In the last two matches between these two sides, there has been a lot of zig-zagging. In Game Five, almost all were on the Sixers when they opened at the same price they are offered here. Toronto would continue to blow their doors off. In Game Six, the Raptors saw a lot of late action as a bucket favorite, and the Sixers would stage an upset. Now, the zag has gone back in the other direction as early money has seemed to move in on Philly. I'll once again and head the other way and back Toronto to advance with style on its own court.

This series is all but wrapped up. Toronto has demonstrated that it can nullify Philadelphia’s offense while the Sixers have had no rebuttal. The Raptors will easily win this one by more than a basket and punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals to face off with Milwaukee.

The Warriors need a win in this one more than the Rockets do for many reasons. The Warriors need one to stop the bleeding, and the Rockets need one to keep their momentum. If the Rockets win, the scariest part for the Warriors would be having to go back out on the road to face the Rockets and have to win two games. The Rockets are in control of this series now, but I expect the Warriors to come away with a win and cover the spread.

Based on the Celtics' body language alone after Game Four, this series looks to be over. Boston may very well likely show up to this contest in "body but not spirit" while the Deer will be supercharged taking their own floor with the prospect of moving onto the Eastern Conference Finals. The Bucks will gallop onto wallop the C's and close out the series with style.

I am taking the points but mirroring the sentiment of my Game Two play, I tell anyone that feels so inclined to book Philly on the Money Line to not be shy. The Sixers can easily steal a game here and turn Game Six into an elimination game in Philadelphia on Thursday.

Whoever wins this game will take the upper hand in the series. Whether the Warriors extend their lead to 3-1 or the Rockets tie it up, both teams would gain the momentum. With a win, the Rockets would feel pretty good as the series heads back to Golden State whereas the Warriors would be pretty shocked. A Warriors would give them complete control of the series and would force the Rockets to win three games in a row. I think Curry gets hot tonight, take the Warriors to win and secure the over.

I am going to ride the hot hand here and stick with the Sixers once again to get the win in Game Four. When I read many experts analysis of this series before it got started, almost all had Toronto advancing. The betting world followed suit. However, it is scenarios such as those that set up the masses for a shocker and let-down, and I firmly believe that Philadelphia will be on their way to orchestrating such an event.

The Rockets are thankful that they are hosting the next two games as they have really struggled at Golden State this season. Houston does not want the series to reach a 3-0 deficit so look for them to come out firing. I would take the Rockets in a close one, but I expect them to come out with the win. They are favored at 3.5 points, and I would feel comfortable taking the Rockets to cover. It should be a great environment, and the Warriors are not comfortable yet.

The Celtics bode tremendous value here as takers are asked to lay just a basket to get a cover. I have the utmost trust in Boston being able to do just that. In fact, I wouldn’t be shocked if the C’s repeated what they did in Game One against the Bucks in Milwaukee only now with their own home supporters behind them to fuel the fire.

Very simply, the price dictates the play here. The Sixers responded to their Game One loss as good as any team could have hoped to. Philadelphia will build upon that momentum and nose to the front in the series. The Sixers will get the job done on their own floor in Game Three.

The Blazers are facing a game in which could almost be said a must win. The Nuggets are a really good team, and it would be tough to win four of six against the second seed in the Western Conference. I think that this is going to be a tighter game than many think and the Blazers will be able to contain Jokic. Look for the Blazers to escape Denver with a big, big win.

A day after Houston provided data to the league about how they were screwed out of a finals berth last year, watch for the refs to play a more prominent role in this game. I expect that Houston will be getting a few more favorable calls that go their way and allow them to score a bit more at the line. Both teams were high scoring in the regular season, but they have really settled into playing defense in this series. Take the Warriors in a defensive battle that will see the teams hit the under once again.

Was Game One's result a fluke? On some levels, it wouldn't be crazy to argue it. Boston hit a high percentage of field goals that is unsustainable long-term and likely very hard to repeat in a follow-up. Moreover, the Celtics were dazzling from downtown which also suggests that Boston could be in line for attrition in Game Two. On the year Boston hits 46.5% of their field goals while also finding success on 36.5% of their three-point attempts. Very simply, Boston was firing on all cylinders while Milwaukee had a bad game. I expect the Bucks to shake it off and respond here with a win and a cover to let any nay-sayers know why they finished with the best record in the league.

After the Blazers had more rest than the inexperienced Nuggets you would have expected a little closer line than just -4. The Blazers are coming in with a ton of momentum, and the Nuggets just ended up escaping the Spurs in their first-round series. I think that the Blazers will end up winning the series, but this first game will go to the Nuggets.

There is a zig-zag aspect to siding with the Raptors in this match in addition to a breakdown of the X's and O's. In Game One, much of the public liked the Sixers with the points, but now we have seen takers head in the opposite direction. If at nothing else, it always a profitable strategy to be on the opposite end of this phenomenon. However, I am of the belief that Philadelphia's star-power will find a way to generate an effective response to their lackluster Game One performance. I am taking the points but if anyone out there is thinking about playing this one on the Money Line, don't be shy to take the Sixers outright.

There is an excellent chance that the Bucks were waiting all year for another crack at the Celtics in the Playoffs. By pure motivation alone, I expect Milwaukee to come out swinging in Game One and catch Boston off guard as a result. This series may indeed go the distance, but in Game One it will be all Bucks. Swallow the points.

I expect the Raptors to open up a can here and take it to the Sixers to set the tone in this series. Last year's devolution in this very stage of the playoffs at the hands of LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers led to all forms of discord in the ranks as the Raptors were swept out of the playoff bracket. This game has special meaning to We The North as they will be looking to atone for the ills of the past.

The Nuggets are small underdogs in this game because they are on the road, but they are going to win this game. Denver finishes the job and moves to round 2 with a win on the road.

Sorry Clippers, but this series is over. The Warriors are too good for the Clippers, and they are going to end this series. We are betting the Golden State Warriors to win this game with ease on Wednesday.

The Denver Nuggets are going to win this game at home, and win it by a big margin. Denver has warmed up, and are the better team. Take the Nuggets by 6 Tuesday over the Spurs.