We’re almost there. It’s semifinal time for the NBA and NHL playoffs… the final four in each league… the conference finals. Celtics vs Pacers. Mavericks vs T-Wolves. Panthers vs Rangers. Stars vs Oilers. Who you got?
Well, the easy one is the Celtics, right? Well, the Pacers should have won Game 1. How can an NBA team not successfully inbound the basketball with the game on the line? Inbound it, hold it, get fouled, make one fricking free throw, and the game is over; easy, right? Not so fast. The Pacers knocked it out of bounds, Celtics got the ball back, and Jaylen Brown hit a trey to tie it. You know what happened in OT. Missed opportunity. The Pacers room for error was minimal. Throw a game away and… well, the favorite remains the same; I hate the Celtics.
The Mavs and Timberwolves… I have a feeling the Mavs may pull it out; I hate the Mavs. Not a Kyrie fan by any means, although he has been showing that he’s not washed lately. Luka is an absolute cry baby. I definitely want Minnesota to win the series, but… I had OKC and they burned me. Now, will I bet on another young, inexperienced team in the Western Conference Semifinals? Probably. At the end of the day, assuming it’s Boston, I’ll be cheering for the winner of this series in the Finals. Ugh.
In the NHL, it’s a little clearer. I have a future bet on the Western Conference in the Cup Finals. I have a future bet on the Stars to win the Cup. I have a series bet on the Stars over the Oilers. I’m rooting for Dallas, period. Nothing against Edmonton, the last remaining Canadian team; that would be a cool story, no doubt. But, I just think Dallas is the best team left, although Florida isn’t a slouch. The Rangers magical year will be severely tested against the Panthers. For the sake of my Stars/Western Conference bets, I’ll root for the Rangers, although if their magic can continue, who’s to say it won’t in the Cup?!?!
Again, since I am betting on a lot of the games, I am trying to watch a lot of the games. If I wasn’t, well, I probably wouldn’t be as interested; that’s just the truth. I miss rooting for MY teams in the playoffs. The Bulls and Blackhawks have rewarded us with 9 championships in my lifetime, and 12 combined in their franchise histories. Can I really complain that much? Yes, and I will. Not greedy or anything, but man… can we get some more playoff basketball and hockey in the greatest city in the world?!?!
With the remaining teams, I’ll be rooting for the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Dallas Stars. No money invested in the Wolves so far, but the Stars… yes, come on Dallas! I can always hedge along the way… Looking forward to some good series… and some winning bets! Let’s go!
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