We're still waiting for this series to explode...

Seven miserable minutes of the second quarter did in the Pacers in Game Three, when a 24-7 Cavs run into halftime that blew open a close game. As it was, Indiana still hinted at making a run into the 4th Q before Cleveland repelled the threat. The Pacers still hold the upper hand 5-2 this season over Cleveland, and Gs Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard, who had been combining for roughly 36 ppg in the postseason, aren't likely to be held to 14 points again as on Friday (Halliburton scoring only 4). Donovan Mitchell is doing yeoman's work for Cleveland with 91 points across the past two games, but it's expecting a bit much of him to continue at that pace, no? Play Pacers

This series is at the vanguard of the NBA over trend in the playoffs, landing that way in each of the first three games. Which can happen when both teams want to play fast. Indiana's problem in Game Three on Friday was not related to the pace as it was its inaccuracy and not getting the usual production from contributors such as Tyrese Haliburton, the star of Games 1 & 2 but hardly as much on Friday when only scoring 4s. The Pacers had scored 117 or more in six of seven previous postseason games. Nothing wrong with Cleveland's offense in the playoffs, either, scoring 123 ppg in its previous seven games in this postseason. Note playoff overs on a 21-9 run. Play Cavs-Pacers Over

Much unlike the other East semi between the Caps and Canes, action has been free-flowing in this series. While expecting the sort of bank shots, fluke deflections, and ricochets to result in goals like in Game 3 might be misplaced, there's no question that the pace has been brisk, and that Sergei Bobrovsky has not been at his best in the Florida net yet in this series. Meanwhile, whether Anthony Stolarz or Joseph Woll in goal for the Leafs (Woll apparently in again for Game 4), Florida has been able to do some business in the first three games. These sides have cleared six goals in each of the first three games and see that pattern continuing on Sunday in Sunrise. Play Leafs-Panthers Over

We have a pattern to note in this Dallas-Winnipeg matchup. Six meetings already this season, including these first two in the second round of the playoffs in the West, and never more than five goals scored in any of those. Thus, six straight under results between the Stars and Jets, and Connor Hellebuyck off of his best postseason effort in Game 2 when helping spin a 4-0 Winnipeg win, his first shutout in these playoffs. Our concerns is how the Jets were strafed on the road in the previous road at St Louis, with Hellebuyck pulled each game, but the series under trends are compelling, and Jake Oettinger is looking comfy in the Dallas net. Play Jets-Stars Under

Let's see the Jets do that again...this time on the road. That 4-0 win in Game 2 over Dallas might have been the best Winnipeg effort yet of the postseason, and the first shutout recorded by Connor Hellebuyck in goal. Playing desperate when down 1-0 in the series, Winnipeg got off to a fast start, helped by a fluke ricochet goal to get off to an early 2-0 lead. Hellebuyck was good but now he and Winnipeg are on the road, where the Jets have been outscored 17-5 in three previous playoff games at St Louis, Hellebuyck pulled each time. Jake Oettinger and the Stars won't blink at this assignment after taking out the Avs in the first round. Play Stars on Money Line

What...the Dodgers are only 9-11 as a true visitor this season? The Blue is wearing the bully label very well vs. outmanned foes at Chavez Ravine but is not having as much success vs. legit contenders on the road, as the D-backs are now poised to win three of four this weekend in Phoenix after last night's 3-0 win behind Corbin Burnes. Today on the hill it's Zac Gallen, whose last two starts were wins vs. the Mets, allowing just 2 runs and 4 hits thru 13 IP. Meanwhile Tony Gonsolin was not overly impressive in his first two starts this season, a split of two games vs. the lowly Marlins, while posting a so-so 4.09 ERA. Play D-backs on Money Line

Trendlines in this matchup have been identifiable; when OKC wins, it's usually a blowout (27 ppg, counting reg season), but when Denver wins, it's close under (6 ppg). We've seen this trend already in this series with the Nuggets winning a couple of nailbiters in Games 1 & 3 while the Thunder rolled up a 43-point blowout in Game 2. As it was Denver needed some late heroics again from Aaron Gordon to force the OT in game 3, but with a thinner bench there are not as many options for the Nuggets if one of their big guns should have an off night. If liking the Thunder, don't worry about the spread...it hasn't mattered when beating Denver. Play Thunder

It takes some risk-takers like paratroopers, oil-rig firefighters, or commodity traders to consider backing the Chisox on back-to-back days. Maybe we're in that group of daredevils, too by liking the Pale Hose in consecutive games...even after losing yesterday. But can't resist with this pitching matchup as Sean Burke has delivered quality efforts in his last two starts for the Sox, allowing just one run and six hits across 12 1/3 IP vs. the Royals and Brewers. Meanwhile, Sandy Alcantara continues to have a devil of a time n the mound for the Marlins, and it's not just been his very bumpy last two starts vs. the Dodgers (Alcantara also posted a 9.28 ERA in April). Play White Sox on Money Line

Let's see...how about a team on a seven-game win streak at a plus price like +130 and that team having won the last two outings made by its starting pitcher? Not a bad trifecta today for the Cardinals, who, speaking of trifectas, go for the sweep of the weekend set at Washington this afternoon behind the resurgent Miles Mikolas, in whose last two starts St Louis has won, and three starts has allowed just 3 runs across 16 1/3 IP (1.65 ERA). The Cards bullpen is also holding up well this weekend in D.C, while often impatient Nats batters haven't always helped MacKenize Gore, with Washington losing in five of his eight starts. Play Cards on Money Line

This is quite a playoff push by the Oilers, with six wins in a row, coming from behind in each! One key been inserting GK Cal Pickard after losing the first two games of the LA series. Pickard is now even getting quoted for Conn Smythe odds (listed at 300-1!) and in truth if the playoffs ended now and Edmonton had to pick its Stanley Cup MVP, it might be Pickard. Putting Evander Kane on the Zach Hyman line has added extra punch beyond the McDavid and Draisaitl line. Vegas hasn't been down 2-0 in a series and isn't looking too comfy, especially with its defense down low being exploited and Adin Hill looking at far too many quality shots. Play Oilers on Money Line

When shorthanded, Warriors games either go pear-shaped (as in Game 2) or turn into grinders, where they can flourish. What do we get in Game 3 tonight? With Steph Curry apparently out at least these next two games at Chase Center because of his hamstring tweak, Steve Kerr's troops are going to try to grind again as in Game One. Ant Edwards, playing on a sore ankle, might be at less than 100% for Minnesota as well. Kerr's secret weapon on Saturday might be Jonathan Kuminga, who saw his most floor time in the postseason in Thursday's 117-93 loss, and contributed a team-high 18 points. Now-Batman Jimmy Butler is looking for someone to assume his Robin role, and it could be Kuminga. Play Warriors

Though the Dodgers did blast their way to a 14-11 win last night, they're not used to their staff getting banged around as the D-backs have done the past two nights. LA pitching has been getting worked over pretty well by the Arizona bats, and the Dodgers' wild-haired Dustin May hasn't been fooling anyone lately, surrendering 14 runs and 20 hits, plus 8 walks, in just 16 IP (7.88 ERA and 2.00 WHIP) his last three starts. Meanwhile, that was finally the Corbin Burnes we were expecting on the mound for the D-backs in his last start, allowing just one run and four hits in 6 IP while picking up the win over the Mets on April 30. Play D-backs on Money Line

This won't be a habit to lay a price with the White Sox, but make an exception here as it looks like the Pale Hose have found somebody they can beat. That would be the Marlins, who fell meekly 6-2 at the Rate last night and can't be too confident with Saturday starter Edward Cabrera, laboring with a 6.29 ERA into tonight, with Miami losing in four of his five starts, while the Marlins are 2-10 in their last 12. Meanwhile if there is one beacon of light on the Chisox side, it might be rookie fireballer Shane Smith, who brings a 2.41 ERA and 11.15 WHIP across seven starts into tonight. Play White Sox on Money Line

Tanner Bibee has pitched better than his 4.26 ERA would indicate, as two bad starts have really sidetracked his stats. For the most part, however, his efforts have been serviceable for Cleveland, including his last three starts in which he's allowed only 5 runs and 15 hits across 18 IP (2.50 ERA). The guardians are also off on the right foot in this series with last night's 6-0 win, and have to feel good about their chances to do it again on Saturday against Phils starter Ranger Suarez, whose 2025 debut was an unmitigated disaster last Sunday vs. the D-backs, allowing 7 runs and 7 hits across just 3 2/3 IP of a loss to the D-backs. Play Guardians on Money Line