Picks for 5/13/26
NBA
8:00 PM EST
Rotation # 518
Pistons -3.5 over Cavs (loss)
Detroit is not going to wow you with its offensive ability, but we take them in this spot based on what they have done all season defensively. Cleveland is going to jack up a lot of three-point attempts. The Pistons were the NBA’s best three-point defense in the regular season, so we will bank on them keeping them to a lower-than-normal level. percentage. Detroit will win on the boards, and they will probably force more turnovers, as they were the league’s best team at stealing the ball. Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell is a tremendous talent who has gotten better as this series has progressed and is the sole reason Detroit isn’t on the verge of taking the series now that it’s tied 2-2. Detroit’s defense can give Mitchell his points if that means shutting down everybody else. In the NBA, you are at the mercy of the officials and can’t predict how the game will be called, but the Cavs did get home cooking on their home floor, just like Detroit did in game one in their home arena. Jalen Duren couldn’t have played worse in the last two games, yet the Pistons still won on the glass. Duren must step up and play better on offense and defense in the paint area. Detroit is a hard-nosed defensive team that has the Eastern Conference’s best home record because of it. The Pistons’ defense should lock back in, provided they don’t send Cleveland to the line every trip down the floor. Take the Pistons.
8:00 PM EST
Rotation # 518
Pistons -3.5 over Cavs (loss)
Detroit is not going to wow you with its offensive ability, but we take them in this spot based on what they have done all season defensively. Cleveland is going to jack up a lot of three-point attempts. The Pistons were the NBA’s best three-point defense in the regular season, so we will bank on them keeping them to a lower-than-normal level. percentage. Detroit will win on the boards, and they will probably force more turnovers, as they were the league’s best team at stealing the ball. Cavs guard Donovan Mitchell is a tremendous talent who has gotten better as this series has progressed and is the sole reason Detroit isn’t on the verge of taking the series now that it’s tied 2-2. Detroit’s defense can give Mitchell his points if that means shutting down everybody else. In the NBA, you are at the mercy of the officials and can’t predict how the game will be called, but the Cavs did get home cooking on their home floor, just like Detroit did in game one in their home arena. Jalen Duren couldn’t have played worse in the last two games, yet the Pistons still won on the glass. Duren must step up and play better on offense and defense in the paint area. Detroit is a hard-nosed defensive team that has the Eastern Conference’s best home record because of it. The Pistons’ defense should lock back in, provided they don’t send Cleveland to the line every trip down the floor. Take the Pistons.
MLB
6:40 PM EST
Rotation # 901-902
Nationals/Reds Over 9 runs (win)
Irvin/Lodolo
Cincinnati has been in a major slump, so they were happy to get pitcher Nick Lodolo back. Lodolo has a big arm, but I am not so sure he is close to being back to the power pitcher he has been in the past, as it will most likley take him a few outings. The Nationals have a great on-base percentage against left-handed pitchers and should be able to take advantage of the rust Lodolo is trying to work through. The Reds have struggled against right-handed pitching this season, but they have an opportunity to get on the board against Jake Irvin, who has struggled in his last few starts. Both teams will be able to take advantage of a stiff wind blowing straight out to center. Neither bullpen has impressed this season, so we should see late runs like we did last night. Both teams should do enough to make this a higher-scoring game. Take the Over.
6:40 PM EST
Rotation # 901-902
Nationals/Reds Over 9 runs (win)
Irvin/Lodolo
Cincinnati has been in a major slump, so they were happy to get pitcher Nick Lodolo back. Lodolo has a big arm, but I am not so sure he is close to being back to the power pitcher he has been in the past, as it will most likley take him a few outings. The Nationals have a great on-base percentage against left-handed pitchers and should be able to take advantage of the rust Lodolo is trying to work through. The Reds have struggled against right-handed pitching this season, but they have an opportunity to get on the board against Jake Irvin, who has struggled in his last few starts. Both teams will be able to take advantage of a stiff wind blowing straight out to center. Neither bullpen has impressed this season, so we should see late runs like we did last night. Both teams should do enough to make this a higher-scoring game. Take the Over.