Thursday 5-9-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2019, 06:01 AM

Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers Preview and Predictions 05-09-2019 in NBA

The Toronto Raptors attempt to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the second time in four seasons when they visit the Philadelphia 76ers for Thursday's Game 6 of the conference semifinals. Toronto annihilated the 76ers 125-89 in Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead and the 36-point margin was the largest in the Raptors' postseason history.

Toronto star small forward Kawhi Leonard averaged 38 points over the first four games but only needed to contribute 21 points and 13 rebounds with Game 5 totally under control. "(Game 5) was one of those games where we let him rest a little bit, which is important," Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry told reporters. "He had a big double-double, but he didn't have to do everything offensively." Philadelphia center Joel Embiid (knee, illness) continues to labor and had just 13 points in Game 5, but among the team's problems were 19 turnovers that led to 31 Toronto points. "We've just got to do what we're supposed to go home for," swingman Jimmy Butler told reporters. "That's it. Keep competing, play hard, stick together. We win together, lose together, and we're going to play together until the end."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, TSN (Toronto)

ABOUT THE RAPTORS: Power forward Pascal Siakam posted his fourth 20-point outing of the series when he tallied 25 points in the Game 5 win. Siakam was passive in Game 4 as he dealt with a calf injury and was limited to nine points on 2-of-10 shooting but was back to his high level of energy during Tuesday's victory. "I just understand that I have to be aggressive. I can't be passive," Siakam told reporters after Game 5. "What makes me dangerous is the fact that I'm aggressive and I play fast. So, I've got to keep that. Sometimes, when you have an injury, you tend to think a lot and want to choose your spots, and it takes away from your aggressiveness."

ABOUT THE 76ERS: With Embiid again ineffective, Philadelphia dug itself a 21-point halftime deficit and never threatened to give the Raptors a battle. "I think we got hit in the mouth," 76ers coach Brett Brown told reporters afterward. "Toronto came in, and they hit us in the mouth. We tried to fight back, and we just didn't have the firepower on the night to respond the way that I wished that we did. ... We'll go back and look at the tape, but I think in general the Raptors had a tremendous team performance. We give them credit." Shooting guard JJ Redick also had a shaky Game 5 with three points on 1-of-6 shooting.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Butler scored 22 points on Tuesday and is averaging 25.8 points over the past four games.

2. Toronto SG Danny Green made five 3-pointers and scored a series-best 17 points in Game 5.

3. Embiid is averaging just 17 points and 7.6 rebounds in the series.

PREDICTION: Raptors 108, 76ers 104

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2019, 06:02 AM

Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview and Predictions 05-09-2019 in NBA

The Denver Nuggets can clinch a spot in the Western Conference finals when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday in Game 6 of the conference semifinals. Denver won the past two games, including Tuesday's 124-98 home rout of the Trail Blazers, to take a 3-2 series lead.

Star center Nikola Jokic continued his stellar series with 25 points and 19 rebounds in Game 5 and he is averaging 26.4 points, 14.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists. "When you have opportunity, you have to take advantage," Jokic told TNT in a postgame television interview about the possibility of clinching in Portland. "We're going to go there and play the best basketball that we can." The Trail Blazers need an improved effort from star point guard Damian Lillard, who is just 33-of-84 shooting - including 7-of-32 from 3-point range - over the past four games. "I think the good thing for us is whether you lose by one or you lose by 25, it's one game," Lillard told reporters after Game 5. "We're going back home to try to force a Game 7 and try to make it back here (to Denver)."

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT THE NUGGETS: Veteran power forward Paul Millsap has been a difference-maker in the series and is averaging 19 points and 9.6 rebounds while recording three double-doubles. Portland is having difficulties matching up with both Millsap and Jokic and Millsap has topped 20 points in each of the past two games, including a series-best 24 in Game 5. "Thirteen-year vet, a lot of games under his belt and he is stepping up when he need him to step up," Denver coach Michael Malone told reporters. "I think the best thing about Paul Millsap: He's true to himself; he never tries to be something he's not. And he's not a rah-rah guy. He's not a guy that's going to be screaming and yelling, but I think his calm nature has an effect on our group."

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS: Lillard, who is averaging 26.2 points in the series, scored 22 points in Game 5 but was just 9-of-21 shooting, including 2-of-9 from long range. Despite being blown out, Portland remains confident that a Game 6 in front of the home fans can be the precursor of a comeback against the young Nuggets. "We've got two must-wins," Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts told reporters after Game 5. "Somebody was going to have a must-win after (Tuesday), and it's us. So we've got two must-wins ahead of us."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Nuggets PG Jamal Murray was held to 18 points in Game 5 after scoring 34 in each of the previous two games.

2. Portland PF Al-Farouq Aminu managed three points on 1-of-8 shooting in Game 5 after scoring a series-best 19 points in Game 4.

3. Jokic has 10 double-doubles in 12 postseason games - including four triple-doubles.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 114, Trail Blazers 110

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2019, 08:23 AM

Mark Wilson

May 09 '19, 7:45 PM in 11h
MLB | Pirates vs Cardinals
Play on: Pirates +131 at pinnacle

Free Play on Pirates +131

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2019, 08:23 AM

Tim Michael

May 09 '19, 8:08 PM in 11h
NHL | Hurricanes vs Bruins
Play on: UNDER 5½ -130

T.M. Selection: Canes/Bruins under (1* FREE PLAY)
After a gruelling seven game series win over the Leafs, Boston needed six games to get by a tough Blue Jackets team. Carolina got the better of the Capitals in seven games in Round 1, but then it took care of the Islanders in four games in Round 2. That means that the Hurricanes enter well rested at the most opportune of times. So will Carolina catch Boston off guard here as well? These two teams have been riding great goaltending to get to this point and I think that the netminders have a legitimate shot at “stealing the show” in Game 1 as well. Consider the “under” in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2019, 08:23 AM

Ricky Tran

May 09 '19, 8:08 PM in 11h
NHL | Hurricanes vs Bruins
Play on: Bruins -147 at betonline

Ricky’s 1* Free Play on the Boston Bruins.
Key Angle: It's important to remember that Ricky never makes a bet on any game based on just one angle. In order to make the grade, all his premium picks must meet several important criteria. He doesn't share all his secrets within his analysis, instead he chooses to reveal only the angle that he feels is the most significant.
- Recent history of “slow starts.” Carolina upset the Capitals in seven games in the first round, before then steamrolling the Islanders in four games in the second. The Bruins beat the Leafs in seven games in their opening round series, before then beating the Blue Jackets in six games. These teams numbers are very evenly matched on both ends of the ice. It’s interesting to note though that the Bruins have scored 13 goals in the first period so far in the playoffs, while conceding only five. Carolina on the other hand has been forced to play from behind, managing just six goals in the first periods of games so far in the postseason, while allowing 13. Boston also has the advantage on special teams, converting on 28.6 percent of its power plays in the playoffs, while killing 83.8 percent. Carolina on the other hand has scored on just 10.5 percent of its power plays, while killing only 75 percent.
Key Trends:
- Carolina is just 3-7 (-6.1 units) this year when playing with three or more days rest.
- Boston is 31-14 (+10.3 units) in its last 45 when playing with two days rest.
The verdict: A fair price considering all of the above information. I definitely think that the home side is worth a second look in Game 1!

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2019, 08:24 AM

Larry Ness

May 09 '19, 9:40 PM in 13h
MLB | Braves vs Diamondbacks
Play on: Diamondbacks +110 at YouWager

My 1* Free Play is on Arizona (6:40 EST).
The Diamondbacks salvaged the finale of their three-game interleague series with the Rays with a 3-2 extra-innings victory yesterday and I believe they’ll now carry that momentum over in the opener of this one at home vs. the Braves.
The visitors hand the ball to Mike Soroka, while the home side counters with Luke Weaver.
These two opposed each other in Atlanta back on April 18th and the D-Backs won that contest by a score of 4-1. Weaver (3-1, 3.29 ERA) went five-scoreless, while Soroka (3-1, 1.14) allowed one run over five frames of work.
The Braves come in with zero momentum though after getting swept in LA and I think they’ll have their hands full here in this difficult road venue as well.
Note that Arizona is also expected to welcome back slugger Alex Avila to the line-up in this series.
It’s all good news for the Diamondbacks right now and I think at this price, that Weaver is the correct call on home soil. Consider Arizona on Thursday night.
Good luck…Larry

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2019, 08:24 AM

Hunter Price

May 09 '19, 9:40 PM in 13h
MLB | Braves vs Diamondbacks
Play on: Diamondbacks +105 at GTBets

1* Free Pick on Diamondbacks +105

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2019, 08:26 AM

Mike Wynn

Free Play: MLB Oakland w/Bassitt -140 Over Cincinnati

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2019, 08:26 AM

Razor Sharp

YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR THURSDAY: ATLANTA (Soroka) -120 over Arizona

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2019, 08:26 AM

Totals4U

Thursday's Free Selection: Atlanta/Arizona under 8

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2019, 08:27 AM

Atlantic Sports

Thursday's Free Selection from Atlantic Sports: Seattle Mariners + 160

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2019, 08:27 AM

#1 Sports

Thursday's Free Selection: St Louis Cardinals - 130

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2019, 08:27 AM

Platinum Plays

Free Pick: the NY Yankees w/Happ -170 over Seattle

**Can'tPickAWinner** · 05-09-2019, 08:28 AM

Nevada Sharpshooter

Your free winner for Thursday : Take COLORADO (Freeland) -150 over San Francisco

Thursday 5-9-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Thursday 5-9-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment