Sports betting: Vegas Vic is flying with the Raptors in tonight’s NBA playoff game
Toronto has too much talent and should cover the 4-point spread. Vic's also jumping into the baseball action with a couple of selections.
Inquirer handicapper Vegas Vic takes a look at Friday’s action:
NBA playoffs
Double V is jumping on to the NBA hardwood tonight and using the Raptors’ -4 points over the Magic.
Occasionally, when you’re rolling, and things come too easy, the boogie man pays a visit. That’s exactly what happened to the Raps in the opener at Toronto.
They came in with a sweet 7-1 record to close the regular season, which included a rather easy 121-109 victory over Orlando. So, then the Northerners apparently went to sleep and lost the first game, 104-101. Did anyone say, WAKE-UP CALL?
Raptors at Magic, 7 p.m. | Celtics at Pacers, 8:30 p.m. | Blazers at Thunder, 9:30 p.m.
Yeah, well, they WOKE for Game 2 and destroyed the Magic, 111-82. And Kawhi Leonard was REALLY WOKE, knocking down 37 points, with 4 boards, 4 assists and 2 steals. Not expecting the Raptors to win by 29 points down in Florida, but a touchdown and a 2-point conversion sound about right.
Gimme $55 to win $50 on Toronto.
And if you’re thinking about dipping into the Celtics-Pacers series, we got numbers.
They move to Indiana, and unless the Pacers have a secret weapon, or, Victor Oladipo comes back, trouble is brewing. Boston comes to Indy on a 5-0 roll against the Pacers, straight up and against the spread.
The C’s also have covered five of the last six overall, and three in a row on the road. Looking at the big picture, Boston’s overall spread log sits at 40-42-2, 18-21-2 on the road, and 32-33-2 as a favorite. The Pacers’ overall spread mark is 40-43-1, 23-18 at home, and 16-21 as an underdog.
Series standings: Celtics and Blazers up 2-0, Raptors-Magic tied 1-1
NHL playoffs
Series standings: Avalanche up, 3-1; Maple Leafs-Bruins tied, 2-2
Baseball
On the baseball board, we’re gonna rock the Cardinals with Adam Wainwright over the Mets ($70 to win $50), and the Padres with Matt Strahm over the Reds ($65 to win $50).
Previews: Mets at Cardinals, 8:15 p.m. | Reds at Padres, 10:40 p.m.
Phillies’ line: Colorado -115; Phillies -105. Over/under: 10 runs.
Vince Velasquez (0-0, 2.25) vs. German Marquez (2-1, 2.00)
Preview: Phillies at Rockies, 8:40 p.m.