Picks for 5/17/26
NBA
8:00 PM EST
Rotation #529
Cavs +4.5 over Pistons (win)
Both teams advanced after Game Seven wins in the first round and are no strangers to the pressure. When teams are playing every other night in a seven-game series, there isn’t any magical advantage you can find like an MLB seven-game series, where you are wagering on pitchers. Nobody on this planet can tell you what is going to happen on a nightly basis in this sport. We will take the Cavs, solely because they are getting a few points and have multiple players who can step up, be it Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, or Game Seven hero vs. Toronto, Jarrett Allen. Detroit will go as far as Cade Cunningham takes them. If Cunningham has an off game, they are cooked. The game will come down to which team avoids the big scoring drought. I trust the Cavs’ offense a bit more, especially if they get hot from beyond the three-point line. Great players step up in big games. I believe Cleveland has more “great” players, while Detroit has the better defense. Look for a photo finish. Take the Cavs.
8:00 PM EST
Rotation #529
Cavs +4.5 over Pistons (win)
Both teams advanced after Game Seven wins in the first round and are no strangers to the pressure. When teams are playing every other night in a seven-game series, there isn’t any magical advantage you can find like an MLB seven-game series, where you are wagering on pitchers. Nobody on this planet can tell you what is going to happen on a nightly basis in this sport. We will take the Cavs, solely because they are getting a few points and have multiple players who can step up, be it Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley, or Game Seven hero vs. Toronto, Jarrett Allen. Detroit will go as far as Cade Cunningham takes them. If Cunningham has an off game, they are cooked. The game will come down to which team avoids the big scoring drought. I trust the Cavs’ offense a bit more, especially if they get hot from beyond the three-point line. Great players step up in big games. I believe Cleveland has more “great” players, while Detroit has the better defense. Look for a photo finish. Take the Cavs.
MLB
2:10 PM EST
Rotation # 921
Cubs -140 over White Sox (loss)
Rea/Fedde
The White Sox got out of the gates early last night and rode the hot hand of Davis Martin to put the Cubs away before fans could even find their seats. Chicago has been decent against right-handed pitching this year and will have a chance to get on base a lot against Erick Fedde, as he is not a power pitcher and lacks the strikeout ability to consistently get out of jams. The Cubs have the better starting pitcher and the better bullpen right now. Look for Chicago to bounce back. Take the Cubs.
2:10 PM EST
Rotation # 921
Cubs -140 over White Sox (loss)
Rea/Fedde
The White Sox got out of the gates early last night and rode the hot hand of Davis Martin to put the Cubs away before fans could even find their seats. Chicago has been decent against right-handed pitching this year and will have a chance to get on base a lot against Erick Fedde, as he is not a power pitcher and lacks the strikeout ability to consistently get out of jams. The Cubs have the better starting pitcher and the better bullpen right now. Look for Chicago to bounce back. Take the Cubs.