" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37817">Karl-Anthony Towns</a> and placed him at center. The Knicks' defense was around the league average - a rarity for a Tom Thibodeau-led group - during the regular season, but their offense was in the top five.</p><p>That has flipped this postseason, as New York's offense has been worse, while its defense has been better. Although the Knicks' offense was brilliant in Game 4, their playoff identity has differed from who they were for the majority of the season, leading to a successful run throughout an especially physical postseason.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45223" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45223">Jalen Brunson</a>'s late-game heroics are the headline - he has 301 fourth-quarter points this postseason, 27 more than <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37604" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37604">Nikola Jokic</a>, who's scored the second most - but the Knicks have received contributions across their roster. Game 4 exemplified that. Brunson exploded for 39 points, while Towns, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/46480" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/46480">OG Anunoby</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37879" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37879">Mikal Bridges</a> each scored 20 or more. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30695" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30695">Josh Hart</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/62053" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/62053">Mitchell Robinson</a> created extra possessions by crashing the glass on offense. New York grabbed 38% of its misses.</p><p>The Knicks didn't soar up the oddsboard simply because they're up 3-1. Thirteen teams in NBA history have erased a 3-1 deficit to emerge victorious; five were in the last decade. Boston's outlook became particularly bleak when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/52651" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/52651">Jayson Tatum</a> left the fourth quarter of Game 4 with a serious <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3285036" href="https://thescore.com/news/3285036">leg injury</a>.</p><p>The Celtics already faced an uphill battle to climb back in the series, but that's now a monumental task, assuming Tatum will be out for the remainder of the postseason. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45455" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45455">Jaylen Brown</a> has struggled against New York's wing defenders, shooting 37% from the field and 22% from 3-point range. He'll carry a larger load with even more defensive attention on him in Game 5. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/44888" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/44888">Kristaps Porzingis</a> is playing some of the worst basketball of his career as he deals with an undiagnosed illness. He's averaging five points and four rebounds this series and is 3-for-22 from three this postseason.</p><p>The Celtics didn't appear built to beat the Knicks at full strength and certainly aren't equipped to without their All-NBA superstar.</p><p>However, according to oddsmakers, the Celtics have shorter odds to come back from 3-1 and win the series than the Knicks did entering Game 1.</p><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/9" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/9">Pacers</a> have a 3-1 lead over the injury-riddled <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/7" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/7">Cavaliers</a> in the other Eastern Conference semifinal matchup. Indiana is +200 to win the East and +900 to win the Finals. The future prices imply the Knicks would be favored in a conference-finals showdown against the Pacers, a rematch of last year's second-round matchup that lasted seven games. But both teams must earn a spot there first.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

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Knicks have 2nd-best title odds after taking 3-1 lead over Celtics

Baseball fans wondered how Aaron Judge would outshine a season where he blasted 58 home runs and ...

<p>Baseball fans wondered how <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4773" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4773">Aaron Judge</a> would outshine a season where he blasted 58 home runs and accumulated a career-best .322 batting average, culminating in his second American League MVP award.</p><p>Through nearly a quarter of this campaign, Judge has been baseball's best hitter and is the overwhelming favorite (-1000) to capture his fourth MVP. But he's chasing history instead of hardware.</p><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/teams/3" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/teams/3">Yankees</a> slugger has a .409 batting average through 40 games. Ted Williams is the last player to hit .400 for an entire season. That was in 1941. Maintaining a .400 average throughout a 162-game campaign is nearly impossible, especially when the league-wide average is .242.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Judge is +10000 to hit .400 for the season, a market offered exclusively on theScore Bet/ESPN Bet, giving him a less than 1% implied probability of attaining the improbable feat.</p><p>Reaching .400 when the All-Star break rolls around on July 14 is more reasonable, but it's still a long shot. He's +1100 to hold that average by the time the Midsummer Classic arrives.</p><p>There are 56 games left until the All-Star break, meaning Judge must have a .400 batting average through 96 contests. The last player to hit .400 through 96 outings was Larry Walker for the Colorado <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/teams/29" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/teams/29">Rockies</a> in 1997. He finished with a .366 average that season. Nomar Garciaparra is the most recent player to maintain a .400 average through 90 games when he did it with the<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/teams/2" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/teams/2"> Red Sox</a> in 2000. Since then, Luis Arraez put together the longest pursuit of .400 when he carried the average for 78 contests in 2023 with the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/teams/19" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/teams/19">Marlins</a>.</p><p>It's not unheard of to record a .400 average through 40 games. David Wright did it in 2012, followed by Troy Tulowitzki in 2014, Dee Gordon in 2015, and Cody Bellinger in 2019.</p><p>The difference is that Judge has shown no signs of slowing down. Although his average briefly dipped below .400 over the weekend, it climbed to .409 after a 4-for-5 performance Sunday against the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/teams/12" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/teams/12">Athletics</a>.</p><p>Judge has blasted 14 homers, tying <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4761" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4761">Kyle Schwarber</a> for the MLB lead, and is -155 to finish as the league's home run king. He also tops the majors in RBIs (39) and hits (64), with +350 odds to finish as the hits leader. Judge's tear has the Yankees in first place in the AL East at 23-17.</p><p>ESPN Bet and theScore Bet offer a market for Judge to finish with a .330 batting average, a more reasonable accomplishment that would still be a career-best for the three-time MVP. He's -125 to achieve the mark and -105 to fall short. Over 60 players this century have batted higher than .330.</p><p>Judge has never won a batting title but is in first place by a comfortable margin. His teammate, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/1851" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/1851">Paul Goldschmidt</a>, has the league's second-highest batting average at .349.</p><p>While it's highly unlikely Judge bats .400 for the first time in 84 years, it's worth tracking how long this streak lasts. The Yankees captain has claimed his stake as baseball's most dominant hitter. Individual honors will recognize that, but a historical milestone is on the line.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

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How long can Judge's .400 batting average last?

Successful partnerships often end unceremoniously. When the Bucks blew a seven-point lead with 34...

<p>Successful partnerships often end unceremoniously. When the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/10" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/10">Bucks</a> blew a seven-point lead with 34 seconds remaining in Game 5, it didn't just feel like the end of the Bucks' season. It felt like the end of an era in Milwaukee.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30611" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30611">Giannis Antetokounmpo</a> has spent 12 seasons with the Bucks. He began as a skinny, raw, and uncertain Greek prospect whom Milwaukee took a chance on with the 15th pick and blossomed into a two-time MVP and NBA champion. There have been many joyous moments throughout the Greek Freak's time in Milwaukee, but disappointing playoff exits have recently clouded Antetokounmpo's greatness.</p><p>Now, the Bucks and Antetokounmpo are at a crossroads. The superstar has publicly expressed gratitude for the city where he's spent his entire NBA career. However, the Bucks have very few paths to championship contention for the foreseeable future.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Antetokounmpo has a decision to make: stay in Milwaukee on a middling squad during the prime of his career or request a trade to a contending team to seek a second championship. </p><p>The first step toward the latter emerged when ESPN's <a href="https://www.espn.com.sg/nba/story/_/id/45109801/sources-giannis-antetokounmpo-explore-best-fits-milwaukee">Shams Charania</a> reported the 12-year vet is open to exploring fits outside of Milwaukee, despite not making any firm decisions on his future. So, where is Antetokounmpo's second act most likely to occur?</p><h3>Giannis' next team odds</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Odds</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Bucks</td>
<td>-125</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rockets</td>
<td>+750</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Thunder</td>
<td>+900</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Warriors</td>
<td>+900</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Spurs</td>
<td>+1000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nets</td>
<td>+1400</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Heat</td>
<td>+1400</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lakers</td>
<td>+1600</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Suns</td>
<td>+2000</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><em>Odds via theScore Bet</em></p><p>Antetokounmpo is under contract for the next two years, meaning any move must be facilitated through a trade. Thus, Milwaukee is still the favorite at theScore Bet/ESPN Bet to retain Antetokounmpo. While the Bucks shouldn't willingly trade their franchise cornerstone who averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists this season, they may want to begin a rebuild with a massive trade haul for Antetokounmpo instead of hovering around the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.</p><p>Again, Milwaukee has extremely limited means of replenishing its roster. It doesn't own the rights to any of its first-round draft picks until 2031, so it can't use them as trade assets or develop its own drafted players. The Bucks have no budding young stars on their roster. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/300" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/300">Brook Lopez</a> is 37, and they made a desperate midseason move for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37799" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37799">Kyle Kuzma</a>, who was awful in the postseason.</p><p>Antetokounmpo's co-star, Lillard, will likely miss next season as he rehabs an Achilles injury at 35. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/345" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/345">Kevin Durant</a> successfully returned from an Achilles tear, but he was 30 and doesn't rely on the burst or explosion that Lillard does. While the 13-year vet <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3276886" href="https://thescore.com/news/3276886">will fight</a> to come back, he won't return to an All-Star level.</p><p>If a trade eventually arrives, this won't be similar to the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/68198" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/68198">Luka Doncic</a> situation when the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/21" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/21">Mavericks</a> foolishly dealt with one trade partner without shopping around. The Bucks should negotiate offers for Antetokounmpo extensively, ensuring they receive a massive haul of picks and young players to kick-start a rebuild.</p><p>Contending teams will be desperate to acquire Antetokounmpo. And a few organizations have a war chest of assets to throw at Milwaukee.</p><p>The Nets have seven unprotected first-round picks over the next three years. The global superstar will have a massive say in his trade destination because no team would trade for him without securing a long-term commitment. It doesn't make sense for Antetokounmpo to play for another team devoid of stars that can't compete for championships. The Nets must trade for another star to have a chance at Antetokounmpo, or they could get lucky in the draft lottery and land <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaab/players/162169" href="https://thescore.com/ncaab/players/162169">Cooper Flagg</a> with the top pick.</p><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/22" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/22">Rockets</a> have been linked to superstars Antetokounmpo and Durant after hoarding assets in hopes of making a big splash. While Houston is still alive in its first-round matchup against the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/16" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/16">Warriors</a>, it's clear the Rockets' half-court offense doesn't have a reliable shot creator, resulting in poor clutch-time performances. Their defense carried them to the second seed in the West.</p><p>The Rockets have a plethora of young prospects on their deep roster and various future picks to send out. No. 3 overall pick <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/121682" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/121682">Reed Sheppard</a> didn't even crack their rotation this year. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96116" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96116">Jalen Green</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110270" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110270">Cam Whitmore</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102780" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102780">Tari Eason</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102778" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102778">Jabari Smith Jr.</a> could also be included as trade pieces. Houston is surprisingly low on the oddsboard, given it can offer one of the best packages with picks and budding young stars. It had the NBA's fourth-best record this season, but, with Antetokounmpo, Houston would immediately become a title favorite next season.</p><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/25" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/25">Spurs</a> are another team that can offer a package of young players and picks. Pairing Antetokounmpo with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110276" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110276">Victor Wembanyama</a> would form the league's most daunting frontcourt and immediately bolster San Antonio's defense to one of the NBA's best, regardless of who shares the floor with them.</p><p>The Thunder are an intriguing team to watch. They're currently chasing an NBA championship and are the favorites (+130) to hoist the trophy. It's hard to imagine they'd completely upend their roster after winning a title. However, if they do flame out in the playoffs earlier than expected after capturing the West's top seed in back-to-back seasons, pursuing Antetokounmpo might be in play.</p><p>Oklahoma City is another organization with seemingly unlimited draft picks for the next half decade. The Thunder have a deep pool of young talent to trade, including <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/31937" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/31937">Aaron Wiggins</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/110284" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/110284">Cason Wallace</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93854" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93854">Isaiah Joe</a>, and possibly even stars <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102801" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102801">Chet Holmgren</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102799" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102799">Jalen Williams</a>. Perhaps Antetokounmpo is the missing piece to the Thunder's championship puzzle. Or maybe the Thunder discover this postseason that the puzzle is already solved.</p><p>The Heat and Warriors could make a push as well, but they have less to offer than other teams. When a player of Antetokounmpo's caliber becomes available, nearly every franchise that can pursue him should. For now, teams must play the waiting game until the Bucks and Antetokounmpo decide on his future. However, Charania's report indicates there's an obvious direction both sides are moving toward.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31170136/related

Giannis' next team odds: Will the Greek Freak be moved?

While watching the first two games of the Celtics-Knicks second-round series, it was difficult to...

<p>While watching the first two games of the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/1" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/1">Celtics</a>-<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/3" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/3">Knicks</a> second-round series, it was difficult to tell which team has played together for two seasons and won an NBA championship and which group added two key starters this season.</p><p>The Celtics blew a 20-point lead in Games 1 and 2 at home to fall behind 0-2 in the series. Boston's offense appears discombobulated, quite unlike the version that won 145 games over the past two seasons.</p><p>The Knicks entered the series as massive +500 underdogs, while the Celtics were -900 on theScore Bet/ESPN Bet. Nobody believed New York had a chance to dethrone Boston as the Celtics garnered more bets to win their second-round series than any other team.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Boston and New York are now -110 - essentially a toss-up - to advance to the conference finals. The Celtics remain the favorites to win the East at +160, while the Knicks are +280. Is now the time to back Boston?</p><p>The Celtics' offense has been painful to watch. The league's best offense over the last two seasons is predicated on putting defenses in rotation through drive-and-kicks and pick-and-rolls while hunting mismatches. But they've become completely stagnant. It all starts with their superstars.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/52651" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/52651">Jayson Tatum</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45455" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45455">Jaylen Brown</a> are a combined 27-of-85 (32%) from the field. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/46480" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/46480">OG Anunoby</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37879" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37879">Mikal Bridges</a> deserve credit for shutting down Boston's wings. After all, the Knicks gave up a haul of assets to pair Bridges and Anunoby with this matchup in mind. The Celtics are shooting 5-of-29 when Anunoby is the primary defender, per <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1628384/head-to-head">NBA stats</a>.</p><p>But Tatum's struggles go beyond great defense. He's failed to punish switches that the Celtics generate by putting weak defenders like <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45223" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45223">Jalen Brunson</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37817" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37817">Karl-Anthony Towns</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/62053" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/62053">Mitchell Robinson</a> in ball screens. Tatum's shooting 30% from the field when Towns is his primary defender and 40% against Brunson, who's defending at the highest level of his career.</p><p>In clutch time, the Celtics are looking like a group of guys who met just before a pickup game. They often settle for poor shots instead of getting downhill, as four guys watch one attempt to create something out of nothing.</p><p>The Celtics shot 25% from three on 60 attempts in Game 1, as 62% of their shot attempts came from beyond the arc. Boston cleaned up its shot diet in Game 2, as 43% of its shots came from distance. The problem: Boston again shot 25% from three.</p><p>Boston shot below 30% from three in consecutive games just once this campaign and in 14% of its regular-season games. Its shooting woes over the first two contests is a statistical anomaly.</p><p>The Knicks' defense deserves credit, especially in the fourth quarter, but the Celtics are also missing shots they typically make. Boston is shooting 33% on wide-open threes, the worst mark among remaining playoff teams. That's highly unlikely to continue. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/32925" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/32925">Derrick White</a>, one of the Celtics' best shooters, shot 38% from three during the regular season but just 29% this series.</p><p>Boston also has a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/44888" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/44888">Kristaps Porzingis</a> dilemma. He left Game 1 with an illness and only played 14 minutes in Game 2 after missing significant portions of the season with an undiagnosed illness. He's stumbled in these playoffs, but the Celtics are a different offense when he's playing as a floor-spacer and pick-and-pop threat.</p><p>The Knicks were vastly <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3263492" href="https://thescore.com/news/3263492">undervalued</a> entering the postseason, and skeptics grew louder after the offense struggled against the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/8" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/8">Pistons</a>' physical defense in the opening round. However, that gritty, physically challenging series has unlocked a tougher version of the Knicks that Boston has yet to match.</p><p>New York plays as a connected unit, a stark contrast from the Celtics' recent showings. Every Knicks player is engaged and ready for his moment on both ends. Anunoby had 29 points in Game 1 and five in Game 2 while playing exceptional defense in both outings. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30695" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30695">Josh Hart</a> had 23 points in Game 2 and drilled three threes. Bridges didn't score a point through three quarters of Game 2 but exploded for 14 in the final frame, and he made timely defensive plays in the final seconds of both contests. Towns hasn't made a three but still poured in 35 points and 30 rebounds between the two games. Mitchell Robinson has been a defensive menace and a monster on the boards off the bench.</p><p>And, of course, Brunson is the clutch leader who's pacing the playoffs in fourth-quarter points, carrying the Knicks offensively in the games' most crucial moments.</p><p>Still, this series is far from over. Now is the time to wager on the Celtics to win the Eastern Conference (+160). Tatum, Brown, and the supporting cast's decline in production is concerning. However, part of Boston's necessary adjustment is to simply make shots. It's nearly impossible to believe this uncharacteristically bad shooting will continue.</p><p>Tatum is an exceptional talent who should find ways to attack mismatches and score efficiently as the series continues. The Knicks have proved they belong in the championship conversation, but the Celtics' ceiling is higher than anyone's when they play like they have for most of the past two seasons.</p><p>The Celtics actually perform better on the road than at home. Boston had five more road wins than home wins during the regular season and a slightly better net rating away. While Madison Square Garden will sound more like an EDM festival than a basketball game, the road atmosphere shouldn't impact the Celtics, who are 5.5-point favorites for Saturday's matinee.</p><p>A 2-0 series deficit isn't insurmountable. Boston has to clean up its offense, and its superstars must play at the level they've displayed in past postseasons.</p><p>The Knicks are undeniably the tougher, more resilient, and better-coached group. Sometimes that's enough to dethrone champions, but don't count the Celtics out yet.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31236305/related

Down 2 games, is now the time to back the Celtics?

The Knicks and Nuggets stole their respective Game 1s on Monday as 9-plus point underdogs. The Th...

<p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/3" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/3">Knicks</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/26" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/26">Nuggets</a> stole their respective Game 1s on Monday as 9-plus point underdogs. The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/28" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/28">Thunder</a> (+170) and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/1" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/1">Celtics</a> (+210) remain the favorites to win the championship, but their series and title odds took a hit after shocking collapses. The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/9" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/9">Pacers</a> also beat the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/7" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/7">Cavaliers</a> in Game 1 as huge underdogs. So far, the series underdog has won every second-round Game 1. How much has it impacted the series prices, and what does it mean for the trailing teams? Let's dive in.</p><h3>Knicks 1-0 vs. Celtics</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Series odds before Game 1</th>
<th>After Game 1</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Celtics -900</td>
<td>Celtics -350</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Knicks +500</td>
<td>Knicks +280</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>When a team lives by the three, it can also die by it. In Game 1, the Celtics attempted and missed the most threes in playoff history, launching 60 and connecting on only 15.</p><p>Theoretically, that projects well for the Celtics and poorly for the Knicks. Boston, which led the NBA in 3-point makes, shouldn't shoot that badly from distance again.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>While attempting 37 of their final 49 shots from three isn't exactly a healthy shot diet, the Celtics' problem isn't the 3-point volume; it's how they're generating threes.</p><p>Boston insists on shooting more threes than any team in league history. The Celtics' personnel, featuring five shooters and many perimeter players who can exploit mismatches, creates a successful approach. Their 3-point philosophy works when they generate quality shots by getting in the paint, putting two defenders on the ball, and driving and kicking to force the defense into rotation.</p><p>There were plenty of uncontested catch-and-shoot threes that Boston uncharacteristically bricked in Game 1, but many were contested, dreadful shot attempts out of isolations, especially in the final minutes. There were too many late-game possessions where no Celtic reached the lane or even stepped inside the 3-point arc, making the offense easy to guard.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/46480" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/46480">OG Anunoby</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37879" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37879">Mikal Bridges</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30695" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30695">Josh Hart</a> wreaked havoc defensively on Boston's stars, forcing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/52651" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/52651">Jayson Tatum</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45455" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45455">Jaylen Brown</a> to combine for 14-for-43 shooting.</p><p>Tatum was particularly lousy. The Knicks switched ball screens involving their bigs (an adjustment after mostly playing drop coverage during their regular-season showdowns), and the Celtics often found the matchups they wanted, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45223" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45223">Jalen Brunson</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37817" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37817">Karl-Anthony Towns</a>, or <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/62053" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/62053">Mitchell Robinson</a> switched onto Tatum. But the NBA champ constantly settled, bailing out his weak defenders by taking contested, step-back jumpers. Fifteen of Tatum's 23 shot attempts were threes.</p><p>The three images below are the exact matchups the Celtics want with Towns, Robinson, and Brunson switched onto Tatum. All three possessions resulted in a challenged jumper and no points.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784330/cropped_Screenshot_2025-05-06_at_10.30.43_AM.jpg?ts=1746548888" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784330/w220xh124_Screenshot_2025-05-06_at_10.30.43_AM.jpg?ts=1746548888 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784330/w320xh180_Screenshot_2025-05-06_at_10.30.43_AM.jpg?ts=1746548888 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784330/w640xh360_Screenshot_2025-05-06_at_10.30.43_AM.jpg?ts=1746548888 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784330/w768xh432_Screenshot_2025-05-06_at_10.30.43_AM.jpg?ts=1746548888 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784330/w1080xh607_Screenshot_2025-05-06_at_10.30.43_AM.jpg?ts=1746548888 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NBA.com</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784331/cropped_Screenshot_2025-05-06_at_10.32.13_AM.jpg?ts=1746548908" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784331/w220xh124_Screenshot_2025-05-06_at_10.32.13_AM.jpg?ts=1746548908 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784331/w320xh180_Screenshot_2025-05-06_at_10.32.13_AM.jpg?ts=1746548908 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784331/w640xh360_Screenshot_2025-05-06_at_10.32.13_AM.jpg?ts=1746548908 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784331/w768xh432_Screenshot_2025-05-06_at_10.32.13_AM.jpg?ts=1746548908 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784331/w1080xh607_Screenshot_2025-05-06_at_10.32.13_AM.jpg?ts=1746548908 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NBA.com</span></figcaption></figure><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784332/cropped_Screenshot_2025-05-06_at_10.33.12_AM.jpg?ts=1746549011" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784332/w220xh124_Screenshot_2025-05-06_at_10.33.12_AM.jpg?ts=1746549011 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784332/w320xh180_Screenshot_2025-05-06_at_10.33.12_AM.jpg?ts=1746549011 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784332/w640xh360_Screenshot_2025-05-06_at_10.33.12_AM.jpg?ts=1746549011 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784332/w768xh432_Screenshot_2025-05-06_at_10.33.12_AM.jpg?ts=1746549011 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/784332/w1080xh607_Screenshot_2025-05-06_at_10.33.12_AM.jpg?ts=1746549011 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">NBA.com</span></figcaption></figure><p>After losing all four regular-season matchups, the Knicks proved they can compete with the Celtics despite trailing by 20 in the second half and dealing with foul trouble throughout the game. New York acquired tenacious wing defenders Anunoby and Bridges for this matchup. Anunoby contributed 29 points and held the Celtics' starters to 1-for-15 shooting as the primary defender. Bridges made huge defensive plays in the final minutes.</p><p>But this is easily fixable for the Celtics. While they won't stop shooting an absurd number of threes, they should improve on punishing the Knicks' switches when Tatum sees an advantageous matchup. That will lead to higher quality looks for him and his teammates. New York still has matchup problems with Brunson and Towns, especially if they continue to switch ball screens. Plus, Boston, which was 7-for-25 on unguarded, catch-and-shoot threes, according to <a href="http://x.com/_JasonLT/status/1919585684047700410">Jason Timpf of The Volume</a>, won't shoot as poorly on its open looks moving forward.</p><p>Bettors are banking on Game 1 being an anomaly. Nearly 97% of the money wagered and 72% of the bets to win the series are on Boston. The Celtics are 10.5-point favorites in Game 2, and 84% of the spread money is on them to cover.</p><h3>Nuggets 1-0 vs. Thunder</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Series odds before Game 1</th>
<th>After Game 1</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Thunder -900</td>
<td>Thunder -320</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nuggets +500</td>
<td>Nuggets +260</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The Nuggets became the first team in NBA history to win a playoff game on one day of rest against an opponent with at least eight days of rest. Denver somehow wasn't fatigued after a grueling seven-game series against the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/17" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/17">Clippers</a>. It battled back from a double-digit deficit to steal Game 1 as huge underdogs, thanks to an <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30810" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30810">Aaron Gordon</a> game-winner in the final seconds.</p><p>Two areas that haunted the Thunder during last season's playoff run materialized in Game 1. The Nuggets grabbed 20 more rebounds than the Thunder and collected 21 on offense alone, resulting in eight more second-chance points for Denver. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37604" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37604">Nikola Jokic</a> secured 22 rebounds while adding 42 points as he physically dominated the Thunder's front line.</p><p>The Thunder had the fourth-worst defensive rebounding percentage last season. Since the All-Star break this year, they've had a top-10 opponent offensive rebounding rate. Pairing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60051" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60051">Isaiah Hartenstein</a> with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102801" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102801">Chet Holmgren</a> seemingly fixed their rebounding woes, but that wasn't the case in Game 1.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60411" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60411">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> also needs more help from his co-stars. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102799" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102799">Jalen Williams</a>, who struggled in the Thunder's second-round series last season, shot 5-for-20 from the field and finished with 16 points. Holmgren scored 12 points and only captured six rebounds. He also missed two crucial free throws in the final seconds, leading to Gordon's game-winning three.</p><p>The Thunder must adjust before a historically great season ends in a second straight exit in the conference semifinals. They're still considerable favorites in the series. While Denver undoubtedly has some advantages, I'd hesitate to pull the trigger on the Nuggets.</p><p>The Nuggets just played their eighth game in 16 days and won't have more than one day off between games until a potential Game 7. Without much depth, Denver plays its starters a heavy load. Oddsmakers expect exhaustion to kick in at some point, and they're doubling down on their Game 1 line. The Thunder are 10.5-point favorites in Game 2.</p><h3>Pacers 1-0 vs. Cavaliers</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Series odds before Game 1</th>
<th>After Game 1</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Cavaliers -500</td>
<td>Cavaliers -220</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pacers +360</td>
<td>Pacers +190</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>The Pacers are the series underdog to wager on after Game 1. Sure, the 3-point disparity likely won't continue at its Game 1 rate - Indiana made 19 threes and shot 52% from deep, while Cleveland made nine and shot 23%.</p><p>However, Indiana's fast-paced, high-volume passing offense involving all five guys is difficult to guard. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93893" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93893">Tyrese Haliburton</a> seamlessly drives into the paint and usually makes the right reads. More importantly, the Pacers' defense has ranked in the top 10 since the All-Star break.</p><p>The Cavs' uncertain health is the biggest factor. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/70243" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/70243">Darius Garland</a> missed Game 1 with a toe injury; his Game 2 status is uncertain. Cleveland missed his shot creation as the entire load landed on <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/44998" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/44998">Donovan Mitchell</a>, who plays well alongside him. The team is easier to guard when one is out of the lineup.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96054" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96054">Evan Mobley</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/53037" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/53037">De'Andre Hunter</a> are questionable for Game 2 with ankle and thumb injuries, respectively. Cleveland could be missing three of its starters for Game 2 and beyond, and they presumably won't be completely healthy if they do play. None of the three were seen at Tuesday morning's shootaround, according to <a href="http://x.com/UnderdogNBA/status/1919775983432777881">Underdog NBA</a>.</p><p>Indiana has the talent and depth to compete with Cleveland. If the Cavs are missing key players, their impressive season might be cut short. They're still a 7.5-point favorite in Game 2, but the Pacers' series price will only drop if they pull off another upset.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31209444/related

Why Celtics, Thunder, and Cavs are still big favorites after Game 1 upsets

With two series extending to seven games, the Western Conference opening round concluded over the...

<p>With two series extending to seven games, the Western Conference opening round concluded over the weekend. We already <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3278312" href="https://thescore.com/news/3278312">previewed</a> the Eastern Conference second-round matchups, one of which began Sunday. Now, let's get to our West preview and picks. </p><h3>No. 1 Thunder (-900) vs. No. 4 Nuggets (+500)</h3><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/26" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/26">Denver Nuggets</a> closed out the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/17" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/17">Los Angeles Clippers</a> in seven games to advance to the second round. Denver's reward? One day of rest before beginning its series against the NBA's best team. The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/28" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/28">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> are a massive favorite in the series and a 9.5-point home favorite for Monday night's series opener.</p><p>While Denver must play on little rest, the Thunder haven't played a game in eight days. Before believing rust could be a factor, consider this stat from ESPN: Teams with eight or more days of rest are 6-0 with a 20.3 margin of victory in the playoffs against teams with one rest day. Any playoff series is mentally and physically demanding. It's even more difficult without sufficient recovery time.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Besides the rest factor, the Thunder have the talent edge in this series. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37604" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37604">Nikola Jokic </a>and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60411" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60411">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> are MVP candidates, but the latter has significantly more help. Jokic's supporting cast did enough to escape the Clippers. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/44995" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/44995">Jamal Murray</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60530" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60530">Michael Porter Jr.</a> had some brilliant performances, but they also had some duds. Denver can't get away with that inconsistency against a team as deep and ripe with talent as the Thunder. The Nuggets struggle without Jokic on the floor. They have a plus-10.5 net rating when he's on the court and a minus-9.3 net rating when he's out. The Thunder have the depth to survive when Gilgeous-Alexander sits.</p><p>Oklahoma City finished the regular season with the second-best net rating in NBA history behind the 1995-96 Bulls. It has the NBA's best defense and third-best offense. The Thunder dominate the possession battle by rarely turning the ball over (No. 1 turnover rate) and constantly forcing turnovers (No. 1 opponent turnover rate).</p><p>The Thunder have virtually no weaknesses. Their only potential vulnerability is they have relatively little playoff experience. This will be the core's fourth playoff series together. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102799" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102799">Jalen Williams</a> floundered in the second round last year. Even if he struggles against the Nuggets, the Thunder have many replaceable two-way wings to pick up the load and help Gilgeous-Alexander as the Nuggets send doubles at the Thunder's star.</p><p>Luckily for Oklahoma City, the Nuggets' defense finished in the bottom third of the league and doesn't have enough capable perimeter defenders to slow down the Thunder's attack.</p><p><strong>Pick: Thunder 4-1 (+200); Thunder 4-2 (+450)</strong></p><h3>No. 6 Timberwolves (-175) vs. No. 7 Warriors (+150)</h3><p>A spinoff featuring a WWE brawl between <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30615" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30615">Rudy Gobert</a> and<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/2982" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/2982"> Draymond Green</a> would be as enthralling as the basketball in the upcoming <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/27" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/27">Minnesota Timberwolves</a>-<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/16" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/16">Golden State Warriors</a> series. Gobert's become the NBA's punching bag with Green leading the charge against the French center.</p><p>However, Gobert silenced the critics when he scored 27 points and grabbed 24 rebounds in the Wolves' closeout Game 5 against the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/18" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/18">Los Angeles Lakers</a>. Minnesota's strength is its size and physicality, which it leveraged against the Lakers, who played small without a reliable center on their roster.</p><p>The T-Wolves have a similar advantage over the Warriors, who also play small with Green at the five. The difference between the Warriors' and Lakers' small-ball lineups is that Green is a much better defensive center than <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/53163" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/53163">Rui Hachimura</a> or <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/72" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/72">LeBron James</a>. Green can guard all positions, protect the rim, and rebound effectively. He has experience playing center and has been in plenty of battles against Gobert.</p><p>The Warriors also have the luxury of playing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37915" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37915">Kevon Looney</a> sporadic minutes, which they'll utilize if necessary. While the Timberwolves have the size advantage, it's not as big of an edge against the Warriors as it was against the Lakers.</p><p>Minnesota can also counter with small lineups when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/69736" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/69736">Naz Reid</a> plays center. Those lineups feature five shooters, making them difficult to guard. </p><p>The Warriors' core of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/148" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/148">Steph Curry</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/2809" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/2809">Jimmy Butler</a>, and Green are playoff veterans, but they're also aging stars coming off a seven-game series. Minnesota relies on its youthful exuberance, and it's entering the second round with more rest than Golden State.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93912" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93912">Anthony Edwards</a> took another jump this season, but this one came as a playmaker. He's masterfully navigated double teams and consistently sets his teammates up in the right spots. Edwards' supporting cast was a question mark heading into the playoffs, mostly because of <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/31118" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/31118">Julius Randle</a>'s suspect playoff history. But Randle stepped up in the opening round, averaging 22 points on nearly 40% shooting from three.</p><p>Curry should be excellent, especially because the T-Wolves can't match the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/22" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/22">Houston Rockets</a>' defensive physicality that bothered Curry in Round 1. But this series will ultimately come down to each team's secondary players.</p><p>Golden State surrounds Curry and Butler with a shaky offensive support system, while Minnesota has the right pieces around Edwards.</p><p>Few teams are playing as well as the T-Wolves, who have won 20 of their past 25 games. Expect a competitive series featuring many tactical adjustments and rotation modifications. I'd bet on it going seven games with the Timberwolves squeaking by.</p><p><strong>Pick: T-Wolves to win series (-175); Series to go seven games (+195)</strong></p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31201049/related

Western Conference 2nd-round betting preview

While the Western Conference first round features two Game 7s, the East second-round matchups hav...

<p>While the Western Conference first round features two Game 7s, the East second-round matchups have already been decided. Let's dive into each Eastern Conference contest and our favorite series-long picks.</p><h3>No. 1 Cavaliers (-500) vs. No. 4 Pacers (+360)</h3><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/9" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/9">Indiana Pacers</a>' miraculous Game 5 comeback victory over the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/10" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/10">Milwaukee Bucks</a>, where they trailed by seven with 35 seconds remaining, provided them with extra rest before facing a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/7" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/7">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> group that outscored the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/13" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/13">Miami Heat</a> by 122 points in four games, the most lopsided playoff sweep in NBA history.</p><p>The Pacers and Cavs are stylistically similar. They both have strong depth and play a fast-paced brand that features everyone in their offenses. They both rarely turn the ball over. The Cavs have the best playoff offensive rating, while the Pacers have the second-best. During the regular season, the Cavs had the league's best offense and the Pacers had the ninth-best.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>While these two teams play similarly, Cleveland's talent is far superior. Thus, it's a substantial favorite.</p><p>Many East first-round series were headlined by physicality and defense. This tune will be different, as free-flowing offense takes center stage. However, Cleveland also had a top-10 defense, while the Pacers were around league average.</p><p>Cleveland has the better backcourt with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/44998" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/44998">Donovan Mitchell</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/70243" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/70243">Darius Garland</a> and the better frontcourt with<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96054" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96054"> Evan Mobley</a>, who's emerged as an All-NBA player, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/53393" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/53393">Jarrett Allen</a>. The Cavs have perfect complementary wings with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/53037" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/53037">De'Andre Hunter</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/53038" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/53038">Ty Jerome</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/52639" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/52639">Max Strus</a>. They made the league's second-most threes during the regular season.</p><p>Cleveland relies on the pick-and-roll more than most teams, but it's incredibly efficient at that play type. The Cavs led the NBA in pick-and-roll ball-handler frequency during the regular season and scored 1.33 points per possession, the NBA's best mark. Mitchell and Garland complement each other well and brilliantly navigate ball screens while consistently finding shots for themselves and their teammates.</p><p>The Cavs had the fifth-most possessions featuring the roll man in the pick-and-roll and scored 1.17 points per possession, the second-most behind the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/26" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/26">Denver Nuggets</a>. Mobley emerged as a brilliant short-roll driver and playmaker. Head coach Kenny Atkinson allowed Mobley more freedom within his offense, leading to a career year in his fourth season.</p><p>The Pacers will experiment with different pick-and-roll coverages, but they don't have the defensive personnel to limit the Cavs' efficient options out of the play.</p><p>Indiana moves the ball at a high rate; it leads the playoffs in passes per game. It used its depth to its advantage against an injured and shallow Bucks group. But the Pacers don't have that edge against the Cavs, who averaged roughly the same amount of bench points per game as Indiana.</p><p>The Cavs are well-rested and have been one of the NBA's best teams all season. The Pacers are talented enough to win a couple of games, but they won't return to the Eastern Conference Finals.</p><p><strong>Pick: Cavs in six (+425)</strong></p><h3>No. 2 Celtics (-900) vs. No. 3 Knicks (+500)</h3><p>When the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/3" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/3">New York Knicks</a> traded for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37879" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37879">Mikal Bridges</a> last offseason, they had this series in mind. The only way to slow down the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/1" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/1">Boston Celtics</a>' prolific offense is with big, athletic wings who can match up with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/52651" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/52651">Jayson Tatum</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45455" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45455">Jaylen Brown</a> on the perimeter. Pairing Bridges with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/46480" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/46480">OG Anunoby</a> accomplished that, at least on paper.</p><p>Despite the series ending in five games, the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/14" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/14">Orlando Magic</a> were surprisingly competitive against the Celtics in the opening round. Orlando’s defense utilized athletic wings to guard Boston’s stars.</p><p>The Magic wanted to limit the Celtics' 3-point attempts. During the regular season, the Celtics shot 48 threes per game, seven more than the second-highest-volume 3-point team. They made 17.8 per game, the most made threes per game in NBA history. In the first round against Orlando, Boston attempted only 31 threes per game and made 11.</p><p>The Magic limited the Celtics' threes by not over-helping on their drives. The Celtics generate threes through dribble penetration and drive-and-kicks. The Magic wanted to eliminate the kick part of the equation by allowing their on-ball defenders to guard the Celtics one-on-one without much help. Orlando could only do that because of their personnel and deep cast of reliable defenders. However, the Magic never had a chance in the series because of their lackluster offense and shooting woes.</p><p>The Magic unlocked a formula to slow down Boston's attack that teams theoretically should replicate. Realistically, though, that's not possible.</p><p>The Knicks don't have the Magic's personnel. Despite Anunoby and Bridges checking Tatum and Brown, the Knicks have two defensive liabilities: <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45223" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45223">Jalen Brunson</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37817" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37817">Karl-Anthony Towns</a>. Boston mercilessly targeted Towns in the pick-and-roll in their previous matchups.</p><p>Tatum, who's third in playoff points per game, scored more points on Towns (43) and Bridges (35) than any other primary defender who guarded him during the regular season, per <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1628369/head-to-head?Matchup=Offense&amp;SeasonType=Regular%20Season&amp;dir=D&amp;sort=SECONDS">NBA stats</a>. Anunoby successfully defended Tatum throughout the season, holding him to 25% shooting from the field as his primary defender. But the Celtics will set constant ball screens to generate switches onto Towns and Brunson.</p><p>New York failed to stop the Celtics' avalanche of threes in their four matchups during the regular season, all of which Boston won. The Celtics drilled 21 threes per game on 44% shooting in those four games, up from their season average of 17.8 made threes on 36.8% shooting.</p><p>Boston has been so difficult to guard over the past two seasons because it consistently plays lineups with five guys who can space the floor as shooters and multiple players capable of breaking their defenders down off the dribble.</p><p>While defense is a major concern for New York, so is the other side of the ball. For all of Brunson's fourth-quarter brilliance, the Knicks' offense struggled against Detroit.</p><p>New York's offense is too one-dimensional and predictable. Brunson had an astronomically high usage rate in the opening round and attempted the most shots per game of any playoff player.</p><p>The Brunson and Towns pick-and-pop is an effective play, but the Knicks ran it less frequently in the opening round. Bridges had crucial moments throughout the series against the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/8" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/8">Detroit Pistons</a>, but he's underutilized offensively. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30695" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30695">Josh Hart</a> is not a shooting threat, leading to teams helping off the Knicks guard. New York's spacing is often poor, and there is little ball movement to shift the defense on too many possessions. The Knicks' starting lineup has a negative net rating this postseason.</p><p>New York doesn't maximize its offensive talent, and it's not good enough defensively to compete with the defending champs. If <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/383" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/383">Jrue Holiday</a> remains out with a hamstring injury - he missed the past three games - and Boston goes ice cold from deep, the Knicks will have a chance to make this a competitive series.</p><p>Otherwise, Boston is the significantly better team, explaining why it will remain the largest series favorite of any second-round matchup. New York will be lucky to win a game.</p><p><strong>Pick: Celtics -2.5 series spread (-110)</strong></p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31178411/related

Eastern Conference 2nd-round betting preview

NBA teams that take a 3-1 playoff series lead advance 95% of the time. Only 13 teams in league hi...

<p>NBA teams that take a 3-1 playoff series lead advance 95% of the time. Only 13 teams in league history have completed a comeback after trailing 3-1, and the only two instances from this decade happened in the 2020 bubble. In the last 17 postseasons, it's only happened five times.</p><p>The most famous case is the 2016 NBA Finals, where the LeBron James-led <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/7" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/7">Cavaliers</a> mounted an incredible comeback against the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/16" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/16">Warriors</a>. In the previous round, Golden State had bounced back from a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/28" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/28">Thunder</a> in the Western Conference finals. Entering Monday's games, how do oddsmakers rate the comeback chances of the four teams trailing 3-1 in the first round?</p><h3>Timberwolves (-600) lead the Lakers (+380) 3-1</h3><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/18" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/18">Lakers</a> entered the series as favorites because of their star power, but that overlooked the fact the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/27" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/27">Timberwolves</a> won 16 of their final 20 regular-season games.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93912" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93912">Anthony Edwards</a> has been the best player in a series featuring <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/68198" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/68198">Luka Doncic</a> and<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/72" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/72"> LeBron James</a>. More importantly, the Wolves' other pieces have outshone the Lakers' supporting cast. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/31118" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/31118">Julius Randle</a> has a questionable playoff history, but he's averaging 22 points on 45% shooting from three and perfectly navigating next-man-up situations as the Lakers throw double-teams at Edwards. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/93891" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/93891">Jaden McDaniels</a> is averaging nearly 20 points on 42% 3-point shooting while drawing the toughest defensive assignment of guarding Doncic. Finally, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/69736" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/69736">Naz Reid</a> is shooting 52% from deep.</p><p>The Lakers lack a dependable center, forcing them to play small against the Wolves' size and physicality. JJ Redick also decided to play just five players for the entire second half after a single day of rest between Games 3 and 4, the first time in postseason history (during the play-by-play era) that a head coach made that bold move. The gamble backfired; the Lakers blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead as their fatigue kicked in. Doncic struggled defensively, and James was barely involved in the offense, attempting just two shots in the final 12 minutes. Exhausted, Los Angeles struggled to attack the rim: 66% of its fourth-quarter shots came from beyond the arc.<strong> </strong>The Lakers have little depth, but Redick must find sporadic second-half minutes for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/38557" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/38557">Gabe Vincent</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/60415" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/60415">Jarred Vanderbilt</a>.</p><p>Minnesota is the better overall team and presents a matchup problem for the Lakers, but there's still optimism for Los Angeles. The Lakers have posted a truly abysmal 78 offensive rating in the clutch this postseason. That's unlikely to continue with James and Doncic, especially after they produced a 117 clutch offensive rating throughout the regular season.</p><p>Plus, the Wolves have more depth, but can their secondary contributors keep producing at this level? Randle, McDaniels, and Reid shot less than 38% from three during the regular season, and none of them averaged more than 19 points per game. The Lakers need them to cool off to mount a comeback.</p><p>The Lakers' implied probability of winning this series is 21%. However, James has done this before. Counting out his team discredits James' and Doncic's greatness.</p><h3>Pacers (-2000) lead the Bucks (+900) 3-1</h3><p>Just about everything that could go wrong for the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/10" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/10">Bucks</a> has gone wrong. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/5343" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/5343">Damian Lillard</a> miraculously returned in Game 2 after dealing with a blood clot for the last month, but he reportedly tore his Achilles in Game 4. Lillard's season is done, and the Bucks' season is about to follow suit.</p><p>Despite <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30611" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30611">Giannis Antetokounmpo</a>'s greatness, he doesn't have enough help against the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/9" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/9">Pacers</a>' depth. Milwaukee looks lifeless while Indiana's high-volume passing and fast-paced offense keeps all five guys on the floor involved and challenges the Bucks' defense.</p><p>Indiana has six players averaging double figures and eight players averaging at least eight points against Milwaukee. Modern playoff series are less about who's got the best player on the floor and more about who's got the more reliable supporting cast. The Bucks have the former and the Pacers own the latter, which has put Indiana one game away from advancing past the Bucks in the opening round for the second consecutive season.</p><p>Oddsmakers assign the Bucks a 10% implied probability of climbing back. Even with Lillard, the Pacers were the better group. Without him, Milwaukee has no chance.</p><h3>Knicks (-4000) lead the Pistons 3-1 (+1300)</h3><p>Lost in all the outrage regarding <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/30695" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/30695">Josh Hart</a>'s uncalled foul on <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/6179" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/6179">Tim Hardaway Jr.</a>'s final shot in Game 4 is the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/8" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/8">Pistons</a>' squandered 11-point fourth-quarter lead.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/45223" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/45223">Jalen Brunson</a>, who was nursing an ankle injury in the fourth quarter, exploded for 15 points in the final frame to gift the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/3" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/3">Knicks</a> a 3-1 series lead heading back to New York. More than the officials, New York's clutch play is what's given the team control of the series.</p><p>The Pistons' physicality - and the refs allowing both teams to maul each other - has bothered the Knicks for stretches. The Knicks had the talent edge heading into the series, but could they match Detroit's toughness? After earning two gritty wins in a hostile road atmosphere, the answer is clearly yes.</p><p>Brunson, for his part, has also been the series' best player. He has 53 fourth-quarter points in this series to lead NBA this postseason on 65% shooting compared to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96056" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96056">Cade Cunningham</a>'s 26 fourth-quarter points on 35%. Brunson's co-star <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/37817" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/37817">Karl-Anthony Towns</a> has the second-most clutch points this postseason.</p><p>Detroit has been competitive in every game and refuses to back down, but the talent disparity is obvious in the game's final minutes, and it's too wide for the Pistons to close the gap. The Knicks are -5.5 favorites to close out the series in New York on Tuesday.</p><h3>Celtics (-50000) lead the Magic (+3500) 3-1</h3><p>The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/14" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/14">Magic</a> have been surprisingly competitive against the defending champs. Although the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/1" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/1">Celtics</a> lead 3-1, three of the four games have come down to clutch time, when a game is within five points in the final five minutes. </p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/383" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/383">Jrue Holiday</a> missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, and the Magic have successfully limited <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/44888" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/44888">Kristaps Porzingis</a>' offensive impact. Boston is not showcasing the best version of itself, but the Magic's defense, which was the NBA's second-best during the regular season, has challenged Boston's offense. </p><p>However, Orlando just doesn't have enough scoring and shooting to keep up with the Celtics. The Magic have the fourth-worst offensive rating among playoff teams and are last in 3-point percentage. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/102767" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/102767">Paolo Banchero</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/players/96086" href="https://thescore.com/nba/players/96086">Franz Wagner</a> average 32 and 26 points, respectively, but no other Magic player averages double digits.</p><p>The Magic's season should wrap Tuesday when they enter Boston as 11.5-point underdogs. </p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/31131532/related

Which NBA team has the best odds to erase 3-1 deficit?

Although the Titans will almost certainly pick Cam Ward first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, quar...

<p>Although the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/14" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/14">Titans</a> will almost certainly pick <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/152938" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/152938">Cam Ward</a> first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, quarterbacks aren't the story of this year's event.</p><p>There's a chance Ward is the only quarterback selected in the first round, which happened in 2022's opening round when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/173994" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/173994">Kenny Pickett</a> was the lone quarterback taken.</p><p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/160938" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/160938">Shedeur Sanders</a> is a projected first-rounder and an intriguing prospect with raw talent, but NFL personnel haven't been shy about their concerns with his attitude. He could land anywhere from second overall to the second round.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Total quarterbacks drafted in the first round</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>O 2.5</th>
<th>U 2.5</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>-130</td>
<td>Even</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Beyond Ward, there's no guarantee another quarterback will be drafted Thursday night. While most would be surprised if Sanders falls to the second round, it's possible his red flags are too risky for an organization to spend first-round capital on.</p><p>His over/under prop mark is 8.5, but that's a -600 price to the over (86% implied probability). Some mock drafts have him going to the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/30" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/30">Saints</a> at No. 9 and others have him falling to the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/11" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/11">Steelers</a> at No. 21. That begs the question: Will a third quarterback be selected in the first 32 picks?</p><p>Oddsmakers say it's likely at least three quarterbacks go in the first round. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/162552" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/162552">Jaxson Dart</a> is the most probable candidate to join Ward and Sanders. His draft position prop is 24.5, but the over is priced at -200 (67% implied probability).</p><p>ESPN's Peter Schrager projects the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/18" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/18">Giants</a> will draft Dart at No. 26 in his latest <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2025/story/_/id/44790164/2025-nfl-mock-draft-peter-schrager-first-round-predictions-32-picks-trades-buzz-qbs-sanders-ward-dart">mock draft</a>. Dart is another polarizing prospect whom some scouts view as a star and others as a career backup. As the close betting line indicates, it shouldn't shock anyone if he slips out of the first round.</p><p>Sometimes teams make bold decisions on draft night and reach for quarterbacks. While no major mock draft predicts such, a team could also select <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/162849" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/162849">Jalen Milroe</a> in the opening round, which would undoubtedly hit the over on quarterbacks drafted.</p><p>Five teams are desperate for a quarterback in the short and long term: the Titans, Giants, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/10" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/10">Browns</a>, Steelers, and possibly, the Saints. Some of them made offseason moves to address their quarterback situations, but none has a reliable option. Other teams with a dependable starter might want a quarterback for the future. But even with multiple organizations searching for their next signal-caller, few will likely pull the trigger in the first round of a draft with a weak class at the position.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

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How many QBs will be drafted in the 1st round?

Shedeur Sanders is the headline entering Thursday's spectacle in a draft devoid of much quarterba...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///ncaaf/players/160938" href="https://thescore.com/ncaaf/players/160938">Shedeur Sanders</a> is the headline entering Thursday's spectacle in a draft devoid of much quarterback talent. While <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nhl/players/247" href="https://thescore.com/nhl/players/247">Cam Ward</a> will likely be the top pick in the draft and the first quarterback off the board, he hasn't generated the buzz that Sanders has, mostly because the latter is Deion Sanders' son.</p><p>Because of the attention the elder Sanders brought to Colorado over the past two seasons, the younger Sanders has benefited - and sometimes been disadvantaged - from having eyeballs all over him.</p><p>Many scouts and NFL personnel differ on Sanders' NFL potential and whether he could eventually become the face of a franchise. However, only one organization must take the gamble. So, who will it be?</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Team to draft Shedeur Sanders odds</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Team (Current R1 pick)</th>
<th>Odds</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Browns (2)</td>
<td>+250</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Steelers (21)</td>
<td>+280</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Saints (9)</td>
<td>+350</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Giants (3)</td>
<td>+400</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Raiders (6)</td>
<td>+1300</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rams (26)</td>
<td>+1500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jets (7)</td>
<td>+1600</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Colts (14)</td>
<td>+4000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Seahawks (18)</td>
<td>+4000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Cowboys (12)</td>
<td>+5000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dolphins (13)</td>
<td>+5000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>49ers (11)</td>
<td>+8000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Titans (1)</td>
<td>+10000</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Twenty-four hours ago, the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/30" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/30">Saints</a> were the favorites to land Sanders, followed by the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/11" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/11">Steelers</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/10" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/10">Browns</a>, and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/18" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/18">Giants</a>. New Orleans was the favorite for weeks, but something garnered a major shift in the odds with two days remaining until the draft.</p><p>The Browns are now the favorites to draft Sanders, with the Steelers and Saints falling close behind. ESPN's Peter Schrager <a href="https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1914692162077282555">reported</a> the Browns and Giants are fielding calls for the second and third picks, respectively - presumably to move back and draft a quarterback.</p><p>While the shift in odds could be smoke, Cleveland, New York, New Orleans and Pittsburgh are all candidates to draft Sanders as organizations with uncertain quarterback situations. Although there are always wild surprises on draft night, it's hard to imagine a team outside of those four taking a chance on him.</p><p>Sanders is the favorite to be the second quarterback drafted at -290. It's almost a certainty (-20000) that Ward will go first overall to the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/teams/14" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/teams/14">Titans</a>.</p><p>Sanders' draft position prop is 8.5, with -600 odds to the over, meaning oddsmakers assign him an 86% implied probability of being drafted ninth or later. He's +380 to land in the top five, giving him a 21% implied probability of hearing his name called there.</p><p>It's unlikely anyone would draft Sanders in the first eight picks. If the Browns or Giants want him, they're expected to trade back, as few others are interested. Both teams have done their homework on Sanders, meeting with the Colorado quarterback multiple times.</p><p>The Browns, Giants, and Steelers made offseason additions at the position, but none has a long-term solution. The Browns added <a href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/2945">Joe Flacco</a> and the Giants acquired <a href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/12258">Russell Wilson</a>.</p><p>The Steelers brought back <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/83531" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/83531">Mason Rudolph</a> but have yet to find a starting-caliber signal-caller. Oddsmakers believe there's a good chance they trade up to acquire Sanders or he falls to No. 21.</p><p>ESPN's latest <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2025/insider/story/_/id/44720529/2025-nfl-mock-draft-seven-rounds-257-picks-predictions-jordan-reid-fits">mock draft</a> has Sanders falling to the Saints at No. 9. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nfl/players/22061" href="https://thescore.com/nfl/players/22061">Derek Carr</a>'s shoulder injury may leave him sidelined next season, and reported tension between Carr and the Saints could lead the team to make a move under center. Plus, Carr is entering his 12th year and has declined the last three seasons.</p><p>Predicting Sanders' next location is challenging because there's no consensus regarding his ceiling or where he might land. He's undeniably talented and made some incredible plays for Colorado with a weak offensive line. Concerns about his attitude also persist, and teams could raise a red flag due to his father coaching him at every stop in his football journey, which won't be the case in the NFL.</p><p>At this point, it's anyone's best guess where Sanders might land. No one should be surprised if he's drafted anywhere from No. 2 overall to somewhere in the second round.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

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Odds shift on Sanders' landing spot: Who will draft the Colorado QB?

By now, sports fans and bettors know the lore. Philadelphia Phillies slugger Nick Castellanos is ...

<p>By now, sports fans and bettors know the lore. Philadelphia Phillies slugger <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2880" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2880">Nick Castellanos</a> is famous for hitting home runs during inopportune times and on days when significant events occur.</p><p>It started when Castellanos homered as broadcaster Thom Brennaman apologized for using a homophobic slur, creating an unforgettable sports meme still used today. In the years since, Castellanos has continued to hit home runs during awkward moments, including one that came while the Kansas City Royals' broadcast eulogized a World War II veteran.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here is the Royals broadcast of the Nick Castellanos home run.<br><br>They were eulogizing someone live on the air when it Nick went deep to left-center field.<br><br>You can not make this stuff up.<br><br>Credit to <a href="https://twitter.com/hjodoyle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hjodoyle</a> for the tip. <a href="https://t.co/iA2grIKY61">pic.twitter.com/iA2grIKY61</a></p>— Nick Kirby (@Nicholaspkirby) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nicholaspkirby/status/1412235071642292225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2021</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>What started as untimely home runs during broadcasts then became homers that coincided with significant world events. Castellanos went yard on the day I-95 collapsed in Philadelphia, as well as the day President Donald Trump experienced an assassination attempt. He also hit his first professional home run on May 1, 2011, the same day Osama Bin Laden was killed.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>When sports fans woke up Monday to the news that Pope Francis died, bettors raced to do one thing - bet on Castellanos to hit a home run. The Phillies' right fielder to hit a home run is the most-bet player prop of the day across all sports by total bets and money wagered on theScore Bet/ESPN Bet. It's unprecedented for a baseball prop to see that much action during a game in April, especially when the NBA and NHL playoffs are also taking place. The influx of action forced oddsmakers to drop Castellanos' home-run price from +800 to +475.</p><p>"The narrative around Castellanos is well-known, and this isn't the first time we've seen bettors flock to his home run prop," Adrian Horton, head of North American trading at theScore Bet/ESPN Bet, said.</p><p>Some fans believe everyone has lost the plot. Castellanos certainly doesn't blast one into the stands following every woeful event. But there's no doubt he still attracts attention from bettors and sends social media into a frenzy.</p><p>The Phillies are slight road underdogs (+105) Monday night against the Mets (-125), their divisional rival. Castellanos, who has three home runs in 79 at-bats this season, has the same odds as <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/1688" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/1688">Bryce Harper</a>, while Mets sluggers <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2909" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2909">Francisco Lindor</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8674" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8674">Pete Alonso</a> have the shortest odds to go yard at +450.</p><p>If the 13-year vet blasts one deep Monday night, Castellanos will quickly trend on social media as bettors rejoice.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

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Bettors flock to Castellanos' home-run market following Pope's death

Building a 20-point lead is more common than ever in the NBA. Improved talent across the league, ...

<p>Building a 20-point lead is more common than ever in the NBA. Improved talent across the league, combined with increased 3-point volume and pace, has led to scoring explosions. While it's easier to produce a 20-point lead, it's also easier to storm back from a 20-point deficit.</p><p>With clubs shooting a historically high number of threes, there's a lot of scoring volatility throughout an NBA contest. Basketball has always been a game of runs, but those runs are building quicker than ever as squads value 3-point looks. A prime example came Saturday when the <a href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/3">Knicks</a> erupted for a 21-0 run in the fourth quarter of their Game 1 win over the <a href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/8">Pistons</a>.</p><p>A team built a 20-point lead at some point in five of this year's eight Game 1s. The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/1" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/1">Celtics</a> barely missed out, leading the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/14" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/14">Magic</a> by 19 in the fourth quarter. Some sportsbooks, including theScore Bet and ESPN Bet, offer a postseason promotion: You're guaranteed a win if the team you backed on the moneyline - whether straight bets or parlays - builds a 20-point lead in the contest, even if the squad ultimately collapses and loses.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Most clubs with 20-point leads go on to win, but this early victory promotion could be valuable throughout the playoffs. It also gives bettors peace of mind, letting them avoid the stress of a potential comeback.</p><p>A 20-point lead isn't as safe a margin as it used to be. While no team came back from the monumental hole during the opening weekend of the postseason, the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/22" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/22">Rockets</a> came close. The <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/16" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/16">Warriors</a> led by 23 before Houston mounted a charge, cutting the deficit to six in the fourth quarter. Golden State's playoff experience eventually led to a 10-point win.</p><p>In the past decade, there have been 13 playoff comebacks from 20-point deficits, with five occurring in the last four years. And two of those came last year: The <a href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/27">Timberwolves</a>' Game 7 win over the <a href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/26">Nuggets</a> in the Western Conference semifinals after trailing by 20, and Denver's comeback from a 20-point hole against the <a href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/18">Lakers</a> in Game 2 of the opening round.</p><p>The largest comeback in playoff history took place in 2019 when the <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///nba/teams/17" href="https://thescore.com/nba/teams/17">Clippers</a> erased a 31-point deficit to beat the Warriors in Game 2 of the opening round.</p><p>A 20-point advantage can become a tie game in the blink of an eye. There's a good chance a team completes a 20-point comeback at some point this postseason, but bettors at theScore Bet/ESPN Bet who wager on the moneyline of the losing squad will still earn the win.</p><p><em>Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. </em><em>You can follow him on X <a href="https://twitter.com/soshtry">@soshtry</a> for more betting coverage.</em></p>

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NBA playoff betting: How a blown 20-point lead can still be a win for bettors

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