The Knicks are great outsiders to win the Eastern Conference but backing them each-way for the title offers a better return. The Knicks were second in the regular season and they’ve improved since adding OG Anunoby midway through the campaign. The former Toronto Raptor has been on a title-winning roster, while he’s a solid postseason option and a defensive superstar. The Knicks have Jalen Brunson in the form of his life, so they’re fantastic outsiders to win the East.

The Timberwolves’ huge frontcourt is fancied to cause problems for a Suns side who lack the defensive options for a long postseason run. The Suns have struggled to impress in the last couple of playoff runs and they finished eight games behind a Timberwolves side who were the clear best side in the West before Karl-Anthony Towns went down with injury. With Towns back to fitness, back Minnesota to progress.

The Mavericks are flying right now and they meet an LA Clippers side who have gone cold. The Clippers roster is packed with players known for shrinking in the postseason and their star man Kawhi Leonard is an injury doubt.

The Bucks had a shaky finish to the season and they lost four of five meetings with Indiana this season. The Pacers’ chances will be boosted by the news that Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss out early in this series.

The Magic have all the tools to expose this Cavs side and they rank third defensively this term, which bodes well for the postseason. Cleveland lost 15 of their final 25 games this season, with their roster lacking cohesiveness and rumours swirling that star man Donovan Mitchell is heading for the exit.

The Bucks had a shaky finish to the season and they lost four of five meetings with Indiana this season. The Pacers’ chances will be boosted by the news that Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss out early in this series. His return could drag things out, but the Pacers should progress.

The Magic have all the tools to expose this Cavs side and they rank third defensively this term, which bodes well for the postseason. Cleveland lost 15 of their final 25 games this season, with their roster lacking cohesiveness and rumours swirling that star man Donovan Mitchell is heading for the exit. The pair split the regular season series 2-2, but that was before the Cavs fell apart in the run-in.

The Mavericks’ 16-2 run down the stretch proved they can be a postseason force. They’ve got the best backcourt in the West, while defensive upgrades in February have made them really hard to stop. The Mavs have become very efficient offensively in the back-half of the campaign and in Luka Doncic they boast a near unstoppable offensive force, alongside NBA champion Kyrie Irving.

The Cavs are now small underdogs after opening as 2.5-point road favorites and I can’t see why. Cleveland has held the Magic to under 90 points in both of their games and under 105 points in 4 of their 5 meetings this year. The Cavs are much more well-balanced than Orlando and I think that will travel with them.

This is as close as it gets to a must win situation for a team after 2 games played in a series. The 76ers had Game 2 in hand, but a couple of controversial calls late in the game turned things around. Now they get an opportunity to make amends in front of the home crowd. They’ve won their last 5 games at Wells Fargo Center and 11 of their last 15 vs the Knicks there.

Denver pulled off a huge 20-point comeback in Game 2 capped off by Jamal Murray’s buzzer-beater to make it 10 straight wins for the Nuggets over the Lakers. That comeback should have rattled LA’s confidence and Denver should be able to secure yet another victory here.

The Cavs are now small underdogs after opening as 2.5-point road favorites and I can’t see why. Cleveland has held the Magic to under 90 points in both of their games and under 105 points in 4 of their 5 meetings this year. The Cavs are much more well-balanced than Orlando and I think that will travel with them.

Denver pulled off a huge 20-point comeback in Game 2 capped off by Jamal Murray’s buzzer-beater to make it 10 straight wins for the Nuggets over the Lakers. That comeback should have rattled LA’s confidence and Denver should be able to secure yet another victory here.

The Yankees are looking for their 6th series win this season as they send the lefty Nestor Cortes to the mound who was terrific in his last start against the Rays.  Oakland hasn’t looked good on the road, losing 5 out of their last 6 and they’re sending the struggling lefty, Alex Wood to the mound who holds an 0-2 record with a 7.89 ERA.  Look for the Yankees bats to come out swinging early like they did the last two games and cruise to victory before heading Miluwakee to face the Brewers. 

This is as close as it gets to a must win situation for a team after 2 games played in a series. The 76ers had Game 2 in hand, but a couple of controversial calls late in the game turned things around. Now they get an opportunity to make amends in front of the home crowd. They’ve won their last 5 games at Wells Fargo Center and 11 of their last 15 vs the Knicks there.

I expect it to be similar like Game 1 with minimal goals scored. Carolina’s goaltending and hard style of play have been great. After giving up 5 goals, I also expect New York’s defensive efforts to improve, as this is a must-win game. Take the under for what should be a hard-fought Game 3.

This is as close as it gets to a must win situation for a team after 2 games played in a series. The 76ers had Game 2 in hand, but a couple of controversial calls late in the game turned things around. Now they get an opportunity to make amends in front of the home crowd. They’ve won their last 5 games at Wells Fargo Center and 11 of their last 15 vs the Knicks there.