Picks for 6/12/24
NBA
8:30 PM EST
Rotation # 505-506
Celtics/Mavericks Over 214.5 (loss)
Boston has a commanding lead in the NBA Finals and can all but put the series on ice with a win tonight. Celtics Center Kristaps Porzingis hurt his leg in game two, and if he starts, his defense won’t be good; if he doesn’t, it will allow Dallas to score easy buckets in the paint as Boston will use bench players. The Mavericks were one of the worst teams in the NBA at scoring in the paint, but they have been the better team in the first two games in that department. The home crowd in Dallas should fire the team up to score a lot tonight. Boston is a great road team, so I expect this to be a down-to-the-wire finish. I’m looking forward to Kyrie Irving showing up for Dallas and for the Mavericks backcourt to shine. The total is a better wager than trying to pick a side. Look for more points tonight. Take the Over.
MLB
7:10 PM EST
Rotation # 923
Phillies -120 over Red Sox (loss)
Sanchez/Pivetta
The Red Sox are not talented and possess a different home-field advantage than prior teams. Boston could be better against left-handed pitching and will have their hands full against Phillies starter Christopher Sanchez, who has impressed this season. Philadelphia hits the ball well on the road and, with the best record in MLB, should win tonight. Take the Phillies.