Expert Sports Picks and Analysis from Al McMordie

Big Al's Daily Angle: NHL, MLB and NBA Previews and Odds - 06/07/2021

Monday, Jun 07, 2021

The Monday sports card features games in the NBA, NHL, and MLBTwo games are on the NBA playoff docket. Brooklyn hosts Milwaukee in the first game of a TNT doubleheader at 7:35 PM ET. The Nets won the opener of this series on Saturday with their 115-107 victory as a 3.5-point favorite. They have won 10 of their last 11 games. The Bucks had their four-game winning streak end with the loss after they swept Miami in the opening round of the playoffs. Brooklyn is a 1.5-point favorite, with the total set at 233.5 (all odds from BetOnline).Phoenix plays at home against Denver in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinals series. The Suns have won three in a row after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers by a 113-110 score as a 2-point underdog on Thursday to conclude that series in six games. The Nuggets have won four of their last five games after upsetting Portland on the road, 126-115, as a 5.5-point underdog on Thursday in the sixth game of their series. Phoenix is a 4.5-point favorite with an over/under of 219.5. Two games are on the NHL playoff slate. Boston is at home against the New York Islanders on the NBC Sports Network at 6:38 PM ET. The Islanders evened the East Division finals at 2-2 with their 4-1 victory at home on Saturday. The Bruins are a -186 money line favorite with a total of 5.Montreal plays at home against Winnipeg in the fourth game of their North Division finals series at 8:05 PM ET. The Canadiens took a 3-0 lead in this series with their 5-1 victory in Game 3 yesterday. Montreal is a -150 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5.Three games are on the MLB slate. Boston hosts Miami at 5:10 PM ET. The Red Sox won their fourth straight game with their 6-5 win in 10 innings at New York against the Yankees on Sunday night on ESPN. The Marlins ended their eight-game losing streak with their 3-1 victory at Pittsburgh yesterday. They send out Pablo Lopez to face Nick Pivetta. Boston is a -146 money line favorite with a total of 9.The Los Angeles Angels play at home against Kansas City at 9:38 PM ET. The Royals had won five games in a row, but they are now on a two-game losing streak after falling to Minnesota, 2-1, on Sunday. The Angels had their two-game winning streak end with a 9-5 loss to Seattle on Sunday. They send out Dylan Bundy to face Jackson Kowar. Los Angeles is a -132 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5.San Diego plays at home against the Chicago Cubs on ESPN at 10:10 PM ET. The Padres lost their sixth game in their last eight with their 6-2 loss to the New York Mets yesterday. The Cubs ended a three-game losing streak with their 4-3 victory at San Francisco yesterday. They are likely to send out Adbert Alzolay against Ryan Weathers. San Diego is a -123 money line favorite with a total of 7.5.

NHL Hockey: Colorado Avalanche vs. Vegas Golden Knights Game 4 Preview, Odds and Prediction - 06/06/2021

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Jun 06, 2021

NHL Sunday NBC Sports Network Preview: Colorado Avalanche at the Vegas Golden Knights.Vegas looks to even the West Division finals at 2-2 after winning their first game of this series with a 3-2 victory on Friday. The puck drops on the NBC Sports Network at 8:38 PM ET.The Golden Knights began the scoring in Game 3 with William Karlsson registering a goal at the 4:38 minute mark of the second period. Carl Soderberg tied the game for Colorado a minute and a half later. Mikko Rantanen gave the Avalanche the lead on a power-play goal at 5:04 of the third period. Jonathan Marchessault evened the score again with 5:18 left in the game. Max Pacioretty scored the game-winning 45 seconds later for the Knights. Pacioretty has generated four points in the four games he has placed since Game 7 of the opening-round series with Minnesota after missing the first six games of that series. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 18 of the 20 shots he faced in the winning effort. He has a 1.88 goals-against-average and a .922 save percentage in the postseason. Mark Stone leads the team with four goals and six points in the playoffs. William Karlsson has added three goals and three assists. Mattias Janmark has another three goals and three assists in the postseason. The Avalanche had their 11-game winning streak end with the loss on Friday. Colorado swept St. Louis in four games in the opening round of the playoffs. They won the opening game of this series, 7-1, before outlasting Vegas in Game 2 with a 3-2 win in overtime. Colorado is averaging 4.57 goals per game in the playoffs. They have scored a power-play goal in six of their seven postseason games, with multiple power-play goals in four of those contests. They have a 44% success rate on the power play in the playoffs with 11 goals in their 25 opportunities with the man advantage. The top forward line of Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog, and Rantanen have outscored their opponents by a 13 to 1 margin when they have been on the ice in the postseason. MacKinnon leads the team with eight goals and 13 points. Landeskog has four goals and eight assists. Rantanen has added four goals and seven assists. Philipp Grubauer stopped 40 shots for the Avalanche in the loss. He has a 6-1 record in the playoffs with a 1.86 goals-against-average and a .941 save percentage. Colorado will continue to be without second-line center Nazem Kadri, who continues to serve out the eight-game suspension he got issued for an ill-advised hit in the opening round against the Blues.The Golden Knights get back Ryan Reaves tonight after serving his two-game suspension for his antics at the end of Game 1. Janmark is questionable from the head injury he sustained in that opening game. Top-four defenseman Brayden McNabb remains questionable in quarantine after a positive COVID test. Fourth-line center Tomas Nosek is questionable with the injury that has kept him out for the last eight games.BookMaker lists Colorado as a -113 money line road favorite with the total set at 5.5.Computer prediction: Vegas Golden Knights 4 Colorado Avalanche 3

Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, MLB and WNBA Previews and Odds - 06/06/2021

by Big Al Staff

Sunday, Jun 06, 2021

The Sunday sports card features games in the NBA, NHL, MLB, and the WNBA.Two games are on the NBA playoff docket. The opening game of the second-round series between Atlanta and Philadelphia tips off on ABC at 1:05 PM ET. The 76ers host Game 1 after closing out their series with Washington in five games after a 129-112 victory as a 6-point favorite on Wednesday. The Hawks defeated the Knicks in five games with their 103-89 upset win at New York as a 1-point underdog. Philadelphia is a 2.5-point favorite, with the total set at 220.5 (all odds from BetOnline). The Los Angeles Clippers play at home against Dallas in Game 7 of their opening-round Western Conference series on ABC at 3:35 PM ET. The Clippers forced a seventh game with their 104-97 victory in Dallas as a 3-point road favorite on Friday. The Mavericks have lost three of the last four games in this series after initially taking a 2-0 series lead by winning the first two games in the Staples Center. Los Angeles is a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 210.Two games are on the NHL playoff slate. Montreal plays at home against Winnipeg on the NBC Sports Network at 6:08 PM ET in the third game of their North Division playoff series. The Canadiens took a 2-0 lead in the series with their 1-0 victory on the road on Thursday. The Jets had been on a six-game winning streak before losing the last two games. Montreal is a -131 money line favorite with a total of 5. Vegas is at home against Colorado on the NBC Sports Network at 8:38 PM ET in the fourth game of their West Division playoff series. The Golden Knights won their first game of the series with a 3-2 victory on Friday. The Avalanche had been on an 11-game winning streak. Vegas is a -109 money line favored with an over/under of 5.5.Fifteen games are on the MLB schedule. Miami visits Pittsburgh at 1:05 PM ET as a -105 money line road favorite with a total of 8. Washington plays at Philadelphia. Cleveland travels to Baltimore. Toronto plays at home against Houston at 1:07 PM ET as a -108 money line favorite with an over/under of 10. The Los Angeles Dodgers travel to Atlanta at 1:20 PM ET as a -130 money line road favorite with the total at 8. Milwaukee hosts Arizona at 2:10 PM ET as a -240 money line favorite with an over/under of 7.5. The Chicago White Sox play at home against Detroit as a -210 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. Minnesota plays at Kansas City. St. Louis is at home against Cincinnati at 2:15 PM ET as a -121 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. Tampa Bay visits Texas at 2:35 PM ET. Oakland travels to Colorado at 3:10 PM ET as a -108 money line road favorite with a total of 11.5. The Chicago Cubs play at San Francisco at 4:05 PM ET as a -110 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The Los Angeles Angels are at home against Seattle at 4:07 PM ET as a -148 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. San Diego hosts the New York Mets at 4:10 PM ET as a -135 money line favorite with an over/under of 8. The New York Yankees play at home against Boston for ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball at 7:08 PM ET. The Bronx Bombers are a -143 money line favorite, with the total at 9.5. Two games are on the WNBA schedule. Atlanta visits Minnesota at 7 PM ET. Dallas plays at Seattle at 7 PM ET.

Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, MLB and WNBA Previews and Odds - 06/05/2021

by Big Al Staff

Saturday, Jun 05, 2021

The Saturday sports card features games in the NBA, NHL, MLB, and the WNBA.The NBA has the first game of the second round of the playoffs begin tonight, with Brooklyn hosting Milwaukee on TNT at 7:35 PM ET. The Nets defeated Boston in five games in the opening round of the playoffs with a 123-109 victory as a 12.5-point favorite on Tuesday. They have won nine of their last ten game. The Bucks won their seventh of eight games after sweeping Miami in four games after their 120-103 win on the road as a 4-point favorite last Saturday. Brooklyn is a 4-point favorite, with the total set at 239.5 (all odds from BetOnline). Two games are on tap in the NHL playoffs. Tampa Bay plays at home against Carolina in the fourth game of their Central Division finals series on the USA Network at 4:08 PM ET. The Hurricanes won their first game in this series with a 3-2 win in overtime on Thursday. The Lightning had won three games in a row going back to their Game 6 clincher in the opening round against Florida. Tampa Bay is a -153 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. Boston plays at New York against the Islanders in the fourth game of the East Division finals on NBC at 7:15 PM ET. The Bruins took a 2-1 lead in the series with their 2-1 victory in overtime on Thursday. Boston is a -146 money line road favorite with a total of 5. Fifteen games are on the MLB slate. The Chicago White Sox are at home against Detroit at 2:10 PM ET as a -227 money line favorite with an over/under of 8. Cincinnati visits St. Louis at 2:15 PM ET. Toronto hosts Houston at 3:07 PM ET, with both teams priced at -105 with the total at 9.5. Tampa Bay travels to Texas at 4:05 PM ET as a -149 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Miami visits Pittsburgh as a -145 money line road favorite with a total of 7.5. Baltimore is at against Baltimore as a -118 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Philadelphia plays at home against Washington as a -130 money line favorite with a total of 9. Minnesota plays at Kansas City as a -120 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. Milwaukee hosts Arizona as a -218 money line favorite with a total of 7.5. Fox has a national broadcast at 7:15 featuring three games based on region. The Los Angeles Dodgers visit Atlanta as a -135 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. The New York Yankees host Boston as a -118 money line favorite with a total of 9. San Francisco is at home against the Chicago Cubs as a -168 money line favorite with an over/under of 7.5. Oakland travels to Colorado at 9:10 PM ET as a -131 money line road favorite with a total of 11.5. The Los Angeles Angels play at home against Seattle at 10:07 PM ET as a -130 money line favorite with an over/under of 8. The New York Mets visit San Diego at 10:10 PM ET as a -117 money line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Three games are on the WNBA schedule. Las Vegas plays at Washington on ABC at 1 PM ET. Chicago travels to Los Angeles for the second game of the ABC doubleheader at 3 PM ET. New York visits Connecticut at 7 PM ET.

2021 NBA Playoffs: Milwaukee Bucks/Brooklyn Nets Series Preview, Odds and Prediction

by Sean Murphy

Friday, Jun 04, 2021

In one of the most anticipated series' of the second round, the Bucks and Nets will renew acquaintances beginning on Saturday night in Brooklyn.Here's a quick look at the tale of the tape entering this marquee NBA playoff showdown.Season seriesThe Bucks dropped the first meeting between these two teams during the regular season by a narrow 125-123 margin in Brooklyn in mid-January but answered back with consecutive victories in a two-game set played in Milwaukee in early May. Note that the Bucks were favored in all three regular season matchups, although never by more than 3.5 points. They're currently a four-point underdog in advance of Saturday's Game 1 tilt in Brooklyn. The 'under' cashed in two of three meetings during the regular season with all three totals closing at 240 points or higher. Saturday's total currently sits at, you guessed it, 240 points. For the series, BetAnySports lists Brooklyn as a -190 favorite, with Milwaukee's odds at +175.First round recapNeither team faced much resistance in the opening round with the Bucks sweeping aside what appeared to be a disinterested Heat squad and the Nets crushing an under-performing, injury-plagued Celtics team in five games. Give the Bucks a slight advantage in terms of rest as they wrapped their series with Miami last Saturday while the Nets didn't finish off the Celtics until Tuesday night. Stopping the Big ThreeMilwaukee will be hard-pressed to stop or even slow down the Nets vaunted 'Big Three' with KD, Kyrie and the Beard having gone off against the Celtics in what at times looked like playground basketball in the opening round. The Bucks may be better served to focus on the other end of the floor, where they're certainly capable of exposing a bottom-tier Nets defense that ranked 22nd in the league in defensive efficiency during the regular season and quietly allowed 117 points per game in the final four games against Boston last round. The Bucks check in averaging 120 points per game on better than 48% shooting this season. Playing small ballThe Nets went with a smaller lineup for much of their opening round series, something that might not work so well against a Bucks squad that crashes the boards relentlessly led by the Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Nets are essentially void of any true rim defenders and could have a tough time preventing the Bucks from generating a boatload of second-chance scoring opportunities in this series. Brooklyn is at its best when it can get out in transition. Floor space just isn't going to be nearly as plentiful against Milwaukee as it was against Boston. Final verdictThe Nets are the favorites to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy for a reason. While the Bucks got over a major hump by ousting at Heat squad that owned them in the bubble last summer, they face a much different challenge in round two. This is usually where we see Milwaukee start to wilt and while I don't believe we're in for a short series, I'm with the majority in thinking that the 'Big Three' will simply be too much over the course of a potential six or seven-game battle. Pick: Brooklyn in six.

2021 NBA Playoffs: Eastern Conference 2nd Round Preview

by Will Rogers

Friday, Jun 04, 2021

Milwaukee vs. BrooklynSeries odds – Brooklyn -200, Milwaukee +160Odds to win Eastern Conference: Brooklyn -139, Milwaukee +255Odds to win NBA title: Brooklyn +170, Milwaukee +550Road kill in the improved East included last year’s finalists, Boston and Miami, who won a grand total of one game in making graceful exits and turning the spotlight over to the final four. Brooklyn, which completed a Gentleman’s Sweep of the Celtics, looked almost bored at times behind its Big Three of James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. The Nets will have to pay a little more attention to detail against the Bucks, but Brooklyn is still a heavy favorite to get to the conference semis. Oddsmakers, handicappers and bettors also like them to reach the Finals. Injuries and Irving’s quirks cost Brooklyn the top seed in the East, but the Nets now appear locked, loaded and – most importantly – healthy in anticipation of a long playoff run. There had been concern that the arrival of Harden early in the season would mess with the team’s chemistry and offensive flow, but the Nets’ ISO styler is as simplistic as it is difficult to stop. Harden either shoots or drives, and if he’s double-teamed, some other tremendous shooter (and don’t forget Joe Harris) will get an open look. Easy peasy. On the defensive end . . . well no one cares all that much about defense when the offense is so good. The Nets averaged more than 119 a game against Boston. Nuff said. Milwaukee should put up more of a fight, though, coming off a vacation of a sweep of the Heat. The Bucks squeaked by in Game 1, but the final three games weren’t close. It all begins and ends with Giannis Antetokounmpo, of course, but it will be curious to see how the Nets deal with Brook Lopez. Brooklyn got away with using Blake Griffin at the 5 against Boston, but that probably won’t get it done against Lopez (who had 25 vs. Miami in the clincher).Atlanta vs. PhiladelphiaSeries odds – Philadelphia -190, Atlanta +155Odds to win Eastern Conference: Philadelphia +450, Atlanta +1500Odds to win NBA title: Philadelphia +1000, Atlanta +3300After years in the Eastern Conference wilderness, the Hawks are finally starting to put it together. They brought in Clint Capela last year, they brought in Lou Williams mid-season this year and they decided to hang on to John Collins not knowing if they will be able to sign Collins this summer. And oh yeah, that Trae Young kid can also play a little. Young basically stole the Knicks’ lunch money four times in Round 1, forcing New York to turn to aging Derrick Rose at the point. No dice. Young & Co. put an end to the Knicks’ feel-good season, and now they turn their attention to Philadelphia. The 76ers are under tremendous pressure to get it done after several playoff flameouts, and they appear to be out of excuses. They have MVP candidate Joel Embiid, who at times (make that most of the time) was impossible to stop in the Round 1 vs. Washington, and they have maybe the best defensive small in the league in Ben Simmons. The trick in this series is 76ers coach Doc Rivers figuring how to deal with things when the Hawks back off Simmons and dare him to shoot. Because Simmons doesn’t shoot from beyond 12 feet. Ever. Philly is a decent favorite in this series, but weird things seem to happen to the Sixers after the regular season ends. And Atlanta is at the top of its game right now. Might be an opening there for Hawk backers to cash.

Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, MLB and WNBA Previews and Odds - 06/04/2021

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Jun 04, 2021

The Friday sports card features games in the NBA, NHL, MLB, and the WNBA.The NBA has one remaining game in the opening round of the playoffs tonight. The Los Angeles Clippers visit Dallas on ESPN at 9:05 PM ET in Game 6 of their Western Conference quarterfinals series. The Mavericks took a 3-2 series lead with their 105-100 upset victory as a 7.5-point underdog on Wednesday. The Clippers have lost five of their last seven games. The road team each of the first five games in this series. Los Angeles is a 2.5-point road favorite, with the total set at 216.5 (all odds from BetOnline). The NHL playoffs have two games on the docket. Winnipeg hosts Montreal on the USA Network at 7:38 PM ET in Game 2 of the North Division finals. The Canadiens have won four in a row after taking the opening game of this series with a 5-3 victory on Wednesday. The Jets had their six-game winning streak end with the loss. Winnipeg is a -117 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5.Colorado visits Vegas on the NBC Sports Network at 10:08 PM ET in Game 3 of the West Division finals. The Avalanche won their eleventh straight game with their 3-2 overtime victory in Game 2 on Wednesday. Mikko Rantanen scored the game-winner for the Aves at the 2:07 minute mark in overtime. Vegas has lost four of their last five games. Colorado is a -114 money line road favorite with a total of 5.5.Fifteen games are on the MLB slate. Miami travels to Pittsburgh at 7:05 PM ET as a -114 money line road favorite with an over/under of 7.5. Philadelphia plays at home against Washington as a -108 money line favorite with a total of 6.5. Cleveland visits Baltimore as a -116 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Boston plays at New York against the Yankees. Toronto is at home against Houston at 7:07 PM ET as a -121 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. The Los Angeles Dodgers are at Atlanta at 7:20 PM ET as a -120 money line road favorite with an over/under of 9. Tampa Bay visits Texas at 8:05 PM ET. The Chicago White Sox host Detroit at 8:10 PM ET as a -160 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. Minnesota travels to Kansas City. Arizona plays at Milwaukee. St. Louis is at home against Cincinnati at 8:15 PM ET as a -131 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Oakland is at Colorado at 8:40 PM ET as a -126 money line road favorite with a total of 10.5. Seattle travels to Los Angeles to play the Angels at 9:38 PM ET. The Chicago Cubs play at San Francisco at 9:45 PM ET. The New York Mets visit San Diego at 10:10 PM ET. Two games are on the WNBA schedule. Atlanta visits Minnesota at 8 PM ET. Dallas plays at Seattle at 10 PM ET.

NHL Hockey: Montreal Canadiens vs. Winnipeg Jets Game 2 Preview, Odds and Prediction - 06/04/2021

by Big Al Staff

Friday, Jun 04, 2021

NHL Friday NBC Sports Network Preview: Montreal Canadiens at the Winnipeg Jets. Montreal looks to take a 2-0 lead in the North Division finals at Winnipeg on the USA Network at 7:38 PM ET. The Canadiens won the opening game of this series with a 5-3 victory on Wednesday. Jesperi Kotkaniemi opened the scoring 3:30 minutes into the first period. Eric Staal increased the lead just under two minutes later. The Jets’ Adam Lowry cut the lead in half on a shorthanded goal at the 11:52 mark of the first period. Nick Suzuki gave Montreal a 3-1 lead with a goal at 17:14 of the period. Things slowed down with neither side scoring in the second period. Derek Forbort pulled Winnipeg to within one goal at 9:22 of the third period. Brendan Gallagher extended the lead back to two goals for the Canadiens on a power-play goal less than two minutes later. Kyle Connor brought the Jets back to a 4-3 deficit after scoring with under two minutes to go. Jake Evans iced the game for Montreal with an empty netter with 57 seconds remaining. The end of the contest got marred by Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele’s brutal hit on Evans after converting the empty-netter. Scheifele got suspended for four games. Evans is out with a concussion as the bad blood between both teams rises.Carey Price stopped 27 of 30 shots in leading the Canadiens to the victory. He has a 2.33 goals-against-average and a .928 save percentage in eight postseason starts. Montreal has won four straight games after rallying from a 3-1 deficit to upset the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round of the playoffs. The Canadiens opened the season strong, but injuries and a COVID stoppage contributed to them limping into the postseason after a condensed makeup schedule. Head coach Claude Julien was fired in late February and got replaced by assistant Dominique Ducharme on an interim basis.Kotkaniemi leads the team with four goals in the playoffs. Staal has five assists and six points. Tyler Toffoli joins him for the co-lead on the team with six points coming from two goals and four assists. The loss on Wednesday was the Jets’ first loss in seven games after they swept Edmonton in four games in the opening round. Rust may have played a role in Game 1 as Winnipeg had not taken the ice since May 24th after outlasting the Oilers in triple overtime to end that series. Connor Hellebuyck had 28 saves on the 32 shots he faced in the losing effort. He has a 2.01 goals-against-average and a .937 save percentage in five postseason games. Connor leads the team with three goals in the playoffs. Blake Wheeler has two goals and three assists. Josh Morrissey has one goal and four assists. Neal Pionk also has four assists. The Jets will miss Scheifele’s contributions centering their top line. He scored 21 goals and assisted on 42 others in the regular season. He has two goals and three assists in the playoffs. Second-line forward Paul Stastny and top-pair defenseman Dylan Demelo are questionable for tonight. Montreal will be without Evans, who centers their fourth line. Topline left wing Tomas Tatar and fourth line right wing Arthur Lehkonen are questionable. Winnipeg expects 5000 vaccinated health care workers in attendance at their Bell MTS Place once again for Game 2.BookMaker lists the Jets as a -110 money line favorite with the total set at 5.5.Computer prediction: Winnipeg Jets 3 Montreal Canadiens 1

Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, MLB, WNBA and NHL Previews and Odds - 06/03/2021

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Jun 03, 2021

The Thursday sports card features games in the NBA, NHL, MLB, and the WNBA.The NBA playoffs have two games on the slate. Portland hosts Denver on TNT at 8:05 PM ET. The Nuggets took a 3-2 lead in this series with their 147-140 victory at home in double overtime as a 2-point favorite on Thursday. The Trail Blazers have lost three of the last four games. Portland is a 5-point favorite, with the total set at 227.5 (all odds from BetOnline).The Los Angeles Lakers play at home against Phoenix in the nightcap on TNT at 10:35 PM ET. The Suns have won six of their last eight games after their 115-85 victory at home as a 4.5-point favorite on Tuesday. The Lakers are on the brink of elimination, trailing 3-2 in this series. Los Angeles is a 2-point favorite with an over/under of 207. Two games are on the NHL schedule. Boston visits the New York Islanders on the NBC Sports Network at 7:38 PM ET. The Islanders evened this series at 1-1 with their 4-3 win in overtime on Monday. The Bruins had their five-game winning streak snapped with the loss. Boston is a -134 money line road favorite with a total of 5. Tampa Bay returns home to play Carolina on the USA Network at 8:08 PM ET. The Lighting took a 2-0 lead in this series with their 2-1 victory at Carolina on Tuesday. The Hurricanes have lost four of their last six games. Tampa Bay is a -152 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5.Twelve games are on the MLB docket. Atlanta hosts Washington at 12:20 PM ET as a -138 money line favorite with a total of 9. Tampa Bay visits New York to play the Yankees at 1:05 PM ET. Houston plays at home against Boston at 2:10 PM ET as a -136 money-line favorite with an over/under of 9. Colorado is at home against Texas at 3:10 PM ET as a -110 money line favorite with a total of 9.Miami travels to Pittsburgh at 7:05 PM ET. Arizona plays at Milwaukee at 7:40 PM ET. The Chicago White Sox host Detroit at 8:10 PM ET as a -200 money line favorite with an over/under of 8. Minnesota plays at Kansas City. St. Louis is at home against Cincinnati at 8:15 PM ET as a -115 money line favorite with an over/under of 8. The Los Angeles Angels are at home against Seattle at 9:38 PM ET as a -150 money line favorite with a total of 8.5. San Francisco plays at home against the Chicago Cubs at 9:45 PM ET as a -125 money line favorite with an over/under of 8. San Diego hosts the New York Mets at 10:10 PM ET as a -177 money line favorite with a total of 7.Three games are on the WNBA schedule. Las Vegas visits New York at 7 PM ET as a 7-point road favorite with an over/under of 169.5. Phoenix plays at home against Chicago on the CBS Sports Network at 10 PM ET as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 164. Los Angeles hosts Indiana as a 7-point favorite with an over/under of 163.

Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, MLB, NHL and WNBA Previews and Odds - 06/02/2021

by Big Al Staff

Wednesday, Jun 02, 2021

The Wednesday sports card features games in the NBA, NHL, MLB, and the WNBA.The NBA playoffs have four games on the docket. Philadelphia hosts Washington on NBA-TV at 7:05 PM ET. The Wizards staved off elimination with their 122-114 upset win at home against the Sixers as an 8.5-point underdog on Monday. The 76ers have been on a five-game winning streak before the loss in Game 4 of this series. Philadelphia is a 6.5-point favorite, with the total set at 229.5 (all odds from BetOnline).New York plays Atlanta on TNT at 7:35 PM ET. The Knicks trail 3-1 in this series after dropping two in a row with their 113-96 loss at Atlanta as a 5-point underdog. The Hawks have won seven of their last eight games. New York is a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 208. Utah is at home against Memphis on NBA-TV at 9:35 PM ET. The Jazz have won three straight to take a 3-1 lead in this series after their 120-113 victory as a 5.5-point favorite on Monday. Utah is a 9.5-point favorite with a total of 224.5. The Los Angeles Clippers play at home against Dallas on TNT at 10:05 PM ET. The Clippers evened this series at 2-2 with their 106-81 victory as a 3-point favorite on Sunday. Los Angeles is a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 217.Two games are on the NHL playoff schedule. Winnipeg hosts Montreal on the NBC Sports Network at 7:38 PM ET in the opening game of the North Division finals series. The Jets swept the Edmonton Oilers after their 4-3 victory on May 24th. The Canadiens defeated Toronto in Game 7 of their opening-round series with Toronto with their 3-1 win on Monday. Winnipeg is a -132 money line favorite with a total of 5.5.Colorado plays at home against Vegas on the NBC Sports Network at 10:08 PM ET. The Avalanche took a 1-0 lead in this series with their 7-1 victory in Game 1. The Golden Knights have lost three of their last four games. Colorado is a -175 money line favorite with an over/under of 5.5.Twelve games are on the MLB slate. Philadelphia visits Cincinnati at 12:35 PM ET as a -108 money line road favorite with a total of 8.5. The Chicago White Sox plays at Cleveland at 1:10 PM ET as a -157 money line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. San Diego travels to Chicago to play the Cubs at 2:20 PM ET as a -108 money line road favorite. The New York Mets are at Arizona at 3:40 PM ET as a -106 money line road favorite with a total of 8.5. The New York Yankees host Tampa Bay at 7:05 PM ET as a -127 money line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Minnesota visits Baltimore. Toronto is at home against Miami at 7:07 PM ET as a -150 money line favorite with a total of 8. Washington travels to Atlanta at 7:20 PM ET. Houston hosts Boston at 8:10 PM ET as a -142 money line favorite with an over/under of 9. Texas visits Colorado at 8:40 PM ET as a -113 money line road favorite with the total at 10.5. The Los Angeles Dodgers are at home against St. Louis at 9:10 PM ET as a -222 money line favorite with an over/under of 8. Oakland plays at Seattle at 10:10 PM ET as a -141 money line road favorite with a total of 8. Three games are on the WNBA schedule. Las Vegas visits New York at 7 PM ET. Chicago plays at Phoenix at 10 PM ET. Indiana plays at Los Angeles.

CFB 2021: ACC Coastal Division Preview

by Scott Rickenbach

Tuesday, Jun 01, 2021

ACC Coastal Division:Duke – This team very likely to be at the very bottom of the standings. They allowed 56 points in each of 3 of last 4 games last season and the only one they did not they allowed 48 points! So defense was already a major concern and now they lost nearly their entire defensive line. Coach Cutcliffe having problems here and losing key players to transfers and exits from the program with the defensive line being a key example of that. Georgia Tech – Middle of the pack team at best and more likely to finish below the .500 level. Known for making too many penalties and mental mistakes. The Yellow Jackets are in year three under head coach Geoff Collins so the new offensive schemes he brought here should be better as they transitioned away from being an option team. However, the defense is still a question mark and, again, GT just has not been a team that executes well. Miami – The biggest problem for the Hurricanes is they play in the same conference as Clemson! This team likely to finish 2nd or 3rd in the conference and should challenge the Tar Heels for 1st in the Coastal Division. A key will be the health of senior QB D’Eriq King but he is progressing well in his recovery from an ACL injury. Can the defensive patchwork that head coach Manny Diaz has planned hold up? This team got tripped up often on the defensive side of the ball last season and they must be better there. They are respectable in the secondary but struggle to stop the run. Will Diaz calling the shots help the defense turn around?North Carolina – The biggest problem for the Tar Heels is they play in the same conference as Clemson! This team likely to finish 2nd in the conference and 1st in the Coastal Division. Sam Howell at QB is a key for UNC. Defensively, based on key experience returning, the Tar Heels are expected to improve. They have added size to the defensive line in recent recruiting classes and those guys are now ready to contribute. Their schedule avoids Clemson in the regular season as well. Pittsburgh – Middle of the pack team could finish at .500 or slightly above. Have talented QB in Pickett but the run game not able to do enough to take the pressure off of him. The defense lost some key guys so could be a regression year on that side of the ball. Considering those factors, this is again a bit of an unpredictable team. If they can get the run game going and, in turn, get Pickett more of chance to succeed through the passing game, we should see some good opportunities for overs with this team because the defense could take a step down this season. Virginia – Middle of the pack team could finish at .500 or slightly below. Too many question marks in my opinion. Also a very tough schedule with some road games that appear very tough to win. The question marks include at wide receiver on offense and then middle linebacker and defensive line on the other side of the ball. Unless those areas surprise, the Cavaliers will not surprise either! Virginia Tech –The Hokies should challenge both the Tar Heels and Hurricanes for playing 2nd fiddle to Clemson as that team is in a class of its own but the Hokies should be a contender in the Coastal Division. Injuries will be key as to how this season goes for Virginia Tech because they have solid talent in terms of starters but just do not have much depth. This will be something to watch with the Hokies and plus I just do not trust their defense. They allowed big points in too many games last season so I will be looking for overs with this team if the offense clicks. They do have some solid talent at the skill positions on offense but can they develop some of the new starters? Watch for early season signs of whether this team jells or not.

NHL Hockey: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Game 2 Preview, Odds and Prediction - 06/01/2021

by Big Al Staff

Tuesday, Jun 01, 2021

NHL Tuesday NBC Sports Network Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning at the Carolina Hurricanes.Tampa Bay looks to take a 2-0 lead in the Central Division finals series after defeating Carolina by a 2-1 score in the opener on Sunday. The puck drops on the NBC Sports Network at 7:38 PM ET.Brayden Point began the scoring in the second period when he scored on a power play at the 8:15 minute mark to give the Lightning the lead. Jake Bean evened the score 1:41 minutes into the third period on a power play for the Hurricanes. Barclay Goodrow scored the eventual game-winner for Tampa Bay just under 11 minutes later at the 12:39 mark. Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 37 of the 38 shots he faced to frustrate Carolina on their home ice. The Vezina Trophy finalist has a 5-2 record this postseason with a 2.41 goals-against-average and a .936 save percentage. Alex Nedeljkovic made 28 saves, but he drew scrutiny for the soft goal he allowed in the third period on the Goodrow effort. The rookie is 4-3 in the playoffs, with a 2.19 goals-against-average and a .923 save percentage. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour gave him the nod as the team’s starting goaltender over veterans Petr Mrazek and James Reimer after his regular season, posting a 15-5-3 record and a 1.90 goals-against-average and a .932 save percentage in 23 games. The Lightning advanced to the Central Division finals after defeating Florida in the opening round in six games. Tampa Bay is converting on 39.1% of their power plays this postseason after scoring one of their three chances in Game 1. The Lightning converted on eight of their 20 power-play chances against the Panthers. Tampa Bay has been energized by the return of forward Nikita Kucherov, who missed the entire regular season due to a hip injury. He leads the team with 12 points in the postseason coming from three goals and nine assists. Defenseman Victor Hedman has added nine assists. Alex Killorn and Steven Stamkos have both contributed eight points. The Hurricanes earned the top seed in the Central Division with 80 points, the third-highest amount in the NHL during the regular season. They needed seven games to get past Nashville in the first round of the playoffs. After posting the second-best power-play unit in the regular season with a conversion rate of 25.6%, Carolina was successful in 20.2% of their opportunities with the man advantage against the Predators. The Hurricanes converted once on the four power-play chances they had on Sunday. Sebastian Aho leads the team in the playoffs with five goals and seven points. Martin Necas has two goals and three assists. Eric Staal has added four goals and an assist. Carolina right-wing Nino Niederreiter is dealing with an upper-body injury that Brind’Amour has said makes him “very, very doubtful” to play in this series. Niederreiter scored 20 goals during the regular season on the Hurricanes’ second line. Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak left Game 1 midway during the second period after getting sandwiched by two Hurricane players. He is listed as questionable but expected to play. Fellow defenseman David Savard, a midseason pickup from Columbus, is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. These two teams split their eight regular-season meetings. BookMaker lists Carolina as a -113 money line favorite, with the total set at 5.5.Computer prediction: Carolina Hurricanes 4 Tampa Bay Lightning 3

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