Ride with the Rebels Newsletter: 5/4

Record 4-0: +5U

*Odds taken from DraftKings

Another perfect week for us as we go 4-0 on the year for a 5-unit profit. Let’s keep the momentum rolling.

5/4: Los Angeles Kings @ Edmonton Oilers

With the NHL playoffs having just begun, we’re kicking off this week’s newsletter with a bet that’s bold but offers a nice payout.

We’re once again betting on a Los Angeles Kings game, but today we’re fading them as LA continues their first round series against the Edmonton Oilers.

The Kings took Game 1 on Monday night, 4-3, in a back-and-forth contest that ultimately came down to goaltending.

We expect a better effort from the Oilers in Game 2. Edmonton is the stronger team this series and it’s reflected in the odds. The moneyline favors them at -180 and their -1.5 puck line odds stand at +135. The Over/Under is set at 6.5.

This is a series that the Oilers need to win. They have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, two of the best players in the world, and have had practically no success in the post-season. The Kings are a good team, but they’re young and still rebuilding.

Losing Game 1 at home wasn’t a good look for this Edmonton squad and Game 2 is a must-win. Heading to LA down 2-0 in the series would hurt any hope they have of making a run at the Stanley Cup.

It won’t be easy, but Edmonton has the tools to win this series. Oilers goalie Mike Smith needs to play much better, but the offense had several fantastic chances throughout the first game, and they probably would have won if not for Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick’s performance.

Look for McDavid, Draisaitl and the supporting cast to establish themselves as a team with Stanley Cup aspirations in Game 2.

Rebels pick: Edmonton Oilers -1.5 (1U)

5/7: Memphis Grizzlies @ Golden State Warriors

Game 3 of the tied Grizzlies/Warriors series heads to the Bay Area on Saturday in what should be a bounce-back effort for Golden State.

They lost 101-106 on Tuesday night in a contest where they couldn’t buy a three-point basket.

The team shot a respectable 42.1% from the field but were an abysmal 18.4% from beyond the arc. For comparison, the Grizzlies shot 31.1% from three. Klay Thompson finished with 12 points in 41 minutes, while Steph Curry and Jordan Poole dropped 27 and 20, respectfully.

Despite having a lower three-point-percentage in both games compared to the Grizzlies, this has been a good start to the series for the Warriors. They won Game 1 by one point before losing Game 2 last night, but both contests were held in Memphis.

The Warriors are 6.5-point favorites (-110) and the moneyline heavily favors them at -275 as they travel back home.

Heading back to the Golden State should provide a boost for the team and Thompson will likely rebound from his poor Game 2 performance. This game won’t be a blowout but the Warriors cover.

Rebels pick: Golden State Warriors -6.5 (1U)