GAMBLING GUIDE
Bookie Busters weekend edition: NBA playoffs and soccer plays
May 11, 2018, 8:22 am
5-2 last Week v 29-12 in the Last month (70%)
Celtics -1 WIN
Chelsea -1.5 -155 LOSS
Leicester vs. Arsenal
Over 3 WIN
Barcelona vs. Villarreal
Over 3.5 WIN
Barcelona Team Total over 2.5 WIN
Sevilla vs. Real Madrid
Sevilla Pk WIN
Predators vs. Jets
Preds Moneyline LOSS
The matchup we all thought would happen, well at least when Boston was able to acquire the highly sought out free agent Gordon Hayward. At the time of the trade, the Celtics could have been bought at 12-1 to win the NBA Championship. Things were looking bright for the Celtic faithful, and fans couldn't wait for the season to tip-off.
Five minutes and 15 seconds into the enchanting journey that was to be, a gruesome ankle injury that nauseated the world, left things somewhat in question for a team who still had plenty of talent and was led by one of the league's top head coaches. Vegas quickly reacted and dropped the odds to the 20-1 range after the Hayward loss, and pundits still thought the number was high on a team led by Kyrie Irving and a plethora of young talent.
Then the headline read...
#NEBHInjuryReport: Kyrie Irving will undergo a procedure this Saturday to remove two screws implanted in his patella from an injury suffered during the 2015 NBA Finals.
He is expected to make a full recovery in 4-5 months.
Again, Boston was left looking for answers after news broke of the star point guard set to miss the remainder of the season. The good ol' guys down in the Desert reacted quickly and boosted the Celtic's future odds to the 80-1 Range.
Fast forward to the Conference finals, and the current odds are:
Warriors -130
Rockets +245
Cavaliers +615
Celtics +2800
Lines courtesy of 5dimes as of 5/10/18
Things have changed drastically, but with only four teams left, the 28-1 payout the books are offering lets us know exactly what the man thinks about this team's chances to take the title.
This year's recent history between the two teams leaves us nothing as they lineups are highly altered. In the first game, the season opened with Boston's Kyrie Irving matched up vs. Derrick Rose, while Hayward was on LeBron James and, well, let's not touch that subject again for the sake of the uneasy stomach.
The second matchup featured a team that had welcomed back Isaiah Thomas the night before but wasn't featured against his former team after easing his way back into the team's lineup. The Celtics would dominate the Cavaliers beating them 102-88, and the loss would lead Cleveland on a skid that would ultimately lead to their debacle.
The Final matchup finally gave us a revamped Cleveland roster on a Sunday afternoon, and the new nucleus shined under the national microscope. Jordan Clarkson riddled his way to 17 points followed by Rodney Hood's 15 point performance, leaving us with reason to believe that LeBron once again had life. Cleveland dominated 121-99 on that Sunday Bloody Sunday in Beantown, that was supposed to be a night that Paul Pierce was remembered.
These two franchises have plenty of postseason history, and this will be their 40th encounter through seven playoff series. Things have been pretty evenly split with the Cavaliers leading the way 20-19. Boston will reap the benefits of their hard efforts by opening with home court advantage, something that plays well for them in this series. In the previous 39 postseason matchups, the Cavs have struggled as visitors and are 7-13 while playing in Boston. The Celtics were 34-14 on their home floor this season and remain undefeated at the TD Garden in these playoffs. I believe the home team is better coached and overall better contracted. Brad Stevens will make sure LeBron isn't the reason his team loses, so it will be on one of the role players to step up with a big game. The Cavaliers will need a few games to adjust to the looks he will be getting from the league's top-rated defense in points allowed. Give me the Celtics in Game 1, in a statement game, letting the world know; this won't be a pushover. Take Big Green on a festive Sunday, Word to your Mother.
Celtics +1
Dynamo vs. Whitecaps
Over 2.5
RB Leipzig vs. Hertha Berlin
Over 3
Levante vs. Barcelona
Over 3.5
Both Teams to score
Lines courtesy of 5dimes as of 5/10/18
For any questions or comments reach me @JerryBoknowz on twitter
Christian Walker singled home the go-ahead run in the ninth inning and the Houston Astros beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3 on Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep.
WALKER FOR THE LEAD!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/WDf7uZKB9C
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 23, 2025
Zack Short and Taylor Trammell started the ninth with bunt singles against Kevin Ginkel (1-4). One out later, Walker, a former Diamondback, hit a grounder up the middle to score Short.
Josh Hader pitched the ninth for his 27th save and the Astros, who have won four in a row took a six-game lead in the AL West.
Arizona trailed 3-1 entering the eighth, but Geraldo Perdomo led off with a double off reliever Bennett Sousa (4-0). Ketel Marte singled to drive in Perdomo, Corbin Carroll doubled to right sending Marte to third. Marte scored the tying run on Josh Naylor’s single.
Brandon Walter had held the Diamondbacks to one run and four hits in seven innings. He walked one and struck out five, throwing just 82 pitches.
Walter doing the job. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/4kamv3p1oj
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 23, 2025
Marte hit Walter’s first pitch of the game for a home run, his 20th of the season.
The Astros scored twice in the sixth. Walker led off with a double off Brandon Pfaadt, then advanced to third when Yainer Diaz also doubled. But Walker scored when shortstop Perdomo booted Brice Matthews’ grounder for an error. Diaz scored the go-ahead run on reliever Andrew Saalfrank’s wild pitch.
Houston made it 3-1 when Diaz doubled off Trevor Richards leading off the eighth and scored on Mauricio Dubón’s single.
Perdomo went 4 for 4.
Postgame reaction
Walker joined Space City Home Network after the game and discussed sweeping his former team and much more!
Christian Walker drives in the winning run in the 9th as the #Astros win 4-3 and sweep the Diamondbacks
Walker talked with @Lo_Callender after the @astros WIN#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/A3LvmK9JCy
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) July 23, 2025
Key moment
Sousa got Arizona’s Randal Grichuk to hit into a double play with the bases loaded to end the eighth.
Key stat
Walter has only walked four batters in 53 2/3 innings this season.
Next
Arizona is off Thursday before beginning a nine-game trip Friday in Pittsburgh. Houston returns home to play the Athletics; the Astros have not announced a Thursday starter.