'Jays' should light it up for Celtics

One LeBron rebound shy of a triple-double, ugh. So close, yet so far. Down 2-0, we expect the Lakers to bring a spirited effort in Game 3 at home and win, and we may just have to go back to a LeBron/Jokic triple-double parlay again. Anyway, we head back East for Miami and Boston's second game with the Heat up 1-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Celtics should even the series, and these players likely help the cause

Yes, we did like Miami in the opening game and can see them keeping it close here tonight, but we're quite confident Boston is finding a win tonight. They've dropped just two straight games once this postseason, and in last year's Eastern Conference Finals against Miami they came back in Game 2 to win by 20 and even that series.

With that belief in tow, we need to get creative here with a bet, as Boston is anywhere from -420 to -450 on the moneyline, which clearly won't do. Sounds like it's time for a Same Game Parlay.

We start with Jayson Tatum, who else? Tatum dropped 30 in Game 1 and has now gone past that 30-point threshold in three straight home games. Tonight we're looking for just 25+, which seems like a reasonable ask. In wins during this playoff run, Tatum is averaging 27.4 points per game, finishing with 25+ in six of eight.

Our next leg has to be Jaylen Brown, who had himself a relatively quiet game by his standards, finishing with 22 points. Brown has enjoyed some big games against Miami the past few seasons, averaging 25.4 points per game against them in 14 contests, going for 20+ in 12 of those 14. Brown has finished with 20 or more points in six of Boston's eight wins this postseason and thus brings with it the next addition to this SGP.

We could keep going, as players like Marcus Smart and Al Horford look like solid bets to find some rebounding success, but we'll instead opt for simplicity and a hopeful win as we enter the weekend.

Betting:

• Celtics moneyline
• Jayson Tatum 25+ points
• Jaylen Brown 20+ points

Altogether, that comes in at +110 on DraftKings. It's time for the "Jays" to step up and knot this series up. Enjoy the game!

In the news ...

It takes four overtimes, but the Panthers take down the Hurricanes in Game 1 slugfest — Four OTs last night on the ice! These teams basically just played the equivalent of 2.3 games last night, and it was Florida bringing home the 3-2 win thanks to a Matthew Tkachuk goal with just 12.7 seconds left. It will be interesting to see what this opening game does for Game 2 tomorrow night, we'd expect a looser game and may have to bet on the over. Carolina is -145 to even the series at home, which we also like.

Nuggets come from behind to go up 2-0 in Western Conference Finals — It looked like the Lakers had the game in control, but a 20-5 run by Denver spurred by Jamal Murray's 23 fourth-quarter points, allowed the Nuggets to steal the game and win, 108-103. The series now flips to Los Angeles, and we have to imagine LeBron James and the Lakers grab a win, as they have yet to lose a game at home this postseason. The Lakers are 5.5-point favorites to win tomorrow night and -215 to the moneyline.

Bryson DeChambeau with top score on Day One of PGA Championship — A 4-under first round gave Bryson DeChambeau the first-round lead at Oak Hill Country Club, followed closely behind by Scottie Scheffler, Corey Conners, Dustin Johnson and Eric Cole. As of this writing, DeChambeau is +1100 to win the second major of the year, with Scheffler still the top dog on the board at +225. Justin Rose started Friday morning hot and is +1200 to win.

Preakness Stakes tomorrow — The second leg of the Triple Crown is tomorrow with the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Kentucky Derby winner Mage is the favorite at 8-5, and the second-favorite, First Mission, was actually scratched from the field this morning. Our team was liking First Mission best, but in his place, we'll hitch our bet to National Treasure at 4-1, who is owned by the infamous Bob Baffert.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll