Contributing Writer

Jets vs. Stars prop picks Game 6: Bet on Miro Heiskanen at plus money

The Winnipeg Jets continue their second-round comeback effort on the road in Game 6 on Saturday night.

The pregame narrative: The Jets blanked the Dallas Stars 4-0 at home on Thursday, but this has been a different series south of the border. Dallas has won both games in Texas and returns with a chance to clinch the series.

Check out my Jets vs. Stars prop picks on Nikolaj Ehlers and Miro Heiskanen for Game 6 on May 17.

Jets vs. Stars picks

Best bet: Ehlers to record a point (-134)

The offensively-minded winger has been one of the more productive Jets in this series.

Ehlers has six points in five games with two multi-point performances mixed in.

That includes five goals on 22 shots (4.4 per game)

He won’t play a ton of minutes but his role is clear when on the ice, and that’s to provide offence.

Plus, he skates on the first power play with Winnipeg’s top point producers.

Ehlers had his best season as a pro, tallying 63 points in 69 games this season. That’s a 75-point pace over a full season.

That momentum hasn’t slowed since he returned in the playoffs.

Key stat: Ehlers is on a point-per-game pace in the postseason, with five goals and seven points in seven games.

Game 6 prop prediction

Heiskanen to record a point (+100): This pick has some risks involved, but I can get around them at this value.

The star defenceman missed 32 games to finish the season after suffering an injury in January.

When healthy, Heiskanen is a constant Norris Trophy candidate and the most important defenceman on the Stars.

He made his return to play in Game 4 with just under 15 minutes of ice time. He followed that up with over 18 minutes skated on Thursday.

If the progression stays consistent, Heiskanen should be line for 20-plus minutes on ice in Game 6, which would be hugely beneficial to his chances of tallying a point.

It’s not like he’s been bad in his reduced time, either. He has an assist and four shots on net through two games.

Heiskanen is also a proven playoff performer. He has 62 points in 87 career postseason appearances.

Stars vs. Jets prop picks made at 2:15 p.m. ET 05/16/2025.

Jets vs. Stars prop picks Game 6: Bet on Miro Heiskanen at plus money

The Winnipeg Jets continue their second-round comeback effort on the road in Game 6 on Saturday night.

The pregame narrative: The Jets blanked the Dallas Stars 4-0 at home on Thursday, but this has been a different series south of the border. Dallas has won both games in Texas and returns with a chance to clinch the series.

Check out my Jets vs. Stars prop picks on Nikolaj Ehlers and Miro Heiskanen for Game 6 on May 17.

Jets vs. Stars picks

Best bet: Ehlers to record a point (-121)

The offensively-minded winger has been one of the more productive Jets in this series.

Ehlers has six points in five games with two multi-point performances mixed in.

That includes five goals on 22 shots (4.4 per game)

He won’t play a ton of minutes but his role is clear when on the ice, and that’s to provide offence.

Plus, he skates on the first power play with Winnipeg’s top point producers.

Ehlers had his best season as a pro, tallying 63 points in 69 games this season. That’s a 75-point pace over a full season.

That momentum hasn’t slowed since he returned in the playoffs.

Key stat: Ehlers is on a point-per-game pace in the postseason, with five goals and seven points in seven games.

Embed: #113860

Game 6 prop prediction

Heiskanen to record a point (+104): This pick has some risks involved, but I can get around them at this value.

The star defenceman missed 32 games to finish the season after suffering an injury in January.

When healthy, Heiskanen is a constant Norris Trophy candidate and the most important defenceman on the Stars.

He made his return to play in Game 4 with just under 15 minutes of ice time. He followed that up with over 18 minutes skated on Thursday.

If the progression stays consistent, Heiskanen should be line for 20-plus minutes on ice in Game 6, which would be hugely beneficial to his chances of tallying a point.

It’s not like he’s been bad in his reduced time, either. He has an assist and four shots on net through two games.

Heiskanen is also a proven playoff performer. He has 62 points in 87 career postseason appearances.

Stars vs. Jets prop picks made at 2:15 p.m. ET 05/16/2025.

Celtics vs. Knicks SGP predictions Game 6: Target Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson in New York

The Boston Celtics aim to force a Game 7 with a win at Madison Square Garden on Friday night.

The pregame narrative: Boston won’t have Jayson Tatum for its comeback quest, which is obviously a significant blow. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks have another shot to take advantage and can advance to the Eastern Conference finals with a win.

Check out my Celtics vs. Knicks SGP predictions for Game 6 on May 16, featuring Jalen Brunson and Jaylen Brown.

Celtics vs. Knicks predictions

Parlay: Knicks moneyline | Brunson over 2.5 threes | Brown over 1.5 threes (+350)

Knicks moneyline (-139): A series that the Celtics were already trailing took an even worse turn when Jayson Tatum went down with a season-ending injury with three minutes remaining in Game 4.

Boston battled hard for its fallen teammate in Game 5, winning by 25 points at TD Garden.

The home side played inspired basketball, shooting 52% from the field (45% from three). Additionally, all six Celtics who played over 24 minutes shot above 50%.

That performance will be tough to replicate in a hostile road environment, though.

I’m expecting a bounce-back effort from the Knicks in the Big Apple and a let-down performance from the Tatum-less Celtics.

New York is 3-0 after a loss in the NBA playoffs.

Embed: #113854

NBA SGP legs

Brunson over 2.5 threes (-137): The star point guard had a down performance in Game 5, scoring 22 points in 32 minutes before fouling out in the final quarter.

That was his lowest minutes workload in these playoffs, so the positive is extra rest off the back of a bad game.

Brunson has also been very good in bounce-back opportunities.

He has fallen under 2.5 threes five times in the postseason. Look at his averages in the game after the first four:

34.0 PPG
37.8 3PT%
4-0 against this wager

Brunson has been balling for the Knicks all postseason, scoring 29.4 PPG while averaging 7.1 attempts from beyond the arc.

He’s making 2.7 threes per game and has a history of having above-average performances after a bad shooting night.

Brown over 1.5 threes (-186): With Tatum out, Brown is the No. 1 option in Boston.

Even when his teammate is in, this is a line Brown clears regularly. He’s drained two or more triples in four of the five games in this series.

His volume is up, as he’s attempting 7.2 threes per game in this series. Compare that to his 5.7 average attempts during the regular season.

If he totals that amount again tonight, his 33.3% 3-point accuracy should be good enough to push him past this modest total.

Boston will continue to need elevated production to replace Tatum’s 21.9 field-goal attempts per game.

Brown is the top candidate to fill the role. He should continue to let it fly with his Celtics needing a win to stay alive.

Knicks vs. Celtics predictions made at 11:45 a.m. ET 05/16/2025.

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers prop picks Game 6: Back John Tavares and Brad Marchand on Friday night

After being up 2-0, the Toronto Maple Leafs are on the brink of elimination in Game 6.

The pregame narrative: The Florida Panthers will be at home, where they’ve been strong all season. It will be a tall task for the Leafs, who are +200 to pick up the win and force a Game 7.

Brad Marchand, Aaron Ekblad and John Tavares are the targets of my Maple Leafs vs. Panthers prop picks for Game 6 on May 16.

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers picks

Best Bet: Marchand to score 1+ points (-106)

The Panthers took full advantage of Marchand’s down season with the Boston Bruins. They swooped in to trade for the winger for a measly second-round pick at the deadline.

Even though the veteran had his lowest point production in a decade this season (51), his value is clearly much higher in the playoffs.

Check out Marchand’s stats this postseason:

10 games
9 points
7-3 against this line
+8 rating

He’s been a consistently productive threat in both series. Plus, he continues to haunt Toronto in its attempt to find postseason glory.

While racking up 26 penalty minutes and being the pesky winger he is, Marchand has also recorded five points and is 4-1 against this line in the series.

Key stat: Marchand has dominated the Leafs in the playoffs, recording 34 points in 33 career meetings.

Game 6 prop predictions

Ekblad to score 1+ points (+100): Florida’s defence corps continues to chip in at an elevated rate.

A defenceman factored in on all six of the Panthers’ goals in Game 5.

Ekblad led the charge, opening the scoring in the first period and later recording an assist. He has at least a point in five straight games.

Remember, he was suspended for Game 1 of this series. His return to the lineup is a key reason why the Panthers have turned things around.

If Florida continues to funnel its offence through the blue line, Ekblad will be in a prime position to keep his point streak alive.

Tavares over 2.5 shots (-130): The former captain fell short of this mark on Wednesday, but he seems to be more productive on the road in these playoffs.

Home: Six games, 18 shots
Away: Five games, 18 shots

It may not seem like much of a difference, but Tavares is 4-1 against this wager away from home and 3-3 at Scotiabank Arena.

He played his fewest minutes of the series in Game 5 (15:57). That was almost four minutes fewer than his next lowest (19:22).

With Toronto’s back against the wall, I expect a better effort out of the gate with more ice time for the top guys, including Tavares.

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers prop picks made at 12:52 p.m. ET 05/16/2025.

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers prop picks Game 6: Back John Tavares and Brad Marchand on Friday night

After being up 2-0, the Toronto Maple Leafs are on the brink of elimination in Game 6.

The pregame narrative: The Florida Panthers will be at home, where they’ve been strong all season. It will be a tall task for the Leafs, who are +200 to pick up the win and force a Game 7.

Brad Marchand, Aaron Ekblad and John Tavares are the targets of my Maple Leafs vs. Panthers prop picks for Game 6 on May 16.

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers picks

Best Bet: Marchand to score 1+ points (+108)

The Panthers took full advantage of Marchand’s down season with the Boston Bruins. They swooped in to trade for the winger for a measly second-round pick at the deadline.

Even though the veteran had his lowest point production in a decade this season (51), his value is clearly much higher in the playoffs.

Check out Marchand’s stats this postseason:

10 games
9 points
7-3 against this line
+8 rating

He’s been a consistently productive threat in both series. Plus, he continues to haunt Toronto in its attempt to find postseason glory.

While racking up 26 penalty minutes and being the pesky winger he is, Marchand has also recorded five points and is 4-1 against this line in the series.

Key stat: Marchand has dominated the Leafs in the playoffs, recording 34 points in 33 career meetings.

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Game 6 prop predictions

Ekblad to score 1+ points (+112): Florida’s defence corps continues to chip in at an elevated rate.

A defenceman factored in on all six of the Panthers’ goals in Game 5.

Ekblad led the charge, opening the scoring in the first period and later recording an assist. He has at least a point in five straight games.

Remember, he was suspended for Game 1 of this series. His return to the lineup is a key reason why the Panthers have turned things around.

If Florida continues to funnel its offence through the blue line, Ekblad will be in a prime position to keep his point streak alive.

Tavares over 2.5 shots (-114): The former captain fell short of this mark on Wednesday, but he seems to be more productive on the road in these playoffs.

Home: Six games, 18 shots
Away: Five games, 18 shots

It may not seem like much of a difference, but Tavares is 4-1 against this wager away from home and 3-3 at Scotiabank Arena.

He played his fewest minutes of the series in Game 5 (15:57). That was almost four minutes fewer than his next lowest (19:22).

With Toronto’s back against the wall, I expect a better effort out of the gate with more ice time for the top guys, including Tavares.

Maple Leafs vs. Panthers prop picks made at 10:40 a.m. ET 05/16/2025.

NBA playoff prop bets May 13: Back Mobley and Turner, Fade Jokic on Tuesday night

Three big men have my attention for Tuesday’s NBA playoff action.

The pregame narrative: Evan Mobley and the Cleveland Cavaliers try to keep their season alive at home vs. the Indiana Pacers. Later on, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets battle for the upper hand out West.

Check out my NBA prop bets for Monday, May 13, which include predictions on Mobley, Myles Turner and Nikola Jokic.

NBA prop bets

Best Bet: Mobley over 28.5 points/rebounds (-120)

I made this wager in Game 4, and it fell flat on its face with Mobley recording 10 points and five rebounds in 27 minutes of action.

The Pacers grabbed the early advantage and never looked back after leading by 41 points at halftime.

This resulted in a negative game script for most players, so I’ll choose to have a short memory and jump right back in.

Mobley missed Game 2 of this series, but look how he performed in Games 1 and 3:

19.0 points/game
11.5 rebounds/game
15-for-25 from the field (60%)

Mobley broke out on offence this season and is now one of the best two-way players in basketball. He averaged 19.0 points and 12.5 rebounds in his two regular-season meetings with Indiana.

Cleveland needs a win to keep its season alive, and another dominant performance by Mobley should be expected in this matchup.

Key stat: The Pacers allowed the seventh-most points (23.93) and second-most rebounds (11.28) to power forwards in the regular season, per Fantasy Pros.

Best NBA picks

Turner over 6.5 rebounds (-138): On the other side, Turner has been tasked with containing two bruisers down low.

While Mobley provides a threat inside, so does Jarrett Allen, who’s a double-double threat on any night.

That’s led to 15.3 potential rebounds per game for Turner this series. That’s more than his average of 13.6 in the regular season.

Overall, Turner is 3-1 against this line while grabbing 7.3 boards a night.

Additionally, the big man has totalled more rebounds when playing in Cleveland.

Game 1 @ Cleveland: 11 rebounds
Game 2 @ Cleveland: 8 rebounds
Game 3 @ Indiana: 3 rebounds
Game 4 @ Indiana: 7 rebounds

Expect a similar performance on the road in Game 5.

Jokic under 27.5 points (-130): Fading Jokic as a scorer this season hasn’t been as safe as in years past.

The Serbian big man averaged a career-high in points (29.6) while shooting 57.6% from the field.

He looked on track to dominate this series as well, but OKC figured something out and is now containing the three-time MVP.

Game 1: 42 points (15-for-29)
Game 2: 17 points (6-for-16)
Game 3: 20 points (8-for-25)
Game 4: 27 points (7-for-22)

It’s uncharacteristic for Jokic to have three bad shooting performances in a row, but the Thunder have a trio of defensively sound bigs and led the NBA with a 106.6 defensive rating in the regular season.

I would be hesitant to fade Jokic if he were choosing to shoot less, but his inability to score 28-plus on a high volume of shots proves that OKC’s strategy is working.

The Thunder’s defensive rating has improved to 100.2 in the playoffs.

NBA prop picks made at 4:55 p.m. ET on 05/12/2025.

NBA playoff prop bets May 13: Back Mobley and Turner, Fade Jokic on Tuesday night

Three big men have my attention for Tuesday’s NBA playoff action.

The pregame narrative: Evan Mobley and the Cleveland Cavaliers try to keep their season alive at home vs. the Indiana Pacers. Later on, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets battle for the upper hand out West.

Check out my NBA prop bets for Monday, May 13, which include predictions on Mobley, Myles Turner and Nikola Jokic.

NBA prop bets

Best Bet: Mobley over 28.5 points/rebounds (-122)

I made this wager in Game 4, and it fell flat on its face with Mobley recording 10 points and five rebounds in 27 minutes of action.

The Pacers grabbed the early advantage and never looked back after leading by 41 points at halftime.

This resulted in a negative game script for most players, so I’ll choose to have a short memory and jump right back in.

Mobley missed Game 2 of this series, but look how he performed in Games 1 and 3:

19.0 points/game
11.5 rebounds/game
15-for-25 from the field (60%)

Mobley broke out on offence this season and is now one of the best two-way players in basketball. He averaged 19.0 points and 12.5 rebounds in his two regular-season meetings with Indiana.

Cleveland needs a win to keep its season alive, and another dominant performance by Mobley should be expected in this matchup.

Key stat: The Pacers allowed the seventh-most points (23.93) and second-most rebounds (11.28) to power forwards in the regular season, per Fantasy Pros.

Embed: #113698

Best NBA picks

Turner over 6.5 rebounds (-130): On the other side, Turner has been tasked with containing two bruisers down low.

While Mobley provides a threat inside, so does Jarrett Allen, who’s a double-double threat on any night.

That’s led to 15.3 potential rebounds per game for Turner this series. That’s more than his average of 13.6 in the regular season.

Overall, Turner is 3-1 against this line while grabbing 7.3 boards a night.

Additionally, the big man has totalled more rebounds when playing in Cleveland.

Game 1 @ Cleveland: 11 rebounds
Game 2 @ Cleveland: 8 rebounds
Game 3 @ Indiana: 3 rebounds
Game 4 @ Indiana: 7 rebounds

Expect a similar performance on the road in Game 5.

Jokic under 28.5 points (-130): Fading Jokic as a scorer this season hasn’t been as safe as in years past.

The Serbian big man averaged a career-high in points (29.6) while shooting 57.6% from the field.

He looked on track to dominate this series as well, but OKC figured something out and is now containing the three-time MVP.

Game 1: 42 points (15-for-29)
Game 2: 17 points (6-for-16)
Game 3: 20 points (8-for-25)
Game 4: 27 points (7-for-22)

It’s uncharacteristic for Jokic to have three bad shooting performances in a row, but the Thunder have a trio of defensively sound bigs and led the NBA with a 106.6 defensive rating in the regular season.

I would be hesitant to fade Jokic if he were choosing to shoot less, but his inability to score 28-plus on a high volume of shots proves that OKC’s strategy is working.

The Thunder’s defensive rating has improved to 100.2 in the playoffs.

NBA prop picks made at 3:55 p.m. ET on 05/12/2025.

Italian Open Round of 16 men’s predictions: Picks on Alex De Minaur and Daniil Medvedev

The Italian Open rolls into the Round of 16 with some big names left on the men’s side.

Today’s Italian Open narrative: Alex De Minaur is breaking out as an elite all-surface player, and he should continue his run in a matchup he’s dominated in the past. Elsewhere, Daniil Medvedev is the underdog against Lorenzo Musetti but has the tools to pull off the upset victory.

Check out my Italian Open predictions for May 13.

Italian Open predictions

Best Bet: De Minaur -2.5 games (-120)

The Australian is putting up his best start to any season in 2025, going 26-9 to this point (74.3% win rate).

That’s been paired with a 9-3 record on clay, which is a surface he’s struggled on in the past.

De Minaur also historically owns Tommy Paul, his round of 16 opponent:

5-0 against the American
1-0 on clay (straight-set win)

The 26-year-old has yet to lose a set on this event, while his counterpart is coming off a three-set thriller against Tomas Machac.

While Paul’s 19-7 record (6-2 on clay) is far from bad, he’s fallen short in the big matches.

The No. 12-ranked player is 0-3 this season against players also ranked inside the top 15.

I’ll ride with the momentum of De Minaur, who’s playing the best tennis of his career with strong head-to-head results.

Key stat: De Minaur is 4-1 against this line vs. Paul in his career.

See all Italian Open 2025 odds, matchups and betting markets.

Quick pick

Medvedev to win (+150): In my view, this match should be closer to a pick’em, and I like the value on the underdog.

Musetti has cemented himself as one of the best players on clay, starting 2025 with a 12-2 record on the surface.

Medvedev has been an inconsistent player recently, but there’s reason to believe he’s in top form once again.

Since the start of April, the 29-year-old is 7-2 with his losses coming to De Minaur (No. 8 ranked) and Casper Ruud (No. 7 ranked).

Medvedev has dominated both matches in Rome, beating Cameron Norrie in straight sets before doing the same to No. 25-ranked Alex Popyrin.

He lost only 11 games in two matches against a pair of strong competitors. The Russian looks primed to rise back up the ATP rankings.

Thanks to some deep runs recently, Musetti has played 13 matches since the start of April. He could start showing signs of fatigue in a gruelling match against an equal opponent.

Medvedev is 2-0 against the Italian, winning both meetings in straight sets. Although both were played on hard court surfaces.

Italian Open predictions made at 2:21 p.m. on 05/12/2025.

Italian Open Round of 16 men’s predictions: Picks on Alex De Minaur and Daniil Medvedev

The Italian Open rolls into the Round of 16 with some big names left on the men’s side.

Today’s Italian Open narrative: Alex De Minaur is breaking out as an elite all-surface player, and he should continue his run in a matchup he’s dominated in the past. Elsewhere, Daniil Medvedev is the underdog against Lorenzo Musetti but has the tools to pull off the upset victory.

Check out my Italian Open predictions for May 13.

Italian Open predictions

Best Bet: De Minaur -2.5 games (-120)

The Australian is putting up his best start to any season in 2025, going 26-9 to this point (74.3% win rate).

That’s been paired with a 9-3 record on clay, which is a surface he’s struggled on in the past.

De Minaur also historically owns Tommy Paul, his round of 16 opponent:

5-0 against the American
1-0 on clay (straight-set win)

The 26-year-old has yet to lose a set on this event, while his counterpart is coming off a three-set thriller against Tomas Machac.

While Paul’s 19-7 record (6-2 on clay) is far from bad, he’s fallen short in the big matches.

The No. 12-ranked player is 0-3 this season against players also ranked inside the top 15.

I’ll ride with the momentum of De Minaur, who’s playing the best tennis of his career with strong head-to-head results.

Key stat: De Minaur is 4-1 against this line vs. Paul in his career.

See all Italian Open 2025 odds, matchups and betting markets.

Quick pick

Medvedev to win (+155): In my view, this match should be closer to a pick’em, and I like the value on the underdog.

Musetti has cemented himself as one of the best players on clay, starting 2025 with a 12-2 record on the surface.

Medvedev has been an inconsistent player recently, but there’s reason to believe he’s in top form once again.

Since the start of April, the 29-year-old is 7-2 with his losses coming to De Minaur (No. 8 ranked) and Casper Ruud (No. 7 ranked).

Medvedev has dominated both matches in Rome, beating Cameron Norrie in straight sets before doing the same to No. 25-ranked Alex Popyrin.

He lost only 11 games in two matches against a pair of strong competitors. The Russian looks primed to rise back up the ATP rankings.

Thanks to some deep runs recently, Musetti has played 13 matches since the start of April. He could start showing signs of fatigue in a gruelling match against an equal opponent.

Medvedev is 2-0 against the Italian, winning both meetings in straight sets. Although both were played on hard court surfaces.

Italian Open predictions made at 2:21 p.m. on 05/12/2025.

NHL playoff anytime goalscorer picks May 12: Bet on Connor McDavid to light the lamp

Two teams have a chance to even their Stanley Cup playoff second-round series on Monday.

Today’s NHL narrative: The Vegas Golden Knights look to steal back-to-back games on the road to even up their series with the Edmonton Oilers. Before that, the Carolina Hurricanes can gain a 3-1 lead over the Washington Capitals.

Check out the best NHL anytime goal picks for May 12, featuring Connor McDavid and Andrei Svechnikov.

NHL anytime goal picks

Best Bet: McDavid to score (+130)

Despite only scoring three times in these playoffs, McDavid has been firing on all cylinders.

In nine games played, the captain leads the Oilers in shots (35) and expected goals (5.0), per Money Puck.

McDavid is known for his playmaking over his scoring, but he’s still elite at putting the puck in the net. In 2022-23, he had a 64-goal season.

The Oilers’ superstar has points in eight of nine postseason games. He scored in Game 3 while attempting 10 shots (five on net).

McDavid is the best player in the world, so he naturally plays north of 24 minutes per night. Those are elite defenceman minutes, even though he’s a forward.

With his combination of skill and speed, McDavid is always a threat to light the lamp.

Key stat: He has attempted 26 shots in the first three games of this series.

NHL prop prediction

Svechnikov to score (+170): The winger leads his team with six goals in the postseason, and it hasn’t been because of luck.

He continuously puts himself in prime positions to score. Take a look at his advanced statistics:

Most expected goals (5.7).

Most created expected goals (5.5).

Fourth most goals per 60 (5.25).

Svechnikov also ranks fourth in the Stanley Cup playoffs for shot attempts (66).

He plays on the top line with Sebastian Aho and Jackson Blake. The two have combined for nine assists in these playoffs, and the 25-year-old goalscorer should continue to be the main target on the attack.

NHL anytime goal picks made at 10:25 a.m. ET on 05/12/2025.