Crucial Game 4s to shape NBA, NHL playoff wagering

We start a new week in sports with a batch of critical Game 4s in both the NBA and NHL. The difference between a series being 3-1 and 2-2 is significant, making tonight a crucial intersection for the following teams.

Celtics (-110) look to even series against Bucks - Boston dropped a heartbreaker on Saturday, falling to Milwaukee 103-101. There's two ways to read into that result, with our focus here on Jayson Tatum. Tatum went just 4 for 19 from the field, finishing with 10 points. It's encouraging that the rest of the team can step up and keep it close, but the Celtics can't win this series with their best player scoring only 10. We'll bet on Tatum bouncing back to knot this series before heading back to Boston for Game 5. We're betting on a big night for Tatum, backing his points prop over at 28.5.

Odds lengthen for Memphis (+10) to take down the Warriors with Ja Morant out - Ja Morant is reportedly set to miss Game 4, a serious blow to Memphis's postseason future. This series has had bad blood, ejections and injuries, and this latest development has these two teams reaching critical mass in Game 4. It's hard to imagine the Grizzlies can keep up with the Warriors without their best player, and our take on the physicality of this series is to load up the under, currently at 223.5 points. Expect a defensive game tonight.

Stanley Cup betting favorites hanging on by a thread as we approach Game 4 - Tonight's Round 1 games in hockey have two heavy favorites fighting for their lives in the form of the Florida Panthers and Calgary Flames. Both teams are surprisingly down 2-1 and on the road for their pivotal fourth games. The Flames have been completely stifled by Dallas up to this point, scoring just three total goals in three games. Meanwhile, Florida's high-flying offense has equally been quieted for two of the three games against Washington. The body of work by both of these teams throughout the year is giving us the confidence to bet on them winning tonight. Tonight is must-win for both, so we're parlaying Florida and Calgary money lines at +155.

In Other News ...

Massive upset at the Kentucky Derby - ICYMI, the longest shot from the Kentucky Derby, Rich Strike, took home a historic upset win. Rich Strike was 80-1 to win and came flying up the inside track down the stretch to shock announcers and fans alike. Early odds for the Preakness Stakes set Rich Strike at 5-1, the third highest of the field.

Nikola Jokic wins the MVP in back-to-back seasons - The Denver Nuggets big man has taken home his second straight MVP, delivering on +1400 futures placed before the season began. Jokic averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game for Denver, carrying the team to the postseason.

Max Verstappen wins F1 Miami Grand Prix - The inaugural Miami Grand Prix saw Verstappen take the win. The 24 year old driver won the F1 championship last season and seems to be picking up steam as the season progresses. If you believe in this momentum, you can bet on Verstappen to repeat as World Champion at -150 on DraftKings.