The set-up: The Mets are going through a 'soap opera' with pitcher Matt Harvey but have a chance to make it a three-game sweep of their series with the Giants this afternoon, which would move them above the .500 mark for the first time since April 19. While the Mets sit at 16-16, losses on Monday and Tuesday at Citi Field leave the Giants at 11-13, owners of MLB's worst record. The Mets won 4-3 (Monday) and 6-1 last night, as the reeling Giants have dropped five in a row. This marks San Francisco's final contest of its nine-game road trip and the team has managed only nine runs on 23 hits during its five-game skid.

The pitching matchup: Matt Cain (2-1 & 4.70 ERA) takes the mound for the Giants and Tommy Milone (1-0 & 6.43 ERA) gets the start for a troubled New York rotation. Cain was tagged for a career high-tying nine runs on 10 hits and six walks (which also matching a career worst) in losing 13-3 to the Reds last Friday. That was quite a drop-off, as he had allowed just three ERs over his previous four starts (23 innings with a 1.17 ERA), going 2-0 (team was 3-1). Cain is 6-6 with a 3.61 ERA in 15 career starts against the Mets (Giants are 8-7). Tommy Milone split his six appearances with Milwaukee between the rotation and bullpen to open the 2017 season but was waived after giving up four runs on six hits in a two-inning relief stint on April 29. The left-hander will make his New York Mets debut Wednesday afternoon and will be pitching for the first time in 12 days. He's only faced the Giants once in his career, back on May 29, 2013. He allowed four runs over five innings in that one but he got the win as the Oakland A's won 9-6 win at AT&T Park.

The pick: Of course, Milone is a wild card but the good news for him is that the Giants are just not hitting. As for Cain, his last outing was a 'nightmare' but as noted, he was outstanding in his previous four turns. Make the Under an 8* play.

The set-up: The Astos and Braves open a two-game interleague series Tuesday night in Houston. The Astros enter tied with the Ny Yankees for the most win sin the AL (21), while Braves are tied with the SF Giants for the fewest wins in the National League (11). Both teams were idle on Monday, with the Astros getting back on the field having won six of their last eight, while the Braves are losers of four straight (longest active streak in MLB) and six of seven. The 21-11 Astros have tied the best 32-game start in franchise history, while the 11-18 Braves are on pace (.379 winning percentage) to lose more games (101) than 2016's dismal season, when they went 68-93 (.422).

The pitching matchup: Atlanta will send Bartolo Colon (1-3 & 6.27 ERA) to the mound to face Houston's Charlie Morton (3-2 & 3.97 ERA). The 43-year-old vet is not off to a good 2017 start and was knocked around in his last two outings, allowing 11 ERs on 17 hits in just nine innings against Milwaukee and the NY Mets. He's allowed just one run in two of his six starts this season but at least four runs in the other four. However, he's got a decent history against Houston, going 8-3 with a 3.45 ERA in 12 career starts (teams are 8-4). Morton spent the first nine years of his career in the NL (beginning with Atlanta as a rookie in 2008) but has found the AL to his liking so far, a he comes in looking for his third straight win after posting a total of 20 strikeouts in 13 innings against Oakland and Texas. He owns 39 strikeouts in 34 total innings in 2017. He's made five all-time starts against the team he began his career against, going 2-2 with a 3.96 ERA (teams are 3-2).

The pick: Colon's not in prime form so far but he's got a good history against the Astros. Meanwhile, the Braves will likely be motivated against an ex-teammate, who has really been nothing more than a journeyman in his big league career so far, and that's being nice. Morton owns a career 49-73 record (.402), with a 4.51 ERA, 1.44 WHIP plus opponents have batted .276 against him. Take the 1 1/2 runs and make Atlanta an 8* play.

The set-up: While first the Cavs and now the Warriors have made short work (four-game sweeps) of their respective second round series, the other two series are both tied at two-all. Both the second-seeded Spurs and third seeded Rockets in the West and the top-seeded Celtics and fourth-seeded Wizards have turned their series into a best-of-3 situation. While the Bos/Was series has seen the home team go 4-0 SU & ATS, this SA/Hou series has seen each team win a game on the others home court with each home team also owning a blowout home victory.

Houston: The Rockets drained 19 three-pointers in their Game 4 victory, turning a close game into a 125-104 rout by scoring 68 second-half points! "This is a big stage they did it on," Houston head coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters. "We have a lot of work left, but there's no reason why we can't go down to San Antonio and repeat the performance." The Rockets did just that in Game 1, making 22 three-points (on a record 50 attempts!) in a 126-99 road win. However, Houston suffered a huge blow in Game 4, as backup center Nene suffered a torn left groin and will miss the rest of the playoffs. Nene and starter Clint Capela were giving Houston solid production in the middle and the Rockets will be forced to use power forwards Montrezl Harrell and Ryan Anderson at center. The good news for Houston is that after averaging just 16.5 PPG over the first two games of this series, MVP-candidate James Harden has averaged 35.5 points over the last two contests.

San Antonio: The Spurs must now "turn the page" after missing (in a big way) an opportunity to come back to San Antonio up 3-1. The point guard situation is a huge issue (problem?), after the season-ending quadriceps injury to Tony Parker in Game 2. Rookie Dejounte Murray started the past two games and averaged five points and 1.3 assists while backup Patty Mills averaged 12.5 points and 3.5 assists but made just 8-of-21 FG attempts. Star SF Kawhi Leonard scored just 16 points in Game 4 after averaging 27 over the first three games plus PF LaMarcus Aldridge is enduring a mostly quiet series (and postseason), save for his 26-point outburst in Game 3 (on 12 of 20 shooting). Pau Gasol, a two-time NBA champions while with the Lakers, has also been a non-factor, averaging just eight points in the series with just one double-digit effort in four games.

The pick: The Rockets looked lost in Game 2 on the road and Game 3 at home, but played a complete game on Sunday. Harden scored 28 points and handed out 12 assists in the win but maybe even more importantly, the Houston bench stepped up, getting 22 points from guards Eric Gordon and 13 from Lou Williams, after the entire reserve unit scored just 10 points in its Game 3 loss. Bottom line in this series just may be that Houston is the better team. However, since moving to the AT&T Center in 2002, the Spurs are 81-28 (.743) in home playoff games, giving them the most such wins by any team in the league during that time span. That said, the Spurs have not been a great home team this season, going 35-11 SU (including the postseason) but just 23-23 ATS. Meanwhile, the Rockets are 27-18 ATS on the road. Take the points and make Houston a 10* play.

The set-up: The Rangers have let two games in this series slip away with late-game collapses. New York squandered a late 5-3 lead before sustaining a double-overtime loss in Game 2, then suffered a similar fate in Game 5, as Ottawa tied the game with just 1:26 remaining in the third period, then won in OT when Kyle Turris scored at 6:28 of the first overtime. That puts Ottawa one victory away from reaching the conference final for the third time in franchise history and first since 2007, but for that to happen tonight, the Senators would have to win in MSG, where the Rangers have won 4-1 in both Games 3 and 4 of this series.

Ottawa: Turris' Game 5 goal was his third career playoff game-winner, all of which have come in overtime. Captain Erik Karlsson registered the first three-point performance of his playoff career with a trio of assists in Game 5. He has fought through injury to score just one goal but set up 10 others this postseason, setting franchise records for most assists and points by a defenseman in one playoff year. It seemed like the problem for Ottawa in Game 3 was a lack of desperation with the Senators leading the series 2-0. The team's demeanor didn't much change in Game 4 either, with the Senators up 2-1 in the series. The Rangers now face elimination but Ottawa has the safety net of a potential Game 7 on home ice. Can the the Senators avoid a third straight flat performance in "the Garden?"

NY Rangers: The Rangers were a better road team than a home team during the regular season but after losing their first home game of this postseason, have won four straight at MSG, including Games 3 and 4 of this series, by scores of 4-1. "Our group of veterans have a lot of experience," head coach Alain Vigneault said to the New York Daily News. "Not just NHL experience, but some guys have won the gold medal at the Olympics; some guys have played in World Cups. There is a lot of experience, and they have to use this experience right, first of all to get themselves ready to go out on the ice and execute and play hard and play well. And if they do that, then it's definitely in my mind going to rub off on the rest of our group that might have a little less experience but are leaning on those players to show them the way."

The pick: Henrik Lundqvist has stooped 98 of 102 shots (.961 SP) in New York's four straight postseason home wins plus one could say a game like this has been "his moment." In his last 11 games at MSG with the Rangers facing elimination, Lundqvist is 10-1 with a 1.05 goals-against average, .965 save percentage and two shutouts. However, let me also add that New York's offense has been too much for Ottawa to handle, as the Rangers have scored at least four goals in four straight playoff contests (an average of 4.25 per game), for the first time since a six-game streak during the 1994 postseason. Make the Over a 10* play.

The set-up: The struggling Blue Jays recorded a 4-2 victory in the opener of their three-game home series against the Cleveland Indians last night. Edwin Encarnacion was welcomed back to his old stomping grounds and was given repeated thunderous ovations by the Toronto faithful while going 2-for-3 with a walk in his first game against the team he left this past off-season. Encarnacion had topped 30 HRs in each of the last five seasons for the Blue Jays before becoming a free agent and signing with the Indians. Ryan Goins hit a two-run HR and Justin Smoak delivered a two-run single as the Blue Jays fired the opening salvo against the team that defeated them in last season's ALCS. However, at 12-20, the Jays own the second-worst record in the AL, as they look forward to the returns of Troy Tulowitzki (hamstring) and Josh Donaldson (calf) later this month. The Indians sit atop the AL Central but at a modest 17-14, there are three teams within 1 1/2 games of them.

The pitching matchup: Carlos Carrasco (3-2 & 2.18 ERA) gets the ball for Cleveland going up against Mike Bolsinger (1-4 & 6.83 ERA in 2016), who will make his 2017 debut. Carrasco defeated Detroit in his last outing, allowing two runs on five hits over six innings. He is 2-1 with a 6.26 ERA in five career appearances (four starts / team is 3-1) versus the Blue Jays. Bolsinger is being called up from Triple-A Buffalo to make a spot start as the club's rotation remains without Aaron Sanchez (fingernail) and J.A. Happ (elbow). He was 1-1 with a 1.46 ERA in four appearances (two starts) for Buffalo and owns an 8-16 record and 4.61 ERA in 37 career major-league appearances (36 starts). He first reached the majors with Arizona in 2014 and spent time with the Los Angeles Dodgers each of the last two seasons. He has never faced the Indians.

The pick: Bolsinger will be the ninth starter used by Toronto already this season, a major reason (along with the injuries to Tulowitzki and Donaldson), as to why Toronto has struggled early on. No reason to expect a strong effort from Bolsinger in this one and note that Carrasco is 3-0 with a 1.83 ERA in three road starts this season, with a 20-3 KW ratio. Make Cleveland a 10* play.

The set-up: The Nats haven't bested the Orioles in a Beltway Series since going 4-2 back in 2007. The 2017 edition hasn't stared well for the Nats either, as Baltimore rode three HRs to a 6-4 victory on Monday night. Baltimore is now riding a five-game winning streak and sits at 21-10, just a half-game back of the NY Yankees in the AL East (Yanks own MLB's best record at 21-9). Washington fell to 21-11 with a second straight loss, following a four-game winning streak. However, there was good news for Washington, as Bryce Harper returned to the Nationals' lineup on Monday after missing the previous three games with a groin injury and went 2-for-3 with a home run, boosting his season batting average to .385.
The pitching matchup: Max Scherzer (4-2 & 2.66 ERA) will take the mound for the Nats and Ubaldo Jiménez (1-1 & 6.58 ERA) for the Orioles. Scherzer is coming off an excellent outing, striking out 11 and allowing just two hits and one run (on a solo HR) over seven innings of 4-2 Thursday win vs. Arizona last Thursday. It marked the third win in Scherzer's last four starts and he'll take a 5-3 (3.62) LT record against Baltimore into this contest (teams are 5-5 in his 10 starts vs. the Orioles). Jimenez was skipped for his last scheduled start after the Orioles were forced to use him out of the bullpen the previous day. He had turned in two straight dismal starts, lasting 3 1/3 innings in each and giving up a combined 10 runs, but he did toss three scoreless innings in that relief stint. Jimenez owns a solid 6-2 record and 2.24 ERA in nine career starts against the Nationals (teams are 6-3).

The pick: Jimenez should gain some confidence from that recent relief stint, as well as from his strong career mark against the Nationals. Meanwhile, Scherzer comes in on a nice roll plus dominated the Orioles with eight scoreless innings of two-hit ball when he last met them (August of 2016). The Under is an 8* play

The set-up: Mike Trout (.355, 8 HRs & 21 RBI) is in the midst of a 17-game hitting streak but has missed the Angels' last two contests with tightness in his left hamstring. They hope to have him back on Monday as they visit the Oakland Athletics for the opener of the third series between these two American League West rivals already this season. The Angels lost 5-3 at home to the Astros on Sunday to fall a game under . 500 on the season (16-17), while the A's won on both Saturday and Sunday over the Tigers (each time in walk-off fashion) to give them a 14-17 record. The Angels are 5-2 against the Athletics this season, splitting a season-opening four game series in Oakland but then sweeping a three-game set at home from April 25-27.

The pick: This is the third go-round for these pitchers in 2017, with the first two games ending with game-ending totals of six and three runs. Deja vu all over again, so make the Under a 10* play.

The set-up: The Warriors used a late sport to put away the Jazz in Game 3, taking a 3-0 lead They also got some good news off the court, head coach Steve Kerr underwent a procedure to address a spinal cord leak and could resume his coaching career as early as later this postseason. Kerr did not travel with the team to Utah and is not expected back soon, but owner Joe Lacob gave a radio interview over the weekend and suggested that he may be getting closer to rejoining the team. As for the Jazz, they led by as much as nine points in the third quarter on Saturday and held Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson to a combined 7-of-29 from the floor (3 of 15 on threes) but still lost. "We played like we're capable of playing for the first time in the series," Utah head coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "But … that's why they are who they are."

Golden State: With Curry and Thompson suffering through poor shooting nights in Game 3, Kevin Durant took over with 38 points (on 15-of-26 shooting). Green had another solid game and is averaging 15.7-8.3-5.7 in the series. That is the dilemma facing the Warriors' opponents. Shut down one component of Golden State's offense and another component instantly kicks into overdrive. Some games it is Durant. Others it is Curry, Thompson or Green.

Utah: The Jazz played their best game of the series in Game 3 but overall, just can't match Golden State's 'arsenal.' Hayward had 29 points Saturday night plus Gobert added 21 & 15. However, Utah's bench was limited to 10 points and went a combined 4 of 22 from the floor. Joe Johnson, Rodney Hood and Derrick Favors all played important roles in Utah's series win over the Clippers but against the Warriors Johnson is averaging just 8.7 PPG (on 33.3% shooting), Hood only 7.7 PPG (also on 33.3% shooting) and Favors has a total of just seven points and 12 rebounds in the series. Adding insult to injury, Utah has been without second-leading scorer George Hill (toe) the last two games and he remains questionable for Game 4.

The pick: The Warriors played very efficient on offense in the first two games, handing out 32 assists on 40 FGs in Game 1 and 33 assists on 42 FGs in Game 2. They shot a combined 49.1 percent from the floor through two games and defensively, forced 14.5 turnovers per game while averaging 22 points per game off of turnovers. Golden State was not that good in Game 3, with 17 assists on its 37 FGs and shot just 44.0 percent as a team (30.0% on threes). However, the Warriors still won by 11 points. Not sure the Jazz can beat the Warriors but I do expect a much better offensive effort from them in Game 4. Problem is, anyone expect Curry and Thompson to shoot as poorly as they did in Game 3 here in Game 4? Make the Over a 10* play.

The set-up: The Caps began the third period of Saturday's Game 5 down 2-1 and 20 minutes away from losing yet another postseason series. However, Washington scored three goals less than eight minutes in, capped by Alex Ovechkin's fifth goal of this year's playoffs (he has three assists for eight points). "We're still down. We take good moments in the game (Saturday) and move forward," Ovechkin told reporters. Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby and fellow forward Conor Sheary returned on Saturday from one-game absences due to concussions, with Crosby notching his franchise high-tying 96th playoff assist for his 12th point (four goals, eight assists) in nine contests this postseason.

Washington: Ovechkin has been impressive versus Pittsburgh with 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) in 18 career postseason games. However, the Penguins have enjoyed the last laugh by winning seven of the previous eight series and going on to capture the Stanley Cup after the last two (2009, 2016). While Ovechkin often gets the headlines, countryman Evgeny Kuznetsov continues to be one of the main stories of this series after scoring a goal in each of the last three games to tie Nicklas Backstrom and Ovechkin for the team lead with five. Goaltender Hotlby held Pittsburgh at bay in the third period and since getting pulled in Game 2 (a 6-2 Pittsburgh win), has stopped 63 of 70 shots (.900 SP), which includes that "own goal" in Game 4.

Pittsburgh: Crosby told reporters that his team needs to focus on puck possession as a means to overcome a huge shot discrepancy in the series (Washington leads 174-115). "I would say just a little bit more zone time," the two-time Hart Trophy winner - and 2017 finalist - told reporters. "If we can hold on to the puck a little bit more, we should get more shots. I think we'll generate a little bit more from that." The Penguins may have won seven of the previous eight series against the Capitals but Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan isn't interested in history, whether it dates back to last season's second-round series versus Washington or the events of Game 5. "We have to have a short memory," Sullivan told reporters. "We just have to reset our mindset and go home and try to put our very best on the ice."

The pick: Yes, the Capitals lost Game 6 in Pittsburgh last year 4-3 in overtime but the Capitals had won Game 6 in four off the previous series in which they had trailed 3-2. Can they win here and extend the series to a Game 7 in Washington? Not sure but I do expect this to be a tight one, making the Under a 10* play.

The set-up: The Cincinnati Reds just completed a three-game home sweep of the struggling SF Giants and have now won five straight and seven of eight to reach 17-14. Cincy is atop the NL Central, a half-game better than the Cards and one game better than the Cubs, who finished 35 1/2 games ahead of the Reds in 2016, when Cincinnati lost 94 games. Speaking of the Cubs, they were just swept at home by the Yankees this past weekend, after New York won 5-4 last night on ESPN in 18 innings.The Yankees come to Cincinnati for a two-game IL series tonight, having also won five in a row, as well as nine of their last 11 to give them a MLB-best 20-9 record.

The pitching matchup: The Yankees will send Masahiro Tanaka (4-1 & 4.46 ERA) to the mound vs. the Reds' Rookie Davis (1-1 & 7.36 ERA). New York could use some length from Tanaka, as the bullpen went 11 innings, using six pitchers last night. Tanaka wasn't particularly sharp in his last outing (allowed four runs on eight hits over 6 1/3 innings) against Toronto but came away with an 11-5 win, his fourth straight. However, he had registered three consecutive quality starts prior to that outing, permitting a total of only four runs over 22 1/3 innings (1.61 ERA) with 14 strikeouts and four walks in that span. Tanaka has not faced the Reds but is a solid 6-4 with a 2.64 ERA in 11 interleague starts. Davis earned his first major-league victory with his most impressive performance of 2017 on Wednesday, when he held Pittsburgh to four hits and three walks over five scoreless innings. That was quite a turnaround, as he had not made it past four innings in any of his previous three outings, allowing 13 runs on 18 hits and seven walks over 9 2/3 innings (12.10 ERA). Davis will be facing an American League team for the first time in his career.

The pick: Both teams come off three-game weekend sweeps and enter on five-game winning streaks but the Yankees are the better team, at least right now. Plus, it's hard not to favor Tanaka over Davis. New York swept the Reds in three games the last time they met in 2014 (in the Bronx) and also took two of three in the last series at Cincinnati three years earlier. Make the Yankees an 8* play.

The set-up: The Rockets shocked the Spurs with a 27-point win at San Antonio in Game 1. However, the Spurs have responded by winning Game 2 at home by 25 points and then earning back the home court edge with a 103-92 win at Houston in Game 3. That win came after the Spurs were informed that Tony Parker is through for the postseason plus the Spurs also survived a 43-point effort by James Harden. The Spurs now look to take a 3-1 lead in tonight's Game 4 in Houston, while the Rockets look for Harden's teammates to rebound from an awful Game 3 performance.

San Antonio: Parker is out for the rest of the postseason after rupturing a quadriceps tendon in Game 2 but Pop decided to keep Patty Mills in a backup role. Rookie Dejounte Murray (two points in 15 minutes) made the start on Friday and will be in the opening lineup again on Sunday. However, Mills scored 15 points in 30 minutes. Kawhi had a "typical" game on Friday, scoring 26 points with 10 rebounds and seven assists. However, the underachieving Aldridge made a big contribution as well with his best postseason game this year (26 points). He was 12-of-20 shooting in Game 3 after averaging just 9.5 points on 8-of-22 shooting over the first two games of the series.

Houston: Harden entered Game 3 having struggled from the floor in the last two games of the OKC series and the first two of this series. However, while Harden was terrific on Friday, his fellow backcourt teammates were just awful. Beverley plus reserves Gordon and Williams combined for 17 points (Williams was scoreless), going 6 of 27 (22.2%) from the floor, including 2 of 10 on threes. Starting SF Ryan Anderson had just two points and super-sub Nene, who starred against OKC, had just one point.

The pick: Maybe the Rockets are still not up to taking down the Spurs in this kind of setting but no way Houston shoots as poorly as it did in Game 3, again. Including the postseason, Houston has averaged 116.3 PPG at home but has also allowed 107.6 points. That makes the Over an 8* play.

The set-up: The Anaheim Ducks lost Games 1 and 2 of this series on their home ice but evened the series with back-to-back wins in Edmonton, before taking a 4-3 win in double-OT at home in Game 5, a game in which they became the first team in NHL history to win a playoff hockey game by overcoming a three-goal deficit with less than final four minutes remaining in regulation! The Ducks now look to put the finishing touches on the series, by closing out the Oilers at Edmonton in Sunday night's Game 6.

Anaheim: Corey Perry scored the Game 5-winner but Anaheim's been led by captain Ryan Getzlaf (15 points on eight goals & seven assists) and Jakob Silfverberg (11 points on seven goals & four assists). "Well, I don't know if there is a recipe. I don't know if there is something you can hang your hat on other than you cannot quit believing when you're in any situation," Anaheim head coach Randy Carlyle told reporters on the heels of Corey Perry recording his franchise-best third OT goal in the postseason in a 4-3 double-overtime victory.

Edmonton: The Oilers are in the postseason for the first time since 2006 but after taking a 2-0 lead over the Ducks, now find themselves on the brink of elimination. Edmonton captain Connor McDavid carries both a three-game goal-scoring streak and a bit of determination into Sunday's tilt. "There's not much that can really be said right now," he told reporters after Game 5's stunning loss. "It (stinks). But we'll be back here Wednesday (for a Game 7)." McDavid led the NHL with 100 points (30 goals & 70 assists) in the regular season but it's fellow center Leon Draisaitl (77 points), who leads the Oilers in scoring this postseason with 11 points (3 goals and 8 assists). McDavid has five goals and four assists.

The pick: Game 5 saw the home team win in this series for the first time but it took a record-setting comeback (see above). The key will be Oilers goalie Cam Talbot, who was perfect through the first 56-plus minutes in Game 5, but then collapsed. He led Edmonton to six wins in eight games to open this season's playoffs (allowed 18 goals) but has now allowed 14 goals in three straight losses. My bet says he bounces back. Make Edmonton a 10* play.

The set-up: The Washington/Boston series is the highest-scoring second round series (games have averaged 229 points) and it's also the lone series in which the home team has won and covered each game, after the Wizards emphatically announced they are still in the series with a blowout win in Game 3. However, the Wizards need to keep the intensity without the technicals. Washington rolled to a 116-89 win in a Game 3 but the contest featured eight technical fouls, three ejections and one flagrant foul that came when Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. reacted to a hard screen by Boston's Kelly Olynyk by running and shoving him to the ground. Oubre is suspended for Game 4. The Celtics overcame big early deficits to win each of the first two games of the series but never recovered after a 22-0 run led to Washington taking a 39-17 lead after the first quarter of Game 3.

The pick: The Wizards finally made their strong start hold up in Game 3 (led 39-17 after the 1st quarter) and clearly turned up the physicality. However, as noted, Washington needs to find a balance. Also, Bradley Beal needs to find his shooting touch, as he's shooting only 27.4 percent from three-point range in the postseason, including just 2-of-13 over the last two games of this series. Brooks made the needed adjustments in Game 3 and it's now Stevens' turn. Stevens has done a great job coaching this team, as the Game 3 loss ended a 6-0 ST & ATS run for Boston. I expect the road team to break through for the first time in this series and I'll make Boston an 8* play.

The set-up: The Cleveland Cavaliers needed six games to beat the Toronto Raptors in last year's Eastern Conference finals, although the four wins came by an average margin of 28.5 PPG. The two teams are meeting a round earlier this season and after sweeping the Pacers in the first round, the Cavs now own a 3-0 series lead over the Raptors in this series. Cleveland won Game 1 by "just" 11 points but note that the Cavs led by 22 points entering the fourth quarter in that contest. Cleveland then won Game 2 by the score of 125-103 and then Game 3 by 115-94. Cleveland received some much-needed rest after sweeping the Indiana Pacers in the opening round and will receive another break if it can close out the Raptors on Sunday. Toronto was outscored 36-17 in the fourth quarter of Game 3 when it needed a supreme 12 minutes to make it a series and will likely be without starting point guard Kyle Lowry (ankle) for the second consecutive contest. "I'm probably doubtful, honestly," Lowry told reporters on Saturday. "I don't think I'll be able to play. ... It's not looking great, but I'm not giving up on it."

Cleveland: "For myself, I just focus on that game," Cavaliers forward LeBron James said after Game 3. I don't really think about the sweep, I don't think of anything but how can I as leader of the ballclub put our guys in a position to be successful." The Raptors haven't come close to stopping LBJ, who is averaging 36.3 points and shooting 60.4 percent from the floor in the series. He has been superb overall in seven games this postseason with averages of 34.3 points, nine rebounds, 7.3 assists and 2.4 steals.

Toronto: SG DeMar DeRozan produced a career playoff-best 37 points in Game 3, after he had scored just five points on 2-of-11 shooting in Game 2. It looks like Lowry will be out again, so DeRozan will need another huge effort. Cory Joseph started for Lowry in Game 3 and was awful, scoring only four points (on 2-of-12 shooting) with six assists in 33 minutes. He'll have to do better and so will every other Raptor getting "PT" in Game 4.

The pick: Maybe I'm just "spitting into the wind" but the Raptors were 2-for-18 on 3-point shots on Friday, missing their first 12 of the game. That's far from typical. "I thought we did an excellent job of moving the basketball, finding the right person," Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said. "But again, it's something we've done, knocking down 3s all year and, for whatever reason, it's escaping us right now." Casey added, " ... At one point, we were one of the better offensive teams in the league, depending on the 3s, knocking down the 3, and now we have to transfer it from regular-season basketball to playoff basketball." Make Toronto an 8* play.

The set-up: The St. Louis Blues staved off elimination with a 2-1 win home win on Friday over the Predators, after losing consecutive games in Nashville to fall behind 3-1 in this second round series. The Predators are the West's No. 8 seed but take to their home ice on Sunday with a chance to advance to the Western Conference finals, something the franchise has yet to do. The Blues now face another win-or-go-home scenario when they visit the Predators on Sunday afternoon in Game 6

St. Louis: Jaden Schwartz delivered the tie-breaking goal in the first minute of the third period in Game 5's 2-1 win but St. Louis was able to score just one goal in each road loss to the Predators. "We know that we’re going to have to be even better next game," Blues head coach Mike Yeo told reporters. "We lost home-ice along the way here, so we have to find a way to win a game in their building and we know it won’t be an easy challenge for us, but we’ll be up for it.” So he hopes.

Nashville: The Predators own a spotless 4-0 record in Nashville during the postseason, having allowed just five goals in their four wins at Bridgestone Arena. Nashville's No. 1 line of Ryan Johansen and 31-goal scorers Viktor Arvidsson and Filip Forsberg were dominant in a first-round sweep of top-seeded Chicago, combining for 15 points in the stunning upset. However, that unit has pretty much been kept in check by St. Louis, managing a total of three points - getting zero production from Arvidsson and one point from Johansen. 'Saving' the Predators has been goalie Pekka Rinne. There were questions about the drop-off in Rinne's play entering the playoffs but he has posted a 7-2-0 mark, 1.41 goals-against average and a staggering .951 save percentage,

The pick: St. Louis netminder Blues Jake Allen owns a 1.94 GAA and .937 SP in the playoffs but his team hasn't been able to score enough. In particular, the Blues are 1 of 14 with a man advantage against Nashville and a woeful 2 of 29 on the power play in this year's playoffs, to-date. Make the Under a 10* play.

The set-up: Boston has really missed Ortiz in the early going of 2017 and after scoring just 10 runs in their previous three games, the Red Sox shuffled their lineup a bit on Saturday with excellent results. Boston manager John Farrell sat slumping Jackie Bradley Jr. in favor of Chris Young and put Andrew Benintendi in the cleanup spot for the first time in his brief career Saturday. Young sparked an eight-run second-inning uprising with his first HR of the season, Benintendi began a three-hit effort later in the frame with a two-run double and Young slugged his second solo shot in three at-bats three innings later to extend Boston's cushion. Boston's 11-1 victory represented a season-best run total.
The Twins are coming off a 103-loss season, so there are few complaints regarding the team's 15-13 start in 2017.

The pitching matchup: The rubber match of this three game series (Twins won 4-3 on Friday) will feature two of MLB's top performers in the early part of the season. Chris Sale (2-2 & 1.38 ERA) gets the nod for Boston and Ervin Santana (5-0 & 0.66 ERA) for Minnesota. Sale has worked at least seven innings and allowed two runs or less in all six of his 2017 starts but a lack of run support has led to just two wins (Boston is 4-2 in his six games, though). The five-time All-Star has struck out at least 10 in five straight outings and ranks second in the majors in WHIP (0.74) as well as being fourth in ERA. Santana worked around three walks and continued his exceptional start to the season Tuesday against Oakland, yielding only three singles and striking out seven in six scoreless innings of a 9-1 win. He has allowed a total of just three ERs and only 16 hits over 41 innings, as he leads the majors in ERA and WHIP (0.71) and is tied for the league lead in wins.

The pick: Neither pitcher has good LT records against the team they are facing (Sale's ERA is 4.58 in 16 starts against Minnesota and Santana's ERA in 5.11 against Boston in 15 starts) but that was then and this is now. I've included plenty of stats above but will add here that Sale leads the majors with 63 strikeouts while holding hitters to a .166 batting average, second only to Santana's .120 mark. Kudos to Santana but Sale's in the prime of his career while Santana's 2017 effort seems "too good to be true." Let's also note that while Boston won 93 games in 2016, Minnesota lost 103. These teams are not equals. Make Boston an 8* play.

The set-up: The Braves were coming off a 68-93 season in 2016 but players and fans alike were looking forward to 2017, if for no other reason than the team was opening a new home stadium, SunTrust Park. However, Atlanta is just 11-17 to open the season and after starting 4-0 in its new stadium, the Braves have dropped seven of their last eight games at home. The Cards missed the postseason in 2016 for the first time since 2010 and started slowly in 2017 at 3-9. However, they have won 12 of 17 games since, including the first two of this three-game series in Atlanta, 10-0 on Friday and 5-3 last night. St. Louis goes for its first series sweep on the road this year when the Cards cap a three-game set at SunTrust Park with Braves on Sunday afternoon.

The pitching matchup: Michael Wacha (2-1 & 3.23 ERA) takes the mound for the Cards and R.A. Dickey (3-2 & 3.94 ERA) for the Braves. Wacha gave up a season-high four ERs in six innings of a no-decision against Milwaukee this past Monday but note that he's off to a solid start in 2017, lasting at least six innings while walking two batters or less in all five of his starts (has 28 Ks in 30 2/3 innings). He owns 3.12 ERA in three career games versus Atlanta but is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in one start. Unlike the 25-year-old Wacha, Dickey will be making the 375th appearance and 275th start of his career. He's looking for a third straight win but although he has held opponents to a .248 average, six of the 19 hits he has allowed over the last four starts have been HRs. Dickey owns a 4.09 ERA in seven career appearances against St. Louis. That includes five starts in which he's 3-1 with a 4.26 ERA (teams are 4-1).

The pick: The Cards have now won five straight in Atlanta dating back to Turner Field last season and Wacha is beginning to show signs of the pitcher we saw back in the 2013 postseason (4-1 & 2.64 ERA) and 2015's regular season (17-7). As noted, Dickey hasn't given up many hits lately (19 in his last 24 innings) but six have left the park. Expect him to clean that up here and I'll make the Under a 10* play.

The set-up: The Warriors haven't really been tested yet by Utah in taking the first two games of this series but in winning by 12 and 11 points, Golden State is 0-2 ATS. The Jazz fell behind by six points after the first quarter in Game 1 and the fell behind by 18 points after the first period in Game 2. Utah has yet to lose complete touch in any of the first two games but the Jazz haven't really threatened yet, either.

Golden State: The Warriors' hot start in Game 2 was led by Draymond Green, who knocked down four of his five 3-pointers in the first quarter and finished with 21 points before leaving after a scary fall in the fourth quarter. However, he seemed unconcerned about the injury following the contest. "I knew my knee was just locking up a little bit," Green told reporters. "I had it before. A little tweak. It wasn't like this huge sigh of relief because I kind of knew exactly what it was from the jump. But it's always good to know you're OK."
Green joined Curry and Durant in Game 2, as the Warriors became the first team to have three players record at least 20 points and five assists since the Spurs did it in 2008.

Utah: The Jazz know they need to get off to a better start at home. "I do think we have to start the game better," Utah head coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "Hopefully we can do that at home. But we also want to try and be ahead at the end. If you don't start well, you're climbing an uphill battle. I think that means being more aggressive on offense. If you're not, they really capitalize going the other way." Gordon Hayward scored a game-high 33 points in Game 2 after slumping to 12 points on 4-of-15 shooting in Game 1 but PG George Hill sat out Game 2 with a toe injury and remains day-to-day. Joe Johnson was a star against the Clippers (15.7 PPG) but he's scored just a total of just 19 points in two games against the Warriors, shooting 7 of 18 from the floor (38.9%). Also, Favors made big contributions off the bench in support of and in relief of Gobert against LA, but has been a non-factor against the Warriors.

The pick: The Warriors made comments prior to the series about wanting to face the Clippers instead of the Jazz in the second round due to the more varied nightlife options in Los Angeles. That could mean that the lack of nightlife on the road will keep the Warriors focused on Game 3! The Warriors have played very efficiently offense, handing out 32 assists on 40 FGs in Game 1 and 33 assists on 42 FGs in Game 2. They have shot a combined 49.1 percent from the floor through two games and defensively, have forced 14.5 turnovers per game while averaging 22 points per game off of turnovers. The Warriors are too good for the Jazz. Make Golden State a 10* play.

The set-up: Neither the Diamondbacks nor the Rockies contended in 2016 (Colorado was only 75-87 and Arizona even worse at 69-93) but the Rockies are currently atop the NL West at 18-12, with the D'backs just a half-game back at 18-13. Arizona closed the gap to a half-game with last night's 6-3 win in Coors, led by Paul Goldschmidt's two HRs and season-high five RBI.

The pitching matchup: A pair of left-handers take the mound on Saturday night, Patrick Corbin (2-3 & 2.29 ERA) for Arizona and Tyler Anderson (1-3 & 7.71 ERA) for Colorado. Corbin allowed just two hits over 6 1/3 scoreless innings in a no-decision against Colorado last Sunday and is 5-2 with a 4.48 ERA in 13 career starts against them (team is 10-3). Corbin comes in on a roll, having allowed just four ERs over his last three starts (1.86 ERA), while striking out 23, against just four walks, in 19 1/3 innings. Anderson has to be happy that April is over. The team actually split his six starts last month, despite him posting a 7.71 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and .303 BAA. He gave up a season-high six runs in five innings (allowed three HRs) but escaped with a no-decision against Arizona in his last start on April 29. Speaking of HRs, he's allowed nine in his 30 1/3 innings this season. Anderson has three no-decisions against Arizona but has posted a 7.80 ERA and 2.09 WHIP in those outings (team is 1-2).

The pick: The over may be tempting to some but Corbin comes in pitching very well plus Anderson is not as bad as he's pitched so far. In fact, he allowed three ERs or less in 10 of his 12 home starts last season. Make the Under a 10* play.

The set-up: The Penguins played without Sidney Crosby in Game 4 but were able to win 3-2 and now own a 3-1 lead over the Caps in this second round series. Game 5 is tonight in Washington and Pittsburgh has a chance to eliminate the Presidents' Trophy-winning Capitals for the second time in as many years. Crosby skated alongside his teammates and was a full participant in drills during practice on Friday (four days after sustaining the reported fourth concussion of his career). When asked about Crosby's availability for Game 5, Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan was quick to add that his day-to-day status "hasn't changed at all."

Pittsburgh: Conor Sheary also practiced on Friday, after sustaining a concussion in Monday's Game 3. Sheary has struggled to maintain his scoring pace since being bumped from the top line alongside Crosby with just two assists in eight playoff contests (had a 53-point regular season, including 23 goals). Rookie Jake Guentzel continued his scintillating postseason by recording his fourth multi-point performance on Wednesday, increasing his goal total to eight to join Maurice "Rocket" Richard (12 in 1944), Mario Lemieux (11 in 1989) and Wayne Gretzky (nine in 1980-81) with at least that many tallies in his first nine career playoff games.

Washington: Are the Capitals showing signs of desperation by shuffling captain Alex Ovechkin to the third line in practice on Friday? "(We're) here to do whatever it takes to get the win and move forward," the three-time Hart Trophy winner told the Washington Post after skating with Lars Eller and Tom Wilson. "I don't think it's to send a message or something." As Archie Bunker used to say, "Whatever!' Ovechkin publicly accepted the blame for the team's Game 4 loss. Yes, head coach Barry Trotz called out his team's best players in the wake of Washington being pushed to the brink of elimination but it's wasn't just Ovechkin. Last season's Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby has been outplayed by counterpart Marc-Andre Fleury, as he owns a 3.00 GAA and a poor .867 save percentage in the series.

The pick: This has been a one-sided playoff rivalry, with Pittsburgh winning seven of the previous eight series and going on to capture the Stanley Cup after the last two (2009, 2016). The Penguins own a 13-3 mark when leading a best-of-seven series by a 3-1 margin but note that during the Crosby/Evgeni Malkin era, the Penguins are a modest 16-13 (1-1 this year) in games in which they can eliminate an opponent. I'm sure not about to call for the Caps to win three straight but that's not the question to be answered here in Game 5. Yes, Washington has been outscored 14-9 in the series but the Caps have 49 more shots on goal than the Penguins. In Game 4, Washington had a 38-18 advantage but was undone by mistakes. A goal deflected in off Dmitry Orlov's skate and the team took six offensive-zone penalties, including one as Holtby was being pulled for an extra attacker. Make Washington a 10* play in this one.

The set-up: The Minnesota Twins enter the first weekend of May in first place in the American League Central at 15-12. That's quite an improvement from last year's 59-103 record, as the Twins finished in last-place for the fourth time in the last six seasons. They will host the Red Sox in this second of a three-game series this afternoon, after winning Friday night's game 4-3 on Joe Mauer's walk-off HR (surprisingly, the first of his career). With the loss, Boston fell to 4-7 on the road and 15-14, overall. The Red Sox really miss es Ortiz, as last year's team led all of MLB in team BA (.282) and runs scored (5.42 per game). The 2017 Red Sox come in batting .266 and more concerning, are scoring only 3.79 RPG to rank 26th of 30 teams!

The pitching matchup: Rick Porcello (1-4 & 4.46 ERA) will get the nod for Boston and Nick Tepesch (NR) gets the start for Minnesota. Porcello is off a 2016 season in which he won the AL's Cy Young, going 22-4 with a 3.15 ERA (team was 25-8, plus-$1470 to rank 3rd-best in all his starts). However, he has already matched his 2016 loss total, although a lack run support has been a contributing factor. He's only had one bad start (allowed eight ERs in 4 1/3 innings April 14th vs. the Rays), as he has allowed just four ERs in his three starts since that outing over 19 2/3 innings (1.83 ERA) but each start has ended in a loss. Porcello is 9-9 with 3.94 ERA in 27 career starts against the Twins, with his teams going 13-14. Nick Tepesch spent time in four different organizations in 2016 while combining to go 8-4 with a 3.96 ERA, all at the Triple-A level. He went 1-1 with a 2.00 mark with 17 strikeouts in 18 innings through three starts to begin this season for Triple-A Rochester and makes his Minnesota debut in the majors this afternoon. He has never faced Boston but is 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA in two previous starts at Target Field.

The pick: Tepesch was originally drafted out of high school by the Red Sox before choosing to attend the University of Missouri, He has appeared in 43 career major league games, making 40 starts, with a 9-18 record and 4.68 ERA. He started his career in Texas, where he saw time in the majors in 2013 and 2014. He made his way back in 2016 for Los Angeles and that's where he made his most recent start in the "bigs," back on June 24, 2016, Boston has struggled at the plate but Tepesch could be "just what the doctor ordered." As for Porcello, he's pitched well without any luck over his last three turns and is overdue for some help. Make Boston an 8* play.

The set-up: The Anaheim Ducks were in the midst of a 12-game home point streak (11-0-1) as they began their second round series with the Edmonton Oilers. However, the Oilers won both Games 1 and 2 at Honda Center. Shaken, the Ducks traveled to Rogers Centre in Edmonton for the next two games but just like against the Flames in Calgary, Alberta has been good to the Ducks this postseason. Anaheim won Games 3 and 4 in Calgary and did the same in Edmonton, as the series now returns to Southern California for the all-important Game 5, tied at two-all. "It's a weird series when you take that both teams have went into one another's building and won both games," Anaheim head coach Randy Carlyle told reporters. "So I'm sure they're looking at it and saying, 'We've got road-ice advantage. We're going to try to defend it. It's our serve.'"

Edmonton: Captain Connor McDavid, the Art Ross Trophy winner, had a highlight-reel goal in Game 3 and added another tally in Wednesday's 4-3 OT loos, giving him a point in five of his last six contests. He wasn't hanging his head after his team dropped both contests at Rogers Place telling reporters, "I think everyone feels pretty good, even though losing both (games) at home is not ideal. We're going into a building that we feel pretty comfortable playing in, we've had success there before. We've been a pretty good road team this year, the guys seem to jell on the road."

Anaheim: Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf had a four-point performance in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime victory (two goals / two assists) and surpassed Teemu Selanne (35) for first place on the franchise's all-time playoff list (he also has a team-best 13 points in eight playoff games this postseason). Jakob Silfverberg scored the second-fastest overtime goal in franchise playoff history when he tallied 45 seconds into the extra session in Game 4, extending his goal-scoring streak to four contests and playoff total to seven in eight games.

The pick: Edmonton got blasted 7-0 on April 18 at San Jose in the first round, tying that series at two-all. However, the Oilers responded by taking the next two games to advance and head coach Todd McLellan'sexpects the team to step up. "We won two games in (the Ducks') building. Obviously, it's a road series," he told the Edmonton Journal. "We'll take road-ice advantage into Game 5." I'm sticking with Todd's prediction and will make Edmonton an 8* play.

The set-up: Houston and San Antonio have traded blowout victories to open this series, as the Rockets shocked the Spurs in Game 1, winning by 27 points while heaving up 50 three-pointers (made 22). However, the Spurs delivered their own version of a beat down in Game 2, winning by 25 points as Leonard scored 34 points (shot 13 of 16 from the floor) and Harden struggled badly for the Rockets, scoring only 13 points while shooting 3 of 17! One team will take a 2-1 lead after tonight's Game 3 in Houston but the Spurs will play the rest of the series (postseason) without veteran PG Tony Parker, who ruptured his left quadriceps near the end of Game 2

San Antonio: Parker had a poor regular season but was having a rebirth in the playoffs, averaging 15.9 PPG on 52.5 percent shooting (including 57.95 on threes), despite a scoreless Game 2 against Memphis. However, it will now be up to Patty Mills to step up and lessen Parker's loss. "I can tell you one thing, that we're all ready," Mills said after Game 2. "We're all ready to step up and make an impact." San Antonio will also need LaMarcus Aldridge to step up. He was signed to a max contract prior to last season but sure hasn't played like a "max" player this postseason. He's averaging just 13.5 PPG on 43.3 percent shooting (down from 47.7% in the regular seaosn) and after making 41.1% on threes this year, he's 0 for 6 in the postseason.

Houston: The Rockets have to be happy with a split in San Antonio but it's fair for them to be concerned over Harden's recent play. He made just 13 of 41 shots (31.7%), including 2 of 20 on threes, in the final two games vs. OKC. Here in this series, he averaged only 16.5 PPG while shooting 9 of 30 (30.0%), including 5 of 17 on threes. Harden has averaged 12 assists in the two contests but his overall numbers are a significant drop-off from the regular season, when he averaged 29.8 points, 9.0 rebounds and 11.8 assists in four games against the Spurs.

The pick: The Rockets blitzed the Spurs in Game 1 but surrendered that momentum with a fourth-quarter collapse in Game 2 (SA outscored Houston 33-13 in the final period). One team will be up 2-1 after Game 3 but I'm not sure which one. However, the Rockets are averaging 116.9 PPG at home (including the playoffs). The winner of the first two games has scored 126 and 121 points plus the last two meetings of the regular season between these two teams saw those games average 220.5 points. Make the Over an 8* Play

The set-up: The Rockies were 75-87 last season and the D'backs were 69-93, with both teams well behind the division-winning Dodgers by 16 and 22 games, respectively. However, in the early going of 2017, Colorado sits at 18-11 and in first place in the NL West, while the D'backs are right behind them at 17-13 (1 1/2 games back). That sets the stage for this three-game series with the D'backs at Coors Field. Colorado has produced sub-.500 records away from Coors Field each of the last seven seasons but Thursday's 3-2, 11-inning victory at San Diego gives them an 11-5 road record in 2017, -the second-best mark in the majors behind Washington. Arizona fell 4-2 in Washington on Thursday in the rubber match of that three-game series, which was the first leg of this six-game road trip against the teams with the two best records in the NL.

The pitching matchup: Zack Greinke (2-2 & 3.19 ERA) will get the ball for Arizona on Friday and German Marquez (0-1 & 7.20 ERA) for Colorado. Greinke struck out nine over six innings last Saturday at home vs. the Rockies but surrendered three solo HRs in a no-decision versus Colorado (Rockies won 7-6 on a three-run 9th!). The 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner is 7-4 with a 4.11 ERA in 21 games (20 starts / teams are 12-8) versus the Rockies in his career. Marquez is a rookie making his third start of 2017. He rebounded from a poor season debut (eight runs allowed over just four innings in a 15-12 loss to Washington on April 25) with a terrific outing in a no-decision last Sunday at Arizona, allowing six hits and walking one while striking out eight over six scoreless innings. Marquez has worked eight scoreless innings in two career appearances (one start) against the Diamondbacks.

The pick: Colorado has had its struggles at Coors Field early in 2017, going just 7-6, mainly because it's allowed 6.15 RPG at home. The Diamondbacks are 12-5 at Chase Field and just 5-8 on the road but Greinke over Marquez makes this a 10* play on Arizona.

The set-up: The Nashville Predators may be the No. 8 seed in the West but after a 2-1 Game 4 win, they are on the verge of advancing to the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history. The Predators won back-to-back games in Nashville to push St. Louis to the brink of elimination and up their postseason record to a stunning 7-1. The Blues scored just two goals in two games in Nashville (one in each) and can hardly count on a return home to serve as a panacea, as they are just 6-8 in their last 14 playoff games at Scottrade Center, including 2-2 this postseason.

Nashville: Pekka Rinne was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the eighth round in 2004, back when the franchise was celebrating its first playoff appearance. Thirteen years, 11 NHL seasons and 564 games later, Rinne and the team that drafted him are a win away from reaching a place they've never been before. There were questions about the drop-off in Rinne's play entering the playoffs but he has posted a 7-1-0 mark, 1.33 goals-against average and a staggering .953 save percentage, the highest for a netminder with at least eight starts since 1982-83. Nashville's defensemen have played well in front of him plus have scored eight goals and added 14 assists in the team's eight playoff games.

St. Louis: The Blues know they must reduce their time in the penalty box, after seven minors in Game 4 and six in Game 3. St. Louis must also improve its own power play, as the Blues are 1 of 9 with a man advantage against Nashville and a woeful 2 of 24 on the power play in this year's playoffs, to-date. One player the Blues can't blame is goaltender Jake Allen, who owns a 2.05 GAA and .936 SP.

The pick: I expect nothing to change in Game 5. Allen will play well but the Blues just can't get much (if anything?) past Rinne. Nashville's 11 goals allowed in eight playoff games is the fourth-lowest total since the expansion era. Make the Under an 8* play.

The set-up: The Toronto Blue Jays have played in the last two ALCS matchups but have opened the 2017 season with the worst record in MLB at 9-19. The Blue Jays are still waiting he left side of their infield, 3B Josh Donaldson and SS Troy Tulowitzki, to return from injuries, as they head to Tampa for a three-game series with the 15-15 Rays. Donaldson (calf) has been sidelined since April 13 while shortstop Tulowitzki (hamstring) has been out since April 21, but both could return early next week. The Rays beat Miami 5-1 on Thursday and have won three of their last four games, allowing just four runs in those three victories. The Blue Jays took two of three from the Rays last week in Toronto, allowing just one run in each of the victories.

The pitching matchup: Francisco Liriano (2-2 & 3.97 ERA) opens the series for Toronto, opposed by Tampa's ace, Chris Archer (2-1 & 3.43 ERA). Liriano beat the Rays last Saturday in Toronto, allowing just one run on four hits over five innings. The 33-year-old vet has had control issues this season, walking 15 batters in 22 2/3 innings but has allowed only one HR. He's 3-3 with a 5.49 ERA in 12 career appearances (11 starts / teams are 5-6) versus the Rays. Archer is win-less in his last three outings (0-2 with a 4.74 ERA / team is 1-2) but in his most recent start (April 30), he allowed just one ER on four hits in a no-decison against the Blue Jays (Toronto won 3-1). He is 6-4 with a 3.06 ERA in 21 career starts against the Blue Jays (Rays are 12-9).

The pick: These teams have seen a lot of each other so far, with the Rays taking three of four from Toronto in an early series at Tropicana Field and the Jays winning two of three when they played at Rogers Centre last weekend. Toronto's recovered from a 1-9 start to go 8-10 its last 18 but the Jays are only 6-11 on teheroad, allowing 5.9 RPG. Meanwhile, the Rays are 10-5 at home, where they have averaged 5.20 RPG. Make the Over a 10* play.

The set-up: The Cleveland Cavaliers needed six games to beat the Toronto Raptors in last year's Eastern Conference finals, although the four wins came by an average margin of 28.5 PPG. The two teams are meeting a round earlier this season and after sweeping the Pacers in the first round, the Cavs have again opened their series with the Raptors by easily winning Games 1 and 2 of this series at home. Game 1's margin was 'just" 11 points, although let's note that the Cavs led by 22 points entering the fourth quarter in that contest. Cleveland led by 18 heading into the fourth quarter of Game 2 and extended the lead to win by 22. The Cavaliers are 6-0 in this year's postseason and have averaged 1115.3 PPG. Toronto had its hands full with Milwaukee (won in six games) and now hope its deja vu against the Cavs. Cleveland steamrolled Toronto in the first two games of last season's playoffs as well, before the Raptors thrived in their home environment and won the next two contests at Air Canada Centre.

Cleveland: Going back to last year's Finals, the Cavs have won nine straight playoff games, with LBJ averaging 34.9-10.0-8-1. It's fair to say, he's pretty good. PG Kyrie Irving set a personal playoff high for assists (10 in Game 1) and broke that record with 11 in Game 2. He' averaging 23 points and 10.5 assists in the two games, so far.  The Cavaliers have averaged 16 made three-pointers in the two wins and reserve forward Channing Frye had his best game of the postseason on Wednesday, making five 3-pointers and scoring 18 points. Staring center Thompson has averaged 7.8 & 11.2 this postseason and failed to grab double digits in a game for the first time this postseason in Game 2's win (had nine!).

Toronto: PG Kyle Lowry scored 20 points In Game 2 but departed the game with a sprained left ankle and sat out the fourth quarter. He didn't practice Thursday and is listed as questionable for Friday's game. Meanwhile, Demar DeRozan was 'hurting' for another reason, suffering through a dreadful Game 2 performance. He scored just five points on 2-of-11 shooting. "It sucks. To lose like we did, to play like I did, it sucks," DeRozan told reporters. "It's frustrating. Now I just have the added time having to wait till Friday night to redeem myself." DeRozan avergaed 27.3 PPG during the regular season, so a bounce-back is hardly a stretch."When we lost by (31) here last year, everyone knocked us and said it was over with," head coach Dwane Casey said. "It was done. I don't believe in that. I believe in our players. I believe in our guys, and I know there is another level we can get to."

The pick: It's "now or never" for the Raptors but even back-to-back wins, means the Raptors would still have to find a way to win in Cleveland. The Raptors were 99-84 winners in Game 3 last year with DeRozan scoring 32 points and then won 105-99 in Game 4 with Lowry scoring 35. However,  they then lost Game 5 in Cleveland by 38 points and Game 6 back in Toronto by 26. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. The Raptors can win here and will! Make Toronto a 10* play.

The set-up: The Warriors fell just shy of covering in Game 1, winning 106-94 as 13-point favorites. However, Golden State controlled the flow in the series opener and sure didn't look rusty form an eight-day layoff. The Warriors got balanced scoring (all five starters were in double digits) and the lone negative was the team's poor three-point shooting (7 of 29 or 24.1%). However, the team held Utah star forward Gordon Hayward to just 12 points and Utah was almost as bad from three-point range as the Warriors, making only 9 of 29 (31.0%).

Utah: The Jazz were never able to get their offense in gear, as Hayward and postseason standout Joe Johnson both struggled. In fact, center Rudy Gobert was the club's high scorer with 13 points. "We just didn't execute like we wanted to and missed some shots," Hayward said during postgame festivities. "So definitely not the way we wanted to start, but just one game. Have to figure something out and be ready for the next one." Hayward was just 4-of-15 from the floor and Johnson has just 11 points, on 4 of 10 shooting. George Hill had just seven points in the opener, after averaging 16.9 points in the series against the Clippers.

Golden State: Curry suffered a left ankle injury during Game 1 (led with 22 points) and missed practice on Wednesday. However, he isn't expected to be hampered in terms of Game 2. He only played 21 seconds in the final quarter and insisted after the contest that it was "just routine maintenance" and "it's nothing to worry about." Small forward Kevin Durant scored 17 points in the opener and looks nearly fully recovered from the calf injury that caused him to miss two games in the first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers. Green added 17-8-6, so don't worry about the Warriors in this one.

The pick: No way either team shoots as poorly again from three-point range (see numbers above) and this over/under remains low for a Golden State team averaging 116.8 PPG in winning its first five postseason games. Make the Over a 10* play.

The set-up: It's been the "Isaiah Thomas Show" in the first two games of this second round series between the top-seed Celtics and fourth-seeded Wizards. Washington opened Game 1 on a 16-0 run but lost by 12 and then scored 42 points in the first quarter of Game 2 (led by 13), only to lose (and fail to cover) in OT, 129-119. Thomas has persevered through personal tragedy to score 33 points in Game 1 and then 53 points in Game 2 (one shy of Hondo's franchise record for a single playoff game), with 29 of his points coming in the fourth quarter and OT. Washington PG John Wall collected 40 points and 13 assists for the Wizards in Game 2, after scoring 20 points with 16 assists in Game 1, but he's been overshadowed by Thomas. "It was a heck of a basketball game," Washington head coach Scott Brooks told reporters. "Two teams played their hearts out. Two great players played well. I thought both teams competed, played their hearts out, nothing to be ashamed of. We lost both games. Now we got to go home and take care of Game 3."

Boston: Sure, Thomas has been the definitive star but center Al Horford had 21-9-10 in Game 1 and then 15 & 12 in Game 2. SF Crowder has averaged 19.0 & 6.5 in the first two games and Thomas' backcourt partner Bradley, has averaged 16.0 PPG, although he has shot just 13-of-36 from the floor in the series. Who knows what might have been if Rondo hadn't gotten hurt after Chicago took a 2-0 lead? However, we do know that Boston has now won six in a row, averaging 112.2 PPG.

Washington: John Wall darted, dashed and dished from all over the court in Tuesday's Game 2 but nothing was enough to conquer Boston's Thomas. It sure didn't help that after scoring 27 points and shooting 4-of-7 on threes in in Game 1, Bradley Beal went 1-of-9 from three-point range in Game 2 while scoring only 14 points. Washington led 110-104 with 2:43 remaining in regulation but couldn't close out the Celtics. "It was tough. We had opportunities to win this game," Wall said. "Last 2/3 minutes, (we) had the opportunities to make shots, but we missed some good looks. They came down and made some tough shots. They made shots that we missed."

The pick: Will playing on familiar turf help Washington's defenders better deal with the 5-foot-9 Thomas? Washington did win both home regular-season games against Boston but I'm not stepping in front of this Boston 'train,' led by Thomas 'the conductor.' Boston head coach Brad Stevens was just 2-10 in this playoff career after the Celtics lost the first two games against Chicago at home. However, he has since led Boston to six consecutive wins and covers. Can you say SEVEN in a row? Make the Celtics an 8* play.

The set-up: The Rangers "gave away" Game 2 of the series to fall into an 0-2 hole but rebounded strongly in Game 3, scoring the contest's first four goals in a 4-1 victory. The Senators had played eight straight one-goal decisions to open the postseason and erased a two-goal deficit on three occasions before prevailing in double overtime in Game 2. However, in speaking about Game 3, Ottawa head coach Guy Boucher told reporters of New York's domination,  "We got a slap in the face and we've got to get up." Tuesday's matchup is now another must-win for New York. “It says that we can erase an emotional loss,” Rangers forward Rick Nash told reporters about his team's Game 3 win. “We’re still down, so the next game is that much of a bigger deal.”

Ottawa: The Senators may view this game as a must win as well, as returning home tied at two-all would mean momentum had swung in the favor of the Rangers. Ottawa has some injury concerns as forwards Bobby Ryan and Zack Smith each were knocked out of Game 3, although Boucher said Ryan is likely to play Thursday while Smith's status will be determined at the morning skate. However, on the positive side, it appears defenseman Chris Wideman and winger Tom Pyatt, both of whom have been out since late in the opening-round series against the Boston Bruins, will return to the Ottawa lineup Thursday.

NY Rangers: Mats Zuccarello, the leading scorer during the regular season, had a goal and an assist Tuesday to give him five points in his last four games. Mika Zibanejad, acquired from Ottawa in the offseason in exchange for Derick Brassard, also is raising his level of play with six points over the past five games to take over the team lead with seven in the postseason. "At the end of the day, all we've done is win one game," warned Rangers' head coach Vigneault. "(Thursday) is the most important game of the season for us."

The pick: The Rangers played a nearly flawless game, a passionate and well-executed performance, while little went right for a Senators team that put up limited resistance and made a host of mistakes after winning the first two games of the series on home ice. The Rangers were just a so-so team on home ice for much of the regular season but they have reversed their fortunes in the playoffs, having won their last three at MSG. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist has allowed just one goal in each of those three games! In contrast, Ottawa netminder Craig Anderson has permitted nine goals in the past two games and committed another puck-handling gaffe that led to a gimme tally in Game 3. Make the Rangers a 10* play.

The set-up: The Rockies lost 2-0 (13 inn.) on Sunday and then opened a three-game series in San Diego with the Padres on Tuesday with a 6-2 defeat. However, those Colorado bats woke up Wednesday night at Petco, pounding out 14 hits in an 11-3 win. Ian Desmond was the hitting star, going 3-for-5 with two HRs and three RBI. The loss ended San Diego's modest three-game winning streak and note that San Diego has now lost three of its last four home games, leaving them just 6-5 at home. The teams square off in the rubber game of this series with 17-11 Colorado sitting atop the NL West and the 12-17 Padres 5 1/2 games back of the Rockies, ahead of only the 11-18 Giants in the division.

The pitching matchup: Kyle Freeland (3-1 & 2.93 ERA) takes the hill for the Rockies and Luis Perdomo (0-0 & 4.96 ERA) for the Padres. Freeland hopes to redeem himself after being pounded by San Diego back on April 12 in just the second start of his major-league career. He lasted only 4 2/3 innings in that outing, allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks en route to his first loss, 6-0. However, Freeland has been superb since, posting a 2-0 record while allowing only two runs over 17 innings in three starts, two of which were on the road. In fact, taking away that start vs. San Diego, Freeland is 3-0 with 1,17 ERA in four starts, with the Rockies going 4-0. Perdomo is coming off his best outing of the season, although he settled for a no-decision at San Francisco last Friday. He allowed three runs (one earned) and struck out five without issuing a walk over six innings. The effort marked his second start since returning from a stint on the disabled list due to shoulder inflammation. Perdomo made two starts and two relief appearances against Colorado as a rookie last season but did not fare well, going 0-2 with a 6.62 ERA.

The pick: Yes, Freeland has been terrific save his start against the Padrers but it's San Diego he gets again here. He may just have trouble with them once more. As for Perdomo, he's made just three starts in 2017 and before his solid effort last Friday, had allowed 11 hits, four walks and eight ERs over just 10 1/3 innings (6.97 ERA). I noted above his poor record in four appearances against Colorado in 2016 (see above) and will add that his two starts last season were AWFUL, as he lost both with an ERA of 8.18! The Over is an 8* play.

The set-up: The Houston Astros have scored 24 runs in winning the first three of this four-game home series against the Texas Rangers. The Astros are now 19-9, giving them MLB's best record, as they go for the sweep in this Thursday afternoon contest. Houston has matched the franchise's best 28-game start from 2006 and has opened 2017 at 15-4 against its American League West rivals. By losing these first three games against the Astros, the Rangers' losing streak has reached four in a row and with seven losses in their last nine, the Rangers now occupy the basement in the AL West at 11-17.

The pitching matchup:: A.J. Griffin (2-0 & 4.11 ERA) gets the nod for Texas and Joe Musgrove (1-2 & 4.88 ERA) will take the mound for Houston. Griffin is returning from a short stint on the DL due to an ankle injury and makes his first appearance since April 17th. He was outstanding in that start against Oakland, throwing six scoreless innings, allowing one hit with eight Ks and one walk. The team is a perfect 3-0 in his starts in 2017 and he's also perfect in his career against Houston. He's made seven career stars against the Astros, going 5-0 with a 4.22 ERA (Rangers are 7-0!). Musgrove pitched well in defeat in his last start, giving up just one run and five hits over 6 1/3 innings against Oakland. He's made three starts against Texas, going 1-1 with a 4.59 ERA (team is 1-2).

The pick: Griffin has that great lifetime record against Houston but the Astros are red-hot, averaging 7.75 run in their four-game winning streak and now rank second in all of MLB with a .276 BA and sit third in OPS at .785. Meanwhile, Texas batters combined to strike out 13 times on Wednesday and have fanned a whopping 41 times during the first three games of the series (ouch!). As for Houston's Musgrove, while he owns a 6.75 career on the road, here at home its just 2.58 in nine appearances (eight starts). Make Houston an 8* play.

The set-up: The Anaheim Ducks won the Pacific Division for the fifth straight time in the 2016-17 season but just barely, as the Edmonton Oilers finished just two points behind them. The Oilers then won Games 1 and 2 at the Honda Center to take a 2-0 lead in this second round series, before the Ducks were able to win 6-3 on Sunday at Rogers Place. Sunday's triumph in Edmonton gives the Ducks a 3-0 in Alberta this season plus Anaheim also he won both encounters during its first-round series against the Flames in Calgary. All of a sudden, the pressure is back on the Oilers, who are 27-13-5 on home ice this season, including the playoffs.

Anaheim: Jakob Silfverberg recorded his first career multi-goal performance and extended his goal-scoring streak to three contests after tallying twice in Sunday's victory. His six goals trail only Pittsburgh rookie Jake Guentzel for the league lead while his 31 career points (10 goals, 21 assists) in 30 playoff games over the last three seasons underscores his worth "when it counts!" Forward Patrick Eaves was seen wearing a walking boot following Game 3 on the heels of a neutral-zone collision with former Duck Patrick Maroon in the third period. He joined defenseman Kevin Bieksa (lower body) in the stands during Tuesday's battle drills, with his availability to play in Game 4 depending greatly on if he's able to skate on Wednesday morning, coach Randy Carlyle said. Bieksa's status is much clearer as he will miss his third straight contest on Wednesday.

Edmonton: Connor McDavid had a goal in Game 3 but his minus-2 rating on Sunday shows that the 20-year-old still has things to learn, despite his 100-point regular-season performance (he's one of three, Hart Trophy finalists). The Oilers may also be concerned regarding goalie Cam Talbot, who now owns an .898 save percentage in his past six starts, after recording two shutouts in the previous three contests.

The pick: The visitor has won the first three games of this series and that isn't exactly news in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs. Road teams have won 30 of the first 53 games this postseason. However, home ice 'ruled' last night (both Rangers and Predators won) and I'll back the home team here, making Edmonton an 8* play.

The set-up: The red-hot Angels pushed across two runs in the 11th inning for a 6-4 triumph in Tuesday's opener of the three-game set at Seattle. LA has now won seven of eight, as Albert Pujols recorded three hits on Tuesday, including the tie-breaking double in the 11th inning. Mike Trout extended his hitting streak to 15 games, matching his career best. It was LA's 11th comeback win of the season and the 15-13 Angels are now 4-0 against the Mariners this season. Los Angeles is 15-13 (3 1/2 back of Houston), while Seattle falls to 11-16, tied with Texas at the bottom of the AL West, seven games back of the Astros.

The pitching matchup: Ricky Nolasco (2-2 & 4.13 ERA) will take the mound for LA and Hisashi Iwakuma (0-2 & 4.15 ERA) for Seattle. Nolasco has won back-to-back decisions, including a victory over Oakland last time out in which he allowed one run and three hits in 5 2/3 innings. Nolasco settled for a no-decision against Seattle back on April 8 (LA won 5-4), when he gave up two runs and four hits over six frames, and is 1-4 with a 4.33 ERA in six career starts versus the Mariners (teams are 2-4). Iwakuma remains winless in five starts to open the 2017 season and even more troubling, he has lasted less than six innings in each of his last three outings. He had a career-best 16 wins last season but a KW ratio that was more than 7-to-1 in 2014 (154-21!), is nearly even this season (12 strikeouts, 11 walks). Iwakuma is 9-5 with a 2.76 ERA in 20 career appearances (19 starts / Seattle is 11-8) against the Angels. He gave up one run and two hits in six innings of a no-decision back on April 9, a game LA won 10-9 with a seven-run 9th!

The pick: The Angels are rolling (7-1 run) and I won't stand in their way here. However, I don't much trust Nolasco, who has had ERAs of 5.38, 6.75 and 4.42 in each of the last three seasons. He kept the ball in teh park against the Athletics in his last start but the veteran had served up seven HRs over his first four starts, allowing 27 hits over 22 2/3 innings with a 4.76 ERA. The Mariners have averaged 5.10 RPG at home and have allowed 4.20. The Angels have averaged 5.40 RPG in their last five wins and that makes the Over an 8* play.

The set-up: Expecting that the Rockets would severely test the Spurs in this series was not a stretch but few could have predicted Houston's stunning 126-99 beat down of the Spurs in Game 1 on Monday. The third-seeded Rockets were up by 30 at the half and were never threatened in the 27-point win. "You have to play like a champion, and that's what we did - that's just one day," Houston head coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters. "We need to repeat this three more times." The Spurs shot just 36.9 percent in Game 1 and had no answers on the defensive end. "We really have to step up, and it's hard to pinpoint something because we got outplayed in just about everything," San Antonio veteran guard Manu Ginobili told reporters. "We were not ready or attentive, and they were inspired - they played great."

Houston: Harden had 20 points (modest but he was not needed) along with 14 assists. More importantly, Houston's frontcourt delivered in a way it hadn't in dispatching OKC 4-1. Ariza had 23 points, after he had averaged just 6.2 points in the five-game first-round series against the Thunder. Cent Clint Capela added 20 & 13 and Anderson 14. Anderson made four 3-pointers in Game 1 after being just 3-for-24 in the series against OKC. Houston launched 50 three-point shots, making 22.

San Antonio: Kawhi Leonard was just 5-of-14 shooting while registering 21 points and 11 rebounds in the opener, his worst game of teh 2017 postseason. Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge was inept, with just four points on 2-of-7 shooting. PG Tony Parker was unable to follow up his strong effort (27 points on 11-of-14 shooting) in the closeout win over the Memphis Grizzlies and had just 11 points on 3-of-9 shooting. As I've noted this postseason, the Spurs rely way more on Leonard than most people realize. This is not a typical San Antonio team of the recent past.

The pick: Still, the Spurs have a legacy and there is no better head coach than Popovich. What the Spurs still can do is play defense and that's the way they can get back in the series. Therefore, the Game 2 play is a 10* on the Under.

The set-up: The perennially underachieving Capitals lost the first two games at home against the Penguins and then with Game 3 seemingly in hand, allowed two quick goals (less than a minute apart) and were headed to OT. However, defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk's power-play goal 3:13 into overtime on Monday allowed the Caps to see a light at the end of the tunnel. What's more, Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby was blasted with a cross-check to the head in the early part of Game 3 and the Penguins' transcendent superstar is in an all-to-familiar place; the NHL's concussion protocol (his history of concussions is well-chronicled,). Crosby has been ruled out for Game 4.

Washington: The reigning Presidents' Trophy-winning Capitals (also won Presidents' Trophy last season) now have a chance to even the series, although a loss at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh would leave them on the brink of elimination. Former Penguin Matt Niskanen delivered the hit on Crosby (he received a five-minute major for cross-checking and a game misconduct) but told reporters that it was "absolutely not" his intention to injure his former teammate. Putting aside the Crosby incident, the Caps got a quality performance from goalie Braden Holtby. He was pulled in Game 2 but during the regular season, he had registered a 3-1-0 mark with one shutout, a 2.27 GAA and .922 save percentage in four games after being pulled. Yes, he gave up those two late goals but he stooped 30 of 32 shots in Game 3. Washington will need another effort like that.

Pittsburgh: Crosby will sit but fellow former Hart Trophy winner Evgeni Malkin leads the NHL with 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in eight playoff games and is no stranger to picking up the slack in the absence of "Sid the Kid." Fellow forward Phil Kessel is the next man up both figuratively and literally, as the 29-year-old's 12 points trailed only Malkin in the league entering Tuesday.

The pick: Washington's 3.14 GPG ranks 3rd in the NHL and Pittsburgh's the top-scoring team at 3.44 per. A "typical" Washington road game averages 5.82 goals and a home game for Pittsburgh averages 6.34. Emotions will be running high in this one and I expect goals to be scored. Make the Over an 10* play.

The set-up: Miguel Cabrera returned from the DL last night for Detroit and hit his 450th career HR, helping the Tigers to a third straight win, 5-2 over the Indians. It also marked the Tigers' fourth win in five outings this season versus the Indians, who won last year's Central Division (Tigers finished eight games back). With two wins in this four-game series so far, the Tigers are now tied at 14-12 with the Indians, as the AL Central has four teams at the top of the division (Twins and White Sox are the others), all within a half-game of each other.

The pitching matchup: Carlos Carrasco (2-2 & 2.04 ERA) takes the mound for Cleveland up against Detroit's Matthew Boyd (2-1 & 3.86 ERA). Carrasco hasn't had much run support this season, as the Indians hav escored just 12 runs during his 35 1/3 innings, leaving him a modest 2-2 in five starts (team is 3-2), despite his 2.04 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and .175 opponents BA. Carrasco doesn't have a strong record against Detroit, going 5-7 with a 5.14 ERA in 15 career starts (team is 7-8). Boyd got the better of Carrasco in the April 16 outing after yielding just one run in six innings to improve to 1-0 with an 0.84 ERA in two career outings versus Cleveland. He comes into this game off back-to-back no-decisions in his last two trips to the mound.

The pick: Detroit's four wins (in just five games) matches the team's total against the division champions of 2016. Carlos Carrasco's 2016 season ended abruptly against the Detroit Tigers in 2016 when he sustained a fractured right hand after he was struck by an Ian Kinsler line drive last September.when. However, he has returned with a vengeance this season and enters off four straight quality starts. He finally gets some support and gets some revenge against Boyd, from that 4-1 April 16th loss. Make Cleveland an 8* play.

The set-up: The Cleveland Cavaliers played very poor team defense in going 10-14 from March 1 through the end of the regular season but the team's answer to that come the playoffs has been...Outscore its opponents. The Cavs have averaged 113.4 PPG in winning their first five playoff games, scoring a low of 106 and high of 119. Second-seeded Cleveland made it a four-game sweep of the Indiana Pacers in the opening round and built a 12-point lead after one quarter against the Raptors, then took a 22-point lead into the 4th quarter in cruising past the Raptors 116-105 on Monday. Cleveland knocked off the Raptors in last season's Eastern Conference finals when its four victories were by an average of 28.5 points and Toronto players know they need to prevent a landslide. "We've just got to play defense and not let them go up and down and do what they do, play defense for 48 minutes," Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry told reporters after Game 1. "We got to find ways to limit their spurts."

Toronto: The Raptors could tinker with the lineup by going back to guard Norman Powell instead of center Jonas Valanciunas, which was how they won the last three games of their first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks. However, Powell may have had 12 points in Game 1 off the bench, but shot just 3 of 11. Or they could swap P.J. Tucker with DeMarre Carroll. Tucker had 13 points and 11 boards off the bench Monday. DeRozan and Lowry were fairly quiet (combined 39 points) but the bottom line is, the team must shoot better than 43.8% from the floor, including only 10 of 26 on threes.

Cleveland: LBJ had 35 points and 10 rebounds in the opener and needs just 25 points to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (5,762 points) for second place on the all-time postseason scoring list. He also has 88 career 30-point outings in the postseason, matching Kobe Bryant for second place on the all-time list. The records just keep falling. PG Kyrie Irving had 24 points and a career playoff-best 10 assists in Game 1 plus center Tristan Thompson collected 14 rebounds to raise his playoff average to 11.6 and he has reached double digits in all five of Cleveland's playoff games.

The pick: Will the Cleveland 'express' just keep rolling? Losing Game 1 of a playoff series is hardly new for Toronto, as the Raptors now own a 1-12 record all time in those contests. History doesn't exactly bode well here either, as they are 1-5 in Game 2s on the road in postseason play. However, maybe Toronto can gain some measure of hope in noting that In their five playoff losses to Cleveland dating back to last year's conference finals, Game 1 on Monday was the closest. If the Raptors want any chance in this series, a win tonight is almost a must. Take the points and make Toronto a 10*.

The set-up: The Utah Jazz won Game 7 at Staple Center to win their series with the Clippers, the first series win for the franchise since 2010. The team's reward is a date with the well-rested Golden State Warriors, who have not played since completing a four-game sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers back on April 24th. The extended rest has allowed Kevin Durant to fully recover from an injury that caused him to miss two games in the Portland series. Golden State won two of the three regular-season meetings, with Utah's win coming at Oracle Arena 105-99 on April 10th. However, that game probably needs an asterisk, as the Warriors rested Klay Thompson that night plus the Jazz were without Favors, Hood and star forward Gordon Hayward.

Utah: Speaking of Hayward, his star shown brightly against the Clippers, as excluding his nine-minute Game 4 effort due to food poisoning, he averaged 27.2 PPG in the other six games. "You can see his confidence out there," Snyder told reporters of Hayward. "He's played through missed shots, contact, hot streaks, you name it. He's handled that with poise, and he's a heck of an offensive player. He's so versatile that he's hard to guard, and we try to use him in a way that allows him to shine in those situations." Snyder also received outstanding efforts in the first round from reserves Joe Johnson (15.7), Rodney Hood (10.4) and Derrick Favors (10.0 & 6.4).

Golden State: Steve Kerr (back surgery complications) is expected to miss the series and it will be up to acting coach Mike Brown to get his players focused, as several of them were chirping that they would have rather played the Clippers than the Jazz due to the lack of nightlife in Utah. PG Stephen Curry averaged 29.8 points and made 19 three-pointers in the sweep of Portland and he averaged 26.3 points in three regular-season meetings against the Jazz. SG Klay Thompson averaged just 18.3 points on 38.8 percent shooting against the Trail Blazers and registered just one 20-point outing.

The pick: "They're never in a rush," Curry said about the Jazz. "They usually run the clock down looking for the best shot. And then, God forbid you give up an offensive rebound, and you've got to do it all over again. That's where they kind of beat you down mentally with their pace." That was the case when the Jazz beat the Warriors 105-99 on April 10. It was the only time Golden State has been held below 100 points since March 11, and the result was the Warriors' lone loss in their past 20 games. As noted above, Golden State won the other two meetings but didn't reach its season scoring average (a league-high 115.9) in those games, either. So under? I think not. The Warriors know they can't let Utah dictate the pace and they rang up 119 and 128 points in the final two games of the series at Portland even with coach Steve Kerr absent and Durant making modest contributions. Make the Over a 10* play

The set-up: The Angels used a sweep of the Mariners from April 7-9 to open the season 6-2, the team's best eight-game start in 43 years. However, they then lost 10 of 12 to quickly go from division leader to 5 1/2 games behind Houston in the West. The Angels did get back on track last week though, with a 6-1 stretch to end April. The Angels enjoyed their first off-day in three weeks on Monday and now visit their AL West rivals, the Mariners, for the opener of a three-game set in Seattle. The Mariners capped a mostly forgettable first month of the season on Sunday, by wrapping up a 4-6 road trip through Oakland, Detroit and Cleveland with a 12-4 loss to the Indians. The Mariners opened the season 2-8 and begin May at 11-15.

The pitching matchup: Matt Shoemaker (1-1 & 4.73 ERA) gets the ball for Seattle and James Paxton (3-0 & 1.39 ERA) for the Mariners. Shoemaker picked up his first victory of the season Wednesday versus the Athletics (in his fifth start), allowing two runs on seven hits and a pair of walks over five innings. He has struck out 20 in 17 1/3 innings over his last three appearances and permitted two runs or fewer four times but he has managed only one quality start. Shoemaker is 4-4 with a 4.35 ERA in 11 career stats against Seattle (team is 7-4). Paxton did not allow an earned run in his first three starts of 2017 but then allowed five at Oakland on April 20. However, he regained his dominant form Wednesday at Detroit, allowing only four hits while striking out nine in seven scoreless innings to win for the third time in his last four turns. He has posted a 39-6 KW ratio for the season. Paxton is 3-2 with a 2.17 ERA in seven career starts against the Angels (team is 4-3).

The pick: Paxton's been superb so far (just that one hiccup) and some think he's finally about ready to fulfill his potential. I'm not one of them and also note that Shoemaker's worst effort of the season came against Seattle back on April 9, when he was ripped for seven runs (six earned) in just 4 1/3 innings. Seattle has averaged 6.22 RPG at home to open 2017. Make the Over a 10* play.

analysis soon

analysis soon

The set-up: The Washington Wizards jumped out to a 16-0 lead in Game 1 but by game's end, the Celtics had their fifth straight playoff win (and cover!) since losing the first two games (at home!) of their first round series against the Bulls. Washington was outscored 71-42 in the second and third quarters, as Boston went on to a 123-111 victory. Thomas led the way with 33 points plus Crowder (24 & 6) and Horford 21-9-10) each had their best games of the 2017 postseason. Washington shot 50 percent as a team but made 10 three-pointers, compared to Boston's 19.

Washington: Power forward Markieff Morris went down in the first half of Game 1 with an ankle injury and while he insisted after the contest that he would play Game, others are skeptical after he was seen noticeably limping and reportedly struggled to put on his shoe over the swollen left ankle. Wall had 20 points and 16 assists but wasn't dominate. SG Beal scored 27 points on Sunday and is now averaging 29.3 in the last four games. However, Washington knows it has to defend the three better. "Their 3-point shooting is a problem," head coach Scott Brooks said of the Boston Celtics, who tied a franchise record with 19 treys in Game 1. Bradley Beal added; "We gave up 19 threes, on the road. ... It's just a matter of us defending, man."

Boston: Isaiah Thomas flew home to Tacoma, Wa., on Saturday for his sister's funeral and flew back across the country in time for the game, during which he delivered 33 points. "I mean, it's tough but it's the playoffs," Thomas told reporters. There's no excuses. I decided to play and I just tried to give it all I got for my team, and we came out with the win." Brad Stevens depends on Thomas but had to be even more thrilled with the play of both Crowder and Horford (see above).

The pick: The Celtics may not yet be ready to challenge the Cavs but for now, Boston seems to be establishing itself as at least, the East's second-best team and by a significant margin. Boston owns five straight wins and covers this postseason, winning by a margin of nearly 14 PPG (108.4-to-94.6). Make Boston an 8* play.

The set-up: The Rangers lost a hard-fought Game 1 in Ottawa but then just "gave away" Game 2. They held a two-goal advantage with less than 3 1/2 minutes remaining but Jean-Gabriel Pageau took over, scoring three straight goals, including the game-winner at 2:54 of the second overtime. The Rangers will be anxious to get back on the ice Tuesday for Game 3, especially since this series receiving an extra day off between games.

Ottawa: Pageau became just the second player in playoff history to cap a four-goal performance with an overtime winner. His four-goal effort was also the first in the postseason since Game 4 of the 2010 Western Conference semifinals, when Detroit's Johan Franzen tallied four times against San Jose. Head coach Guy Boucher had been playing the underdog card since before the New York Rangers came to town for Game 1 but it's time for Boucher to acknowledge his team might not be as over-matched as he'd like people to believe.

NY Rangers: Michael Grabner and Derek Stepan scored short-handed goals in Game 2, helping New York tie the franchise record for most in a playoff game. Still, it was not enough. A key issue for teh Rangers has been poor defrensive paly and it seemingly isn't improving regardless of who is in the lineup. Lundqvist bailed out the Rangers in holding Montreal to four goals as the Rangers won Gams 4, 5 and 6 to take that series. He stopped 84 of 88 shots (.955) in the last three games vs. the Canadiens, then turned away 41 of 43 (.953 SP) in Game 1 vs. Ottawa. However, it caught up to him in Game 2, as SIX of Ottawa's 34 shots got past him (SP of just .824).

The pick: Yes, Ottawa is up 2-0 but the Senators won Game 1 when captain Erik Karlsson's bad-angle shot bounced off the head of goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and in Game 2, they were just minutes away from losing until Pageau turned into Wayne Gretzky! Make the Rangers an 8* play.

analysis by 12 pm et

The set-up: The White Sox dominated the Kansas City Royals in a series at home last week, outscoring the Royals 27-8 in the three-game sweep. Chicago built off that and had won six in a row, before losing 7-3 Sunday in Detroit. Meanwhile, Kansas City has been unable to recover from that beating by Chicago and with the White Sox coming to Kansas City for the opener of a four-game homestand, the Royals are on a nine-game losing streak, the team's longest in five years. The 7-16 Royals currently own MLB's worst record, while the 13-10 White Sox sit a half-game back of the first-place Indians in the AL Central.

The pitching matchup: Chicago hands the ball to rookie Dylan Covey (0-1 & 6.91 ERA) and the Royals will counter with lefty Jason Vargas (3-1 & 1.40 ERA). This marks Covey's fourth career start. He had a brutal April 19th outing at Yankee Stadium (5 IP / 10 hits / 8 ERs in a 9-1 loss) but while not earning a decision in his other two, he allowed just three ERs in 9 1/3 innings (both Chicago wins). That included Covey allowing two runs on three hits and three walks in four innings against the Royals last week (White Sox won 10-5). As for KC's Vargas, he's been a lone bright spot in April for the Royals. He was reached for four runs (three earned) in in five innings 12-1 loss at Chicago last Monday but that was after he had allowed just one run over his first three starts of 2017, all wins. That said, his history against Chicago is not good, as he owns a 1-3 career record with a 6.70 ERA in 10 career games (nine starts / teams are 3-6) against the White Sox.

The pick: Ok, I'll admit the Royals are not the same team which went to back-to-back World Series in 2014 and 2015 but they are also not a .304 team either! Vargas has started well in 2017 and is up against a rookie making just his second road start. Covey's first road start was that horrible effort at Yankees Stadium back on April 19th (see above). Make KC an 8* play.

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The set-up: The Raptors and Cavs meet for the second straight postseason. The teams met in the Eastern Conference finals last year, with Cleveland winning in six games. However, many (most) will remember that the Cavs totally dominated the Raptors in their four victories, winning by 31, 21, 38 and 26 points. The Raptors will get get another crack at the defending champs one round earlier this spring. The second-seeded Cavaliers completed a four-game sweep of the Indiana Pacers in the first round while the third-seeded Raptors had their troubles with the Bucks (tied 2-1), before winning Games 4, 5 and 6.

Toronto: The Raptors developed a stronger defensive identity with the acquisitions of P.J. Tucker and Serge Ibaka during the regular season and limited the Bucks to an average of 86 points while winning the final three games of their first-round series. Those additions will give Toronto better defensive options against LBJ and Kevin Love this time around. Offensively, the Raptors will need more from PG Kyle Lowry, who was held to an average of 14.3 PPG in the first round (averaged 22.4 in the regular season), while shooting just 28.1 percent on threes. Center Jonas Valanciunas came off the bench in the final three games against the Bucks and while Toronto won all of those games he didn't start by going with a three-guard lineup (Powell averaged 15.0 PPG in the three consecutive wins), he figures to return to the starting lineup against the Cavs.

Cleveland: The Cavaliers went 10-14 down the stretch in the regular season (going back to March 1) and defense was the team's problem. The team's defensive woes continued against the Pacers, as Cleveland became the first team since the 1995 Houston Rockets to sweep a first-round series while allowing its opponent to score 100 or more points in each game. LBJ is logging more minutes than ever and averaged 43.8 in the first round. "King James" was his royal self against the Pacers, averaging 32.8-9.8-9.0, with Kyrie chipping in 25.3 PPG and Love 15.5 & 9.3. No other player averaged in double digits (Frye was the highest at 8.5 PPG).

The pick: Toronto and Cleveland finished the regular season with identical 51-31 records but no one sees this as an "even" series. After all, the Raptors are 1-11 all time in Game 1 of playoff series, while the Cavs have gone15-1 against Eastern playoff teams at home dating back to the 2015 playoffs. It's true that Toronto has the best defensive numbers of the first round, holding Milwaukee to a league-low 93.2 PPG, by keeping the Bucks under 100 points four times in five contests. However, the Cavs are NOT the Bucks. Cleveland averaged 112.5 PPG against the Pacers (a franchise record for a playoff series) and averaged 13.5 three-pointers per game, even though neither Kyle Korver (5.3 PPG) nor J.R. Smith (6.8 PPG) got untracked from the perimeter. The defending champs haven't played in seven days and are rested, healthy and confident coming in. However, Cleveland ranked 22nd in defensive efficiency during the season and allowed 111 points per 100 possessions to Indiana, which was even worse than the Cavs' regular-season average. make the Over a 10* play.

The set-up: The New York Yankees rallied from an eight-run deficit to earn a 14-11 win in 10 innings over the Orioles on Friday and then routed Baltimore 12-4 on Saturday. However after rallying again on Sunday, the Yanks fell 7-4 in 11 innings on Sunday. The 15-8 Yanks are tied with the Orioles for first in the American League East and get set to host the Toronto Blue Jays for a three-game set beginning tonight. The Jays lost the rubber match of their series in Tampa on Sunday and still have yet to win a series tin 2017. After playing in the ALCS each of the last two seasons, Toronto has opened this season 8-17 and sits in last-place in the AL East, EIGHT games back of the co-leaders.

The pitching matchup: Marco Estrada (0-1 & 2.70 ERA) will get the nod for Toronto and Luis Severino (2-1 & 3.00 ERA) takes the mound for New York. Estrada has pitched well in his last three outings, allowing just two ERs over 19 innings (0.95 ERA) but he has not factored in the decision of any of them (Jays did win two of the three). He's 3-2 with a 3.46 ERA in nine career starts against the NYY (team is 6-3) and fared well against them in 2016, going 2-0 with a 3.12 ERA in four starts (Jays won all four!). Severino had a streak of two straight starts of posting double-digit strikeouts come to an end on Wednesday but he still managed to hold the Boston Red Sox scoreless on three hits over seven innings for the win. Severino is looking for his first career win over the Blue Jays and enters with a 0-2 record and a 5.89 ERA in five career games, including four starts (Yanks are 2-2 but his ERA as a starter is 7.05!).

The pick: Estrada was outstanding against the Yanks last season but the 2017 Blue Jays are a mess, scoring 3.56 RPG (28th) while batting .228 (26th). Severino has put his 'ugly' 2016 season behind him and has allowed just 17 hits over 27 innings with a 33-4 KW ratio. He owns an 0.78 WHIP and opponents are batting just .175 against him. He takes the mound for a New York team that is 10-2 in Yankee Stadium, averaging 6,83 RPG. Make the NYY an 8* play.

The set-up: A series between the Cubs and Red Sox was expected to draw a lot of interest and the atmosphere at Fenway Park has been electric for the first two games. The Red Sox won 5-4 on Friday night and the Cubs bounced back with a 7-4 Saturday afternoon. Now, it's a the rubber match of this series Sunday night on ESPN. The 13-10 Cubs are looking to win their fourth straight series, while the 12-11 Red Sox are attempting to avoid their third consecutive series loss.

The pitching matchup: Kyle Hendricks (2-1 & 4.50 ERA) goes for Chicago and Boston will counter with Eduardo Rodriguez (1-1 & 3.12 ERA). Hendricks won the NL ERA title last year in his most recent start, looked much more like that pitcher than in his first three starts (11 ERs in 16 innings for a 6.19 ERA). He pitched six scoreless innings Tuesday at Pittsburgh, allowing four hits and two walks in a 1-0 victory. Hendricks never has faced the Red Sox and is 2-3 with a 3.94 ERA in nine career interleague starts. Rodriguez allowed nine hits and seven walks in his first two starts of 2017 (six ERs in 10 1/3 innings for a 5.23 ERA) and pitched out of the bullpen on April 19th. However, he was outstanding in his return to the rotation last Sunday at Baltimore, holding the Orioles to one hit over six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts. Actually, Rodriguez is holding opponents to a .172 average but he served up three HRs in his first two starts of the season.

The pick: Rodriguez looked good in his last outing but he also allowed a career worst-tying five walks against the Orioles. In fact, Rodriguez has walked a team-worst 12 batters (17 1/3 innings) through four games (three starts) this season. That doesn't bode well vs. the dangerous Chicago lineup. Yes, Hendricks was sharp in his last outing but his first three (6.19 ERA) leave some questions still to be answered. Make the Over a 10* play.

The set-up: The Dodgers look to complete a three-game sweep of the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday afternoon and extend their overall winning streak to four games. LA opened the ninth inning on Saturday with three straight HRs to erase a three-run deficit and then Adrian Gonzalez delivered a two-out RBI single for a 6-5 victory. The Dodgers had five HRs in all on Saturday and while Philadelphia pounded out 13 hits, it suffered its second straight loss following a string of six victories in a row.

The pitching matchup: Nick Pivetta (NR) goes for Philadelphia and the Dodgers will hand the ball to Hyun-Jin Ryu (0-4 & 4.64 ERA). Pivetta was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley when Aaron Nola went down with a back injury. He will finally be making his major-league debut as his originally scheduled turn during the week was delayed by a rainout. He has been outstanding for the minors this season, going 3-0 with one complete game and a 0.95 ERA in three starts. Pivetta was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft by Washington, which traded him to Philadelphia in July 2015 for Jonathan Papelbon. Ryu deserved a better fate Monday as he was saddled with the loss at San Francisco despite allowing just one run and five hits in six innings. It's been a rough beginning to 2017 for Ryu (see above) The 30-year-old South Korean has not recorded a victory since Aug. 31, 2014, as he has been limited to five starts since that season due to shoulder and elbow injuries. Ryu has a 2.77 ERA in two career starts against the Phillies (0-0 and the team is 1-1).

The pick: No knock on Pivetta but this marks his MLB debut and it's in Dodger Stadium. The Phillies were just 34-47 on the road last season (have opened 4-7 in 2017), while only the Cubs (57) won more home games than LA's 53 in 2016. Here in 2017, LA is 8-4 at home, outscoring opponents 5.25-to-3.00 RPG. Make LA a 6* play.

The set-up: The Jazz and Clippers each finished the regular season 51-31, so it only seems fitting that the teams will play a Game 7 (only first round series to go the distance) to decide which team will advance to meet the Golden State Warriors. The Clippers will get to play Game 7 at home, due to having won the season series between the two teams. It's been a back-and-forth series plus one that's been influenced by injuries. First it was Utah center Rudy Gobert going down in the first minute of Game 1 and then LA's Blake Griffin was injured in Game 3. Gobert returned in Game 4 but Griffin is out for the remainder of LA's postseason. Gobert twisted his left ankle late in Friday's Game 6 (LA won to force Sunday's contest) but X-rays ruled out a serious injury, so he will be available for Game 7.

Utah: Utah SF Gordon Hayward has four 20-point outings in the series and is averaging 27.4 PPG, not including his Game 4 stint, which was limited to nine minutes due to food poisoning. Gobert is averaging 13.7 points and 11 rebounds since returning in Game 4.. Reserves Joe Johnson and Rodney Hood were having superb series until Game 6, when the Jazz squandered a great opportunity to close out the Clippers. Johnson had nine points on 3-of-9 shooting and Rodney Hood had four points on 2-of-10 shooting.

LA Clippers: PG Chris Paul registered 29 points and eight assists in Friday's 98-93 do-or-die victory at Utah to even the series. "He is as competitive as a human being as I've ever been around," Clippers head coach Doc Rivers told reporters. "When you put that with the talent and the will, that's why he has performances like this in big games." This is a common refrain when people talk about Paul but is it an accident that he's never been on a team that has won a second round playoff series? No Griffin is not good news but center DeAndre Jordan has averaged 14 points and 13.8 rebounds in the series, while recording a double-double in each contest.

The pick: The Clippers (as well as Paul) have had a checkered playoff resume but the Jazz haven't won a playoff series since 2010. However, bottom line is this. Home teams are 101-25 (.802) all-time in Game 7s. Dating back to to 1990, home teams are 52-14 SU and 39-25-2 ATS (60.9%) in Game 7s. Make the Clippers a 10* play.

The set-up: The Blues were down 2-1 in the early third period of Game 2 and in danger of falling into an 0-2 hole by losing two in a row at home. However, Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice as St. Louis rallied for a 3-2 victory, making the series one-all heading into Sunday's Game 3 at the Nashville Predators. The eighth-seeded Predators lost for the first time this playoff season, after five consecutive victories (three on the road).

St. Louis: Tarasenko had a team-high 39 goals this season (scored 40 in 2015-16) but had been limited to one goal and two assists before breaking loose in Game 2. Goaltender Jake Allen also came up big when it mattered most, making 14 saves in the final 20 minutes after facing only nine shots in the first two periods. However, the Blues need to improve their power play, as it is just 2-for-21 in seven postseason games.

Nashville: The Predators gave St. Louis five power play opportunities, without having one of their own in Game 2. Clean that up and the team will be in much better shape in Game 3. Nashville has reason to feel it still has its best hockey ahead, as the Predators out-shot the Blues in both contests and have outhit them as well.

The pick: "Good situation, 1-1," Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne told reporters after the loss. "It's a series. Obviously going home now and a huge game at home on Sunday. It's going to be a big one, but yeah we're in a good situation." Every road team talks about the need to earn a split in the first two games of a series in order to steal home-ice advantage and Nashville did just. However the Predators must feel somewhat empty after that late St. Louis comeback. Note that the Blues have been a better road team in the last two postseasons, going 6-4 last spring and 3-0 this year. Make St. Louis a 10* play.

The set-up: Many felt that Boston was the weakest No. 1 seed in many years and even possibly, the weakest No. 1 seed ever. Boston promptly lost the first two games of its first round series to the 41-41 Chicago Bulls but received a reprieve, when Chicago PG Rajon Rondo broke his thumb. That 'broke' Chicago's momentum and 'backs,' as the Celtics became just the fourth team in NBA history to win a best-of-seven series after losing the first two games at home by winning four straight. The Celtics now move on to face the fourth-seeded Washington Wizards, who are coming off beating the Atlanta Hawks in six games. Those teams each 'held serve' in the first four games of their series, before Washington won a close Game 5 at home. The Wizards ended that series in style, taking Game 6 in Atlanta, 115-99. The Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics split four games (home teams won all meetings) during the regular season and these teams truly don't like each other. The games were nasty with that nastiness even threatening to pour off the court, as members of the Boston police stood in the hallway between the locker rooms after one game. Washington star SG Bradley Beal had his team arrive for a Jan. 24 meeting in all black clothes.However, now it's time to play.

Washington: The Wizards own an excellent starting-five, with all averaging in double digits during the regular season. Guards Wall and Beal are the stars and in the series against Atlanata, carried the etam. Wall averaged 29.5 PPG (and 10.3 APG) and Beal 25.8. However, the drop-off was considerable, as forwards Morris averaged 11.2 PPG and Porter 9.8 PPG, while center Gortat scored just 6.5 PPG, although he did average 10.7 RPG. Sixth-man Bogdanovich was a key component after being acquired from the Nets but shot poorly in the series with Atlanta (39.1%) and averaged three point fewer than he did in the regular season. Wall scored a postseason career-high 42 points in Friday's closeout game at Atlanta and Beal averaged 30 points in the last three games of the series. However, Washington will need much more than just Wall and Beal to get past Boston.

Boston: All-Star PG Isaiah Thomas has been dealing with personal tragedy during the first round and will head home to Tacoma, Wa. between games on Sunday, for his sister's funeral. He averaged 28.9 points in the regular season but watched his shooting numbers take a dip as he averaged 23 points in the six games against Chicago and went a combined 3-of-26 from three-point range in the final three games of the series. However, Boston's other players picked up their leader in winning four in a row.  "I was really proud of our guys for how they treated each other, how they stood together, stuck together, and how nobody pointed fingers," head coach Brad Stevens told reporters. "They were just a great support network for one another, and especially for Isaiah."over the final four games. A key move was made by Stevens, benching Amir Johnson and "going small' with Gerald Green, who after totaling just six minutes off the bench in the first two contests, started the final four games (all Boston wins) and averaged 11.0 points in 20.5 minutes.

The pick: Intensity will be running high in this first game and I expect a low scoring one. Wall was held to 17.8 points on 37.3 percent shooting in four meetings with Boston in the regular season and Washington reserve guard Kelly Oubre Jr. has done a good job defending Thomas this season. Expect him to see extra "PT" in this series. Make the Under an 8* play 10* in this Game 1.

The set-up: The Washington Capitals, perennial playoff underachievers, will host the Pittsburgh Penguins (defending champs) in tonight's Game 2 at the Verizon Center. After a scorelsss first period in Game 1, Sidney Crosby scored twice in a 52-second span in the first 1:04 of the second period, giving him a franchise high-tying 51st career multi-point postseason performance. The Capitals had an 83-41 advantage in attempted shots (led in shots on goal, 35-21) in the series opener but while Alex Ovechkin's second-period goal and a second straight Caps goal eventually tied the score, the Pens went on to win, 3-2.

Pittsburgh: Crosby is riding a five-game point streak (four goals, five assists) and has collected 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) in 14 playoff contests against the Capitals. Nick Bonino continues to be a thorn in the side of Washington, ending last year's second-round series with the overtime winner in Game 6, by converting on a breakaway with 7:24 remaining in the third period on Thursday. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury made 15 of his 33 saves in the third period on Thursday, improving to 5-1 in the playoffs with an impressive .934 save percentage.

Washington: Ovechkin has recorded 22 points (11 goals, 11 assists), five more than Crosby, in the same stretch versus the Penguins. However, the Penguins have won both of the previous two series and the Caps are well aware! Washington rallied to tie the score in the third period of Game 1 and appeared to have the momentum but then Pittsburgh's Nick Bonino netted what proved to be the game winner on that breakaway. Same old, same old for Washington against Pittsburgh. "What I like about our group is it was 2-0 and there was no panic," Capitals head coach Barry Trotz said. "There was absolutely no panic and you saw us building momentum and keep coming and coming. I thought we generated enough chances to not only tie it up, but maybe go ahead." We'll see.

The pick: However, in Game 2 of a playoff series, the Capitals' superstars have traditionally come to play! Ovechkin has 10 goalsa nd six assists), while Nicklas Backstrom has seven goals and eight assists. As for goalie Braden Holtby, he owns a 1.63 goals-against average and a .950 save percentage in his career in Game 2s. It's now or never for the Caps. Make Washington a 10* play

The set-up: The Rockies won last night's game 3-1, the opener of this three-game series between Colorado and Arizona. Colorado's victory gives them a 15-9 record, a half-game better than 15-10 Arizona. That's pretty heady stuff (although it's early) for teams which were 75-87 and 69-93 in 2016, respectively. Colorado's bullpen combined for three hitless innings last night, after being torched for 25 runs over the previous three games (all losses). As for the Diamondbacks, the team managed just six hits, after averaging 7.57 RPG over the last seven contests.

The pitching matchup: Lefty Tyler Anderson (1-3 & 7.11 ERA) gets the nod for Colorado and Arizona will counter with Zack Greinke (2-2 & 2.93 ERA). Anderson comes off a win but had lost his previous three starts and has yet to complete six innings in any of his five 2017 starts. Anderson is in just his second season and he posted a 6.30 ERA in two starts against Arizona last year and while he wasn't saddled with a loss in either game, the Rockies lost both. Greinke has allowed one run in three of his five starts this season and has struck out 31 while walking just six this season. He struggled against Colorado last season, going 0-1 with a 6.48 ERA in three starts to drop to 7-4 with a 4.09 ERA n 20 career appearances (19 starts / teams are 12-7).

The pick: As noted, Anderson is in just his second season and the road has not been kind to him. He's 1-6 with a 5.29 ERA in 10 career road outings, with the Rockies going 2-8! Yes, Arizona had just six hits (all singles) last night but the D'backs had scored 53 runs in their previous seven games. Getting to Anderson hardly seems like a stretch and note that the Rockies halted a five-game slide against the Diamondbacks with Friday's victory. All back Greinke and make Arizona a 10* play.

The set-up: Mike Trout and Albert Pujols each homered in LA's 6-3 Friday victory and the Angels will take a five-game winning streak into the middle contest of their three-game series against the host Texas Rangers on Saturday. Trout and Pujols are the two biggest reasons for LA's recent success. Trout has reached base safely in 24 of 25 games this season and is batting .372 with four HRs, seven RBI and 11 runs during his eight-game hitting streak. Pujols is batting .371 with a HR and 10 RBI during his 12-game hitting streak plus moved past Ken Griffey Jr. and into 14th all-time with 1,838 RBI ,one shy of Ted Williams for 13th (pretty sweet company, huh!). While the Angels are now 13-12, Texas, AL West champs in 2016, are just 10-13 and in last-place, five games back of first-place Houston.

The pitching matchup: Jesse Chavez (2-3 & 4.13 ERA) will take the mound for the Angels, opposed by Texas ace Yu Darvish (2-2 & 3.03 ERA). Chavez allowed one run, four hits and four walks while striking out seven in six innings of a 2-1 victory over Toronto on Monday. He currently owns the lowest ERA among regular Los Angeles starters and has recorded two straight quality starts, including a 3-0 setback at Houston on April 17. Chavez is 2-4 with a 6.00 ERA in 17 games (four starts / 5.24 ERA, going 2-2) versus Texas after allowing five runs in 4 1/3 innings of an 8-3 loss on April 12. Darvish allowed two runs, five hits and one walk while striking out eight in Sunday's 5-2 victory over Kansas City. He pitched eight innings for the first time since 2014 prior to Tommy John surgery. Darvish is 8-2 with a 3.48 ERA in 14 starts against Los Angeles (Texas is 11-3), after striking out 10 over seven scoreless innings of an 8-3 road victory on April 13.

The pick: Angels' starting pitchers have surrendered fewer than three runs in 13 of their last 14 games and as noted, currently owns the lowest ERA among regular Los Angeles starter. It's hard to ignore Darvish's excellent career numbers vs. LA (see above) plus both Darvish and Chavez are coming off strong starts heading into this second of a three-game series at Globe Life Park. Make the Under a 10* play

The set-up: The Rangers owned the most road wins of any team in the regular season, plus took two of three at Montreal in eliminating the Canadiens in the first round, but the Senators were able hold serve at home and win Game 1 of this series, 1-0. Ottawa now hopes to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals series in Saturday's Game 2. Ottawa star defenseman Erik Karlsson's goal from a near-impossible angle was the difference in the series opener, the Senators' seventh one-goal decision in as many playoff games.

NY Rangers: New York needs to focus on a better start, as Henrik Lundqvist faced 21 shots in Game 1's first 20 minutes, which ended 0-0. It marked his highest save total ever for one period in the postseason. “Obviously we want to play fast, but we can’t rush it up with one guy trying to break through, give it away and have them come back and shove it up our (butt),” forward Mats Zuccarello told the New York Post. “It’s important for us to be patient with the puck against their trap."

Ottawa: Karlsson missed five games down the stretch because of a pair of stress fractures in his heel but he once again delivered with his first goal of this postseason to go along with his six assists. "I think our fans have to appreciate what we have here," head coach Guy Boucher marveled. "It's more than a star right now. That's what I think is unbelievable. He's a skilled player that became a star and now he's a winner." That also applies to goaltender Craig Anderson, who has now won his last four against New York with a staggering .984 save percentage.

The pick: “I think we just have to forget about this,” ex-Ottawa center Mika Zibanejad said. “We were down in the Montreal series, as well, 2-1. It’s 1-0. A lot of hockey left to play.” However, New York's leading goal scorer Chris Kreider remains stuck on just one assist through seven playoff games. Lundqvist and Anderson on at the top of their games and the Under isa 10* play.

The set-up: The White Sox won the opener of this three-game set in Detroit last night by the score of 7-3. Chicago is the hottest team in the AL Central with five straight wins over division rivals and look to make it six in a row this afternoon, against the Tigers. Chicago beat Cleveland last Sunday, then swept a three-game set from Kansas City, before winning Friday's opener. The White Sox have now outscored their division rivals 40-13 in the five consecutive wins. The Tigers will look to halt a three-game slide which leaves them 11-11 on the season (White Sox are 12-9).

The pitching matchup: Derek Holland (2-2 & 1.99 ERA) takes the mound for Chicago against last year's ROY, Detroit's Michael Fulmer (2-1 & 2.88 ERA). Holland was reached for seven runs (but just two earned!) on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings of a loss at the New York Yankees on April 17 but bounced right back against Cleveland on Sunday, a game which jump started Chicago's current winning streak. He scattered three hits and allowed just one run over six innings while striking out a season-high six to pick up the win. Holland is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in four career regular starts against the Tigers but has not faced them since July 13, 2013. Fulmer has had four quality starts to begin 2017 and is off his longest outing of the young season at Minnesota on Sunday, when he allowed two runs and four hits while striking out seven in seven innings to pick up the win. Fulmer is looking for his first career win over Chicago after going without a decision in two starts against the division rivals last season (3.86 ERA), although Detroit won both games.

The pick: Knee and shoulder injuries have marred Holland's last three seasons with the Texas Rangers but he's off to a strong start with Chicago. However, I need to see more. As for Fulmer, the Tigers went 19-7 in his 2016 starts, as his moneyline mark of plus-$1292 was the sixth-best among all MLB starters. The Tigers are 3-1 (plus-$202) in his 2017 starts and I'm making Detroit a 10* play

The set-up: The Los Angeles Clippers scored only 58 points through three quarters in Game 5 and a 34-point final period was not enough for them to win on their home floor, as the Jazz pulled out a 96-92 win. The Jazz now own a 3-2 series heading back to Salt Lake City for Game 6 and will have a chance to win the franchise's first playoff series since downing the Denver Nuggets in a first-round series back in 2010. "It's no secret our back's against the wall, down 3-2," PG Chris Paul told reporters after Game 5. The Clippers have to win tonight and then back at Staples Center in Game 7, or it will be yet another underachieving postseason for that "other team from LA."

LA Clippers: Regarding his team being down 3-2, Chris Paul added after Game 5, "Fortunately we've got a lot of guys in the locker room who had to do this a couple of years ago. We've got to do what we've got to do." However, the loss of power forward Blake Griffin (toe) is a huge loss and it's been magnified with Marreese Speights starting in his place in Games 4 and 5. Speights made just 2 of 8 shots for five points in Game 4, then missed his only three shots in Game 5, scoring just one point. Clippers guard Jamal Crawford exploded for 25 points in Game 4 but he then disappeared in Game 5, going 2 of 8 for four points. J.J. Redick finally got untracked with 27 points in Game 5 but over the first four games, he was only 10 of 29 from the floor (34.5%) while averaging 7.8 PPG.

Utah: Gordon Hayward scored a career-high 40 points in Game 3 (a Utah loss) but due to food poisoning, was a non-entity in Game 4 (played only nine minutes) before being sent home at halftime. However, he was back on his game in Tuesday's victory as he contributed 27 points and eight rebounds. The return of center Rudy Gobert has also been a huge plus for the Jazz, as Utah's defense has turned up a notch since his return, with Gobert averaging 13.0 & 12.0 in Utah's Game 4 and 5 wins. Then there is veteran Joe Johnson, who averaged 9.2 points in the regular season but has increased that to 18.2 while leading a young squad. "These guys have never been in this situation. We have to go home with a business mindset and not be overconfident but confident enough." Let's also not forget backup SG Rodney Hood, who is averaging 17 points over the past two games (both Jazz wins), after averaging 8.0 PPG over the first three contests.

The pick: Chris Paul has never advanced past the second round of the playoffs, in a carer that many believe is HOF worthy. Now it's seems highly unlikely that either the Clippers or Jazz will have much of a chance against the Warriors in the second round but the last thing Paul needs on his pathetic postseason resume is another first round loss. "This team is not going to quit, I can tell you that," Clippers head coach Doc Rivers told reporters after the Game 5 loss. "You could see it in the locker room." All the pressure is on the Jazz in this one and Utah not only has to win but win by a margin to "collect the cash" in this one. Expect Chris Paul to come up big. Take the points and make the Clippers a 10* play.

The set-up: The Anaheim Ducks opened their series with the Edmonton Oilers having not lost in regulation over an 18-game span (15 wins and three OT losses). However, that streak came to a screeching halt in Wednesday's Game 1 at Honda Center, as the Oilers won 5-3, seizing a 1-0 lead in this second round series. Edmonton was 31-43-8 last season with its 70 points representing the third-fewest in the entire NHL. However, the Oilers went 47-26-9 this season and their 103 points were only two fewer than Pacific Division-leader, Anaheim.

Edmonton: Hart Trophy candidate and the league's scoring-leader, Connor McDavid, was the player Anaheim intended to focus on in this series. However, second-year winger Leon Draisaitl had a goal and three assists in Edmonton's Game 1 win and scored six goals in five regular-season games between the teams. Defenseman Adam Larsson matched his point total from his previous 23 games by scoring two goals and setting up another on Wednesday. "He's definitely not Bobby Orr, but (Wednesday) he sure looked good on that last one, skating," head coach Todd McLellan told reporters, referring to Larsson's game-winning goal. Fellow Swedish blue-liner Oscar Klefbom, who has recorded 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in his last 11 contests, extended his point streak to three games after notching an assist in back-to-back matches.

Anaheim: Captain Ryan Getzlaf scored and set up a goal in Game 1 to give him 34 points (eight goals, 26 assists) in his last 23 overall contests, while increasing his total to nine (two goals, seven assists) in six meetings with Edmonton. After dealing with injuries to All-Star Cam Fowler and Sami Vatanen, Anaheim's defense corps has another on its hands as coach Randy Carlyle deemed Kevin Bieksa (club-best four assists) "doubtful" for Game 2 because of a lower-body injury. Vatanen has missed two games with an upper-body injury, with Carlyle telling the Orange County Register that the playoff situation "has not allotted us enough time for him to be 100 percent."

The pick: The Oilers may be in the playoffs for the first time since 2006 but allowing Edmonton to take a 2-0 lead in this series, may all but doom the Ducks. Anaheim's Game 1 loss was the team's first defeat of the postseason and first regulation loss since March 10. However, I feel that the Under is the safest bet. Make it a 9* play.

The set-up: Break up the Phillies The Phillies open a seven-game road trip Friday night at Dodger Stadium against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Phils are riding a six-game winning streak, which puts them at 11-9. The Phillies are brimming with confidence, sitting two games above .500 for the first since Memorial Day weekend in 2016. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have lost seven of 11 and open the series at 11-12.

The pitching matchup: Jerad Eickhoff (0-1 & 2.55 ERA) will get the ball for Philadelphia up against the struggling Kenta Maeda (1-2 & 8.05 ERA) of the Dodgers. Eickhoff opened the season with three quality starts in a row and although that streak was snapped in his last outing, Eickhoff tied his season high with seven strikeouts while allowing one run on two hits over five innings against Atlanta. Despite opening with those three straight quality starts, Eickhoff had three consecutive no-decisions. He deserved better, giving up just five ERs over 18 innings with the team losing all three games! He's made just one career start against the Dodgers, allowing two HRs and four runs (6.00 ERA) in another no-decision, although Philly won that game. Maeda won 16 games as a rookie in 2016 but he is struggling during his sophomore campaign, failing to pitch beyond five innings in each of his first four starts. He was hammered in his last outing at Arizona, surrendering a career-worst four HRs and giving up six runs (also a career high) on nine hits over five innings. He won both of his starts against the Phillies last season, but allowed four HRs and posted a 4.19 ERA.

The pick: Philadelphia opened the 2017 season with a three-game set against the Reds but followed with 17 in a row against NL East opponents. However, this visit to LA followed with a four-game set at the Chicago Cubs, will test these over-achievers, who are off to their best 20-game start since 2011. The Dodgers were an impressive 53-28 at home last season, while the Phillies were 34-47 on the road. Make the Dodgers a 6* play.

The set-up: The Celtics have climbed out of an 0-2 'hole' with three straight wins over the Bulls, after losing the first two games at home during this series. The visiting team was 4-0 SU & ATS in this series before the Celtics won Game 5 at the TD Garden on Wednesday, seizing a 3-2 series advantage. Starting guards Thomas and Bradley each scored 24 points in Wednesday's contest, while Chicago's star Jimmy Butler Jimmy Butler was held to a series-low 14 points. As all (most?) must know, this series turned when Chicago PG Rajon Rondo fractured his right thumb.

Boston: Isaiah Thomas was full of praise for his backcourt partner, after Bradley made 11-of-19 shots in Game 5. "Even the stat sheet doesn't explain how good of a player he is sometimes," Thomas told the media of Bradley. "When he's not scoring or rebounding, he's doing a lot of things to help out everybody else on this team, whether that be help-side defense, whether that be making the right play on offense. He’s a complete basketball player." Center Al Horford was a non-factor in the first two games of the series (both Boston home losses) but he's averaging 18 points, nine rebounds, 6.3 assists and two steals in Boston's three consecutive victories.

Chicago: Jimmy Butler averaged 26.0 PPG while the Bulls took the first two games of this series but after going in Game 5, he's now averaging 20.3 PPG on 38.5 percent shooting in Chicago's three straight losses. Butler took just two shots during Boston's decisive 20-4 run in the fourth quarter, prompting head coach Fred Hoiberg to insist that the team needs to get its All-Star the ball a bit more down the stretch. Some good news for Chicago in Game 5 was that Dwyane Wade had his best outing since returning from an elbow injury late in the regular season, finishing with 26 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.

The pick: Boston ended Wednesday's game on a 20-4 run, despite seeing Thomas shoot 6-for-17 from the floor, including 1-of-10 from three-point range. The Celtics hope to carry the momentum of their Game 5 victory Wednesday into Game 6 and why not? Fred Hoiberg insisted that Rondo playing in tonight's game was "a long shot." In this do-or-die contest, the Bulls will need more from Butler and Wade. Is Wade even capable of another effort like the one in Game 5? As for Butler, he's attempted zero free throws in Game 3, 23 in Game 4 (made 19!) and one in Game 5. I've had Boston the last two games but I'm not ready to "go back to the well" again in this Game 6. Expect Butler to have a huge game and after 87- and 95-point efforts at home, look for the Bulls to make the Celtics score to win this one. The Over is an 8* play

The set-up: The 10-12 Texas Rangers avoided a series sweep and snapped a two-game skid with a 14-3 win over Minnesota Twins on Wednesday night. They now welcome the LA Angels to Globe Life Park for a three-game weekend series. The Angels are coming off a 2-1 home win Thursday night over the Oakland A's, giving them a four straight wins and five of seven, to reach 12-12 on the season.

The pitching matchup: Tyler Skaggs (1-1 & 4.44 ERA) gets the nod in the opener for LA, opposed by the Rangers' Nick Martinez (0-0 & 1.29 ERA). Skaggs has pitched well in his last two starts, blanking Kansas City on four hits over seven innings in a no-decision on April 16 and following up by allowing just two runs and seven hits in seven frames of a win over Toronto. That's quite an improvement over his first two 2017 starts, when he allowed five ERs in each outing (8.71 ERA). He escaped with a no-decision against Texas earlier this month, despite allowing five runs on eight hits in five innings. That outing leaves him 2-1 with a 6.20 ERA in five career starts versus the Rangers (Angels are 3-2). Martinez will be making just his second start of 2017, in place of the injured A.J. Griffin (ankle). He defeated Kansas City 2-1 on April 22nd, allowing just one run on four hits over seven innings for his 14th career victory. Martinez is 2-3 with a 2.51 ERA in eight career appearances (six starts / Rangers are 2-4 in those starts with a 2.92 ERA) against the Angels.

The pick: Actually, both teams come in playing fairly well, as both enter the series having won five of seven. Skaggs has had two straight good outings, in keeping with an LA starting staff which has now not allowed more than two earned runs in 12 of its last 13 games, compiling a 2.10 ERA in that span. Martinez looked sharp in his 2017 debut (see above), so the Under is a 10* play.

The set-up: The Nashville Predators shocked the Chicago Blackhawks by sweeping them out of the playoffs and remained only team that yet to lose in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs by earning a 4-3 win in Game 1 over the Blues in St. Louis. However, rookie left winger Kevin Fiala, who scored twice in the Predators' four-game sweep of top-seeded Chicago in the first round, was lost for the remainder of the postseason after suffering a fractured left femur in a scary crash into the end boards. As for St, Louis, the team's series-opening defeat dropped them to 5-8 in their last 13 home playoff games. "We have to be better at home," St. Louis head coach Mike Yeo told reporters. "We have to address this. As coaches, it's up to me to figure out why that is. We have to find a way to be better."

Nashville: P.K. Subban came to Nashville in a surprising offseason trade of captain Shea Weber and in Game 1 of this series, became the first Nashville blue-liner to register three points in a playoff game while boosting his career postseason total to 43 points in 60 contests. More good news came the Predators' way with LW Colin Wilson getting back in the lineup for the first time in three weeks. He scored his 11th goal in his last 21 playoff contests in Game 1.

St. Louis: The Blues took care of the Wild in five games in the first round but struggled on special teams. St. Louis has now converted on just 1-of-16 chances with the man advantage in the playoffs and surrenderedtwo power-play goals in Game 1, for the second straight contest. "Penalties killed us," right wing Ryan Reaves told reporters after Thursday's practice session. "We've obviously got to eliminate penalties. Playoff hockey, teams are going to make you pay." The Blues may also be getting concerned with goalie Jake Allen. He began the postseason by allowing just five goals in four games but has now allowed seven in his last two.

The pick: Talking about his Game 1 performance, Nashville's Suppan 'modestly' said, "We can sugarcoat it, but that's why they pay me, you know? It's to come up big in these games and perform." That quote may just come to 'bite' him in the you-know-what. After all, the Predators aren't exactly known for having much success come the postseason. In fact, they are trying to advance to the first Western Conference finals in franchise history. Expect the Blues to even the series here in Game 2. Make St. Louis a 10* play.

The set-up: The homecourt advantage has held for each of the first five games of the Memphis/San Antonio series, after the Spurs won Game 5, 116-103. The home team is not only 5-0 SU in this series but also a perfect 5-0 ATS. The seventh-seeded Grizzlies look to avoid elimination in this first-round, Western Conference series when they host the No. 2 San Antonio Spurs on Thursday in Game 6. Memphis has every reason to be confident as the Grizzlies are 4-0 SU & ATS against the Spurs at home this season (regular and post!).

San Antonio: How things have changed for the Spurs. Manu Ginobili is a four-time NBA champion and averaged 14.7 points in 198 career playoff games prior to this postseason. However, he had gone scoreless on a combined 0-of-15 shooting in the first four games of the series, before breaking out for 10 points on 4-of-6 in Game 5. Lucky for the Spurs, they have Kawhi Leonard, who some think is the league MVP, not Westbrook or Harden. Leonard is averaging 31.6 PPG on 57.6 percent shooting in the series, including 54.2 percent from three-point range. He's basically carrying the Spurs, who are not the same supremely talented and deep group of past editions.

Memphis: PG Mike Conley has been a dominant force on the offensive end the last four games, averaging of 27.3 points on 53.5 percent shooting. Big men Marc Gasol (19.6 & 6.8) and Zach Randolph (13.2 & 7.6) have also been good but the drop off is dramatic after that, as the 40-year-old Vince Carter is the team's fourth-leading scorer at just 8.6 PPG.

The pick: The home team is undefeated in nine overall meetings this season between these two teams but the Spurs have a championship pedigree, while the Grizzlies have nothing but playoff mediocrity to draw from. If the Spurs lose here, it's back to San Antonio for a Game 7 on Saturday and assuming they win, they'd have to host the well-rested Rockets in Game 1 of the next series on Monday. That's not something "Pop" will want for his overachieving team. Make the Spurs a 10* play.

The set-up: The Washington Caps are the two-time reigning President's Trophy winners and will meet the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the second straight year. Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby will resume their personal rivalry as well but Washington vs. Pittsburgh can hardly be called much of a rivalry, as it's been all Penguins. as their respective teams. Pittsburgh is 8-1 in playoff series vs Washington in playoff series, including winning both meetings during the Sidney Crosby-Alex Ovechkin era. Pittsburgh won in six games last year and in seven games back in 2009.

Pittsburgh: Evgeni Malkin had an NHL-best 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in the first round. Linemate Phil Kessel added eight points (two goals, six assists). Pittsburgh expects 'numbers' from its big names (Crosby had seven points Columbus) but rookie Jake Guentzel (NHL-best five goals) and third-year player Bryan Rust (four goals) also made their presence known in the first round. Pittsburgh enters the series minus defenseman Kris Letang, who is done for the season, and (for now) goaltender Matt Murray. Forward Carl Hagelin, who had three goals and seven points in last year's playoff series, has been out since March with a lower-body injury, but practiced Wednesday.

Washington: T.J. Oshie matched Ovechkin in goals this season with a club high-tying 33 and they both had three goals against Toronto, as Justin Williams and Tom Wilson. Defenseman Karl Alzner is questionable for the series opener after missing the last four games versus the Maple Leafs because of an upper-body injury. Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury stepped in for fellow G Matt Murray (lower body) prior to Game 1 versus the Blue Jackets and boasted a .933 save percentage in the first-round series. However, in three appearances against Washington this season, that SP was just .884. Let's not forget that Washington is 34-7-2 on home ice this season, outscoring opponents 3.20-to-1.68 GPG. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's allowed 3.02 GPG on the road this year.

The pick: The Penguins finished second behind the Capitals in the Metropolitan Division by going 50-21-11 (111 points), while Washington finished 55-19-8 (118 points). This marks the first time since the 2001 Stanley Cup Final (Colorado Avalanche vs. New Jersey Devils) that the NHL's top-two teams from the regular season will meet in a playoff series. Isn't Washington overdue? At least for Game 1, the Caps get the best of the Pens. Make Washington a 10* play.

The set-up: The Yanks took the first of this rain-abbreviated two-game series in Fenway last night, 3-1 (Tuesday's game was postponed and will be made up later this season). Boston led the majors in runs in Ortiz's final season in 2016 but sits in the bottom half of the league almost a month into 2017 (3.90 RPG ranks 22nd) despite a lineup that still includes MVP candidate Mookie Betts, Hanley Ramirez and Xander Bogaerts. The Red Sox totaled 13 runs in the last six games and are 6-for-42 with runners in scoring position in that span, including 0-for-7 in Wednesday's 3-1, series-opening loss. The Yankees weren't much better on Wednesday (1-for-5 with runners in scoring position) but got the big hit when they needed it with rookie Aaron Judge's seventh HR. Nerw York is 12-7 and Boston 11-9, heading into tonight's contest.

The pitching matchup: Masahiro Tanaka (2-1 & 6.00 ERA) gets the ball for the Yankees while Chris Sale (1-1 & 0.91 ERA) gets introduced to one of baseball's greatest rivalries in the series finale for the Red Sox. Tanaka is coming off his best start of the season, limiting the White Sox to one run and six hits over seven innings on April 19. He has won his last two starts while allowing four runs in 13 1/3 innings but opened the season allowing 10 runs over just 7 2/3 innings in his first two outings. Tanaka went 1-0 with a 1.83 ERA in three starts against Boston last season but in his career, sits 5-2 with a 4.05 ERA against Boston in 10 starts (Yanks are 5-5). Chris Sale has been everything the Red Sox thought they were getting when they sent four prospects to the White Sox in exchange for the perennial Cy Young candidate over the winter. Sale struck out 13 and scattered four hits over eight scoreless innings last Thursday at Toronto and owns 42 strikeouts against six walks in 29 2/3 innings. However, Boston's struggling offense leaves him with just one win in four starts, although Boston is 3-1. He has dominated New York in 10 career appearances with a 1.17 ERA. In seven starts, he's got a 4-1 record and 1.43 ERA but his team is just 4-3.

The pick: Expect Sale to finally get some support and make Boston an 8* play.

The set-up: The Raptors went to a three-guard lineup in Game 4 and the team has won back-to-back contests to seize a 3-2 series advantage. Norman Powell saw just 21 minutes of action through the first three games (two appearances) of the series but was inserted into the starting lineup and made all three of his three-pointers in a Game 4 win at Milwaukee. He then erupted Monday night at home, going 4-of-4 on three-pointers en route to 25 points in Game 5. DeRozan added 18 and Lowry 16 in the backcourt as well, with Toronto playing its best game of the series in a 118-93 win. The Raptors now have back-to-back double-digit wins after losing by 27 at Milwaukee in Game 3, leaving the Bucks trying to rediscover that Game 3 form in an effort to avoid losing their eighth consecutive playoff series dating to 2001.!

Toronto: The Raptors now lead the series but have been far from consistent. DeRozan has been up and down in the series, especially at Milwaukee, where he went 0-for-8 from the floor in Game 3 before shooting 12-for-22 in Game 4. Lowry has rebounded from an ugly Game 1 effort but is still under his regular season averages the last four games, at 17.3 points and 5.3 assists. Forward Serge Ibaka was 13-for-39 from the floor over a three-game span but then scoried 19 points on 8-of-10 in Game 5. Any sure just which Toronto team shows up here?

Milwaukee: "You can talk about it but you’ve got to go out there and you’ve got to play. You've got to know how it feels to get your (expletive) kicked, right? And that’s what happened (Monday)," head coach Jason Kidd told reporters. "Being a young team, we were in that position in Game 3 (winning big). We have to understand what took place so we know what we have to do come Game 6." Milwaukee is looking to overcome a recent history of embarrassing Game 6 failures at home, which includes a 120-66 loss to Chicago in 2014 and an 83-69 setback against Atlanta in 2010. However, the team's lone star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, is averaging just 16.5 points at home in the series, compared to 27.3 on the road.

The pick: Postseason success hasn't exactly been a hallmark of the Toronto Raptors, or for the Milwaukee Bucks. Not sure I trust either team in this spot but I like Toronto's three-guard lineup plus there is little reason for Antetokounmpo to be struggling to score at home. This total is fairly low considering the Raptors are averaging 106.9 PPG on the season (including the playoffs), while the Bucks have averaged 105.3 PPG at home, despite that 76-point effort in Game 4. Make the Over a 10* play.

The set-up: The St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays will try to complete a three-game IL series, after getting rained out Wednesday, by playing a doubleheader on Thursday. The Jays won 6-5 (11 innings) on Tuesday but last night's game was rained out. Wednesday's scheduled starters (Latos and Martinez) will go in Game 1 with the second game following. Toronto entered the series ranked 29th in the majors in scoring but eked out a 6-5 victory in 11 innings Tuesday night. The win gets Toronto to 6-14, after opening 1-9. The Cards are just 9-11 and already are "looking up" at their hated rivals, the Chicago Cubs.

The pitching matchup: Casey Lawrence (0-2 & 7.56 ERA) will start Game 2 for Toronto and Adam Wainwright (1-3 & 6.27 ERA) takes the hill for St. Louis. Lawrence gave up a grand slam to Andrelton Simmons in the third inning of his first career start this past Saturday against the LA Angels, taking a 5-4 loss. He allowed five runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings before exiting after 97 pitches. Lawrence walked just three batters on Saturday after issuing five free passes in two combined innings of relief against Tampa Bay on April 8-9. Wainwright hit a two-run HR in Friday's 6-3 win over Milwaukee to help him snap a three-game losing skid. He also pitched well in the victory, striking out a season-high nine in five innings to subdue the Brewers. That said, Wainwright has not looked like the Wainwright of old, with that 6.27 ERA, a 1.93 WGHIP plus opponents BAA of .366!

The pick: Lawrence has shown little so far and Wainwright is a shell of his former self. Throw in that Wainwright also struggled in his lone career outing versus Toronto, allowing three HRs in four innings of a 5-0 loss back on June 24, 2010, and the Over is a 10* play

The set-up: The Rangers ousted Atlantic Division champion Montreal in six games for the right to face Atlantic runner-up Ottawa, which also won its first-round series in six games over Boston Bruins. The Rangers posted a league-high 27 road wins this season and took two of three games in Montreal in the first round. Meanwhile, Ottawa won all three road games at Boston in its first round series.

NY Rangers: New York eliminated Montreal despite getting one assist each from two of its leading goal scorers, Chris Kreider and J.T. Miller, In fact, Mika Zibanejad's four points represented a team high. However, that speaks to the Rangers' depth. A real positive was the late arrival of leading overall scorer Mats Zuccarello, who scored twice in the Game 6 clinching win over Montreal. In the end though, the Rangers will likely pin their hopes on goalie Henrik Lundqvist. After a 2-0 shutout of Montreal in Game 1, he surrendered seven goals in back-to-back losses. However, the veteran then allowed just four goals in three straight New York wins.

Ottawa: The Senators just finished a tightly contested series against Boston, one which that featured six one-goal games. Senators captain Erik Karlsson made a surprising revelation following the series with Boston. He was playing with two hairline fractures in his left heel, but it certainly did not appear to hinder the star defenseman, who collected six assists against the Bruins and played nearly 42 minutes in Game 5. Forward Bobby Ryan followed up a 13-goal regular season by scoring four times against the Bruins, and with Clarke MacArthur back in the lineup after missing most of the past two seasons due to concussions, Ottawa can counter New York's outstanding balance with four solid lines of its down.

The pick: Lundqvist comes in hot but as we saw in Games 2 and 3 against Montreal, he can be beat. As noted, the Rangers are an outstanding road team and so far, have averaged 3.02 goals in all road games this season, Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson allowed three goals in half of the six games against Boston and don't be surprised if this first game sees both teams being able to put the puck in the opposing net. Make the Over an 8* play.

The set-up: The Tigers beat Minnesota 13-4 on Sunday and then on Tuesday, in the opener of a three-game home set with Seattle, clubbed the Mariners 19-9. The Tigers had 24 hits in the rout of Seattle, their most since Sept. 2013 (19 runs were the team's most since 2008). However, James Paxton threw seven scoreless innings (9 Ks) against the Tigers last night and two relievers completed the four-hit shutout. Seattle scored eight runs on 15 hits and has enjoyed an offensive surge of its own, with a total of 28 runs in its last three games.

The pitching matchup: Hisashi Iwakuma (0-2 & 5.31 ERA) will oppose Justin Verlander (1-2 & 6.04 ERA) in the rubber match of this series this afternoon at Comerica Park. Iwakuma allowed a modest three runs over 12 innings in his first two outings of 2017 but then nine runs in 8 1/3 innings in the last two.He's already allowed six HRs in just 20 1/3 innings to open the 2017 season. Iwakuma is 2-2 with a 3.47 ERA in eight career games - seven starts (Seattle is 4-3) - against Detroit with nine HRs allowed in 46 2/3 innings. Verlander, a former Cy Young and MVP winner, is also going through similar struggles in MLB's first month. He allowed just two ERs over 13 1/3 innings in his first two starts before trouble set it. He was ripped for nine runs on 11 hits in four innings at Cleveland on April 15 and then could not find the strike zone while issuing six walks in five innings of a 7-6 loss at Minnesota last Saturday. Verlander is 10-8 with a 3.25 ERA in 20 career starts vs. Seattle, with Detroit going 11-9.

The pick: Verlander did not factor in the decision in either of his two starts against Seattle last season but pitched well, allowing three runs in 14 total innings. Coming off being shut out, on the heels of scoring 13 and 19 run sin the two previous games, I expect thoss Detroit bats to bounce back. After all, Seattle's win in Detroit last night gives the Mariners just a 3-10 road record in 2017, where they've allowed an average of 5.23 RPG (Detroit has averaged 5.33 RPG at home). Make Detroit an 8* play.

It's not often we see the No. 1 seed in a conference lose the first two games of a series at home, especially when that No. 1 seed is matched against a No. 8 seed. However, the Bulls surprised the Celtics 106-0102 in Game 1 and then stunned them with a 111-97 victory in Game 2. However, Celtics have turned the tables on the Bulls by winning Games 3 and 4 in Chicago. The Celtics' back-to-back wins in Chicago came after Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo was sidelined with a fractured thumb, Boston PG Isaiah Thomas, whose playoff experience has been dominated by the grief of losing his sister in a car accident prior to the series, had his best game of the series in Game 4. However, Chicago head coach Fred Hoiberg claims that Thomas carries the ball repeatedly. The teams meet tonight in Boston, as the Celtics try to become the first home team to win a game this series.

Chicago: Rondo has shed his cast and could potentially return for a Game 6 or Game 7. The Bulls need him, as after shooting 46.7 percent and averaging 25 assists in two wins at Boston, Chicago shot just 40.1 percent with 16.5 assists in the two games without Rondo at home. While the team waits on a possible Rondo return, Isaiah Canaan will be thrust into the starting lineup for Game 5 after emerging to score 13 points in 34 minutes of Sunday's loss. Jerian Grant and Michael Carter-Williams have failed miserably in trying to replace Rondo in Games 3 and 4. Jimmy Butler remains Chicago's star, averaging 24.8-7.3-5.0 in the series.

Boston: There can be little doubt that Rondo's injury gave Boston 'life,' but don't discount Brad Stevens' coaching. He made the decision "to go small" after Game 2, including the insertion of Gerald Green into the starting lineup. Green scored 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting to go along with seven rebounds in Game 4 while regular starter Amir Johnson did not see a single minute of action, after playing only six minutes in Game 3.

The pick: Rondo was originally ruled out for Wednesday but USA Today reported Tuesday night that he might attempt to play in Game 5. As I noted in taking the Celtics in Game 4, Boston may be a VERY weak No. 1 seed but Chicago is one weak team, especially with no Rondo. Before Game 3, Stevens owned a 2-10 playoff record, the worst in NBA history for any coach with at least 10 decisions. Now, the picture is brighter and his team delivers a third straight win is this series, with room to spare!. Make Boston an 8* play

The set-up: The Twins opened this three-game series at Texas having lost six of their previous seven games but have beaten the Rangers 3-2 (Mon.) and 8-1 (Tue.). These back-to-back losses for Texas has but a sudden halt to the four-game winning streak the team had when it opened the new week. Texas now looks to avoid getting swept in Arlington by the Twins for the first time in 41 years on Wednesday night! However, more trouble may be looming for the Rangers, as the Twins have now won seven of the last eight meetings between the teams dating to last season.

The pitching matchup: A pair of left-handers take the mound tonight at Globe Life Park, Hector Santiago (2-1 & 2.19 ERA) for Minnesota and Cole Hamels (1-0 & 2.77 ERA). Santiago continued his string of strong outings this season on Friday, recording his third straight quality start, earning a 6-3 win over Detroit. He has a 17-4 KW ratio through four starts, with an 0.97 WHIP and ,217 BAA. He's made 17 starts against the Rangers in his career, going 7-4 with a 4.15 ERA (teams are 10-7). Cole Hamels is off his best performance this season on Friday, allowing one run on three hits in eight innings of a 6-2 win over Kansas City. Not that Hamels had pitched all that poorly in his first three, but Texas had lost each of those three starts. That's quite a change from last season, when the Rangers were 24-8 in Hamels' 32 starts (plus-$1469, which ranked 4th-best among all starters). He's faced the Twins just five times in his career without much success, going 1-1 with a 6.92 ERA (teams are 2-3).

The pick: Santiago is off to a great start for the Twins in 2017 and Hamels finally looked like his "old self" in his last outing. Make the Under a 10* play.

Nashville: Pekka Rinne posted his fewest wins (31) in a full season since 2008-09 but the veteran goalie was brilliant against the Blackhawks, turning away 123 of the 126 shots he faced, while coming within 5 1/2 minutes of posting three shutouts in the series. Nashville's No. 1 line features 31-goal scorers Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson flanking center Ryan Johansen, who tied for the team lead in scoring during the regular season and had a goal and five assists.against Chicago. The Predators also feature an strong group of defensemen, led by the pairings of Romlan Josi-Ryan Ellis and P.K. Subban-Mattias Ekholm. Each player logged at least 20 minutes in all four games versus the Blackhawks.

The pick: Allen was terrific against the Wild but Rinne was even better against the Blackhawks. This is the first time the Blues and Predators have met in the playoffs and while the Blues advanced to the conference finals last season (where they lost to the Sharks), the Predators have never advanced that far.  St, Louis head coach Mike Yeo has done a great job since taking over the Blues and let's not forget, he spent five years behind the Minnesota bench before he was fired 14 months ago. He may know just a little Nashville's strengths and weaknesses. Make the Blues a 10* play.

The set-up: After a 14-3 rout on Monday at Pittsburgh, the Cubs made made a single unearned run stand up in Tuesday's 1-0 victory, Chicago's first win without an RBI since July 2011. The Cubs have now won six of seven to reach 12-8 on the season and will look to complete a three-game sweep of the Pirates Wednesday night. Pittsburgh's hard-luck 1-0 loss came just hours after MLB commissioner Rob Manfred revealed that Pirates star center fielder Starling Marte declined to appeal last week's 80-game suspension. Since a three-game sweep of the Cubs in Chicago, Pittsburgh has dropped six of its last eight games and now sit at 8-12.

The pitching matchup: Jon Lester (0-0 & 2.66 ERA) takes the mound for Chicago and will be opposed by the Pirates' Tyler Glasnow (0-1 & 7.94 ERA). Lester looks to bounce back from his worst outing of 2017, after he surrendered five runs on a season-high nine hits over 5 2/3 innings at Cincinnati last Friday. He had permitted only two runs on 14 hits over his first three starts but with Chicago scoring only seven runs in that span, he had yet to earn a decision. Lester was 2-1 with a 3.80 ERA in four starts against Pittsburgh last season and is 4-3 with a 2.35 ERA in nine career starts against the Pirates (teams are 4-5). Glasnow will be making his 11th career appearance and eighth start and is still looking for his first career win. He lasted only 4 2/3 innings at the New York Mets on Friday, giving up three runs (one earned) on seven hits, after allowing four first-inning runs and six overall at Chicago in his previous outing. The Pirates won his start against the Cubs 8-7 back on April 15 but no thanks to his 7.20 ERA.

The pick: Lester looks for his first win of 2017 (this is his fifth start) but as noted, Glasnow is making his eighth start and is still looking for that initial MLB win, However, he has yet to pitch beyond 5 1/3 innings in his career and comes into this game with a 7.94 ERA and 2.29 WHIP, along with a .315 BAA in three previous 2017 starts. Make the Cubs an 8* play.

The set-up: John Wall led the Wizards with 32 points in Games 1 and 2, as Washington took a 2-0 lead in this series. However, the Hawks rebounded at home with wins of 116-98 and 111-101, meaning this is now a best-of-three series as the teams return to Washington for Game 5. The Wizards still own home-court advantage but after watching the previous two games in Atlanta, it is fair to say that momentum lies with the Hawks. Atlanta dominated Game 3 and then placed seven players in double figures in Game 4's win, while Washington's offense remained too top-heavy. Bradley Beal scored 32 points and John Wall, who played 40 minutes, had 22 points and 10 assists.

The set-up: The Spurs completely shut down the Grizzlies in Games 1 and 2 of this series, holding Memphis to exactly 82 points in each of those first two games, winning by margins of 29 and 14 points. However, the Grizzlies returned home knowing it had beaten the Spurs in both games this past season played in Memphis. The Spurs looked lethargic in a Game 3 Memphis win and then the teams played an excellent Game 4, with the Grizzlies edging the Spurs 110-108 in OT. Kawhi Leonard scored the Spurs' final 16 points in regulation to force overtime (had 43 points, overall) but Memphis center Marc Gasol buried the game-winner in the final second.

Memphis: Gasol made the game winner but it was PG Mike Conley who went toe-to-toe with Leonard in keeping the Grizzlies in the game. Conley set a franchise postseason record with 35 points in the Game 4 triumph and is averaging 24 points and 7.8 assists in the series. Don't dismiss Gasol though, as added 37 points and 18 rebounds in the two Memphis wins or the play of Randolph, inserted in the starting lineup for Games 3 and 4, while scoring 33 points and grabbing 19 rebounds. However, depth is an issue for Memphis, as the 40-year-old Vince Carter is the team's fourth-leading scorer at just 8.3 PPG in this series.

San Antonio: Some think that Leonard, not Westbrook or Harden, is the league MVP and he's surely made a strong case for that honor in this series. It's not just that he set a career playoff-high 43 points in Game 4 but that it was the third time in the series that he had either matched or exceeded a previous personal best. Tony Parker, who looked washed up for most of the regular season, added 22 points in Game 4, two nights after he didn't score and wasn't credited with an assist in San Antonio's Game 3 loss. Leonard doesn't get enough credit for basically carrying this team, which is not the same multi-talented group of past San Antonio editions.

The pick: The first two games of the series went under and then the last two went over. With the series returning to San Antonio one could conclude we are back on the under 'train' but it's my belief that the Grizzlies "found themselves" in these last two games and will not be an 82-point team in Game 5. The total is again very low and the Over is a 10* play.

The set-up: The OKC/Hou Series was billed as a showdown between Westbrook and Harden. However, Harden has a much better supporting cast and as such, the Rockets host Game 5 with a chance to close out the Thunder 4-1. Westbrook was not very sharp in Game 1 (shot 6 of 23 , including 3 of 11 ion threes), as the Rockets won 1118-87. He has recorded three consecutive triple-doubles since but while all three games have been close (decided by 4, 2 and 4 points), the Rockets have manged to take two of those three. Harden was slowed by an ankle issue in Game 4 (16 points on 5 of 16 shooting, including 0-7 on threes!) but reserve big man Nene made 12 of 12 from the floor to lead the Rockets to a 113-109 win on Sunday (Nene had 28 & 10). Westbrook had 35-14-14 on Sunday but in the nine minutes he was on the bench, Houston outscored OKC by 18 points!

Oklahoma City: Westbrook was all testy when a reporter asked center Steven Adams about just that fact in the postgame conference. "I don't want nobody to try and split us up," he interjected. "We all one team. Regardless if I go to the bench, or Steven's on the floor, or if I'm off the floor, we in this together. Don't split us up. Don't try to make us go against each other -- try to make it Russell and the rest of the guys, or Russell against Houston. I don't want to hear that." However, subpar series performances from shooting guard Victor Oladipo (11-point average on 38.6 percent shooting), Adams (8.3 points, 6.3 rebounds) and backup center Enes Kanter (six points, 2.3 rebounds), speaks for itself.

Houston: Nene was not just 12 of 12 from the floor on Sunday but is an amazing 23-of-25 from the floor in the series. Nene is a veteran of 620 regular-season starts and survived a bout with testicular cancer in 2008. "He is my mentor, believe it or not," Harden told reporters. "I watch him every single day do some work. He's in the weight room. He's doing a lot of the right things to get his body and mind right to go out there to compete at a high level every single night." Harden is averaging 33.0-6.0-7.8 in the series but has gotten solid play from fellow starting guard Beverley in the first two games (scored 36 points) and then after he's fallen off in the two games at OKC, backup SG Lou Williams has averaged 20.3 points with a low of 18 over the past three contests.

The pick: Plain and simple. OKC is little more than a one-man show. The center duo of Adams and Kanter plus SG Oladipo have been flat-out flops this series plus note that SF Andre Roberson was an embarrassing 2-of-12 from the free-throw line in Game 4 and is 2-for-17 in the series. Expect Harden to play better in Game 5 and Houston has three other perimeter players also contributing, as Eric Gordon (15.0 PPG) joins Beverley and Williams in that Houston backcourt. That said, expect Westbrook to go down swinging. Make the Over an 8* play.

The set-up: The Brewers won 11-7 last night in the series opener against Reds, as Eric Thames hit two HRs. Thames now has 10 HRs, matching the team record for April, and the Brewers still have five games left this month. Seven of his HRs have come against Cincinnati, which has lost four of five meetings with Milwaukee. The Reds fell to 10-10 with the loss and the Brewers pulled within one game of .500 with the win (10-11).

The pitching matchup: Scott Feldman (1-1 & 2.38 ERA) will take the mound for the Reds on Tuesday, opposed by the Brewers' Zach Davies (1-2 & 8.24 ERA). Feldman pitched mostly but this marks his fifth start of 2017 and while the team is just 1-3 in his four starts, he's pitched reasonably well (1.19 WHIP along with that 2.38 ERA). He has made five career starts versus the Brewers, going 2-2 with a 3.46 ERA (teams are 2-3). Davies lost his first three starts a year ago but finished 11-7 with a 3.97 ERA. However, he's off to another slow (or should I say, brutal?) start here in 2017. He's allowed 18 ERs over 19 2/3 innings through his first four starts, giving him not only an awful 8.24 ERA but a 1.98 WHIP, with opponents batting .345 against him. He's 1-2 with a 4.28 ERA in six career starts vs. the Reds (team is 2-4).

The pick: It was an 11-7 slug-fest on Monday (teams combined for 18 hits and there were five errors in the game, as well) but as noted, Feldman has acquitted himself well in this year's starting rotation. As for Davies, there is no way to go but up and as also noted earlier, he recovered from last year's poor start to pitch well, as the team was 15-9 over his final 24 starts, after Milwaukee lost his first four. The Under is an 8* play.

The set-up: The Tigers return to Detroit to open a 10-game homestand, coming off a a 4-5 road trip. Making life difficult is that fact that the Tigers had to place shortstop Jose Iglesias, first baseman Miguel Cabrera and center fielder JaCoby Jones on the disabled list. Right fielder J.D. Martinez has yet to make his season debut, which leaves the Tigers with a makeshift lineup as they get set to host the Seattle Mariners for three games. Seattle on Tuesday night. The Mariners are on a 10-game road trip and after losing three in a row at Oakland, salvaged the series finale with an 11-1 victory on Sunday, exploding for a season high in runs. Seattle is just 8-12 but after opening 2-8, can't be too unhappy.

The pitching matchup: Felix Hernandez (2-1 & 3.65 ERA) makes his fifth start of the season on Tueday night, and will be opposed by Detroit's Jordan Zimmermann (1-1 & 5.94 ERA). The Mariners lost King Felix's first two starts of 2017 but have won his last two. Hernandez has 20 Ks and only one walk in 24 2/3 innings but it strange to see opponents hitting .330 against him, as his lifetime BAA is .240. Hernandez is 9-3 with a 2.48 ERA in 15 career starts versus Detroit (Mariners are 10-5). Zimmermann appeared in only 19 games last season, his first with Detroit after leaving Washington, because of a neck injury. He recorded a quality start in his 2017 season opener, a 4-1 victory over Boston on April 8, but struggled in two starts since. Calling it "struggling" is being kind. Zimmermann has lasted just 10 2/3 innings, allowing 14 hits and six walks, giving up five ERs in each outing (that's an 8.44 ERA). Zimmermann won his only start against the Mariners, an 8-3 victory in 2014 while pitching for the Nats.

The pick: Detroit returns for a 10-game homestand with nearly half of its lineup ailing and must face Felix Hernandez. He hasn't quite pitched like 'royalty' as of late but he's handled Detroit well in the past (see above). Meanwhile, Zimmermann hasn't come close to performing as hoped, since signed as a free agent. Make Seattle a 10* play.

The set-up: The Warriors are going to make sure Kevin Durant is 100 percent healthy before putting him back on the floor now that the team owns a 3-0 lead in this first round series with the Blazers. However, it's not just KD, as Golden State is working through injuries to Shaun Livingston (finger) and Matt Barnes (foot) plus is without head coach Steve Kerr. After falling behind 2-0, the Trail Blazers looked energized by playing in front of their home fans on Saturday night. They built up a 17-point lead but the Warriors used a 19-1 second-half run to get the crowd out of the game. "They took it up another level," Portland headcoach Terry Stotts told reporters of Golden State. "They defended very well, created turnovers. Our offense kind of stagnated a little bit, they pushed it out in transition as well as they have so far in this series. I think they made three threes during the stretch. It’s what that do, they put a run on you."

Golden State: Curry's 34 points led the way in Golden State's 119-113 win on Saturday, with Thompson chipping in 24. Green had a quiet Game 3 but he's averaging almost a triple-double for the series (11.3-10.7-8.7). Then there is reserve center JaVale McGee, who scored 14 points on 6-for-8 shooting in Game 3, while grabbing four rebounds, all in just 16 minutes. McGee has made 16 of 19 shots in the series and is averaging 11.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in just 13 minutes a game!

Portland: Center Jusuf Nurkic (leg fracture) missed the first two games but Portland received a noticeable boost from the big man when he returned for Game 3. However, he's nowhere near 100 percent and his effectiveness diminished the longer he stayed on the floor. "Obviously (Nurkic) had a big impact on the game," Stotts told reporters. "We got off to a good start. Obviously, when he was on the floor he made a difference with his passing, his rebounding. He didn’t necessarily look to score but I thought he complemented everybody out there very well." Nurkic reported soreness in the leg after the contest and is not expected to play in Game 4.

The pick: The Blazers were competitive in Games 1 and 3, when Lillard and McCollum combined to score 75 points (Game 1) and 63 points (Game 3). However, when they combined to score just 23 points in Game 2 (on 9 of 38 shooting), the result was a 110-81 Golden State blowout. The Warriors are facing more than just injuries to important players. Kerr sat out Game 3 due to chronic back pain and he will not coach tonight. He is consulting with doctors but told reporters he could miss the remainder of the postseason if his back does not improve. That said, the Warriors are used to being without Kerr after he sat out half of the 2015-16 campaign while dealing with complications and pain following back surgery. Through everything, the Warriors have averaged 116.7 PPG in opening a 3-0 lead and Portland's only chance is to outscore them in Game 4. Make the Over a 10* play.

The set-up: The Arizona Diamondbacks were 69-93 in 2016, finishing one game better than the 68-94 San Diego Padres.However, the D'backs have opened the 2017 season by winning 12 of 20 games, while the Padres have started by losing 12 of their first 20. The two NL West rivals open a four-game series tonight at Chase Field and with Arizona going 8-2 so far this season at home, the Padres could be in trouble considering that they are just 3-8 to open the season away from Petco Field. Arizona is MLB's highest-scoring team to this point (5.25 RPG) and will face a San Diego staff which owns a 4.53 ERA, ranking 28th of 30 MLB teams. In contrast, Arizona's so-so pitching staff will face a San Diego lineup which ranks 29th in runs scored at 3.15 per game.

The pitching matchup: The Padres will send Jhoulys Chacin (2-2 & 4.70 ERA) to the mound Monday night and the Diamondbacks will counter with Zack Greinke (1-2 & 3.28 ERA). This represents a quick "re-hook," as Chacin pitched eight scoreless innings for the Padres to outduel Greinke this past Wednesday in a 1-0 Padres victory in San Diego.
That was Chicin's finest outing as a Padre, getting the win after allowing only three singles and a walk while striking out five. He has yet to give up a run in 14 2/3 innings at home in 2017, but he has been ripped for 12 ERs over only 8 1/3 innings in a pair of road losses (14.04 ERA & 2.64 WHIP). Chacin is 6-3 with a 2.74 ERA in 15 career appearances (14 starts / teams are 9-5) versus the Diamondbacks, including a 2-3 mark but a 2.83 ERA in eight starts at Chase Field. Greinke logged his first complete game of the season opposite Chacin, but took the loss despite permitting only a solo HR. The former Cy Young Award winner was coming off his worst effort of the season five days earlier, when he yielded five runs and 10 hits in five frames against the Dodgers. However, Greinke has had few problems with San Diego in his career, going 8-2 with a 1.96 ERA and 0.86 WHIP in 17 starts (teams are 12-5).

The pick: Love Greinke is the quick turnaround pitching matchup plus remember Arizona is 8-2 at home, outscoring oppopnents 7.40-to-4.50 RPG . The Diamondbacks not only lead all MLB teams in runs per game at home this season but also in batting average (.316) and on-base percentage (.376). In stark contrast, the Padres are 3-8 on the road, getting outscored 5.09-to-3.00 RPG. Make Arizona an 8* play.

The set-up: The Washington Nationals beat the Mets 6-3 last night art Citi Field on ESPN, giving them a sweep of that three-game series. The sweep extended the team's winning streak to seven straight. Washington began its winning streak with a home victory over Philadelphia before registering three-game sweeps on the road against Atlanta and the New York Mets. At 13-6 and in first-place in the NL East, the Nats now head to Colorado on Monday for a four-game series in Coors Field against the Rockies, who are also a first-place team, leading the NL West at 13-5. The Rockies have won six of their last seven contests and are coming off their first three-game home sweep of San Francisco since May 2002. Colorado outscored the Giants 20-3 over the final two contests and improved to 6-3 at Coors Field to open the 2017 season.

The pitching matchup: Jacob Turner (1-2, 6.57 ERA in 2016) will make his 2017 debut for Washington and will be opposed by Colorado's Tyler Anderson (1-3 & 7.32 ERA) who is not exactly off to a great start this season. Turner was drafted ninth overall by Detroit in 2009 but has not lived up expectations. He's 12-27 with a 5.09 ERA in the majors with four different teams, spending the 2016 season with the White Sox. He signed a minor-league contract during the offseason with Washington and is being called up from Triple-A Syracuse to make his Washington debut (he owns a 2.61 ERA in three starts for Syracuse). Anderson has had all sorts of early-season struggles, as he has surrendered four or more runs in each of his first four starts, losing the last three. He has yet to complete six innings and lasted five on Wednesday, when he yielded four runs (two ERs) on six hits in a setback against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

The pick: At first blush, this may look like an over with two shaky starters. After all, Washington is MLB's second-highest scoring team at 5.17 RPG (is also averaging 5.11 RPG on the road) and as always, Colorado puts runs on the board at home, averaging 4.89 RPG in its nine home games so far. However, a closer look reveals that the Rockies had averaged a modest 3.00 RPG in their first six home games, prior to scoring 26 runs in sweeping the Giants at Coors this past weekend. As for Colorado's Anderson, he's found Coors to be a friendly park, posting a 3.36 ERA in 13 home starts during his brief career. Let's add that the Colorado bullpen which finished the 2016 season with a MLB-high ERA of 5.13, opens the week with the NL's lowest ERA, at 2.76. Make the Under a 10* play.

The set-up: The Hawks did not play particularly well at home during the regular season but came up with a huge home effort in Game 3, beating the Wizards 116-98. Atlanta couldn't control Wall in Games 1 and 2 (the PG had 32 points in each contest) and while the Hawks did shut him down in Game 3 either (Wall had 29), Atlanta did do a much better against the remainder of Washington's team. Also, the Hawks did a much better job of matching Washington's physicality here at home, led by Millsap's 29 points, 14 rebounds and five assists. PG Dennis Schroder continued his fine play as well, with 27 points and nine assists (he's averaging 25 points and eight assists after three games).

Washington: Wall was 10 of 12 from the floor and 8 of 10 from the FT line in Game 3 but his teammates shot a combined 27 of 77 (35.1%). Washington SG Bradley Beal appeared to break out of his own slump with a big fourth quarter in Game 2 but fell off again in Game 3 while totaling 12 points on 6-of-20 shooting, including 0-of-6 from three-point range. Markieff Morris accused Millsap of being soft after the Hawks forward complained about the physical nature of the first game but Morris may want to shut up and just play better. He's totaled just 12 points on 5-of-17 shooting in the last two games.

Atlanta: Millsap and Schroder have been Atlanta's key players but center Dwight Howard has failed to score in double figures in any of the first three games, averaging a woeful 6.0 PG, He is averaging RPG but one wonders if Atlanta can win this series with Howard providing no offense. Prince has averaged 14.0 PPG on 62.1% shooting but Atlanta's only other double digit scorer in this series is Hardaway (11.3), and he's shooting 29.4% from the floor, including under 20 percent on threes.

The pick: Regarding the Morris/Millsap yapping, "It definitely got personal now," Millsap said. "I don't care. So what? Take this loss and go back to the hotel and be ready for the next game." As noted, the Hawks have been a mediocre home team all season and with Gortat outplaying Howard in the middle, the Washington center is averaging 10.0 & 9.7, I'm on the side of the Wizards to take control of this series by winning Game 4. Make Washington a 10* play.

The set-up: The Washington Nationals look to sweep this three-game series from the Mets tonight on ESPN. The Nats won 4-3 (11 innings) on Friday and four pitchers allowed just two hits for a 3-1 victory in Saturday’s contest. Surging Washington has now won six in a row to sport a 12-5 record, while the slumping Mets have lost seven of eight games to fall to 8-10. More bad news comes New York's way with the Mets placing infielders Lucas Duda (elbow) and Wilmer Flores (knee) on the disabled list Friday and New York will likely still be without Yoenis Cespedes (hamstring) for a least a few more days.

The pitching matchup: The Nationals send Max Scherzer (2-1 & 1.37 ERA) to the mouynd tonight up against New York's Zack Wheeler (1-1 & 5.52 ERA). Scherzer takes the mound Sunday after his best start of the season, limiting Atlanta to two hits over seven scoreless innings last Tuesday with seven strikeouts and three walks in a 3-1 victory. He has yielded three ERs over 12 2/3 innings in his first two starts of the 2017 season and has yet to surrender a home run in three outings. Scherzer owns 1.88 ERA in 10 career career against the Mets, going 5-3, although his teams are just 5-5. Wheeler looked good his last time out in a no-decision, when he allowed just one run on four hits over five innings with seven strikeouts and two walks against Philadelphia. However, he had given up eight runs on 10 hits over 9 2/3 innings in his first two starts of the season after missing two years due to Tommy John surgery. Wheeler is 2-6 with a 4.69 ERA in eight career starts against the Nats.

The pick: No reason to step in front of the Nats in this one. Scherzer was 2-1 with a 0.87 ERA versus the Mets in 2016, while Wheeler was 1-4 with a 5.86 ERA in five outings against Washington back in 2014, the last time he faced them. Make the Nats an 8* play.

The set-up: The 41-41 Bulls were able to sneak into the playoff field as the East's No. 8 seed, getting the nod over the 41-41 Heat by virtue of a tiebreaker. The Bulls then went into the tD Garden and won Game 1 106-102 over the top-seeded Celtics (53-29 on the season), before rolling over the Celtics in Game 2, by a score of 111-97. However, with Chicago PG Rajon Rondo ( in the 1st two games) out with a broken thumb in Game 3, the Celtics coasted to a 104-87 victory on Friday night. The series continues in Chicago on Sunday with Rondo out indefinitely with a fractured right thumb,

Boston: Four of Boston's five starters scored in double digits in Game 3 with Boston connecting on 17 three-pointers, after making just 18 of 59 (30.5%) in the first two games. PG Thomas scored 16 points in Game 3, nearly 13 below his season average, but handed out nine assists. However, others around him became more involved offensively, namely fellow guard Avery Bradley (15 points, 4-of-6 from three-point range), who had shot 10 of 28 (35.7%) in the first two games. Bradley also had seven rebounds, seven assists and spent much of the game shutting down Butler and Wade on the defensive end. Backup PG Terry Rozier, a non-factor in the games in Boston, emerged in Game 3 to provide 11 points in 23 minutes off the bench.

Chicago: Swingman Jimmy Butler averaged 26 points in the two wins at Boston but was held to 14 points on 7-of-21 shooting in Friday's loss. The Bulls shot just 39.3% as a team, including 6 of 21 on threes. Rondo's backups, Jerian Grant and Michael Carter-Williams, combined for eight points, three assists and seven turnovers. Head coach Fred Hoiberg may just want to run the offense more through Butler and Dwyane Wade. Center Robin Lopez has been a real surprise for Chicago, averaging 14.7 points on 70.4 percent shooting, while adding 8.3 RPG (he has 16 offensive rebounds in the series!)

The pick: Falling behind 3-1 may be a hill too high to climb for Boston, so Game 4 could be considered a "must win." The Celtics have been a decent road team this season (24-18 SU and 24-16-2 ATS including Game 3 of this series) and the bottom line is, Chicago is every bit a .500 team. Yes, Boston may be the weakest No. 1 seed in a long time (ever?) but as we saw in Game 3, they are a better team than the Bulls. Make Boston an 8* play.

The set-up: History tells us that the Boston Bruins have never come back from a 3-1 postseason series deficit but Sean Kuraly's double-overtime goal enabled the Bruins to stave off elimination on Friday and force a Game 6 in their Eastern Conference first-round series against the Ottawa Senators on Sunday. Boston overcame a two-goal deficit and had to withstand an apparent game-winning goal in overtime being overturned by video before beating Ottawa. For their part, the Senators have won all eight series in which they've held 3-1 leads and still have the comfort of knowing a potential deciding Game 7 would be played on their home ice.

Ottawa: "We knew they weren’t just going to roll over and die," Senators forward Mark Stone said. "We’ve just got to go to Boston and regroup.” The Senators managed only five shots on goal in the third period but head coach Guy Boucher dismissed the notion that his team went into a protective shell. "It's different during the regular season," Boucher said. “We weren’t scared to lose. I thought we did a good job at that. It’s one of those games that could go either way and it didn’t go our way.” The Senators should be confident, as in this series, they took Game 3 in overtime and won 1-0 in Game 4 (both in Boston), with Bobby Ryan scoring the winner in both games. Ottawa has now won five straight games at TD Garden and is 7-2 overall against Boston this season.

Boston: "We were just battling out there," Bruins captain Zdeno Chara said about his team's Game 5 effort. "We were close and a few denied goals, but that's just part of it and you have to battle through it and keep going and that's what we did." Kuraly waa clearly a surprise hero for the Bruins. He played in only eight contests during the regular season and was a healthy scratch for Games 3 and 4. However, head coach Bruce Cassidy inserted the rookie in the lineup and he has temporarily saved Boston's season. Kuraly scored his first NHL goal late in the second period to tie the score at 2-2 before before delivering the decisive tally midway through the extra session,

The pick: Boston now gets a chance to earn a win at home and send this series back to Ottawa for a Game 7. The Bruins shut down the Senators on all five of their power-play chances on Friday and Ottawa is now 0-for-8 with a man advantage these last two games. Yes, Ottawa has won seven of nine against Boston this season but seven of the nine have been decided by one goal (one of the two two-goal decisions included an empty-netter. Four of the nine have required extra time. Gut feeling here says the series is headed for a Game 7. Make Boston a 10* play.

The set-up: The Yankees exploded for 11 runs in the final four innings to earn an 11-5 win on Saturday at Pittsburgh. The Pirates won 6-3 on Friday night, so the teams get set for the rubber match of this three-game IL series on Sunday afternoon from PNC Park. The Yankees are off to a solid 11-6 start, while the Pirates have yet to get going, sitting at 7-10.

The pitching matchup: Jordan Montgomery (1-0 & 4.22 ERA) makes his first career start against the Pirates while Ivan Nova (1-2 & 2.25 ERA), the ex-Yankee, will face his former team for the first time. Montgomery picked up his first career win in his second career start on Monday, when he held the Chicago White Sox to three runs and seven hits in six innings. Montgomery struck out seven over 4 2/3 innings in his debut on April 12 but had just four last Monday, while inducing eight groundouts on Monday. Nova struggled for the Yankees in 2015 and the first half of 2016 before coming over to Pittsburgh. He had made 118 starts with the Yankees but was having trouble sticking in the rotation with a 5.07 ERA at the time of the trade. However, with the Pirates, he posted a 3.06 ERA in 11 starts, going 5-2 (team won seven of his first eight starts, before losing his last three). He gave up fewer home runs, fewer walks and in general seemed to much more closely resemble the pitcher he had been early in his career, when he won 16 games for the Yankees in 2011.

The pick: Montgomery will face a Pittsburgh lineup that has totaled 11 runs in the first two games of the series but that's after managing just three in the previous three games. I wouldn't be surprised if Nova was sharp against his ex-teammates and will make the Under

The set-up: The Cavs overcame the largest halftime deficit (25 points) in postseason history in Game 3 to take a 3-0 in their first round series against the Pacers. Indiana built a 26-point, third-quarter lead in Game 3, before the Cavaliers rallied to deliver the third-largest comeback victory in postseason history. After suffering one of the worst collapses in NBA playoff history, the Pacers take the court on Sunday looking to avoid a four-game sweep.

Cleveland: LBJ scored 41 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and handed out 12 assists in leading the way for the Cavs. "LeBron willed us home, 41, 12 and 13, played the whole second half," Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue told reporters. "That's what playoff basketball is all about. You got to be willing to sacrifice and lay it on the line to win a game, and that's what he did for us." No one should really be surprised, as LBJ has done this before. LBJ moved into third place on the NBA's postseason scoring list (5,669) -- passing Kobe Bryant -- with his latest outing and is averaging 32.7-9.7-10.7 in the series. He connected on six three pointers, as Cleveland went 21-of-44 from three-point range (47.7%) and now have made 45 three-pointers through three games.

Indiana: Paul George had 36 points and a postseason career-best 15 rebounds in Game 3 and is now averaging 32.3 PPG in teh series. However, Turner and Miles are both averaging only 7.7 PPG and have been the targets of George's criticism. It's now or never for the Pacers, who at best, can send this series back to Cleveland for a Game 5.

The pick: The Pacers were stunned after the 119-114 loss as they went from being on the verge of making it a series to basically having no chance "'Do you want to go home or not?' That's the mentality," Indiana swingman C.J. Miles told reporters. "That's how you get over it. 'Do you want to keep playing?' That's pretty much the only thing you can take into the next game." Point guard Jeff Teague is among the players talking the good fight, saying "we're playing for pride now. We're all competitors in here and we all believe in one another. We're not getting swept." Indiana is averaging 111.0 PPG in the series (averaged 105.1 during the season) but has allowed Cleveland to average 111.0 PPG (allowed 105.3 in the regular season) on 51.0 percent shooting, not to mention averaging making 15 three-pointers per game. Can (will) the Pacers live to fight another day? Maybe bu the Over is a 10* play.

The set-up: Montreal and the NY Rangers split the first four games of this series with each team winning once on their opponents home ice. Then came Game 5 in Montreal, with the Rangers earning a 3-2 OT win. An interesting note heading into Saturday night's Game 6 in Madison Square Garden is this. The Rangers have won 14 straight playoff series in which they were victorious in Game 5!

The pick: Only one of the first five games have ended with my than five goals and that was Montreal's 4-3 OT win in Game 2. Just a feeling here but I expect Montreal to go down swinging and maybe send this back to Montreal for a Game 7. The Canadiens had 118 shots over the first three games of the series but were held to 24 shots in Game 4 and had just 20 over the final 54 minutes of Game 5. Make the Over a 10* play.

The pick: Memphis should be confident for Game 4, as the Grizzlies did win both home games over the Spurs in the regular season by 15 and eight points. However, Thursday's win snapped a a 10-game postseason losing streak for Memphis! The Spurs surely don't want this series going back to San Antonio tied at two-all. Make San Antonio a 10* play.

The set-up: The Minnesota Wild avoided a sweep of their Western Conference first-round series against the Blues by winning 2-0 in Game 4. The teams are back in Minnesota for Game 5 on Saturday afternoon. The Wild had only managed three goals in losing the first three games of the series but their two goals on Wednesday were good enough, as Devan Dubnyk turned aside all 28 shots he faced.

St Louis: The Blues appeared to take their foot off the gas in Game 4 and the Wild limited their quality chances. Some good news may be on the way, though. Paul Stastny (foot) skated with the top line at practice on Friday and could be in the lineup for the first time since March 21. St. Louis also needs leading scorer Vladimir Tarasenko to get things going. He leads the team with 16 shots in the series but has yet to score, managing only two assists in four games. Minnesota: “We just said coming into the game, we need to win one game and this is the only thing that matters,” Dubnyk told reporters. “This was our Stanley Cup. And it’s gonna be the same thing on Saturday, because if not, it’s over, and we’re not gonna think any further ahead than that.” Charlie Coyle has stepped up with a goal in each of the last two games and Martin Hanzal netted his first of the postseason in the Game 4 victory. Zach Parise leads the team with three points while Jason Zucker, who scored a career-best 22 goals in the regular season, has yet to notch a point despite pacing the Wild with 18 shots.  

The pick: After going 27-11-3 on home ice during the regular season, the Wild lost the first two of this series in OT. Can (will?) Minnesota win here at home and send the series back to St. Louis? I Maybe so but St. Louis goalie Jake Allen has stopped 140 of the 145 shots he has faced in the series. Take the 1 1/2 goals and make the Blues an 8* play

The set-up: Most felt that the Milwaukee Bucks would fall out of the East's playoff field after losing Jabarai Parker to an injury. Instead, a late-season surge allowed them to earn the No. 6 seed and now in their first rouns series against the favored Raptors (No. 3 seed), the Bucks have a chance to take a 3-1 lead in today's Game 4. The Bucks last won a playoff series in 2001 but won Game 1 in Toronto by 14 points and then routed the Raptors 104-77 back in Milwaukee in Game 3. "They ambushed us," Raptors head coach Dwane Casey told reporters. "There was no aspect of our game that we executed whatsoever." Toronto's leading scorer, All-Star shooting guard DeMar DeRozan (27.3 in the regular season), missed all eight of his field-goal attempts!

Toronto: Toronto fell behind by 20 points in the first quarter and had scored only 30 points by halftime. The Raptors were ice cold from the outset and finished the game at 33.8 percent shooting for the game. Toronto will also have to find a way to make things easier for DeRozan. Milwaukee effectively took away his ability to work the pick-and-roll. Lowry had a good Game 2 but he's shot 6 of 21 (2 of 13 on threes) combined in Games 1 and 3. Ibaka had strong games in Toronto but then had six points and three rebounds in Game 3. As for center Jonas Valanciunas, he's just 9-of-24 shooting in the series.

Milwaukee: Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 23.7 points and 10.3 rebounds in the series plus SG Khris Middleton has scored 20 points in consecutive games. Center Greg Monroe, now a backup, is averaging 16 points and 8.7 rebounds through three games. In fact, Milwaukee had six scorers in double digits in Game 3, three starters and three reserves. "The guys on the floor and on the bench support them, and the coaching staff has done everything to prepare them for this moment," Bucks head coach Jason Kidd told reporters of his players. "It's up to them to be basketball players, and they're very comfortable with doing that. We try to keep things simple and have fun with it, and they do all the work."

The pick: The Raptors went 4-1 this season following losses by 15 points or more. The last two times it happened, Toronto responded with winning streaks of six and four games, respectively. I'm not completely convinced teh Raptors will bounce back but they have averaged 106.9 PPG this season, including two awful games in this series (83 and 77-point efforts). Also note, that the Bucks have averaged 106.0 PPG at home this season. Make the Over a 10* play.

The set-up: The Cubs have responded to a four-game losing streak by winning their last three, all in comeback fashion.The Cubs rallied for another thrilling victory last night in Cincinnati. Anthony Rizzo’s three-run HR with two outs in the ninth forced extra innings and Kris Bryant’s sacrifice fly in the 11th gave Chicago to a 6-5 win. That's three straight comeback wins for Chicago, with five of their last eight victories being of the come-from-behind variety. As for the Reds, the loss in the opener of this three-game set makes it three straight defeats and after opening 2017 at 7-2, the Reds are now just 9-8 and on a 2-6 skid.

The pitching matchup: Jake Arrieta (2-0 & 2.89 ERA) takes the mound for the Cubs and Cody Reed (1-0 & 0.00 ERA) for the Reds.Arrieta won his first two starts of 2017 but settled for a no-decision the last time out in an 8-7 Chicago win at Pittsburgh.He allowed three runs on five hits (including two HRs) over 5 2/3 innings. He is 5-2 with a 3.47 ERA in seven career starts against the Reds. Cody Reed suffered through a 'nightmare' rookie season in 2016. He made 10 starts last year going 0-7 (team was 0-10) with a 7.36 ERA and 1.80 WHIP (opponents batted .328 against him). He's opened the 2017 season in the bullpen and after four appearances, has yet to allow a run or even a hit, although it's over a modest eight innings. He walked four his first time out but has now retired 18 straight batters over his last three appearances with eight Ks! Reed was 0-2 with a 12.38 ERA in two starts against the Cubs in 2016.

The pick: Reed gets his first start of 2017 in this one and faces a Chicago team he met twice last year, going 0-2 against with a 12.38 ERA. That hardly bodes well here, as the Cubs have scored 22 runs (7.33 per) on 33 hits during their three-game winning streak. The Cubs have now won 19 of their past 23 games vs. Cincinnati and six of the past seven series. Chicago was 15-4 last season against the Reds, including 8-2 at Great American Ball Park. Make the Cubs an 8* play

The set-up: The Clippers and Jazz each finished the regular season at 51-31 and after two games of their first round playoff series, they are tied at one game apiece. However, the edge resides with the Jazz, who won Game 1 at Staples Center to steal away the home court advantage. However, before losing 114-108 in Salt Lake City on March 13, the Clippers had won nine in a row at Utah. The Jazz remain without center Rudy Gobert, who is still recovering from hyperextending his knee on the first possession of the series opener. It could take a while before he is game-ready again.

LA Clippers: Losing Game 1 at home with the Jazz playing without Gobert just added to the Clippers' playoff lore of disappointment followed by disappointment. "We had a couple of days being pretty pissed off," PF Blake Griffin told reporters after scoring 24 points in the Game 2 win. "Our spirit [tonight] was great." Griffin helped fuel the interior dominance that led to a 60-38 scoring advantage in the paint and a 47-39 edge on the glass as the Clippers exploited the absence of Gobert. Center DeAndre Jordan had his share of issues with Gobert and the Jazz during the regular season but took control of the shorthanded Jazz in Game 2, recording 18 points on 9-of-11 shooting and 15 rebounds. PG Chris Paul figures to be successful regardless of who is on the court and he is averaging 23 points, 10.5 assists and three steals while shooting 55.9 percent from the floor in the series.

Utah: The Jazz fell behind early in Game 1 and were outscored 29-18 in the first quarter in Tuesday's loss, a trend they need to reverse at home. "The first quarter is what really got us, and they hit us a little bit, set us back in Game 1, as well," forward Gordon Hayward told reporters following a 20-point effort. "We definitely have to be better in the first quarter, but besides the first quarter we played them pretty even." Veteran swingman Joe Johnson, who hit the game-winner in Game 1 while scoring a team-high 21 points, added 13 points off the bench and forward Derrick Favors also finished with 13 points and seven rebounds while starting in place of Gobert.

The pick: The Clippers' three main stars all had strong performances in Game 2 (see above). However, through two games, shooting guards J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford have combined to go 12-for-37 from the floor (32.4%), including 1-for-14 from three-point range. The Jazz were able to win in LA without Gobert, so it's no stretch for them to win here at home without him, where they were 29-12 SU on the season. Make Utah a 10* play.

The set-up: Russell Westbrook keeps saying that winning is all that matters but a third straight loss to the Rockets in Game 3 will all but end OKC's chances in this series with Houston. Westbrook payed poorly in Game 1 and the OKC big men were dominated by Houston's frontcourt, getting outrebounded 56-41 in a 118-87 Houston blowout. Then in Game 2, Westbrook produced the highest-scoring triple-double in playoff history with 51 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds but he wilted in the fourth quarter and the Thunder fell 115-111. Westbrook was just 4-of-18 shooting while playing the entire final quarter and it equated to a major missed opportunity as Oklahoma City let a 15-point, first-half lead slip away.

Houston: Harden is averaging 36 points, 5.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists so far, with the biggest stat being Houston's 2-0 lead in the series. The Rockets received 93 of their 115 points in Game 2 from the backcourt quartet of Harden, Eric Gordon (22 points), Lou Williams (21) and Patrick Beverley (15). Primarily known for his defensive prowess, Beverley is averaging 18 points on 14-of-22 in the first two games. A worry for Houston is Ryan Anderson, who is averaging four points on 2-of-14 shooting, including 11 straight misses from three-point range.

Oklahoma City: Head coach Billy Donovan questioned his decision not to have Westbrook take his customary break on the bench to start the fourth quarter of Game 2 but Westbrook is not OKC's problem. The supporting class has just not stepped up, starting with SG Victor Oladipo (15.9 PPG), who has been awful. He's averaging 8.5 points on 5-of-26 shooting. The center duo of Steven Adams (5.5 & 6.0) and Enes Kanter (6.0 & 2.0) have been "no-shows" as well. During the regular season, Kanter averaged 14.3 & 6.7 and Adams 11.3 & 7.7.

The pick: It's now or never for OKC and there's clearly plenty of room for improvement for each player other than Westbrook. Houston allowed 110.8 PPG on the road during the regular season (so OKC should score) but remember, only Golden State is averaging more points than Houston's 115.3 per. Make the Over an 8* play.

The set-up: The Caps delivered a four-goal first period in Game 4 and hung on for a 5-4 win to even this first round series at one apiece. It's now the always pivotal Game 5, when a seven-game series is tied at two-all. The Capitals had an NHL-high 118 points in the regular season, while the Maple Leafs' 95 points made them the "last team into the playoff field."

Toronto: Head coach Mike Babcock feels his team should be optimistic heading into Friday's Game 5. "If you'd told our guys at the start of the series it would be 2-2, they'd all do a cartwheel if they knew how. I couldn't do it, I'd hurt my back," Babcock said on Thursday. Toronto was not ready to play at the start of both Games 3 and 4. The Maple leafs were able to overcome Game 3's sluggish start (won 4-3 in OT) but that four-goal first period in Game 4 proved too much of an obstacle to overcome. Youth is being served by the Maple Leafs, as Toronto has five rookie goal-scorers thi series to join the 2007-08 New York Rangers as the only teams over the last 25 years of the playoffs to accomplish that feat.

Washington: The Caps, the President's Trophy winners, have had their hands full with the upstart Leafs, in part because the Capitals feel Toronto has gotten most of the favorable bounces in the series, leaving them feeling helpless at times. "We're becoming really mentally tough in this series," Washington coach Barry Trotz said Thursday. "They've got some strange goals, and that sometimes can play on your mind a little bit." T.J. Oshie has been 'killing' Toronto, highlighted by him recording his third career postseason multi-goal performance on Wednesday. Oshie is riding a six-game playoff point streak (four goals, five assists) dating to last year while fellow forwards Nicklas Backstrom (two goals, three assists) and captain Alex Ovechkin are enjoying three-game point and goal streaks, respectively.

The pick: Here's the rub. Washington is best-known for its past playoff failures and now it's a best-of-three series. It sure doesn't help that Braden Holtby is hardly playing like a reigning Vezina Trophy winner, having allowed 12 goals allowed, a 3.37 goals-against average and an .897 save percentage, in the last three contests. Washington's two wins in the series have each come by just one goal, a 3-2 OT win in Game 1 and Game 4's 5-4 win. Take the 1 1/2 goals with Toronto and make teh Maple Leafs an 8* play.

The set-up: The Cincinnati Reds got off to a quick starts in 2017, opening 7-2. Hopes that they could be a be a surprise challenger to the World Series champion Chicago Cubs in the NL Central have taken a hit though, as the Reds have lost five of their last seven. The 9-7 Reds lead the 8-7 Cubs by a half-game entering this weekend three-game home series with Chicago. The Cubs ended a four-game slide with consecutive comeback wins over Milwaukee, 9-7 on Tuesday and 7-4 on Wednesday. The Cubs used Thursday’s day off to reconfigure their pitching rotation, flip-flopping the top of the lineup.

The pitching matchup: Left-hander Jon Lester (0-0 & 1.00 ERA) will now get Friday's start for Chicago, matched up against Cincy's Tim Adleman (0-0 & 2.25 ERA). Lester is still looking for his first win of 2017, entering his fourth start. He's got three no-decisions and the Cubs are just 1-2 in those starts, despite him allowing only two ERs on 14 hits with a 17-5 KW ratio over 18 innings. He's got a 1.00 ERA and 1.06 WHIP, while holding opponents to a .222 BA. A lack of run support has been the main culprit but Lester should be full of confidence here, as he's 3-1 with a 3.32 ERA in nine starts against the Reds (teams are 8-1!). The 29-year-old Adelman made one start at Triple-A Louisville before being called up to pitch four innings in long relief Sunday against Milwaukee. He allowed one run and two hits with five strikeouts in his first big-league outing of the season. He made 13 starts in 2016, going 4-4 with a 4.00 ERA (team was 6-7). He made two starts against the Cubs last season, going 1-0 with a 3.97 ERA (Reds were 1-1).

The pick: Lester is overdue for a win and has an impressive LT record against the Reds, including posting a 2.94 ERA in five outings at Cincinnati. Lester hasn't had much support in his first three starts but note that the Cubs have won 18 of their past 22 games vs. Cincinnati and six of the past seven series. Chicago hit 42 HRs against Reds pitching in 2016, the most in a single season against Cincinnati, while going 15-4 last season against the Reds, including 8-2 at Great American Ball Park. Make the Cubs a 10* play