Larry's Picks (2 Live)
Larry's Past Picks
Mariners starter Luis Castillo has been dominant for three straight outings, posting a 0.90 ERA while allowing nine hits over 20 innings. He has 22 strikeouts and four walks in that span. Last season, Castillo was sharp in two starts versus the Twins. Minnesota just had its 12-game win streak snapped, but Seattle is hot too, entering on a 17-9 run. Look for Josh Rojas (1.029 OPS) to stay hot as the Mariners send Minnesota to its second straight loss.
Tyrese Haliburton averaged 19.7 points against the Knicks in the regular season. After three full days off, I like him to score at least 18 in Game 1. With all-world Knicks defender OG Anunoby expected to guard Pascal Siakam, Haliburton will need to be as much of a scorer as he is a distributor.
Darius Garland played 43 minutes on Friday and is in line for 40-plus minutes in Game 7. It's a quick turnaround, and he's facing a long and disruptive Magic defense. Look for Garland to commit at least three turnovers for the fourth time this series.
Dane Dunning was dominant last time out, fanning 10 Reds and walking none in 5.1 innings. He's held current Royals batters to a .200 average and .598 OPS. Royals starter Michael Wacha has allowed 31 hits over his last four starts, with a poor 15:7 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Back the defending champs to snap K.C.'s three-game win streak.
If Rudy Gobert stays out of foul trouble, he should clear this number. He did it in eight of his last nine games and in both meetings with Denver this season. Gobert anchors Minnesota's NBA-best defense; expect him to play 35-plus minutes and make a big impact against a Nuggets team that gave up a ton of points in the paint to the Lakers.
Ivica Zubac played a series-low 26 minutes in Game 5, but that was due to the game being out of reach. Expect a much better effort from the Clippers as they face elimination Friday, which should mean 30-plus minutes for Zubac. He's been efficient offensively in the series, shooting 61 percent. With Dallas doing everything possible to avoid James Harden and Paul George eruption games, Zubac should continue to earn great looks.
The Magic's length has become an issue for the Cavs, with six Orlando players standing 6-10 or taller. That's especially true if Jarrett Allen (17.0 ppg, 13.8 rpg, 1.3 spg this series) sits out again Friday due to his rib contusion. He did not practice Thursday after missing Tuesday's one-point Cleveland win, the Magic's third straight cover. Orlando has won six straight home games (5-1 ATS) and sits 31-12 at Kia Center.
Pacers center Myles Turner has been a substantially better player at home this season, shooting 54.7 percent compared to 50.1 percent on the road. At home he shot better from beyond the arc, better from the foul line and grabbed more rebounds (7.6 to 6.3). The same thing is happening this series, as Turner went for 29 points and nine rebounds in each of Indiana's two home games. With Giannis Antetokounmpo still doubtful, I'm expecting a monster effort from Turner in this potential close-out game.
Norman Powell struggled mightily in the first two games of this series, but has gotten untracked over the past two with 32 points on 11-of-19 shooting. He has played 30 or more minutes in three games and is likely to get 30-plus again given Kawhi Leonard's absence and the Clippers' short bench (only three reserves play). The Mavs are weak defensively at guard. Look for Powell to score 12 or more in a pivotal Game 5.
Devin Booker has played 42 minutes in each of the last two games, and he should see another massive workload Sunday with Phoenix facing elimination. He dished out eight assists in Game 3, part of a season-long trend in which he's had more assists in home games (7.4 per game compared to 6.5 on the road). It was the Suns' best offensive performance in the series so far; they scored 109 points after failing to break 95 in the first two. Look for Booker to continue to be the primary distributor and go Over 6.5 assists.
James Harden has scored 21 or more points in all three games this series, while averaging 41.7 minutes. Kawhi Leonard (knee) is questionable and might sit after not looking like himself Friday. When Leonard missed Game 1, Harden scored 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting. Look for another 20-plus game from Harden, whether or not Leonard plays.
Jaden McDaniels is critical in this matchup because he guards Kevin Durant and, at times, Devin Booker. McDaniels leads Minnesota with 39.5 minutes per game in the series. Thanks to another two days off between games, McDaniels should have no trouble playing another 40 or so minutes. Look for McDaniels, who's averaging 8.5 rebounds plus assists in the series, to clear this prop total for the third straight game.
Kawhi Leonard grabbed seven rebounds in 35 minutes in Game 2. In his two previous meetings with the Mavs, Leonard collected 10 and six rebounds. Dallas gives up the third-most rebounds in the NBA (53.7 percent) and has yielded 59 per game over its last three. Leonard (knee) is questionable but expected to play. He is "feeling good" after returning to action Tuesday, per coach Ty Lue. Look for Leonard to play 30-plus minutes and pull down at least six rebounds.