The Cleveland Cavaliers missed their chance to sweep the Boston Celtics after blowing Game 3, but they nevertheless have a good chance to take a commanding 3-1 lead in Game 4 tonight. The Pittsburgh Penguins will be out to avoid a similar fate as they look to close out the Ottawa Senators in Game 6 over in the NHL Playoffs.
The Pens are one win away from returning to the Stanley Cup Final. They absolutely smashed the Sens 7-0 in Game 5 at home to go up 3-2 in the series. Seven different players, including Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel, got on the scoresheet. In just his second start back from injury, goalie Matt Murray recorded his second-career postseason shutout as he stopped all 25 of the Sens’ shots.
Meanwhile, Ottawa will be facing elimination for the first time in these playoffs, but at least they will have the support of their home crowd behind them. The Sens are 5-3 at home this postseason, and are 4-2 in their last six home games against the Pens.
Writer’s Prediction
The Pens (-150) make their way back to the Stanley Cup Final with a 4-2 win.
Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (8:30 PM ET)
The Celtics defied the odds as scored a shocking 111-108 win in Game 3. Playing without star point guard Isaiah Thomas, they came back from 21 points down in the second half to snap the Cavs’ unbeaten playoff run. Marcus Smart had the game of his life as he scored 27 points and went 7-of-10 from beyond the arc.
Meanwhile, LeBron James had easily his worst game of these playoffs as he finished with just 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting. But that performance figures to be an aberration, seeing as James scored 30 or more points in eight of his previous 10 playoff games.
Writer’s Prediction
LeBron James and the Cavs (-14.5) make amends for their Game 3 mistakes as they win big and cover in Game 4.
