While we don't expect the Knicks to simply wave the white flag and save their energy for Game 7 the way the Nuggets did last night in Minnesota, there is something to be said for leaving something in reserve. The significant home edge in this series (host has won all five outright) and Indiana now 5-0 at Gainbridge (nee Conseco) Fieldhouse in the playoffs suggests that maybe Tom Thibodeau should save his weary troops for one more big effort at MSG in Game 7. NY is still shorthanded (OG Anunoby already again ruled out, along with Bojan Bogdanovic, Julius Randle, and Mitchell Robinson), and the Pacers will recall being embarrassed on Tuesday when also outrebounded 53-29. We'll respect the home trends here. Play Pacers

This looks like the buy signal we have been waiting for with the Astros, who have surged with wins in five straight and seven of eight as they look to put their abysmal first month in the rear-view mirror. Pitching has excelled in the recent uptick and Hunter Brown is off of arguably his best effort of the season last week at Detroit when allowing only 1 run thru 5 IP, though that would be the only Houston loss in this current stretch. On the Brewers side, note Freddy Peralta has struggled in his last two starts on the road, allowing 8 runs thru 9 2/3 IP. Play Astros on Money Line

It's happening again for the A's, as their offense has once again gone on the blink, and losses are piling up. That's now setbacks in five straight for Oakland after getting swept four in Houston; worse yet, the A's didn't have a chance as they scored only a paltry four runs across the entirety of the series. Perfect opportunity, it would seem, for KC's Cole Ragans to get back on the beam after a difficult outing on Saturday at Anaheim, though remember he had allowed only four runs across 17 1/3 IP in his three previous starts. The Royals have been a bit sluggish themselves since the weekend, so 8.5 looks a rather high bar to clear. Play A's-Roya's "Under"

This has turned into a very taut series featuring solid defense and good goaltending. We actually started to see that in Game 3 until a fluky double-minor in the second period against the Bruins gave the Panthers an effective extended power play in which they scored twice to change the complexion of the game. The following Games 4 and 5 followed more predictable low-scoring paths, and worth noting that Boston hasn't solved Sergei Bobrovsky for more than two goals since Game 1. This Bobrovsky vs. Jeremy Swayman matchup in goal sets up as another 2-1 or 3-2 grinder. Play Panthers-Bruins "Under"

It would certainly help the Boston cause if Brad Marchand (a game-time decision) is available for tonight. But the Bruins have circled the wagons pretty well minus their captain the past couple of games, unfortunate to let a 2-0 lead slip away at home in Game 4 and then passing the gut-check of Game 5 to stay alive on Tuesday night in Sunrise. Jeremy Swayman still proving tough to solve in goal, and the Bruins have been about some drama in the postseason, already going seven games in the opening round vs. the Leafs before advancing in a nervy OT. Will we have another Game 7 to look forward to on Sunday? Play Bruins on Money Line

We saw similar things from the Canucks in the opening round vs. Nashville, when they played at a bit slower pace to build a better defensive fence around backup goalie Arturs Silovs. Fast forward to the second round, and noted much the same from Edmonton in Tuesday's Game 4, as the Oilers were not their usual swashbuckling selves, playing a more cautious game as they tried to help their own backup goalie, Cal Pickard, who delivered a much-needed win. The pace thus seems to have slowed in this series that now features an unlikely pair of goalies who were facing off last spring in the AHL playoffs. Play Oilers-Canucks "Under"

Must acknowledge how the Oilers seemed to circle the wagons around backup goalie Cal Pickard in Game 4 after Stuart Skinner's flameout earlier in this series. Still, even as Edmonton has leveled matters, must note the Canucks have won six of the last eight meetings, and managed to claw their way back even at 2 on Tuesday before Evan Bounchard's very late game winner for the Oilers. Vancouver's own backup goalie, Arturs Silovs, seems to be gaining more confidence as the playoffs have progressed, and still believe Rick Tocchet is squeezing more from his troops than Edmonton counterpart Kris Knoblauch. Play Canucks on Money Line

We haven't seen a turnaround like this since Super Bowl XXII. The Nuggets are about to flip what was a 2-0 series deficit into a 4-2 series win if they succeed tonight in a rare NBA playoff pattern first established by the West-Baylor-Wilt 1968-69 Lakers, roaring back to defeat the Warriors (then San Francisco) in the West semifinals in exactly the same sequence. As the series has progressed, the T-wolves have found it increasingly hard (impossible?) to contain the Joker, who scored 40 and had 13 assists in the Nuggets' Game 5 win, plus Jamal Murray. Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards seems the only Minnesota force able to raise his game as this series has progressed as the rest of the lineup has collectively sagged. Play Nuggets

The A's are never far from a losing streak this season as their offense is always liable to go on the blink. Such as in this midweek set at Minute Maid in which the Oakland offense has scored all of three runs combined across the past three games, all losses. On the plus side, the only win the A's have recorded the past week came in the debut of Joey Estes on the mound last week in Seattle when he worked five mostly-clean innings (one run, two hits) in an eventual 8-1 Oakland win. Meanwhile, note Cristian Javier has pitched much better at home (where his ERA is an even 1.00) than on the road thus far for the Astros. Play A's-Astros "Under"

We're thinking this price might be a little off with a surprising lack of respect for the Yankees (Yankees...lack of respect?), who have allowed just one run across the last two nights at Target Field while winning the first two of this midweek set against the Twins. Perhaps because Joe Ryan (3.21 ERA, 0.99 WHIP) is on the mound for Minnesota, but that would discount the excellent work by Clarke Schmidt on the Yankees side and the fact he's posted a 2.65 ERA since the start of April. Moreover, the Yanks have won in six of his last seven starts, and NY is cruising along at 29-15 and 16-9 on the road, atop the AL East. Play Yankees on Money Line

This matchup has slowed down a lot since explosive scorelines between them during the regular season. Watching the games it is apparent to see why...Luka Doncic can't run and the Mavs rarely score in transition. (Dallas also couldn't shoot FTs in Game 4, which helped keep that scoreline lower.) Luka, bothered by knee and ankle injuries, can still be effective in halfocurt sets, but his usage rate is down somewhat, and the Mavs usually milking the shot clock on possessions. Meanwhile, the Thunder has been leaning awfully hard on SGA as the offense often misfired in Games 3 and 4, though Luka & Co misfired more on Monday. Dallas on 18-7 "under" run; OKC 9-3 "under" run. Play Mavs-Thunder "Under"