Oakland is providing an irresistible combination for "under" results...very good pitching combined with very poor hitting. For the latter, recent numbers tell the story, with only 19 runs scored across the past nine games, but combined with solid work on the mound that pitchers like Sunday starter Paul Blackburn (2.03 ERA) has provided thus far, "unders" (12-6-1 last 19 A's games) almost seem inevitable. Add in Birds starter Albert Suarez not allowing an earned run in two starts and the recipe for another low-scoring Oakland game (as the first two in this series) in easy to identify. Play A's-O's "Under"

Philly should likely be ahead 2-1 in this series, still kicking itself for throwing away Game 2 in the last 30 seconds last Monday night at MSG. But the answer back home on Thursday at Wells Fargo Center was emphatic, pulling clear of the Knicks in the second half, with Joel Embiid near unstoppable as he scored 50 points. The Sixers also survived a 39-point Jalen Brunson onslaught, and solved Tom Thibodeau's defense enough to his almost 55% from the floor. We'd be surprised if this series doesn't return to New York level, with both teams at two wins apiece. Play Sixers

The "total" is inching up very slightly in this series that continues to display "over" characteristics. Especially in Thursday's Game 3, when both Joel Embiid (50 points) and Jalen Brunson (39 points) were scoring at a torrid pace. The Knicks and Sixers also combined to shoot better than 50% from the floor, with Philly in particular suggesting that it is starting to solve Tom Thibodeau's defensive riddle. Plenty of "over" evidence in the team trends, too, with New York now "over" 13-2 across its last fifteen games, and Philly "over" 10-4 across its last fourteen games, and only some odd developments at the end of Game 2 keeping this series from being "over" three straight. Play Knicks-Sixers "Over"

This has not been a particularly high-scoring series but still would have cleared this 5.5 "total" in two of the first three games. Will see if Jim Montgomery continues his goalie rotation on the Boston side, though that would mean sitting Jeremy Swayman, who won Games 1 and 3 and has allowed only seven goals in his last 15 periods vs. Toronto. Linus Ullmark has comparable overall numbers, so Montgomery might well stick to his pattern, but there is too much firepower on the ice for these teams to play another 3-2 game. Auston Matthews and the Leafs have scored only six goals, and with some real urgency tonight look for Toronto to push this scoreline to six or more. Play Bruins-Leafs "Over"

We have been wondering when Colorado might get an advantage, and this weekend could be the chance. It's up, up, up in altitude at Mexico City, but the adjustment for the Rockies to over 7000 feet won't be as harsh as it is for the Astros, coming in from near sea level. Of course, if altitude was such an advantage for Colorado it would be better than 7-19, but that's exactly where Houston is now too in a very disappointing start. Astros starter Roniel Blanco does have a no-hitter earlier in April, but the altitude changes the dynamics, and Cal Quantrill has been just as effective his last two starts for the Rocks. Play Rockies on Run Line (at Mexico City)

Curiously, Boston continues to have its struggles at home in the playoffs, losing Game 2 at TD Garden vs. the underdog Heat, and now has to go on the road to regain home edge against the no-Jimmy Butler Miami. One wonders, however, if the Celtics' recent inconsistencies (which surfaced late in the regular season) might suggest Boston has simply gone flat, Before going there, however, will note that both previous games in this series cleared 204, and each side has been trending hard to the "over" in recent weeks (Celtics "over" 14-5 last 19; Heat "over" 11-3 last 14). Play Celtics-Heat "Over"

Don't sleep on the A's, a much-improved outfit from last season. Pitching in particular has been surprisingly good, with the bullpen more than holding its own, and starters like JP Sears (on the mound Saturday) doing things like posting an 0.51 ERA across his last three starts. Oakland, which rallied to win 3-2 in 10 innings last night, will be taking swing vs. former A's starter Cole Irvin, but with the offense only scoring 19 runs across the last eight games, and batting only .201 into this weekend, any fireworks shows at Camden Yards are going to have to wait. Play A's-O's "Under"

Rest assured Isles coach Patrick Roy isn't going to be doing any experimenting in goal for Game 4, especially after his decision to give Ilya Sorokin a shot in Game 3 would boomerang, as he allowed three early goals to prompt his removal; Roy quickly went back to Semyon Varmalov, who started the first two games in Raleigh and fared well in relief for Game 3. It's do-or-die for NY here, but the Islanders have not been that outclassed in this series, having a look at both of the first two games on the road (more than a look at Game 2) as well as home for Game 3. Urgency on the Isles side to avoid elimination on Saturday. Play Islanders on Money Line

Looking for a reason why Orlando has become formidable this season? Credit HC Jamahl Mosley and his ability to get the Magic to buy-in on the stop end, as defense was a key to the surprise playoff berth and continues to serve Orlando well, keeping the Cavs beneath 100 points in every game of this series to date. Ask Cleveland linchpins Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, held to a combined 18 points in Orlando's blowout win on Thursday. Playing at Amway Center also a big plus for the Magic, as only the Celtics and Bucks among East entries won more home games than Orlando's 29. The home edge has also been extremely pronounced thus far in this series as well (3-0...emphatically so!). Play Magic

Some alarming developments for the Halos, who have only won one series thus far (a three-game sweep in Miami) and are only 7-15 in games not involving the lowly Marlins. Baserunning snafus continue to haunt Ron Washington (Jo Adell thrown at trying to steal to end the Wednesday loss to the O's), not to mention patience running thin with starter Patrick Sandoval, whose inconsistencies (as well as his 6.75 ERA) remain hard to ignore. Meanwhile, big Bailey Ober has been sharp on the mound for the Twins ever since getting hammered in the opener by the Royals, with a 1.06 ERA and 0.65 WHIP in three subsequent starts. Minnesota also finally has momentum after a 4-game sweep of the Chisox. Play Twins on Money Line

We suspect this series will continue to be played on the edge, with scorelines as close as the Dallas win in Game 2. Kawhi Leonard (knee) is going to appear on the Clips' injury report for every game, but he fact he got back on the floor at midweek suggests he is likely to continue giving it a go in the playoffs. Of course, LA won Game One minus Kawhi, and the Mavs continue to lean very hard on Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who scored more than 60% of the Dallas points in Game 2. Even if Kawhi doesn't feature, still plenty of go-to scorers on the Clips side, and the zig-zag has already worked once in this series. Play Clippers