The NBA Playoffs have proven to be exciting and unpredictable and we expect more of the same going forward. We released two NBA Playoff Series wagers thus far and have split those 1-1 (+.55 Units) with 4* ELITE Minnesota cruising past Golden St and the 3* VERY STRONG Clippers losing in 7 games to the Nuggets in excruciating fashion. We did get a break with Steph Curry getting injured but we believe the Wolves were a significantly better team regardless. Losing the Clippers play was heartbreaking as they had umpteen chances to win the series, even with James Harden pulling his usual disappearing act in multiple games. We still made a small profit but +7 Units would have been a whole lot better! This time of year making money in the NBA on sides and totals is a very difficult proposition. With limited games, and every speck of information available to bookmakers, the lines are very tight. As our subscribers know we have passed on quite a few games so far, where our numbers were spot on with the books, rather than force selections in coin flip situations. We realize this can be frustrating but we have always taken a disciplined, long term approach which is likely why we have never had a full season in any sport that was not PROFITABLE. Adding .55 Units brings our rolling 80 day record to 124-92 for Plus 97.76 Units.
4* ELITE – (NBA Playoff Series) Minnesota -185 Over Golden St (4-1) WIN
3* VERY STRONG – (NBA Playoff Series) Clippers -115 Denver (3-4) LOSS
4* ELITE – (NBA Playoff Series) Minnesota -185 Over Golden St
The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Golden St Warriors tonight in Game 1 of a Round 2 Best of 7 Series. The Wolves easily dispatched the Lakers 4-1 and will enter this contest with plenty of rest. The Warriors bested Houston in Game 7 on Sunday so they will be coming in with only one day of rest between games. Houston was able to take Golden St to the limit with strong defense and a limited offense. Minnesota has the NBA’s 6th ranked defense with a much better, more well rounded and experienced offense. They are big inside with Rudy Gobert and long and athletic on the wings. This will be problematic for the Warriors who essentially have only two consistent scorers in Curry and Butler, both of whom are dinged up. The Warriors were able to get by Houston, despite the size disadvantage, but that will not be the case here as we see Gobert, Randle and Edwards taking full advantage of their length and strength in this matchup. Anthony Edwards is a bonafide superstar who averaged 26.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists versus the Lakers and Golden St will have no answer for him inside or out. Minnesota has the rest advantage, the Home Court edge and are the better and deeper team on Offense AND Defense. Our numbers make this line Minnesota -260 so this is a 4* ELITE Auto-Play that we see ending by Game 6 at the latest.
3* VERY STRONG (NBA Playoff Series) – Clippers -115 Over Nuggets:
We are releasing this play now before the line drops any lower. This Series opened as high as Denver -160 offshore and has been bet down to the Clippers being a short Favorite. We hate missing the Plus Money, but agree with this move entirely as this LA squad is the one team nobody in the West wants to play right now. The Clips are healthy (including Kahwi Leonard), have won 8 straight and are playing LOCK DOWN DEFENSE. The Nuggets fired their coach, have a very limited bench and rely almost completely on superstar Jocic to score, or facilitate or both. The Clippers will beat this team down with their Defense and Balance as the series wears on and will be a Very Tough Out for any team moving forward. Kahwi, Harden, Powell and Zubac lead the way!