Happy Wednesday sports fans! This is Chris Bengel back in the saddle with you.
Here we go again with the Maple Leafs. The Lightning completely outmaneuvered the Maple Leafs, 7-3, in Tuesday’s series opener. Toronto’s narrative of not making it past the opening round is definitely alive and well after a terrible Game 1 performance. The Maple Leafs fell behind 3-0 in the first period, and never recovered.
We’ve got plenty of NBA and NHL playoff action on Wednesday, so let’s dig into the picks.
All seasons in the East, and all odds by Caesars Sportsbook
🔥 The Hot Ticket
Timberwolves at Nuggets, 10 pm | TV: NBA TV
Latest Odds:
Denver Nuggets -8.5
- The Pick: Nuggets -8.5 (-110)
- Key Trends: The Nuggets are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games.
The Nuggets dominated the Timberwolves in Game 1, and since they still hold home court advantage, I don’t expect that narrative to change for Game 2.
As a team, the Nuggets shot 45.6 percent from the field and drilled 41.9 percent (16-of-39) of their attempts from beyond the arc in Game 1. The Timberwolves shot just 37.0 percent on the night , while Anthony Edwards (18 points) and Karl-Anthony Towns (11 points) were the only two starters who finished the game in double figures. Denver’s defense forced 11 turnovers and out-rebounded Minnesota 54-38, including 11 on the offensive glass. That’s a big deal, considering the Timberwolves have Ruby Gobert and Towns.
Will the Timberwolves make changes? Yes, of course. However, I don’t think it will stop the Nuggets, who are a balanced offensive unit. Heck, MVP candidate Nikola Jokic only scored 13 points and took just 12 shots when it was all said and done in Game 1. Jokic can only be a facilitator with guys like Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. who shouldered the scoring load. I don’t expect another 29 point loss, but I think the Nuggets will win this one by double-digits at least.
💰 More Choices
A CURRENT Sports
Wild sa Stars, 9:30 pm | TV: ESPN2
Latest Odds:
Dallas Stars -160
The Choice: Stars (-160) — Despite a deflating Game 1 loss, I’m still very much on the Stars bandwagon. I expect a bounce-back effort from Dallas in Game 2.
The Stars had every chance to end Game 1 in two periods of overtime, but they couldn’t solve goalie Filip Gustavsson. I think it’s just a case of bounces not going to the stars. However, this Dallas team is too talented to drop consecutive games on their home ice.
This is a very potent offense that averaged 3.41 goals per game (seventh in the NHL) throughout the regular season. While the Wild are clearly a very dangerous team at times, they are not on the same level as the Stars. Yes, Joe Pavelski is likely to miss the game after being knocked out in Game 1 due to a hit by Matt Dumba. But even without Pavelski, the Stars have the offensive weapons on their top three lines to win this one.
Key Trends: The Stars are 6-1 in their last seven games
Lakers at Grizzlies, 7:30 pm | TV: TNT
The Pick: Austin Reaves Over 15.5 Points (-131) — The Lakers shocked the world in Game 1 when they beat the Grizzlies on the road. LeBron James and Anthony Davis were both strong in the win, but one of the Los Angeles players really rose to the occasion: Austin Reeves.
Reeves scored 23 points on a very efficient 8-of-13 shooting performance, including a trio of threes. In addition, Reeves scored 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to really help push the Lakers to the finish line. The rookie guard was stuck from the perimeter against a Grizzlies team that defended the three well during the regular season where opponents registered just a 35.5 percent clip (ninth in the NBA). I expect him to continue to be a part of the Lakers offense.
Key Trends: Reaves has scored at least 16 points in five of his last six games
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