The Daily Sweat: Lakers have a chance to put the Grizzlies in a big hole
The Memphis Grizzlies didn't seem ready for the moment in Game 3 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Dillon Brooks brought some extra heat on the Grizzlies by calling out LeBron James after Game 2. Then the Grizzlies trailed 35-9 after the first quarter, tying the record for the largest deficit in the first quarter of an NBA playoff game, and Brooks got himself ejected. The Lakers won to take a 2-1 series lead. Brooks followed that up with some self pity, proclaiming that the media turned him into a villain.
The Grizzlies shrunk in the moment. More importantly, they now face a Game 4 they might have to get if they want to advance out of the first round. Will they respond better to that pressure?
The Lakers are 4.5-point favorites at BetMGM. The Grizzlies could come back from a 3-1 deficit to take the series, but it's not a hole many other teams have dug out of. Only 13 of 270 NBA teams have come back from 3-1 to win a series. Memphis doesn't want to lose in Game 4 and test those odds.
And it's not like the Lakers are looking like a team that would allow Memphis to come back on them. The Lakers didn't play well for most of the season (injuries played a role) but they did play very well late and carried that over to the playoffs. Even with Ja Morant back in the lineup for Game 3 and playing very well, the Lakers won by 10.
Memphis had a very good season, getting the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. But the Grizzlies haven't responded well to the playoff pressure yet. If they don't win Monday night, they might not need to worry about playoff pressure much longer.
Here's the first look at the sports betting slate for Monday:
Bucks try to avoid 3-1 hole
It's not just that the Milwaukee Bucks are down 2-1 in their series against the Miami Heat. It's that the No. 1 seed Bucks have looked terrible in both losses to the No. 8 seed Heat.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's injury has played a role in that, and he's questionable for Game 4. The Bucks are 5.5-point favorites, which is an indication that oddsmakers expect Antetokounmpo back. Because without Antetokounmpo, 5.5 points for the Heat seems like a steal.
If Antetokounmpo returns and the Bucks' defensive issues are suddenly solved in a win, and they go on to win the series, perhaps then we can discuss their chances of winning a championship again. For now, the Bucks are just trying to stay off the short and infamous list of No. 1 seeds that didn't get out of the first round.
NHL playoffs have 4 more games
There's something great about the NHL playoffs staying on a strict schedule in the first round. Four games a night has been pretty fun, especially with the quality of games the NHL has had this postseason. Here are the odds for the four games on Monday night:
• New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers (-155)
• Toronto Maple Leafs (-115) at Tampa Bay Lightning
• Vegas Golden Knights at Winnipeg Jets (-110)
• Colorado Avalanche (-150) at Seattle Kraken
The Rangers, Maple Leafs, Golden Knights and Avalanche all hold 2-1 series leads.
Astros-Rays highlight MLB
There are 11 games on the MLB schedule, and the best one is the Houston Astros at the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays are an incredible 13-0 at home to start the season, but they haven't faced anyone as good as the Astros yet. The Astros are just 12-10 to start the season but we all know the talent the defending champs have. The Rays are -150 favorites in the first game of what should be a fun series.
Who's the best bet?
I'm tempted to go with the Heat here, because the Bucks' issues look deeper than just missing Antetokounmpo. But Antetokounmpo is one of the greatest players in the world and maybe he does turn it all around for them. Instead, I'll go with the Lightning as a small home underdog. The Maple Leafs came back to take an overtime game from Tampa Bay in Game 3, and I think the Lightning bounces back to even the series.
