Zack's Picks (3 Live)
Zack's Past Picks
Monday, look for the Reds to be a bit flat at the plate after an extra inning game yesterday against the San Francisco Giants. They’ll face lefty Jordan Montgomery who just limited the Reds to two runs over seven innings his last start, in a 4-3 Diamondbacks win. Look for a similar result today that will come under the total by a run or two. Take the under.
In game three we saw the Celtics offense run through their two stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. That led to a combined sixty one points scored out of the Celtics 106 total points. After a quiet game three look for Payton Pritchard to get back in the scoring column as he did in games one and two of this series. The shots are there and with Derrick White struggling Pritchard may need to be more aggressive. Take his combination prop over in game four.
Boston won game three at Cleveland thanks to solid overall defense. As a team Boston limited Cleveland to just ninety three points. Offensively, the Celtics still have a ways to go to be the team we saw in the regular season. A player that needs to get back to his nightly consistent play is Derrick White. Look for White to get his shot back to an extent tonight, and get over his points prop.
In the night cap I’ll tail Nikola Jokic over his points. After winning game three the belief is there for Denver. Game four is going to be an all out battle, and I expect Jokic to be that much more aggressive with his shot selection. This very well could be his best points production game of the postseason. Take his over on points.
Obi Toppin had went seven straight postseason games of scoring nine or more points. That ended with the Pacers game three victory, as Toppin took his fewest shots of the postseason and scored just two points. His role in the series appears to be changing, and I expect the former Knick to continue to regress in the points department. Take his under on points.
Each superstar in the postseason is going to have an extra tax to their props. For the Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has not looked like himself. Through seven postseason games he is shooting under forty percent. Look for Tatum to adjust his game with the Celtics needing him to step up on the road in game three. Double digit made free throws along with a combination of field goals will get him past his points prop. Take Tatum’s over to hit for the first time this postseason.
Postseason patterns have been apart of the Boston Celtics playoff runs for years. Game two has been an issue thus far in both postseason series, but look for Boston to turn it up a notch in game three. From an offensive stand point expect a night and day difference from game two. The Cavaliers may be in the second round but they are extremely vulnerable as witnessed in three losses to the Magic, and game one to the Celtics. Lay it with Boston.
The Cincinnati Reds took game one over the San Francisco Giants as underdogs. Now the pendulum has swung in the market as big road favorites over the Giants. San Francisco’s starting pitcher in Mason Black struggled in his first start against the Phillies, surrendering five runs with three walks. Expect the Reds to build their first winning streak in five series. Take the Reds over the Giants
For the second time in the postseason Shai Gilgeous Alexander eclipsed over thirty points in game two’s loss. Expect SGA to be even more aggressive with the Thunder needing to regain the home court edge back. With a handful of trips to the free throw line and over twenty field goal attempts, take SGA’s points over.
Jamal Murray has been in the spotlight in Denver’s second round series against the Timberwolves for all the wrong reasons. Poor play overall has led to the belief that he is still hurting with his calf. He also had the incident that resulted in a $100,000 fine. Yet, with three days off in between game two look for Murray to step up in a big way. Take his over.
Denver heads to Minnesota for game three in a heap of trouble. They were blown out at home in game two, and now find themselves attempting the impossible. This series is likely going to go the Timberwolves way, but I look for the defending champs to put together a better effort tonight. With three days off since game two, take the points with Denver.
On the season the St. Louis Cardinals are 0-4 against the Milwaukee Brewers. This includes losing yesterday as road favorites with Sonny Gray on the mound. Tonight, look for the Cardinals to finally break through as they will see a rookie pitcher for the Brewers in Robert Gasser. Take St. Louis to end their five game losing streak.