Odds and Bets: Warriors, Maple Leafs Offence, Milan Derby
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Edgar Chaput
Lakers vs Warriors Game 5: Golden State Avoids Elimination
This year clearly hasn’t been the same for the Warriors. They’ve gone from one of the best teams in the West and a championship run in 2021-2022 to a sixth-seed that had one of the worst road records of any club to ever make the playoffs. In many respects, those weaknesses when playing away from home showed in games 3 and 4 against the Lakers, hence the 3-1 series deficit.
Game 5 takes the action back to San Francisco, where not only has Golden State had a brilliant record (33-8), but they avoid all the mistakes (like terrible shots late in games) that they commit away. Los Angeles had an opportunity to bounce out Memphis in the first round on the road in five games, but as is so often the case in the NBA, that’s tough to do. Home court means a lot and L.A. failed, although they still won in six. Expect the Warriors to defend their honour tonight. It’s time for Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole and the gang to play like champions.
Best Bet: Warriors with the spread
Maple Leafs vs Panthers Game 4: Mitch Marner Gets Points
Much ink has been spilled about how Toronto’s fab four of John Tavares, Mitchell Marner, Auston Matthews, and William Nylander have not delivered. Look no further than the fact that in none of the first three games have the Maple Leafs netted more than two goals per outing. A TSN panel discussed on Tuesday how Marner’s career playoff points in games beyond Game 2 shrink drastically.
Game 4 on Wednesday is do or die. Whether the Leafs can come back and win the series from 3-0 down is the bigger question, but right now their best players need to be their best players. They will win nothing at all if the aforementioned guys don’t put up points.
Best Bet: Mitchell Marner over 1.5 points (points, not necessary goals)
AC Milan vs Internazionale in Champions League
There were a lot of fireworks in the media surrounding Tuesday’s other Champions League semi-final first leg between Real Madrid and Manchester City. Given the unparalleled quality in both lineups and the recent history between the two sides in this competition, the hoopla was understandable. But let’s not overlook that the other semi-final is a juicy Milan derby between AC Milan and Inter Milan (Internazionale).
There will be passion, there will be tension, and there will be a lot of pride. The one significant downside is that AC striker Rafael Leao is set to miss the first leg. That means the “host” Milanese side will lack some punch to the offence. Still, with presumably most of the crowd behind them (Inter fans will dominate next week), they should be able to find a goal somewhere. They also did a splendid job in the quarter-finals limiting the damage from Napoli, so expect them to do that again in the first leg.