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Apr 17, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb (62)…

From MRF Pace Foundation to IPL spotlight—Charting Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain’s meteoric rise

“With the new ball, we should test the batters as much as possible. We play red ball cricket with patience. We should follow that. And we did that with success.”

Praful’s ambitions were born from the hard work of his father, Prakash, who was employed by the Maharashtra State Electricity Board in Nagpur. He also credits his elder sister as his inspiration.

“My father used to leave the house at 8am, and my sister would study well into the night. I would wake up at 4am, and she was still up. I, too, wanted to achieve something and make my family feel good. They are huge sources of motivation for me.

“I trained as a 13-year-old with my father. He would get tired, but I’d still want to keep going. I was stubborn. At that time, all I knew was I wanted to play for India. I didn’t know what domestic or club cricket was.”

He eventually climbed the ladder of age-group cricket, played the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and got SRH’s attention. That helped him link up with his idol Pat Cummins, who is currently making his way back to the XI after a long injury layoff. Praful was admiringly starstruck, he remembered.

“When I met him for the first time, I told him I am his biggest fan and that I’ve been watching all his bowling videos and following everything he does. He was warm and said he’d be there to help me out.”

Cummins had a simple funda for Praful.

“During training sessions, he would say, ‘Do whatever you’re doing with your heart. Everyone knows T20 is a batter’s game. Enjoy the game, smile and win.’”

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#Cummins #funda #family #support #redball #lessons #Praful #Hinges #rise #SRHs #pace #ace"> Cummins’ funda, family support, red-ball lessons: Into Praful Hinge’s rise as SRH’s pace ace  Every pacer dreams of scooping up a wicket in the first over they bowl. Few actually get to do it. Fewer still get to do it thrice, and that too on the biggest stage in the format – the Indian Premier League. Vidarbha quick Praful Hinge had a debut to savour with Sunrisers Hyderabad recently, removing the Rajasthan Royals top order in his opening over.“I played a Under-23 game against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi,” Praful said during a        Jiostar Press Room interaction on Thursday. “I got him out on the same bouncer. I thought that if I bowl the same ball, he would hit it, because he was hitting everyone on the first ball.”The 15-year-old, we now know, took the bait.Praful has an envious battalion of big hitters to train with in the nets, so Sooryavanshi was not entirely out of syllabus.“Their style of playing is like that. They hit every ball. Their approach in the nets is like that (too). When we bowl to them, we think of it as a match.”Funnily, the 24-year-old relies on a tried and tested red-ball approach to succeed in the fast-paced life in T20s.ALSO READ | From MRF Pace Foundation to IPL spotlight—Charting Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain’s meteoric rise“With the new ball, we should test the batters as much as possible. We play red ball cricket with patience. We should follow that. And we did that with success.”Praful’s ambitions were born from the hard work of his father, Prakash, who was employed by the Maharashtra State Electricity Board in Nagpur. He also credits his elder sister as his inspiration.“My father used to leave the house at 8am, and my sister would study well into the night. I would wake up at 4am, and she was still up. I, too, wanted to achieve something and make my family feel good. They are huge sources of motivation for me.“I trained as a 13-year-old with my father. He would get tired, but I’d still want to keep going. I was stubborn. At that time, all I knew was I wanted to play for India. I didn’t know what domestic or club cricket was.”He eventually climbed the ladder of age-group cricket, played the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and got SRH’s attention. That helped him link up with his idol Pat Cummins, who is currently making his way back to the XI after a long injury layoff. Praful was admiringly starstruck, he remembered.“When I met him for the first time, I told him I am his biggest fan and that I’ve been watching all his bowling videos and following everything he does. He was warm and said he’d be there to help me out.”Cummins had a simple        funda for Praful.“During training sessions, he would say, ‘Do whatever you’re doing with your heart. Everyone knows T20 is a batter’s game. Enjoy the game, smile and win.’”Published on Apr 23, 2026  #Cummins #funda #family #support #redball #lessons #Praful #Hinges #rise #SRHs #pace #ace
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From MRF Pace Foundation to IPL spotlight—Charting Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain’s meteoric rise

“With the new ball, we should test the batters as much as possible. We play red ball cricket with patience. We should follow that. And we did that with success.”

Praful’s ambitions were born from the hard work of his father, Prakash, who was employed by the Maharashtra State Electricity Board in Nagpur. He also credits his elder sister as his inspiration.

“My father used to leave the house at 8am, and my sister would study well into the night. I would wake up at 4am, and she was still up. I, too, wanted to achieve something and make my family feel good. They are huge sources of motivation for me.

“I trained as a 13-year-old with my father. He would get tired, but I’d still want to keep going. I was stubborn. At that time, all I knew was I wanted to play for India. I didn’t know what domestic or club cricket was.”

He eventually climbed the ladder of age-group cricket, played the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and got SRH’s attention. That helped him link up with his idol Pat Cummins, who is currently making his way back to the XI after a long injury layoff. Praful was admiringly starstruck, he remembered.

“When I met him for the first time, I told him I am his biggest fan and that I’ve been watching all his bowling videos and following everything he does. He was warm and said he’d be there to help me out.”

Cummins had a simple funda for Praful.

“During training sessions, he would say, ‘Do whatever you’re doing with your heart. Everyone knows T20 is a batter’s game. Enjoy the game, smile and win.’”

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#Cummins #funda #family #support #redball #lessons #Praful #Hinges #rise #SRHs #pace #ace">Cummins’ funda, family support, red-ball lessons: Into Praful Hinge’s rise as SRH’s pace ace

Every pacer dreams of scooping up a wicket in the first over they bowl. Few actually get to do it. Fewer still get to do it thrice, and that too on the biggest stage in the format – the Indian Premier League. Vidarbha quick Praful Hinge had a debut to savour with Sunrisers Hyderabad recently, removing the Rajasthan Royals top order in his opening over.

“I played a Under-23 game against Vaibhav Sooryavanshi,” Praful said during a Jiostar Press Room interaction on Thursday. “I got him out on the same bouncer. I thought that if I bowl the same ball, he would hit it, because he was hitting everyone on the first ball.”

The 15-year-old, we now know, took the bait.

Praful has an envious battalion of big hitters to train with in the nets, so Sooryavanshi was not entirely out of syllabus.

“Their style of playing is like that. They hit every ball. Their approach in the nets is like that (too). When we bowl to them, we think of it as a match.”

Funnily, the 24-year-old relies on a tried and tested red-ball approach to succeed in the fast-paced life in T20s.

ALSO READ | From MRF Pace Foundation to IPL spotlight—Charting Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain’s meteoric rise

“With the new ball, we should test the batters as much as possible. We play red ball cricket with patience. We should follow that. And we did that with success.”

Praful’s ambitions were born from the hard work of his father, Prakash, who was employed by the Maharashtra State Electricity Board in Nagpur. He also credits his elder sister as his inspiration.

“My father used to leave the house at 8am, and my sister would study well into the night. I would wake up at 4am, and she was still up. I, too, wanted to achieve something and make my family feel good. They are huge sources of motivation for me.

“I trained as a 13-year-old with my father. He would get tired, but I’d still want to keep going. I was stubborn. At that time, all I knew was I wanted to play for India. I didn’t know what domestic or club cricket was.”

He eventually climbed the ladder of age-group cricket, played the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and got SRH’s attention. That helped him link up with his idol Pat Cummins, who is currently making his way back to the XI after a long injury layoff. Praful was admiringly starstruck, he remembered.

“When I met him for the first time, I told him I am his biggest fan and that I’ve been watching all his bowling videos and following everything he does. He was warm and said he’d be there to help me out.”

Cummins had a simple funda for Praful.

“During training sessions, he would say, ‘Do whatever you’re doing with your heart. Everyone knows T20 is a batter’s game. Enjoy the game, smile and win.’”

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#Cummins #funda #family #support #redball #lessons #Praful #Hinges #rise #SRHs #pace #ace

Every pacer dreams of scooping up a wicket in the first over they bowl. Few…

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here.

The side was wearing the armbands to pay respect to Mukesh Choudhary’s mother, who passed away earlier in the week. The left-arm pacer had left the squad temporarily but was seen in the dugout during the match.

“The CSK family mourns the passing of Mukesh Choudhary’s mother. We stand with Mukesh and his family, keeping them in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” the franchise had posted on Thursday.

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#CSK #Chennai #Super #Kings #players #wearing #black #armbands #today"> MI vs CSK: Why are Chennai Super Kings players wearing black armbands today?  Chennai Super Kings players were wearing black armbands on Thursday during their IPL 2026 match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.Follow live updates from the match here.The side was wearing the armbands to pay respect to Mukesh Choudhary’s mother, who passed away earlier in the week. The left-arm pacer had left the squad temporarily but was seen in the dugout during the match.“The CSK family mourns the passing of Mukesh Choudhary’s mother. We stand with Mukesh and his family, keeping them in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” the franchise had posted on Thursday.Published on Apr 23, 2026  #CSK #Chennai #Super #Kings #players #wearing #black #armbands #today
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here.

The side was wearing the armbands to pay respect to Mukesh Choudhary’s mother, who passed away earlier in the week. The left-arm pacer had left the squad temporarily but was seen in the dugout during the match.

“The CSK family mourns the passing of Mukesh Choudhary’s mother. We stand with Mukesh and his family, keeping them in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” the franchise had posted on Thursday.

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#CSK #Chennai #Super #Kings #players #wearing #black #armbands #today">MI vs CSK: Why are Chennai Super Kings players wearing black armbands today?

Chennai Super Kings players were wearing black armbands on Thursday during their IPL 2026 match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium.

Follow live updates from the match here.

The side was wearing the armbands to pay respect to Mukesh Choudhary’s mother, who passed away earlier in the week. The left-arm pacer had left the squad temporarily but was seen in the dugout during the match.

“The CSK family mourns the passing of Mukesh Choudhary’s mother. We stand with Mukesh and his family, keeping them in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” the franchise had posted on Thursday.

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#CSK #Chennai #Super #Kings #players #wearing #black #armbands #today

Chennai Super Kings players were wearing black armbands on Thursday during their IPL 2026 match…

to seal the victory. Instead, a combination of solid defense by Atlanta and poor shooting by the Knicks when it mattered most led to an improbable Atlanta comeback. But can the Hawks do it again?

I wouldn’t count on it. Yes, the Hawks made the right plays at the right time to steal a win in New York and should bring some momentum into this game. But the Knicks have one of the best defenses in the NBA. It broke down in the fourth in Game Two, but I wouldn’t count on that to do so again.

My Pick: Knicks ML at -110 (DraftKings)

New York will bounce back from those fourth-quarter mistakes that cost them Game Two. It will be tougher playing in Atlanta than at home, and the Knicks are not a great road team (22-19). But I’d still take the Knicks to bounce back and win this one outright.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting


Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors

It has been a rough go for the Raptors in this series against the Cavs as they lost both games in Cleveland (126-113 and 115-105). The Cavaliers’ dynamic trio of playmakers ( Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Evan Mobley) has simply been too much for the Toronto defense to handle.

The Raptors seemed to figure out a way to put more pressure on Mitchell in the second half of Game Two. If they can keep it up at home, it may mean Mitchell doesn’t have another 30+ point night. But it will also turn Mitchell into more of a distributor, meaning bigger nights for Mobley and Harden.

My Pick: Cavaliers -2.5 at -115 (DraftKings)

Toronto will play a better game at home, but Cleveland has too many scoring threats for them to handle. The Raptors will hit a few more 3-pointers and make it a better game, but the Cavs will cover the small spread.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Denver’s defense has been a concern to me all season long. Usually, it doesn’t mean much since they have more than offense on most nights to cover it. But that was certainly not the case in Game Two as they were outscored in the fourth quarter, 29-21, sealing a five-point win for Minnesota.

Anthony Edwards is still hobbled and will not be the same scoring threat he was in the regular season. But I expect Nikola Jokic and Jamaal to be out for blood and looking to make up for losing at home. However, while I expect more on offense, I’m not confident they can improve on defense.

My Pick: OVER 233.5 at -108 (DraftKings)

Denver played a surprisingly good defensive game in Game 1, but reverted to their regular-season norm in Game Two. I expect a similar effort in Game Three. With the Timberwolves now the home team, their offense will be more productive, but so will Jokic and Murray.

This is anyone’s game to win, but either way, it will be a high-scoring one.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

#NBA #Playoffs #Betting #Picks #Game #Predictions #Bets #Deadspin.com"> NBA Playoffs Betting Picks: Game 3 Predictions & Best Bets | Deadspin.com  Apr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives on Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) during the first half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images   The first round of the NBA Playoffs continues tonight with Game Three for the Knicks-Hawks, Cavaliers-Raptors, and Nuggets-Timberwolves. The underdogs were the NBA best bets for two of the three in Game Two. Will that be the case for Game Three?We’ll answer that question with today’s NBA Best Bets picks.New York Knicks vs. Atlanta HawksThe Knicks had Game Two won. They were up by 12 going into the fourth quarter and just needed to maintain the status quo to seal the victory. Instead, a combination of solid defense by Atlanta and poor shooting by the Knicks when it mattered most led to an improbable Atlanta comeback. But can the Hawks do it again?I wouldn’t count on it. Yes, the Hawks made the right plays at the right time to steal a win in New York and should bring some momentum into this game. But the Knicks have one of the best defenses in the NBA. It broke down in the fourth in Game Two, but I wouldn’t count on that to do so again.My Pick: Knicks ML at -110 (DraftKings)New York will bounce back from those fourth-quarter mistakes that cost them Game Two. It will be tougher playing in Atlanta than at home, and the Knicks are not a great road team (22-19). But I’d still take the Knicks to bounce back and win this one outright. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto RaptorsIt has been a rough go for the Raptors in this series against the Cavs as they lost both games in Cleveland (126-113 and 115-105). The Cavaliers’ dynamic trio of playmakers ( Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Evan Mobley) has simply been too much for the Toronto defense to handle.The Raptors seemed to figure out a way to put more pressure on Mitchell in the second half of Game Two. If they can keep it up at home, it may mean Mitchell doesn’t have another 30+ point night. But it will also turn Mitchell into more of a distributor, meaning bigger nights for Mobley and Harden.My Pick: Cavaliers -2.5 at -115 (DraftKings)Toronto will play a better game at home, but Cleveland has too many scoring threats for them to handle. The Raptors will hit a few more 3-pointers and make it a better game, but the Cavs will cover the small spread.  Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota TimberwolvesDenver’s defense has been a concern to me all season long. Usually, it doesn’t mean much since they have more than offense on most nights to cover it. But that was certainly not the case in Game Two as they were outscored in the fourth quarter, 29-21, sealing a five-point win for Minnesota.Anthony Edwards is still hobbled and will not be the same scoring threat he was in the regular season. But I expect Nikola Jokic and Jamaal to be out for blood and looking to make up for losing at home. However, while I expect more on offense, I’m not confident they can improve on defense.My Pick: OVER 233.5 at -108 (DraftKings)Denver played a surprisingly good defensive game in Game 1, but reverted to their regular-season norm in Game Two. I expect a similar effort in Game Three. With the Timberwolves now the home team, their offense will be more productive, but so will Jokic and Murray.This is anyone’s game to win, but either way, it will be a high-scoring one. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting   #NBA #Playoffs #Betting #Picks #Game #Predictions #Bets #Deadspin.com
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to seal the victory. Instead, a combination of solid defense by Atlanta and poor shooting by the Knicks when it mattered most led to an improbable Atlanta comeback. But can the Hawks do it again?

I wouldn’t count on it. Yes, the Hawks made the right plays at the right time to steal a win in New York and should bring some momentum into this game. But the Knicks have one of the best defenses in the NBA. It broke down in the fourth in Game Two, but I wouldn’t count on that to do so again.

My Pick: Knicks ML at -110 (DraftKings)

New York will bounce back from those fourth-quarter mistakes that cost them Game Two. It will be tougher playing in Atlanta than at home, and the Knicks are not a great road team (22-19). But I’d still take the Knicks to bounce back and win this one outright.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting


Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors

It has been a rough go for the Raptors in this series against the Cavs as they lost both games in Cleveland (126-113 and 115-105). The Cavaliers’ dynamic trio of playmakers ( Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Evan Mobley) has simply been too much for the Toronto defense to handle.

The Raptors seemed to figure out a way to put more pressure on Mitchell in the second half of Game Two. If they can keep it up at home, it may mean Mitchell doesn’t have another 30+ point night. But it will also turn Mitchell into more of a distributor, meaning bigger nights for Mobley and Harden.

My Pick: Cavaliers -2.5 at -115 (DraftKings)

Toronto will play a better game at home, but Cleveland has too many scoring threats for them to handle. The Raptors will hit a few more 3-pointers and make it a better game, but the Cavs will cover the small spread.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Denver’s defense has been a concern to me all season long. Usually, it doesn’t mean much since they have more than offense on most nights to cover it. But that was certainly not the case in Game Two as they were outscored in the fourth quarter, 29-21, sealing a five-point win for Minnesota.

Anthony Edwards is still hobbled and will not be the same scoring threat he was in the regular season. But I expect Nikola Jokic and Jamaal to be out for blood and looking to make up for losing at home. However, while I expect more on offense, I’m not confident they can improve on defense.

My Pick: OVER 233.5 at -108 (DraftKings)

Denver played a surprisingly good defensive game in Game 1, but reverted to their regular-season norm in Game Two. I expect a similar effort in Game Three. With the Timberwolves now the home team, their offense will be more productive, but so will Jokic and Murray.

This is anyone’s game to win, but either way, it will be a high-scoring one.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

#NBA #Playoffs #Betting #Picks #Game #Predictions #Bets #Deadspin.com">NBA Playoffs Betting Picks: Game 3 Predictions & Best Bets | Deadspin.com
NBA Playoffs Betting Picks: Game 3 Predictions & Best Bets | Deadspin.com  Apr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives on Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) during the first half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images   The first round of the NBA Playoffs continues tonight with Game Three for the Knicks-Hawks, Cavaliers-Raptors, and Nuggets-Timberwolves. The underdogs were the NBA best bets for two of the three in Game Two. Will that be the case for Game Three?We’ll answer that question with today’s NBA Best Bets picks.New York Knicks vs. Atlanta HawksThe Knicks had Game Two won. They were up by 12 going into the fourth quarter and just needed to maintain the status quo to seal the victory. Instead, a combination of solid defense by Atlanta and poor shooting by the Knicks when it mattered most led to an improbable Atlanta comeback. But can the Hawks do it again?I wouldn’t count on it. Yes, the Hawks made the right plays at the right time to steal a win in New York and should bring some momentum into this game. But the Knicks have one of the best defenses in the NBA. It broke down in the fourth in Game Two, but I wouldn’t count on that to do so again.My Pick: Knicks ML at -110 (DraftKings)New York will bounce back from those fourth-quarter mistakes that cost them Game Two. It will be tougher playing in Atlanta than at home, and the Knicks are not a great road team (22-19). But I’d still take the Knicks to bounce back and win this one outright. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto RaptorsIt has been a rough go for the Raptors in this series against the Cavs as they lost both games in Cleveland (126-113 and 115-105). The Cavaliers’ dynamic trio of playmakers ( Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Evan Mobley) has simply been too much for the Toronto defense to handle.The Raptors seemed to figure out a way to put more pressure on Mitchell in the second half of Game Two. If they can keep it up at home, it may mean Mitchell doesn’t have another 30+ point night. But it will also turn Mitchell into more of a distributor, meaning bigger nights for Mobley and Harden.My Pick: Cavaliers -2.5 at -115 (DraftKings)Toronto will play a better game at home, but Cleveland has too many scoring threats for them to handle. The Raptors will hit a few more 3-pointers and make it a better game, but the Cavs will cover the small spread.  Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota TimberwolvesDenver’s defense has been a concern to me all season long. Usually, it doesn’t mean much since they have more than offense on most nights to cover it. But that was certainly not the case in Game Two as they were outscored in the fourth quarter, 29-21, sealing a five-point win for Minnesota.Anthony Edwards is still hobbled and will not be the same scoring threat he was in the regular season. But I expect Nikola Jokic and Jamaal to be out for blood and looking to make up for losing at home. However, while I expect more on offense, I’m not confident they can improve on defense.My Pick: OVER 233.5 at -108 (DraftKings)Denver played a surprisingly good defensive game in Game 1, but reverted to their regular-season norm in Game Two. I expect a similar effort in Game Three. With the Timberwolves now the home team, their offense will be more productive, but so will Jokic and Murray.This is anyone’s game to win, but either way, it will be a high-scoring one. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting   #NBA #Playoffs #Betting #Picks #Game #Predictions #Bets #Deadspin.comApr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives on Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) during the first half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images

The first round of the NBA Playoffs continues tonight with Game Three for the Knicks-Hawks, Cavaliers-Raptors, and Nuggets-Timberwolves. The underdogs were the NBA best bets for two of the three in Game Two. Will that be the case for Game Three?
We’ll answer that question with today’s NBA Best Bets picks.

New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks

The Knicks had Game Two won. They were up by 12 going into the fourth quarter and just needed to maintain the status quo to seal the victory. Instead, a combination of solid defense by Atlanta and poor shooting by the Knicks when it mattered most led to an improbable Atlanta comeback. But can the Hawks do it again?

I wouldn’t count on it. Yes, the Hawks made the right plays at the right time to steal a win in New York and should bring some momentum into this game. But the Knicks have one of the best defenses in the NBA. It broke down in the fourth in Game Two, but I wouldn’t count on that to do so again.

My Pick: Knicks ML at -110 (DraftKings)

New York will bounce back from those fourth-quarter mistakes that cost them Game Two. It will be tougher playing in Atlanta than at home, and the Knicks are not a great road team (22-19). But I’d still take the Knicks to bounce back and win this one outright.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting


Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Toronto Raptors

It has been a rough go for the Raptors in this series against the Cavs as they lost both games in Cleveland (126-113 and 115-105). The Cavaliers’ dynamic trio of playmakers ( Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Evan Mobley) has simply been too much for the Toronto defense to handle.

The Raptors seemed to figure out a way to put more pressure on Mitchell in the second half of Game Two. If they can keep it up at home, it may mean Mitchell doesn’t have another 30+ point night. But it will also turn Mitchell into more of a distributor, meaning bigger nights for Mobley and Harden.

My Pick: Cavaliers -2.5 at -115 (DraftKings)

Toronto will play a better game at home, but Cleveland has too many scoring threats for them to handle. The Raptors will hit a few more 3-pointers and make it a better game, but the Cavs will cover the small spread.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Denver’s defense has been a concern to me all season long. Usually, it doesn’t mean much since they have more than offense on most nights to cover it. But that was certainly not the case in Game Two as they were outscored in the fourth quarter, 29-21, sealing a five-point win for Minnesota.

Anthony Edwards is still hobbled and will not be the same scoring threat he was in the regular season. But I expect Nikola Jokic and Jamaal to be out for blood and looking to make up for losing at home. However, while I expect more on offense, I’m not confident they can improve on defense.

My Pick: OVER 233.5 at -108 (DraftKings)

Denver played a surprisingly good defensive game in Game 1, but reverted to their regular-season norm in Game Two. I expect a similar effort in Game Three. With the Timberwolves now the home team, their offense will be more productive, but so will Jokic and Murray.

This is anyone’s game to win, but either way, it will be a high-scoring one.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

#NBA #Playoffs #Betting #Picks #Game #Predictions #Bets #Deadspin.com

Apr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives on Toronto…

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