Picks for 6/6/24
NBA
8:30 PM EST
Rotation #502
Celtics -6.5 over Mavericks (win)
It seems like an eternity since the last basketball game, and there will likely be a bit of rust. Dallas wasn’t supposed to be here, but their backcourt has been phenomenal. Boston blew through the Eastern Conference and gets good news as center Kristaps Porzingis is back in the lineup. Porzingis is the team’s best defender, who cleans up around the rim. This series comes down to defense. Boston has it; Dallas doesn’t. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are good enough to outscore the Celtics any night, but that’s what it will take to win a game. I don’t see them winning four of them. Boston is a complete package of two-way players who can score and defend. TD Garden will be electric tonight. We will take the team that plays better defense and rebounds better. Take the Celtics.
MLB
9:40 PM EST
Rotation # 909-910
Diamondbacks/Padres Over 8.5 runs (loss)
Cecconi/Vasquez
Totals set at 8.5 runs are for Cy Young pitchers. We will see a battle between Slade Cecconi and Randy Vasquez, two pitchers far from it tonight. The Padres have the best batting average in the league against righties, and the Diamondbacks have been hitting well for the last few days. A total should not be set this low for two weak pitchers at striking out batters. Both starters ERA’s are over five runs per game. Neither bullpen scares us. Look for a lot of runs. Take the Over.
