Talk about the game with Pens fans here!
2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Game 5 Gamethread: Flyers @ Penguins
Game 29: Mariners at Twins
First Pitch (CT):6:40 PM
TV: Twins.TV
Radio: TIBN/830 WCCO/102.9 The Wolf /Audacy App
Know Yo’ Foe: Lookout Landing
After the latest bout of losing, it appears I need to adjust my previews back to “look at the bright side” mode. So, after losing 5 straight and 9 of their last 10, let’s pull a few positives.
- Brooks Lee: Since infamously hitting himself in the face on a botched bunt (please watch it if you haven’t), the Twins’ shortstop is hitting .277/.338/.538 with 5 HR, 13 RBI, and a 140 wRC+ in 71 plate appearances. The defense has been poor and his pitch-level metrics say he’s been much worse (.227 xBA, .363 xSLG, hard hit rate lower than 2025, somehow) but this is probably the longest, successful stretch Lee has had at the plate in the Majors. Let’s appreciate it for now.
- Connor Prielipp: His workload will still be limited for now, but you saw exactly why he’s the Twins’ top pitching prospect in his debut. Six strikeouts, a ton of swings and misses, and a slider that can make the best hitters look lost. Prielipp may have already jumped SWR in the rotation heirarchy, but we’ll cross that bridge when Mick Abel returns.
- Austin Martin: You don’t need any fancy advanced stats to know he’s been arguably the Twins’ best hitter in the young season. Getting on base in 50% of your PAs will do that. But perhaps even more important, the early defensive metrics like his work so far, ranking above average in every system in all three of left field, right field, and center. Martin has reverse splits in the minors for his career, and combined with his new defensive strength, he should probably be in the lineup every day right now. With Wallner, Keaschall, Lewis, and Clemens all seriously struggling, it’s only a matter of time.
Now back to the game at hand. Prielipp is back on the mound in start two of his young career. He’ll face MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh and perennial All-Star Julio Rodriguez who are both struggling, but have found their footing a bit over the past week. The good news for Prielipp is outside of those two and postseason hero Randy Arozarena, the rest of the lineup is extremely poor with numbers rivaling the Minnesota’s own offensive incompetence.
For the the Twins, they’ll be facing veteran Luis Castillo who is probably past his prime at this point. Shelty is running out the usual lineup, with newly crowned Brooks Lee filling into the two hole amid Keaschall’s continued struggles. Unfortunately, my personal nemesis Kody Clemens (who has about 6 good weeks of baseball in his entire MLB career) continues to get starts at 1B. He’s a bad defender, hasn’t hit a lick, and doesn’t run the bases well. I know Josh Bell is a poor defender in his own right, but at least then you can get Martin or Caratini’s bats in the lineup.
Or start getting Martin reps at first at this point. Less Kody Clemens = better Minnesota Twins.
Lineups
| Twins | Opponent |
| SP: Connor Prielipp (LHP) | SP: Luis Castillo |
| 1. Byron Buxton, CF | 1. Rob Refsnyder, RF |
| 2. Brooks Lee, SS | 2. Cal Raleigh, DH |
| 3. Trevor Larnach, LF | 3. Julio Rodriguez, CF |
| 4. Josh Bell, DH | 4. Josh Naylor, 1B |
| 5. Ryan Jeffers, C | 5. Randy Arozarena, LF |
| 6. Kody Clemens, 1B | 6. JP Crawford, SS |
| 7. Luke Keaschall, 2B | 7. Mitch Garver, C |
| 8. Matt Wallner, RF | 8. Cole Young, 2B |
| 9. Tristan Gray, 3B | 9. Leo Rivas, 3B |
Mariners vs. Twins rain delay updates: Monday, April 27
The Seattle Mariners are fresh off what is both their first road series win and their first three-game series sweep of the season and headed to Minnesota to face a Twins team that is rebuilding after being sold for parts at last year’s trade deadline, which should be a harbinger of momentum finally shifting in Seattle’s favor. Unfortunately, the weather in Minnesota, as it always does, Sucks Out Loud, and tonight’s series opener will likely start in a delay if not get canceled entirely.
UPDATE, 4:30 PT: The warmup notification hit my phone screen so it looks like this one is starting on time. Head on over to the game thread and let’s all agree this almost-rain-delay never happened.
UPDATE, 3:40 PT: Apparently things are now tracking towards an on-time start, which is bonkers considering Shannon’s video below.
We got our first ever Shannon Drayer TARP! post of the season, and while Shannon is a delight, these posts are not.
That was posted early this morning; this post was from an hour ago, just a couple of hours before scheduled start time.
However, things do seem to be on the upswing. Both Brad Adam and Daniel Kramer report the Mariners have at least come out on the field to do pregame activities as the rain has stopped.
If tonight’s game is postponed, the Mariners will likely play a doubleheader tomorrow, followed by the regularly-scheduled day game for Wednesday before Thursday’s off day. The forecast in Minnesota says the rain should pass through tonight, but I trust the accuracy of a Midwest weather report about as much as I trust the proportions of my grandmother’s bourbon balls recipe (ingredients: 1 cup brown sugar, 1 cup each nuts and chopped fruit, and “Bourbon, as much as you like”).
This is the second time in a row the Mariners have had to contend with Minnesota’s weather and Target Field’s lack of a roof; perhaps you remember the four and a half hour rain delay in the series finale last June that resulted in the Mariners getting walloped 10-1. The Mariners were lousy on the road in the rain last season, going 1-6 in games delayed by rain. I had the not-at-all pleasure of recapping the Little League Classic game and thus getting to excise some childhood trauma, literature edition (Mrs. Ward was wrong for assigning Asimov to third graders and I stand behind that). I also got this un-fun one in Baltimore, and apparently rain delays make me think about my childhood. Probably standard for a Seattle kid. But the one that mad me the maddest was probably the mid-game interruption at Yankee Stadium that threw Logan Gilbert off his game. Ryan had that one, which might explain his posts on Bluesky today.
This post – which will serve as an off-day open thread if tonight’s game is canceled – will be updated as we know more about tonight’s game, and Ryan, we assume, will keep Posting Through It.
Toronto’s Max Scherzer on injured list with right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation
TORONTO — Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer was put on the 15-day injured list by the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday because of right forearm tendinitis and left ankle inflammation.
A 41-year-old right-hander, Scherzer is 1-3 with a 9.64 ERA in five starts.
Toronto made the IL move retroactive to Saturday and recalled right-hander Chase Lee from Triple-A Buffalo.
Scherzer, who started Game 7 of last year’s World Series, remained with the Blue Jays by agreeing to a $3 million, one-year contract that allows him to earn $10 million in performance bonuses for innings starting with 65.
He allowed seven runs and six hits, including three home runs, in 2 1/3 innings during an 8-6 loss to Cleveland on Friday. It was the third time this season Scherzer failed to complete three innings.
He left an April 6 start against the Los Angeles Dodgers because of forearm pain, then allowed eight runs and five hits in 2 1/3 innings in an April 12 defeat to Minnesota.
An eight-time All-Star, Scherzer went 5-5 with a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts and 85 innings for the Blue Jays last season. He made three starts in the postseason, beating Seattle 8-2 in Game 4 of the AL Championship Series and making two starts in the World Series against the Dodgers.
Scherzer won titles with Washington in 2019 and Texas in 2023. He ranks 11th on the strikeouts list with 3,499, 10 behind Hall of Famer Walter Johnson.
Where to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns Game 4 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Monday, April 27
The Oklahoma City Thunder will try to complete a sweep of the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of their opening-round playoff series. The Thunder won the first three games by an average of 16.7 points. Phoenix’s season will end with another loss in the series. If the Thunder close out the Suns, they will face the winner of the Houston Rockets-Los Angeles Lakers series.
How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns
Date: Monday, April 27
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, Arizona
TV Channels: Peacock, NBC
Live Stream:NBA League Pass | Follow on Yahoo Sports
Odds
Spread: Phoenix Suns +10.5
Moneyline: Phoenix Suns +375 (20.2%) / Oklahoma City Thunder -500 (79.8%)
Over/Under: 213.5
Series results, schedule (all times Eastern)
Game 1:Thunder 119, Suns 94
Game 2: Thunder 120, Suns 107
Game 3:Thunder 121, Suns 109
Game 4: Mon., April 27 at Phoenix (9:30 p.m., NBC/Peacock)
*Game 5: Wed., April 29 at Oklahoma City (TBD)
*Game 6: Fri., May 1 at Phoenix (TBD)
*Game 7: Sun., May 3 at Oklahoma City (TBD)
*if necessary
Casemiro’s decision to leave Manchester United is final, insists Michael Carrick
Brazilian going in the summer after four years
Interim manager says the situation is ‘pretty clear’
Michael Carrick ruled out any reversal of Casemiro’s departure from Manchester United in the summer after the Brazilian scored in ’s 2-1 win against Brentford.
The midfielder’s header on 11 minutes was his ninth goal in the Premier League, second only for United to Benjamin Sesko, who registered just before half-time to seal victory.
Continue reading...Game Discussion for St. Louis Cardinals vs Pittsburgh Pirates Monday
The St. Louis Cardinals begin one of their toughest stretches of the young season as they kick off a 4-game series in Pittsburgh Monday night. Dustin May (3-2 with a 5.84 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Cardinals. Mason Montgomery will make the start for the Pirates. First pitch scheduled for 5:40pm St. Louis time Monday.
Join the conversation!
Sign up for a user account and get:
- Fewer ads
- Create community posts
- Comment on articles, community posts
- Rec comments, community posts
- New, improved notifications system!
‘I am so proud’: Beau Greaves makes history as first woman to win PDC ranking title
Greaves triumphs at Players Championship
‘I never thought I’d win one of these. Never’
Beau Greaves has made darts history by becoming the first woman to win a PDC ranking title. The 22-year-old beat three former world champions at the Players Championship in Milton Keynes, seeing off Rob Cross, Gary Anderson and Michael Smith.
Greaves completed a nailbiting 8-7 victory over Smith in the final with a stunning 142 checkout. She said: “I can’t believe it. I was up a fair few legs and I started to think about it. It caught up with me.
Continue reading...Anthony Edwards injury: Is Timberwolves star playing tonight vs. Nuggets?
In the end, it was a win that came with a massive cost.
Not only did Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo go down with a ruptured right Achilles tendon in Minnesota’s 112-96 Game 4 victory Saturday, April 25 over the Denver Nuggets, but All-Star guard Anthony Edwards also got injured.
The Timberwolves announced Monday, April 27 that an MRI revealed Edwards suffered a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise.
This comes as the Timberwolves are looking to close out the Nuggets in Game 5, which is scheduled for Monday night at 10:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Denver). Minnesota has taken a 3-1 series lead and got a massive boost from backup guard Ayo Dosunmu, who scored 43 points in Game 4.
Here’s everything you need to know about Anthony Edwards’ status for Monday’s game against the Nuggets:
Is Anthony Edwards playing tonight vs. Nuggets?
No, the Timberwolves have already ruled Edwards out for this game and for others beyond, listing him as week-to-week. The team is expected to provide an update on his progress when it becomes available.
How long could Anthony Edwards be out?
With the caveats that every injury is unique and that different players can react differently to the same ailments, fans can look at one of Edwards’ opponents in the series as a possible barometer for what to expect.
On Dec. 29, Nuggets All-Star center Nikola Jokić similarly sustained a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise in a loss against the Miami Heat. To recover from that injury, Jokić missed 16 games, which covered the span of a month.
Granted, teams have the luxury of time and patience during the regular season to ensure their players are fully healthy before making a return. The Timberwolves, in this case, do not have that luxury.
Minnesota has taken a 3-1 series lead over Denver, but the second round of the NBA Playoffs will start next week. And if Minnesota advances, it will likely face the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs, a very formidable opponent.
Anthony Edwards injury
The injury occurred with 2:45 left in the first half, when Edwards jumped vertically to defend a Cameron Johnson layup during a fastbreak drive. When Edwards landed, his left knee appeared to hyperextend as his weight came down, and he immediately grabbed at the area, writhing in apparent discomfort. Edwards slapped the court a few times in obvious frustration.
Athletic trainers rushed over as Edwards popped up to his feet. The trainers helped Edwards hobble off the floor, as he did not put any weight on the injured leg.
Anthony Edwards was helped to the locker room after an apparent knee injury. pic.twitter.com/rMAHGMK1ie
— ESPN (@espn) April 26, 2026
The trainers helped him toward the tunnel, though they didn’t immediately usher Edwards to the locker room, momentarily examining him in the tunnel.
Anthony Edwards stats
In 61 games this season, Edwards averaged a career-high 28.8 points (which ranked third in the NBA behind only Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage (48.9%) and 3-point percentage (39.9%) were also career bests.
In February, he was selected to his fourth consecutive All-Star team.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Anthony Edwards playing tonight? Status for Timberwolves vs Nuggets
Knicks’ Jalen Brunson on Donte DiVincenzo’s devastating Achilles injury: ‘It sucks to see’
Former Knicks sharpshooter Donte DiVincenzo became the fourth player over the past two playoffs to go down with a season-ending Achilles injury.
DiVincenzo suffered the devastating injury just 79 seconds into the first quarter of Minnesota’s Game 4 matchup with the Nuggets on Saturday night.
The shooting guard lofted up a three, then went down with the non-contact injury as he planted his leg going after the offensive rebound.
He immediately signaled towards the bench and left to the locker room.
DiVincenzo was able to walk off under his own power, but was later shown around halftime leaving the stadium in a wheelchair and a splint.
He was ruled out and the diagnosis was confirmed postgame.
Jalen Brunson and the rest of DiVincenzo’s former Knicks teammates received the news following their victory over the Hawks, and the captain immediately reached out.
“I talked to him, he seems in good spirits,” Brunson said Monday. “He’s formulating a plan and I wish him nothing but the best, it just sucks to see -- after the game that was like the first thing I heard, and I looked it up and saw it.
“That’s my brother, tough to see, but he’ll be back stronger.”
DiVincenzo was capping off another strong season with the Timberwolves, in which he appeared in all 82 regular season games and shot 38 percent from three-point land.
He underwent surgery in New York on Sunday.
Cubs roster move: Phil Maton activated, Charlie Barnes optioned
The Cubs welcomed back a member of their Opening Day bullpen before Monday night’s game in San Diego when they activated right-hander reliever Phil Maton from the 15-day injured list.
Maton had been placed on the IL April 10 (retroactive to April 8) with right knee tendinitis. He had posted a 13.50 ERA (six earned runs in four innings) before the IL stint. He threw one scoreless inning in a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa last Friday.
Maton had been signed to a $6 million deal this past offseason with an $8.5 million team option or $3 million buyout for 2027. His last three relief seasons had been very good, with a combined 3.15 ERA in 202 relief appearances covering 191.1 innings, with 215 strikeouts and only 16 home runs allowed. Hopefully Maton can get back to that level of performance; the Cubs surely need it.
Charlie Barnes, who was recalled Sunday along with Yacksel Rios, was optioned back to Triple-A Iowa. Barnes threw three innings for the Cubs May 13 in Philadelphia, allowing four runs (three earned), the last game the Cubs lost before the 10-game winning streak.
But the Cubs still need more relief help. And so this seems a good place for me to ask you this: Jordan Romano, who had been very good from 2021-23 with 95 saves for the Blue Jays, has been pretty bad the last three seasons for the Jays, Phillies and Angels. This year Romano had a 10.13 ERA and 2.125 WHIP in 11 games (eight innings) for the Angels, who designated him for assignment Sunday.
Once Romano clears waivers, assuming he opts for free agency, worth a flyer? The Cubs can use just about any live arm they can find. Let us know what you think in the comments.
Today’s game preview will post at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Lakers’ Luka Doncic makes financial pledge to Adou Thiero after embarrassing Game 4 ejection
One of the biggest storylines entering the NBA playoffs was whether or not Luka Doncic would have any sort of effect this postseason.
While that answer has remained at zero when it comes to matter on the court as he’s still recovering from a Grade 2 hamstring strain, Doncic is finding ways to contribute in other manners.
At least financially.
According to reports, Doncic has agreed to pay any NBA-levied fine given to teammate Adou Thiero after the rookie was ejected in the Game 4 loss.
With just over a minute left in the game, Thiero and Rockets veteran guard Aaron Holiday came face-to-face following a Dalton Knecht three that. After being physical during the box out, the two players began jawing at one another before being separated by teammates.
Typically a situation like this, particularly in the postseason, is nothing to scoff but official James Williams felt differently.
After having already ejected Lakers starting center Deandre Ayton earlier in the game on a call that was questioned by both the Lakers and Rockets postgame, Williams asserted himself and promptly tossed Thiero and Holiday.
The move confused and angered Lakers head coach JJ Redick and star LeBron James.
“I didn’t get a great explanation on Adou,” said Redick after the game when asked why he was ejected. “I’m sure James [Williams] will give you that.”
“I’m more pissed off about them kicking Adou out,” James said after the game. “I thought that was uncalled for and made no sense. That’s the first time he’s ever been thrown out of a game in his life. I don’t think that was warranted. That was ridiculous.”
Game 5 of the series between the Rockets and Lakers is set for Wednesday at 7 p.m. PT on ESPN.
Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn
California Post SportsFacebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X
California Post Opinion
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!
California Post App: Download here!
Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!
GAME THREAD: Rays at Guardians, game 30 of 162
Here’s the Rays’ lineup:
Here’s the Guardians’ lineup:
Let’s go, Guardians!
Concussiongate: Did the NBA mishandle Victor Wembanyama’s return?
A lot of playoff basketball happened yesterday, but perhaps the biggest story was Victor Wembanyama’s triumphant return from concussion protocol. After banging his chin on the court and exiting Game 2, which the Spurs lost, he was cleared to travel with the team but missed Game 3 in Portland, which the Spurs won. He finally returned for Game 4 and helped lead the Spurs to one of the biggest comebacks in playoff history, as they became the first team to win by +15 points after being down by +15 at halftime.
It all started as a feel-good story, with Wemby returning five days after the concussion, which is the beginning of the average return window of 5-7 days. Then, things got interesting immediately after the game. First, while being interviewed by ESPN’s Malika Andrews on the court, he mentioned the Spurs were great at handling his concussion but he was “very unhappy with the way the protocol was handled by other parties,” calling it “funny” before a befuddled Andrews moved on.
After that had raised some eyebrows, he was unsurprisingly asked to elaborate on what he meant at the start of his press conference in front of a gaggle of curious reporters. After a long, thoughtful pause, he had this to say:
“I won’t get into the details. I don’t want it to become a distraction. Ask me again after the season. All the doctors, especially on the Spurs, but the doctors all around, they were great, took great care of me. But the way the situation was handled was very disappointing. Not on the Spurs. But as I say, I won’t get into details.”
Then, when asked to elaborate more, the feed was suddenly muted to viewers. (And yes, this did in fact happen. I was watching it live on the Spurs’ YouTube page, and my mind immediate said, “Huh, they just muted him”.)
So is that in fact what happened, or was it just a coincidence that the NBA’s official feed lost sound when it did, then magically recovered for the next question? If it was it intentional, was it because they were afraid Wemby was about to say something he shouldn’t? That then begs the question, what did he say during those seconds when the mic was cut and no one outside the room could hear? Fortunately for us, YouTuber Chaz NBA found feed from a mic from inside the room … and Wemby didn’t say anything that he hadn’t already said: simply that he was fine with the Spurs but not the process (mic cut at the 1:54 mark, you can tell when the sound transitions from clear to distant and echoey).
To be clear, I am not a conspiracy theorist, and maybe the rabbit hole I’m about to dive down is an overreaction, but this still leaves many questions to unravel beyond whether this was intentional or not, so let’s break it down. First, there’s the question who exactly is Wemby upset at? The NBA has clear concussion protocol standards that he followed: he waited 24 hours to return to lite activity and completed the mandatory 48 hours with no contact allowed. He was symptom free by then, so he proceeded through all the cognitive and neurological testing required to be cleared to play. He (and the Spurs) reportedly felt he was ready to go for Game 3 but was not cleared to play, and it took up until an hour before Game 4 before he was finally cleared.
It would be understandable that he’s frustrated it took that long if he felt he could have played sooner, so again, does this answer who he’s upset at? He clearly stated it’s not the Spurs or their doctors, so the obvious answer would be the other party involved: the NBA. So the next question is why, and how much are they actually involved in this process?
This led me to consult with the NBA’s official concussion protocol rule for the zillionth time in the last week, and this jumped out at me in a new light. Under section 5.B.iv, which is the “Return to Participation” section, it says the following:
A team physician has discussed the return-to-participation process and decision with the Director of the NBA Concussion Program. Note that, to promote the consistency of player care, the final return-to-participation decision is to be made by the player’s team physician.
That last sentence is interesting. This “note” seems to put it more the team physician’s hands, even though it’s in conjunction with the “Director of the NBA Concussion Program” (whoever that is). So if the NBA ultimately does have final say, as has been widely reported, why that little note? It adds unnecessary confusion. Regardless, the most likely conclusion is the Spurs’ physician gave him the clear before Game 3 but this so-called Director did not. That would answer what “other party” Wemby is upset with.
Now the question becomes why was there disagreement, and was there more to this than simply two dissenting medical opinions? Was the NBA hoping to extend the series? (Probably not, but if so, it didn’t work.) Are they simply being overly cautious due to the lawsuits the National Football League is facing due to revelations of medical issues head injuries can cause later in life? Quite possibly, as they should, but this not-a-conspiracy-theorist has another thought.
What if the NBA simply didn’t like the optics of Wemby returning from a concussion, sustained in a high profile game on national television, in just three days? The moment went viral and had doctors and “medical experts” from all over giving their own takes and opinions on national television and social media, with most saying he should wait at least a week (despite no two cases being alike and them not having access to him or his medial files).
As previously noted, the average return time from a concussion in the NBA is 5-7 days, and Game 3 didn’t fit that timeline. Game 4 did, but just barely, and it sounds like even then the Spurs and Wemby had to work to convince the league he should be cleared. That brings us to our final question: why did the mic go out during Wemby’s press conference?
As shown above, he didn’t say anything that hadn’t already been said, but was there an agreement between him and the league that he had to stay quiet about the topic if he returned? Did he break a gag order, or did the league feel like he was about to go a step too far when they (allegedly) hit the mute button? We all know that Wemby is confident and brutally honest, sometimes to a fault, and he’s not afraid to speak his mind even if it brings about scrutiny (like his “ethical basketball” comments). Maybe that had the NBA worried. (If there is some sort of conspiracy going on here, maybe Pablo Torre can help us find out, just like when he exposed Kawhi Leonard and Uncle Dennis’ shenanigans.)
Who knows if Wemby will be asked about it again after the season, as he suggested. Maybe it will never come back up, or maybe he’ll endure a fine and speak out someday. There’s no telling at this point, but there sure are a lot of coincidences and unanswered questions here that will leave us wondering. The good thing is, assuming the Spurs take care of business and finish off the Trail Blazers, we don’t have to worry about any what-ifs coming from this incident.
Wemby is the potential face of the league who has a mind and a mouth and is not afraid to use them. That is undoubtedly good for him and the league, but also means there may be more times where they’ll have tell him to be quiet, and this could be the first in a long line of “Wemby vs. The Establishment” moments. Only time will tell.
Trail Blazers vs Spurs Same-Game Parlay for Tuesday's NBA Playoffs Game 5
Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.
While the Portland Trail Blazers threw intrigue into the mix with their Game 2 win, the San Antonio Spurs have restored order to the proceedings in this first round.
My Trail Blazers vs. Spurs predictions and same-game parlay expect the series to end in five games, thanks, in part, to Stephon Castle on Tuesday, April 28.
Our best Trail Blazers vs Spurs SGP for Game 5
SGP leg #1: Spurs -12
The San Antonio Spurs were down 17 at half in Game 4 and won by 21. A 38-point swing can and should not go unmentioned. The Spurs are better than the Portland Trail Blazers at everything, and with Wemby a full game back, the Spurs will not falter early again.
What you saw from San Antonio for the final 24 minutes in Portland is what you'll get from it for a full 48 at home, with a chance to win its first playoff series in close to a decade.
SGP leg #2: Stephon Castle Over 1.5 threes
Stephon Castle can do it all for the Spurs, including hit shots from deep. The young PG has hit 9 of 21 shots from beyond the arc in this series, 42.9%, and cleared this prop in three of the four games.
Having Wemby on the floor only increases Castle's chances of wide-open looks, and he can knock down at least two of them to cash this leg of the SGP.
SGP leg #3: Stephon Castle Over 17.5 points
Castle may be the perfect complement to Victor Wembanyama, able to score on his own but also excelling at facilitating for others.
His scoring has come in handy in this series, scoring at least 16 points in each game and averaging 21.8 points per 34 minutes.
That is an odd stat, but it is an intentional one. When Castle has played at least 34 minutes, he has cleared this points prop. I expect him to reach those minutes as Portland throws everything it has at the Spurs.
Covers NBA betting tools
See our full Trail Blazers vs Spurs Game 5 preview
Get Douglas Farmer's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Trail Blazers vs Spurs predictions for Game 5.
More Covers NBA Playoff content
NBA Championship odds
Stay up-to-date with the latest NBA Championship odds for each remaining team, as well as NBA title splits, betting trends, and the previous list of teams that have won the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
NBA Finals MVP odds
See what the current line movement and updates are in the NBA Finals MVP odds race, along with Finals MVP betting trends, favorite analysis, and recent superstars to receive this award.
Live NBA Playoff bracket
Never lose track of where each series sits with our live NBA Playoff bracket, as well as the updated prices for each team to win their respective series — round by round.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.