Ice Trae Forces Game 6

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Developing Stories 📰

Game 5: New York Knicks VS. Cleveland Cavaliers

The New York Knicks have suddenly become a defensive dominance in the playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Their newfound defensive identity has pushed them to the brink of their first semifinal appearance in the postseason since 2013. Tom Thibodeau’s team could close out the series against the Cavaliers with a win in Game 5. New York’s bruising and physical effort on defense allowed the Cavaliers just 93 points in Game 4. They limited Cleveland to just 79 points on Friday, the lowest output by any team in the NBA this season. New York’s strategy has been simple but effective- limit one or both of Cleveland’s superstars. The Cavaliers know what they can do and will not be playing in front of a boisterous Madison Square Garden crowd. A win should help boost their confidence before heading into another wild showdown in the Big Apple.

Game 5: Memphis Grizzlies VS. Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James had the first 20-point and 20-rebound night of his 20-year career in Game 4 of the LA Lakers versus Memphis Grizzlies series. James’ historic night pushed the seventh-ranked Lakers to a commanding 3-1 series lead against the second-seeded Grizzlies. James scored the game-tying layup over the outstretched hands of Xavier Tillman and Jaren Jackson Jr., who won the Defensive Player of the Year award. Anthony Davis’ block on Ja Morant preserved the tie and forced overtime. Ultimately winning with James adding 5 more points in OT. The Memphis Grizzlies need someone to step up aside from Ja Morant. Xavier Tillman had a career night in Game 2 and was instrumental in the Grizzlies’ only win in the series. Desmond Bane had his best game of the series in Game 4 and gave the Grizzlies the badly needed push that nearly won them the game. Bane scored 14 of his 36 points in the fourth period, providing the spark that Memphis desperately hoped for. Anthony Davis had another disappearing act in Game 4. He had that crucial block on Morant to force overtime but was largely disappointing. AD played 42 minutes and finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, two steals and four blocks. Davis has to punch his weight tonight to help James eliminate the Grizzlies.

Game 5: Miami Heat VS. Milwaukee Bucks

Jimmy Butler’s 56-point outing for the Miami Heat in Game 4 put the Milwaukee Bucks on the brink of elimination. Considering how Butler struggled to move during Game 3 due to a glute injury, his career night only grew in magnitude. The Bucks gave up a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter and limped home, trailing behind the eighth-seeded Heat 1-3. Milwaukee only had themselves to blame for the loss. The Milwaukee Bucks are expected to have a healthier Giannis Antetokounmpo than the one that somewhat labored in Game 4. Antetokounmpo still finished with a triple-double but could not dominate the end game the way the Bucks have been used to seeing from him. The Milwaukee Bucks know they can beat the Miami Heat. They’re a veteran squad that still has the core of their 2021 championship team. The Bucks will just need to play their brand of basketball for the entire 48-minute game. Someone from Miami will need to step up if Jimmy Butler is not going to drop another 50 point game. Without Tyler Herro, Max Strus, Kevin Love, Duncan Robinson and Kyle Lowry will need to help carry the scoring burden.

Game 5: Golden State Warriors VS. Sacramento Kings

The Golden State Warriors tied their first-round series against the Sacramento Kings with a pulsating 126-125 win in Game 4. Draymond Green returned from a one-game suspension to come off the bench and put his stamp on the defensive end. Green’s versatility on defense, including time spent guarding King All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox helped paved the way for the Warriors’ win. The former Defensive Player of the Year, however, could be back in the starting lineup for Game 5. The biggest news that will have a definite impact on the series is De’Aaron Fox’s injured forefinger. The Sacramento Kings have ruled him questionable for Game 5, but the electric guard has already asserted this after his team’s morning shootaround. Fox will play on Wednesday night with a splint on his finger. He admitted that there is pain every time his hand touches the ball, but he will have to play through it. De’Aaron Fox has arguably been the best player in the series. If he’s severely hampered or ineffective, Game 5 could be the beginning of the end for the Sacramento Kings.

Headlines 🚨

On This Day in Sports History: 1912 First HR hit in Fenway Park (Hugh Bradley, Red Sox)

1992 Ozzie Smith steals his 500th base.

Devin Booker scores 47 points as Suns eliminate the Clippers 136-130.

After falling behind by as many as 15 points the Nuggets slowly chipped away and held off the eighth-seeded Timberwolves 112-109 in Game 5.

As the fourth quarter started Tuesday night inside TD Garden, it appeared the Boston Celtics were about to punch their tickets into the next playoff round, but Trae Young had other plans.

Orlando Magic Paolo Banchero was named the overwhelming winner of the NBA's Rookie of the Year award on Tuesday.

The Houston Rockets hire Ex-Celtics HC Ime Udoka.

The Astros end the Tampa Bay Rays 14-game home winning streak with a 5-0 victory.

Pirates OF Bryan Reynolds agree on an eight-year, $106.75 million contract extension.

Aaron Rodgers will say hello to the New York Jets with an introductory news conference on Wednesday. He said goodbye to the Green Bay Packers in an Instagram post Tuesday evening.

Trends 📈📉 via Oddsshark

🏀 Knicks at Cavaliers

• New York is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Cleveland

• New York is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Cleveland

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 5 games 

• The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Cleveland's last 7 games when playing New York

🏀 Lakers at Grizzlies

• LA Lakers is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games 

• The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Memphis's last 12 games when playing at home against LA Lakers

• Memphis is 15-2 SU in its last 17 games at home

🏀 Heat at Bucks

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami's last 5 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing Miami

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games

🏀 Warriors at Kings

• Golden State is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing Sacramento

• Golden State is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games 

• Sacramento is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Golden State

• The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Sacramento's last 8 games

🏒 Panthers at Bruins

• Florida is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road

• Florida is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road

• Boston is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games 

• Boston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home

🏒 Kraken at Avalanche 

• Seattle is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Colorado

• The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Seattle's last 8 games when playing Colorado

• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Colorado's last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle

⚾️ Rangers at Reds

• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Texas's last 7 games 

• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Texas's last 7 games on the road

• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Cincinnati's last 8 games at home

• Cincinnati is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Texas

⚾️ Red Sox at Orioles

• The total has gone OVER in 8 of Boston's last 9 games 

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore's last 5 games when playing Boston

• Baltimore is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games

⚾️ White Sox at Blue Jays

• The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chi White Sox's last 9 games when playing Toronto

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chi White Sox's last 7 games on the road

• Toronto is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games 

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games 

⚾️ Rockies at Guardians

• Colorado is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road

• The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cleveland's last 8 games when playing Colorado

• The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cleveland's last 8 games

⚾️ Tigers at Brewers

• Detroit is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee

• Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Milwaukee

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 6 games when playing Detroit

• The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Milwaukee's last 8 games at home

⚾️ Royals at Diamondbacks

• Kansas City is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road

• Kansas City is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games 

• Arizona is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Kansas City

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Arizona's last 7 games when playing Kansas City

⚾️ Dodgers at Pirates

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Dodgers's last 6 games on the road

• LA Dodgers is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road

• Pittsburgh is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing LA Dodgers

• Pittsburgh is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games

⚾️ Nationals at Mets

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games on the road

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 6 games 

• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Mets's last 6 games at home

• NY Mets is 13-4 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against Washington

⚾️ Padres at Cubs

• San Diego is 13-3 ATS in its last 16 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs

• San Diego is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Chi Cubs

• The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Chi Cubs's last 19 games when playing at home against San Diego

• Chi Cubs is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games

⚾️ Cardinals at Giants

• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of St. Louis's last 5 games when playing on the road against San Francisco

• The total has gone UNDER in 8 of St. Louis's last 11 games on the road

• San Francisco is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home

• San Francisco is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

Public Money 🤑 via VSiN at 9AMCT

🏀 NBA

30% of bets and 44% of money is on CLE -5.5

32% of bets and 47% of money is on UNDER 202.5 NYK at CLE

34% of bets and 65% of money is on MEM -4

26% of bets and 43% of money is on UNDER 221.5 LAL at MEM

19% of bets and 36% of money is on MIL -11.5

34% of bets and 53% of money is on UNDER 234.5 GSW at SAC

⚾️ MLB

56% of bets and 86% of money is on OVER 8.5 TEX at CIN

49% of bets and 87% of money is on OVER 9.5 CWS at TOR

39% of bets and 63% of money is on COL +150

68% of bets and 85% of money is on NYY +100

50% of bets and 84% of money is on UNDER 8.5 KC at ARI

24% of bets and 78% of money is on UNDER 8.5 PIT at LAD

46% of bets and 80% of money is on TB -1.5 (+150)

42% of bets and 60% of money is on UNDER 8.5 HOU at TB

24% of bets and 58% of money is on SD -1.5 (+140)

15% of bets and 42% of money is on OAK +1.5 (-110)

62% of bets and 88% of money is on OVER 9.5 OAK at LAA

47% of bets and 70% of money is on STL -110

62% of bets and 83% of money is on OVER 8.5 STL at SF

Future Odds 🔮 via Bovada Sportsbook

Injury Report 🏥 via ESPN

CLE (SG) Dylan Windler | Out - Foot

LAL (SF) LeBron James | Probable - Foot

LAL (PF) Anthony Davis | Probable - Foot

LAL (PG) Dennis Schroder | Probable - Achilles

MEM (F) Jake LaRavia | Out - Calf

MIA (C) Bam Adebayo | Probable - Hamstring

MIA (SG) Victor Oladipo | Out - Knee (out for season)

MIL (PF) Giannis Antetokounmpo | Probable - Back Contusion

NYK (C) Jericho Sims | Out - Shoulder

NYK (SG) Quentin Grimes | Questionable - Shoulder

SAC (PG) De’Aaron Fox | Questionable - Finger

 Picks 🔒

Grizzlies -4 | someone is going to need and step up big-time on the Grizzlies and provide real secondary scoring. Los Angeles has a strong defense, but this Memphis offense is much more capable than what they've shown so far. 

Astros +108 | The Astros have gotten solid production from Brown in the rotation and the Astros still have a dangerous middle of the lineup. Faucher hasn’t done much in his two starts, meaning that this will likely be a bullpen sort of day for the Rays. Give the advantage to the Astros as they find a way to prevail on getaway day.