Ride with the Rebels Newsletter: 6/2

Record 1-1

*Odds taken from DraftKings

We opened last week’s picks 1-0 after a no sweat cover by the Warriors, but Ferrari’s lack of a race strategy in Monaco cost us our second bet and we finished 1-1. Not bad, but we’re looking to go 2-0 this week with a couple of beauties.

June 2: NBA: Boston Celtics vs Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors are facing the Boston Celtics tonight as the NBA Finals kicks off and we’ve got some action in the game.

The Warriors have been generous to us throughout these playoffs, and we’re going to keep riding with them until they cool off.

Golden State is currently 3.5-point favorites, down from the 4 they were favored by last night, and we love that line. The odds currently stand at -115, which is better value than the Warriors’ ML at -165.

We don’t see this game being a blowout by any means, and we fully expect Boston to keep it close, but Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole in front of their home crowd to kick off another trip to the Finals is too good to pass up.

Injuries to Boston’s Marcus Smart and Robert Williams are another reason we like the spread here. They are expected to play in Game 1, but both players acknowledged that they’re hurt and a strong defensive game by Golden State could limit what Smart is able to do on the court.

Rebels Pick: Golden State Warriors -3.5 @ -115 (1U)

June 3: NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning vs New York Rangers

Jumping from the West Coast to the East Coast, we’ve got the Tampa Bay Lightning taking on the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Rangers took Game 1 with a decisive 6-2 victory over the Lightning, but we don’t see them heading to Tampa Bay up 2-0 in the series.

Game 1 was a question of rest vs rust for the Lightning. They swept the Florida Panthers last round and went into Game 1 having not played since May 23. That offers a lot of time for players to heal up, but it’s also a long wait in between games.

Meanwhile, the Rangers won an emotional Game 7 on Memorial Day against the Carolina Hurricanes and only had a day between that and Game 1.

New York took over in the second half of the game and goaltending superstar Igor Shesterkin never let Tampa back in it.

Heading into Game 2, the Lightning are slightly favored on the ML at -130 and their Puck Line stands at -1.5 (+200).

Having won back-to-back Stanley Cups these past two years, we’re betting that the defending champs come out and prove that Game 1 was an anomaly. They can roll four lines, ice a solid defense and have one of, if not the, best goalies in the world between the pipes.

Tampa’s ML offers decent value in what should be a close game, but we’re swinging for the fences and want to double our money, so we’re taking the Puck Line.

Rebels Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 @ +200 (1U)

Bonus Pick: June 4: PLL: Redwoods vs Atlas

Professional lacrosse returns this weekend as the PLL kicks off its fourth season and, because one of our employees loves lacrosse, we’re getting in on opening weekend action.

The season opens with the Redwoods (+105) facing off against the Atlas (-135).

Both teams boast strong offenses, and the Redwoods have been one of the better teams since the league began, but we like the Atlas here.

They acquired arguably the best player in the College Draft in Chris Gray and beefed up their midfield with middle round picks. Combine that with a returning squad that includes Jeff Teat and Bryan Costabille and the young Atlas look posed to contend for the Championship.

This pick is more of a flier than an actual bet we’re recommending, but we wanted to throw it in anyway. Play at your own caution.

Rebels Pick: Atlas ML @ -135 (1U)