Sports Handicapper Ross Benjamin's Picks & Predictions

Washington @ Tampa Bay 7:15 PM ET

Game# 5-6

Play On: Under 6.0 (5*)

Recent history has proven that John Cooper’s Tampa Bay teams play it close to the vest when tied in a playoff series, and it usually results in low scoring affairs. They’ve only been in one of those situations this season, and it came in Game 3 at Boston during the Eastern Conference Semifinals. With that series tied at 1-1, Tampa Bay came away with a 5-1 win while it stayed under the total of 6.0. After a shaky first 2 games of this series, Andrei Vasileskiy has rebounding in nicely during his past 2 starts. During those outings, Vasileviskyo stopped 72 of 76 shots on goal for a brilliant .947 save percentage, and his performances were instrumental in Tampa Bay coming back to tie the series after falling behind 2-0 at home.

Washington’s Braden Holtby wasn’t his best in the last 2 games but was very good during his 2 starts at Tampa while stopping 52 of 56 shots on goal and compiling a shiny .923 save percentage. Washington’s usually potent power play has gone a dismal 0-7 during throughout the previous 2 games. Bet on this game to go under the total for a 5* wager.

Ross Benjamin has a 10* Top Play ATS winning side on Saturday’s Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals between Boston/Cleveland (8:35 ET). Ross is a terrific 58-36 (61%) L94 and 35-18 (65%) L53 with all his 10* Top Play picks. Mr. Benjamin also has a 5* MLB money line winner on Saturday’s MLB game between Cleveland/Houston (4:10 ET). Ross’ MLB picks are a stellar 19-10 (65%) L29 and at an average money line price of +109.9. Invest into one of North America’s elite sports betting experts and you’ll be financially better off for doing so.

Boston @ Cleveland 8:35 PM ET

Game# 703-704

Play On: Under 207.0

Boston has seen each of their previous 3 road playoff games go under the total and there was just a combined 191.0 points scored per contest.

Cleveland averaged just 88.5 points per contest and shot an uninspiring 41.1% during the first 2 games of this Eastern Conference Finals series. They’ve also seen 4 of their 6 home playoff games go under the total and there were a combined 200.5 points scored per contest.

Boston has gone 7-1 straight up in their last 8 games and that includes a current 3-game win streak. Saturday will be the Celtics 5th game in 14 days.

Any road team with a total of 200.0 to 209.5 that’s won 5 or 6 of their last 7 games and is playing their 5th game or fewer in the last 14 days, resulted in those games going 43-18 (70.5%) under the total during the past 5 seasons. The average total in those 61 games was 204.5 and there were a combined 198.0 points scored per contest. Bet on this game to go under the total for my free pick of the day.

Boston @ Cleveland 8:35 PM ET

Game# 703-704

Play On: Boston +6.5 (10*)

The betting public seems to be banking on Cleveland bouncing back on Saturday after a pair of embarrassing double-digit losses at Boston during the first 2 games of this series. However, this is a Cavaliers team that is a dismal 12-35 ATS (28.6%) as a home favorite and that includes 1-7 ATS in their last 8 when cast into that precise role.

The sportsbooks and bettors continue to show little respect for Boston. The Celtics are an excellent 23-8 ATS this season as an underdog and won 17 of those 31 games straight up. The first 2 games of this Eastern Conference Finals went under the total. That’s significant since Boston is a remarkable 18-1 straight up this season following 2 or more consecutive games going under the total. Saturday will be only the 4th game in the last 14 days for Cleveland. They’ve gone an uninspiring 12-18 straight up this season when playing in their 6 games or less over a 14-game period.

Boston is coming off home wins in each of their previous 3 games. Saturday will be just the 5th game in 14 days for the Celtics. The combination of this data sets up a super NBA betting angle which is displayed below.

Any team that’s coming off 3 or more wins in a row and all those victories occurred at home, versus an opponent coming off a road loss by 10 points or more, resulted in those teams going 54-12 (81.8%) straight up during the past 5 seasons. Considering this straight up betting angle supports tonight’s underdog it takes on added wagering value. Bet on Boston plus the points for a 10* Top Play wager.

Cleveland (Kluber) @ Houston (Keuchel) 4:10 PM ET

Game# 967-968

Play On: Houston -111 (5*)

Right-hander Corey Kluber has once again been superb for Cleveland to start this 2018 MLB campaign. However, since 2016, he’s struggled in 3 starts against Houston while collecting a lofty 6.48 ERA and 1.62 WHIP during those outings. Cleveland is coming off a 4-1 loss last night in the opening game of this series. The Indians are now a poor 8-13 (.381) in away games this season. He does figure to get much help from a bullpen staff which has an American League worst 5.68 ERA. If that’s not bad enough, they’ll be facing an Astros team which has gone 32-11 (.744) throughout the past 2 seasons when facing a team with a bullpen ERA of 4.50 or greater.

After an uneven start to the season, Dallas Keuchel has regained his top form in recent appearances. As a matter of fact, throughout his last 3 starts Keuchel has compiled an excellent 1.64 ERA and 0.77 WHIP. Keuchel is 3-0 against Cleveland since 2015 while posting a stellar 2.05 ERA. The southpaw hurler can also take solace in knowing that his bullpen has collected a cumulative 0.60 ERA thru their last 7 games. Furthermore, Houston has allowed 2 runs or less in 9 of its last 12 and 3 runs or fewer in 11 straight games. The Astros are an outstanding 105-50 (.677) during the past 2 seasons when facing right-handed starting pitchers and that includes 20-10 (.667) in 2018. Bet on Houston for a 5* money line wager.