May 9, 2024 - Matchplug Blog

NBA PREDICTIONS: Oklahoma City Thunder VS Dallas Mavericks Expert Picks

Game 1 wasn’t much of a challenge for the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, as they secured an easy 117-95 home win. They’ll host the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks again on Thursday. Watch Oklahoma City VS Dallas.

For Sure Win Prediction Today, MatchPlug has the NBA Predictions Tonight for Oklahoma City VS Dallas.

Predictions and Betting Preview For Oklahoma City Thunder VS Dallas Mavericks

Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City.
Date: Friday, May 10th, 2024.
Time: 02:30.
Teams to play: Oklahoma City and Dallas.
NBA Expert Picks: MONEYLINE 1.511.

Odds by 1XBet.

Betting On The Oklahoma City Thunder

1XBet Spread: 0
1XBet Moneyline: 1.511
1XBet Over/Under: Over 218.5

The energy is remarkably high in Oklahoma City. The Thunder stayed perfect in the postseason with their 117-95 whipping of the Dallas Mavericks, and they’ve now won 10 straight games dating back to the regular season. However, oddsmakers are not too optimistic when it comes to Oklahoma, pricing them at +650 to win the title and +210 to win the Western Conference.

Shai-Gilgeous Alexander has been the fire for the team all season long, and he leads the way in scoring (27.6 PPG), assists (5.8 APG), and steals (1.4 SPG) throughout the postseason. Chet Holmgren has been excellent down low, contributing 16.0 per game while posting team high marks in both rebounding (8.4 RPG) and blocks (2.8 BPG).

Betting On The Dallas Mavericks

1XBet Spread: 0
1XBet Moneyline: 2.67
1XBet Over/Under: Under 218.5

The Dallas Maverick looked great in their first series against the Los Angeles Clippers, but they didn’t bring that energy for game one of their second-round match against Oklahoma City. The Mavericks lost in game one, failing to cover the spread as 3.5-point road underdog. The 212 shared points came in easily under a pregame total of 217.5 points.

Dallas stars Kyrie Irving (20 points) and Luka Doncic (19 points) were held to only 39 combined in the losing effort. If these two can’t keep the wheels turning, it is going to be a short stint in the second round for the Mavericks. Doncic has been delivering a monster postseason through the first seven matches. He leads in scoring (28.3 PPG), rebounding (8.4 RPG), and assists (9.4 APG). Irving adds 25.6 points per contest while registering a team-leading 1.9 steals per night.

MatchPlug Prediction Oklahoma City Thunder VS Dallas Mavericks

There isn’t much of a win for Dallas in this game, but experts believe their star players will step up because they want to avoid a 2-0 rut. Take the points with the Mavericks to win over Oklahoma.

Final Prediction: Dallas Mavericks Spread.

MLB EXPERT PICKS: Minnesota Twins VS Seattle Mariners betting Predictions

The Seattle Mariners will play the Minnesota Twins today at Target Field for Twins VS Mariners.

MatchPlug has shared MLB best bets today, picks, odds, and predictions for Twins VS Mariners. We are the best place to get Correct Score prediction, updates, news, and analysis for Major League Baseball.

Predictions And Betting Preview For Minnesota Twins VS Seattle Mariners

Venue: Target Field.
When: Thursday, May 9th, 2024.
Time: 18:10.
Teams to play: Twins and Mariners.
MLB Expert Picks: MONEYLINE 1.78.

Odds by 1XBet.

Betting On The Minnesota Twins

1XBet Spread: -1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 1.78
1XBet Over/Under: Over 6.5

The Minnesota Twins failed to live up to expectations in the first two weeks of the season but are back in form, winning 13 of their last 15 matches. Minnesota ranks 12th in OBP (.316), 11th in OPS (.718), 17th in home runs (35), and 15th in RBI (150). They sport a 4.05 ERA (19th) and 120 WHIP (10th).

Pablo López will start for the Twins today afternoon. López was 5-3 with a 4.21 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 16 appearances at Target Field last season. In his most recent outing, he held the Boston Red Sox to one run of five hits with eight strikeouts in six innings.

Betting On The Seattle Mariners

1XBet Spread: +1.5
1XBet Moneyline: 2.205
1XBet Over/Under: Under 6.5

The Seattle Mariners trail the Texas Rangers in the AL West standings, seperating from the rest of the pack. Seattle has hope to reach the posteason in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2000-2001. They rank 24th in OBP (.302), 21st in OPS (.667), 10th in homers (39), and 24th in RBI (130). The Mariners pitching staff sports a 3.04 ERA (3rd) and 1.04 WHIP (1st) this year.

Logan Gilbert will take the mound for Seattle today. In his last start, the pro permitted two hits and no runs in an eight-inning win over the Houston Astros. Gilbert has been lights out in 2024, holding five of his seven opponents to one or zero runs. He has six quality starts this campaign, sporting a 50:13 K:BB ratio. In his lone start against the Twins last year, he allowed two runs on seven hits and five strikouts in five innings.

MatchPlug Prediction For Minnesota Twins VS Seattle Mariners

With Gilbert starting and an excellent Minnesota Twins bullpen (2.64 ERA and 1.07 WHIP) supporting him, experts back the guests to win straight-up today against the Seattle Mariners.

Final Prediction: Seattle Mariners Moneyline.

NHL Predictions Today: Carolina Hurricanes VS New York Rangers Expert Picks

The Carolina Hurricanes will face the New York Rangers at PNC Arena on Thursday in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Watch Hurricanes VS Rangers.

MatchPlug has the NHL Predictions today for the Hurricanes VS Rangers. Use the Prediction today, picks, odds, and analysis we laid out in this preview.

Betting Preview for Carolina Hurricanes VS New York Rangers

Venue: PNC Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Date: Friday, May 10th, 2024.
Time: 00:00.
Teams to play: Hurricanes and Rangers.
NHL Picks: MONEYLINE 2.049.

Odds as provided by 1XBet .

Betting On The Carolina Hurricanes

1XBet Spread: 0
1XBet Total: Over 5.5
1XBet Moneyline: 2.049

In Game 1, the Carolina Hurricanes had 5 power play attempts, but could not finish one of them with a goal. They converted 3 goals out of the 57 shots on goal they chased. Carolina has gathered 210 goals at even strength and 67 goals (3rd in professional hockey) while on the power play.

The Hurricanes have taken 2,733 shots (3rd in the league) and accumulated a shooting percentage of 10.14%, while allowing their opponents 2,101 shots. For the year, Carolina has a total of 277 goals, 111 points, plus a points percentage of .677. They have permitted 211 goals to be scored at 176 goals at even strength and 35 goals while shorthanded. The hosts earned 249 power play chances and had a power play rate of 26.91%.

Betting On The New York Rangers

1XBet Spread: 0
1XBet Total: Under 5.5
1XBet Moneyline: 3.275

The New York Rangers went home feeling good by earning a 4-3 victory over Carolina in Game 2. New York gave a good offensive performance and it was clear in their win. In the game, the netted 4 out of the 39 shots attempted. Furthermore, they had 7 chances with extra men on the ice and were able to meet 2 goals. New York gathered 12 penalty minutes for this competition.

New York’s opponents have 232 power play tries (26th in professional hockey) and have secured 36 goals in those attempts. The Rangers have had 2,418 shots attempted against them and have earned a save percentage of .907. They have taken 2,582 shots and have a shooting percentage of 10.8%. The Rangers have permitted 190 goals while having 213 of their own.

MatchPlug Prediction For Carolina Hurricanes VS New York Rangers

The New York Rangers won against the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 2, and experts predict that they’ll have similar results in Game 3 of this series. However, the sportsbooks tell a different story, favouring the Hurricanes to win.

Final Prediction: Carolina Hurricanes Moneyline.

ancelott: 'it's happening again, this is inexplicable!'

Ancelotti: ‘It’s happened again! This is inexplicable’

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has declared the team reaching the Champions League final as “magical’’.

Madrid are in the final 4-3 on aggregate as Joselu struck twice in the last minutes to win the second-leg 2-1.

Ancelotti said, “It’s happened again. Something that has happened time after time, which is inexplicable, has happened again. A set of fans who drive us, a stadium that supports us, a stunning atmosphere and a group of players who believe. It’s magical. We played well, I think it was a tough game but we had control, we didn’t lose our heads when they scored and we got back into it.

“I’d like to the fans, the club and above all, the players, they’ve delivered a season nobody expected, myself included. I didn’t imagine that this squad would be capable of what they’ve achieved. Making the final… we’re going to have a great time with the fans because we’re going to celebrate LaLiga in the coming days, I want a time to celebrate, to go to Cibeles. There’s a happiness which is contagious for the players.

“It’s hard to explain. Impossible to explain. It’s the magic of this club in this competition, at this stadium and with these fans. It’s special. When you pull on this jersey, you feel something special. The fans made the difference tonight, like they have in the past. It almost feels like a habit to do this at this magnificent stadium in front of these magnificent fans. We’re delighted to be able to play at this stadium with our fans.

“Real Madrid is a family, managed brilliantly by the president. It is a football club with history and traditions that has an impact on all those who are lucky enough to work here and wear these colours. Florentino Pérez is the captain and we are all his sailors. He’s a superb president, capable of creating this generation of footballers, who have achieved so much and I hope we can win another Champions League.”

Speaking on Joselu, Ancelotti said: “He’s a reflection of the team because he has contributed so much this season. He hasn’t had a lot of game time but he’s the perfect reflection of what this team is all about. He has given us so much, without ever losing confidence in what he’s capable of.”

Bernardo considers Manchester City future amid Barcelona, PSG push

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva wants to settle his future in the coming month or two.

The Portuguese national is being linked with a transfer yet again, with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain showing interest in him.

Silva, who is now 29 years, is enjoying his time at City, but may want a new challenge to solve in his career.

According to The Mirror, his deal has a £50 million release cause that any club can now pay.

Silva is an important player to Pep Guardiola, but Manchester City have never stopped any player who wants to leave.

Ilkay Gundogan left Manchester for Barca last summer, with Bernardo planning to follow suit.

kelly speaks on coin toss decision to draft brock bowers

Champ Kelly on ‘coin toss’ decision to draft Brock Bowers: ‘Can’t confirm that at all’

The Las Vegas Raiders had a coin-flip call with the No.13 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. General Manager Champ Kelly has weighed in on the accuracy of this claim.

Vegas chose tight end Brock Bowers with the pick, but apparently, the decision was close.

Detroit Lions rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold, while speaking, said that the Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce told him it was a coin flip between he and Bowers at No. 13.

“(The Lions) knew that the Raiders, there was a possibility that they took me,” Arnold told The Next Round podcast. “And, actually, the Raiders coach, they called me after the draft, they were like, ‘We actually had a coin toss between you and Brock Bowers. It landed on him.'”

Perhaps Arnold meant pierce was figuratively using the phrase “coin toss’’ to imply that there was a debate over the two players and it was a close call in the Vegas draft room.

Las Vegas assistant GM Champ Kelly was asked about what Arnold said on Wednesday.

“I can’t confirm that at all,” he said. “Terrion is a good player. I’m excited to watch his career and watch him play. But we drafted Brock, and we’re excited to get him here. And I don’t think anyone else in our whole draft room felt any other way.”

“Can’t confirm” isn’t exactly “lol, no way,” but it should be presumed that Tom Telesco did not decide the team’s future with a flip’s fate.

Coin or not, the Raiders choose Bowers as another weapon to a passing offense that has Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers. One of the draft’s top talents, Vegas will use Bowers as a multifaceted weapon during this rookie campaign.

“(His) position is tight end, but we saw him as a playmaker,” Kelly said on Wednesday. “He is going to be a fun piece to have. We’ll see what defenses deploy against him when he is on the field.”

Kelly’s comment explains how the Las Vegas Raiders see Bowers and 2023 second-round tight end Michael Mayer as complementary pieces, who could spend a lot of time in Luke Getsy’s offense.

Day: May 9, 2024