It's another huge sports weekend. Here's your guide to the action. From the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Eastern and Western conference finals of the NBA to horse racing and UFC Fight Night to the PGA Championship, there's plenty to do at the golf course.
International flavor is available at the final weekend of English Premier League, where a title is on the line. Also, the first round of Roland Garros' French Open will be played.
It's Sunday night, and what Sunday night is it without some baseball? There are so many games to see, you have plenty of opportunities to place bets. We've got all the best bets for the weekend.
Unless otherwise noted, all lines are from Caesars Sportsbook
Friday Night Schedule
Saturday's Schedule
Sunday's Schedule
Friday Night
New York Rangers @ Carolina Hurricanes
East Second Round, Game 2, 8 p.m., PNC Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina, ESPN
Line: Hurricanes (-175), Rangers (+150)
Puck line: Hurricanes -1.5 (+150), Rangers +1.5 (-175)
Over/Under: 5.5 (-105/-115)
Greg Wyshynski:It took just over 40 mins for Game 1 Carolina HurricanesTo play to their identity: Playing to their strengths, playing with confidence, forechecking well and dominating shot attempts. After they did, the game was tilted. A 29-10 shot opportunity advantage, 17-6 scoring possibilities advantage and, most importantly, a 22-0 goals-scored edge in the third period. They had a poor start, despite the good finish. Carolina lost their first playoff game in Game 1. It's unlikely that it will happen twice at home. The Hurricanes scored in the opening period in 5 of 7 games. Boston BruinsRound 1. We are playing safe with a money-line bet. However, you could push it to a first period puck line wager for some more profit.
Pick:Carolina 1st Period Money Line (-150).
Dallas Mavericks @ Golden State Warriors
WCF Game 2, 9:15 p.m. Chase Center, San Francisco. TNT
Line: Warriors (-6.0).
Moneyline: Warriors (-260), Mavericks (+1210)
Over/Under: 214
Anita MarksDallas suffered one of their worst shooting days of the postseason (36%), and an unusual night from Luka Doncic. Splash Bros experienced a strong quarter in the third quarter. Andrew WigginsThe X-factor was Wiggins. Wiggins scored 19 points, had five rebounds, and three assists. He was also crucial on the defensive end, where Doncic is located. Seven Warriors scored double figures, which proves their depth advantage. I expect much the same in Game 2. I expect Wiggins to have another great night with me on both ends of court, thanks to the home court advantage, Wiggins' depth and Wiggins’ value.
Picks: Warriors (-6.0), Wiggins under 214 point, Wiggins above 22.5 points + assist + rebounds
Edmonton Oilers @ Calgary Flames
West Second Round Game 2, 10:30 pm, Scotiabank Saddledome Calgary, Alberta ESPN
Line: Flames (-175), Oilers (+1150)
Puck line:Flames -1.5 (+145), Oilers+1.5 (-170).
Over/Under: 6.5 (-125/+105)
Wyshynski:After what I saw in Game 1, I don't think the books know how to handle this series. There's an underlying sense that they both have the same perspective. Mike SmithAnd Jacob MarkstromGame 2 will be a defensive battle, and they will bounce back. The Battle of Alberta could be a success. With the team posting Canadian Football League scores, it's possible for the game to remain an 80s-style goals fest. The Flames have exceeded their total in three of the four previous games.
Pick: Calgary has more than 3.5 goals total (-120).
Saturday
PGA Championship 3rd round
Southern Hills Country Club, 9 am – 8 pm, Tulsa (Oklahoma). ESPN/ESPN+
Round 1: Leader: Rory McIlroy (-5)
As of Friday morning, tournament favorites: McIlroy (+300), Justin Thomas (+400), Will Zalatoris (+1000), Cameron Smith (+1100), Xander Schauffele (+1400)
David Bearman:Rory McIlroy and Thomas are my opponents. However, I give Thomas the edge based on Thomas's overall work this season. McIlroy had a great Sunday at Augusta last week, but Thomas has been consistent throughout the season and has better approach stats.
Pick: Justin Thomas to Win (+400)
Phoenix Mercury @ Las Vegas Aces
3 p.m., ULTRA arena, Las Vegas ABC
Line: Aces (-10.5)
Moneyline: Aces (-600), Lynx (+425)
Over/Under: 169.5
Trend: Spread is 4-3 in favor of home teams that are favored by more 7 points than their opponents as of Friday night's action. –Kyle Soppe
147th Preakness Stakes
7:01 p.m., Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland, NBC
Favorites: Epicenter (6-5), Early Voting 7-2, Secret Oath 9-2 rest of odds
Chris Fallica:Epicenter was the horse to beat at Louisville, and he is still the horse to beat here. His defeat was only possible with a total space meltdown, and some good racing luck. It really is about how well the race went. He would not be here if the race wasn't a success. This feels like a race where there is a little vindication for the top 3-year-old in this game. If he wishes, he can either go to the front or sit at Early Voting and Armagnac if that is what he prefers. This strategy is made easier by being drawn outside. He'll be a key player in each spot of my trifecta. This is more weighted towards the place and win spots. It should pay off nicely if we push it a lot and get something else in the exacta spot.
Colorado Avalanche @ St. Louis Blues
West Second Round Game 3, 8:05 p.m. Enterprise Center, St. Louis TNT
Line: Avalanche (-170), Blues (+145)
Puck Line Avalanche -1.5 (+150), Blues +1.5 (-175)
Over/Under: 6.5 (-115/-105)
Trend: When the Blues are underdogs, overs are 21-8-1 This season, the Blues are 15-12-3 underdogs (+4.05 points). Data current at the start of the series. More Round 2 betting trends >>
Miami Heat @ Boston Celtics
ECF Game 3, 8:30 p.m., TD Garden, Boston, ABC
Line: Celtics (-6.5)
Moneyline: Celtics (-270), Heat (+220)
Over/Under: 208.0
We are soon to have more selections
UFC Fight Night Holly Holm vs. Ketlen Vieira
9:15 p.m., UFC Apex, Enterprise, Nevada, ESPN+
Line: Holm (-240), Vieira (+200)
Reed Kuhn: Vieira is comparable to Holm in terms of striking metrics and her defense is better than Holm. However, the metrics may be misleading as Holm's standup contains a wide variety of kicks. These kicks, while less precise when directed at the head than punches, are much more dangerous than punches. Holm's kicks may be what Vieira needs. She is more of a headhunting fighter from the range and closes the distance for takedowns when it suits her. Vieira has an average of over two minutes control time per takedown. It is wise to bring the fight to the mat. She will need three rounds to win, and then she can use her wrestling skills to tip the score.
Pick: Vieira to win (+200).
Sunday
French Open – First Round
5:00 a.m. Stade Roland Garros Paris France, NBC
Defending Singles Champions: Noak DjokovicAnd Barbora Krejcikova
Line: Men's Favorite is Djokovic (+75), Women's favorite: Iga Swiatek (-110)
Play: Tennis Major Pick'em Paris
Brad GilbertAfter the draw, the first thing I notice is how unbalanced the top- and bottom halves are. The top three favorites (Djokovic). Carlos AlcarazAnd Rafael NadalAll of these are on the top half. If I was looking for value, then I would head to the bottom. Stefanos Tsitsipas(+400) has a more favorable draw. Tsitsipas reached finals last year, leading 2 sets to none after Djokovic's comeback. Danili Medevedev(+2000) is also down there, but he hasn’t played the big clay court tourneys yet, so I’d go Tsitsipas.
English Premiere League: Final weekend
Man CityLeads LiverpoolChampionship: Earn 1 point
TottenhamLeads ArsenalFor fourth place, you get 2 points
All games begin at 11 a.m. EPL TableNBC
To win the championship: Man City (-750), Liverpool (+475)
Four places in the top four: Tottenham (-4000), Arsenal (+1200)
Game lines: Liverpool (-570), Wolves (+1800), Man City, (-600), v. Aston Villa(+1600).
Arsenal (-190) v. Everton (+550), Norwich (+1000) vs. Tottenham (-420)
Paul Carr:Man City is now rested and has won three consecutive home games with a combined score 13-1. It is hard to imagine City losing the game. Sergio AgueroTen years ago, the title-winning goal of.
Pick: Man City -2.5 Goals (+130)
Carolina Hurricanes @ New York Rangers
East Second Round, Game 3, 3:30 p.m., Madison Square Garden, New York, ESPN
Series Betting: Hurricanes (-360), Rangers (+280)
Trend: Before Game 1's low scoring affair (Carolina won overtime 2-1), all seven Rangers postseason games had been over the total. Rangers games in the regular season were 46-32-4 to under, the highest under percent in the NHL. Shesterkin starts were 33-18-1. More Round 2 betting trends >>
Chicago White Sox @ New York Yankees
7 p.m. Yankee Stadium, Bronx (New York). ESPN
Line:TBD
Moneyline: TBD
Over/Under: TBD
Stay tuned for more odds and picks this weekend.
Calgary Flames @ Edmonton Oilers
West Second Round Game 3 at 8:00 pm, Rogers Place Edmonton, Alberta ESPN2
Series Betting (Before Game 2) – Flames (-380), Oilers (+1300)
Trend: Calgary defeated the visiting Oilers 9-6 at Game 1. More Round 2 betting trends >>
Golden State Warriors @ Dallas Mavericks
WCF Game 3, 9:00 p.m. American Airlines Center Dallas TNT
Series Betting (Prior Game 2): Mavericks (+350) (-450). Mavericks (+350).
Keep checking back for the latest odds and best betting opportunities for this game.
