Picks for 5/7/24
NBA
9:30 PM EST
Rotation #558
Thunder -3.5 over Mavs (win)
Dallas is a little bigger and has a more experienced team. Luka Doncic and Tim Hardaway should be ready to go, and I expect this to be a competitive series. The Thunder are not much older than some college teams, but they might have the most talented team left in the playoffs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the leader of this team, and it’s remarkable what a bunch of young 20-year-olds have accomplished. The Thunder have an elite offense and play aggressively, forcing many turnovers. Oklahoma City is better in the paint and won’t give Dallas free points by turning the ball over. Look for the home team to take game one. Take the Thunder.
MLB
7:40 PM EST
Rotation #904
Cubs -1.5 runs over Padres +120 (loss)
Imanaga/Vasquez
The Cubs will look to knock around Randy Vasquez as he gives up a lot of big hits, and the wind blowing straight out won’t help him. Cubs starter, the Japanese sensation Shota Imanaga, should shut down a Padres team that is below average when facing left-handed pitching. The money is too high, so the better value is in the run line. Take the Cubs -1.5 runs +120.