Vegas Writer's Daily Recap - May 23, 2023

by Vegas Writer

Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Think about this, we're in the conference finals of the NBA and NHL, and the overall record for the series leaders is 12-0.

The Denver Nuggets have swept the Los Angeles Lakers, 4-0.

The Miami Heat are up on the Boston Celtics, 3-0

The Florida Panthers are up on the Carolina Hurricanes, 3-0.

And, the Vegas Golden Knights are up on the Dallas Stars, 2-0.

I haven't decided if this is an amazing storyline, or if the fans have been hoodwinked by fraudulent semifinalists who aren't living up to expectations.

Nikola Jokic had 30 points, 14 rebounds and 13 assists, to lead the Nuggets past the Lakers and into the NBA Finals for the first time in team history after Monday's 113-111 victory. It was Jokic's eighth triple-double of the playoffs. Jamal Murray scored 25 points for the top-seeded Nuggets, who overcame a 15-point halftime deficit.

Looking ahead to the NBA Finals, make note, Denver hasn't trailed in any series, and is 8-0 at home in the playoffs - 10-0 since March. The Nuggets are 12-3 overall in the postseason.

I had your NBA winner AGAIN last night, my NBA Side Winner # 29 of 44. I'm on a 43-24-3 NBA run for $16,550 since April 17. And part of that NBA win streak is a 29-15 run with side selections. Tonight I'm in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals with my NBA SIDE WINNER # 30 OF 45, and it's my CONFERENCE FINALS GAME OF THE YEAR.

In the NHL, the mystique of Sergei Bobrovsky continued for the Panthers in their 1-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Bobrovsky stopped 32 shots for his first playoff shutout, and pushed the Panthers to the brink of their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 27 years.

The Golden Knights will look to match Florida's 3-0 series lead when they visit Dallas for Game 3 tonight.

Vegas has won six straight vs. Central Division foes, and has won five of its last six on the road. The Golden Knights have also won 26 of their last 35, and are a remarkable 14-3 when limiting an opponent to two or fewer goals in their previous game.

Dallas rolls into Game 3 on a 5-1 mark at home, and 11-3 when playing on one day of rest. Flipside of Vegas' record after a stingy allowance, the Stars have won seven of nine after scoring two or fewer thier last time out.

The home team has won five of the last seven meetings.

NHL Notes:
  • Road teams are 43-35 in the postseason.
  • Underdogs are 37-39 in the postseason, with a $100 wager on the pups turning a profit of roughly $1200.
  • The Over is 40-37-1, but the Under has cashed 28 of the last 48 games.
  • There have been 22 overtime games, and road teams are 15-7 in those games.
  • NHL favorites higher than -150 are 14-32 on the puck line this postseason after Carolina's loss on Saturday.

On the MLB diamond, nine of the 12 underdogs won Monday, as the sun was shining on the pups to start the week. The most notable underdog victory was the Arizona Diamondbacks (+185 DraftKings) in their 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. The Snakes have now won eight of 10 while averaging 5.5 runs per game since May 12. They're hitting .250 and slugging .445 in that span, and 42.5% of their basehits have gone extra (21 doubles, 1 triple, 15 home runs).

Part of a 3-1 Monday was my fourth MLB side winner in six releases. I'm on an 86-66-4 overall run for $16,140 net profit since 4/17 and I'm No. 2 on the Leaderboard for NET$ the L30 Days. Tonight I have another DIVISION GAME OF THE MONTH, as I've zeroed in on a team looking for revenge after losing on Monday. I love the price I'm getting for another MLB SIDE WINNER # 5 OF 7 cashes in with this MLB DIVISION GAME OF THE MONTH.

Also, I delivered my A.L. East Total of the Month on Saturday with the Orioles and Jays going Over the posted number. Last night it was my NL Central Total of the Month on the Reds-Cardinals Over. Tonight I have my NATIONAL LEAGUE TOTAL OF THE MONTH, as I've zeroed in on what might be the highest-scoring game of the night overall. I love the number I'm seeing for my NATIONAL LEAGUE TOTAL OF THE MONTH.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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