Pacers and Oilers hold keys to this cross-sport parlay

Tonight seems like the right time to simply turn to some game results rather than lock in on the players getting involved in the action. With a few playoff games on hand, it's there we go for this results-oriented parlay.

Cross-sports playoff parlay: Pacers +5.5 & Oilers ML

Indiana took both home games over the Knicks, winning by five and then 32 points. That 32-point win on Sunday feels a lot more indicative about where this series is headed. New York is suddenly extremely undermanned. OG Anunoby has joined Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle on the shelf, and Jalen Brunson is clearly hobbled, while others like Josh Hart starting to show their exhaustion.

We expect the Pacers to win this game, but we'll buy a few points on the spread in case the Madison Square Garden magic shows itself for one last time this postseason.

On the ice, Edmonton lost on Sunday 4-3 despite outshooting Vancouver 43-18. The Canucks are finding some opportune scoring lanes on Edmonton's goalies, but on the whole, they've shown no ability to create shooting lanes this postseason.

That is not a recipe for long-term success, and we know Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and company are at the helm of the far more talented team. 

The Oilers are down 2-1 in this series and cannot afford to lose their second straight home game. Back them to even the score tonight in their own barn.

Together, this play comes in at a solid bankroll-building price of +131.

Betting: Indiana Pacers +5.5 & Edmonton Oilers moneyline (+131 DraftKings)

In the news ...

Celtics and Stars go up 3-1; Thunder tie series; Hurricanes force a Game 6 — A quick Monday playoff roundup is in store. Boston beat Cleveland again and is one win away from the Eastern Conference Final, and the Dallas Stars on the ice are also one win away from returning to the Western Conference Final. The Thunder evened the series with the Mavericks thanks to big games from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren, while the Carolina Hurricanes won their second straight over the Rangers and now return home with a chance to force a Game 7. Oklahoma City is -160 to advance, while Carolina is +200 to pull off a 3-0 series comeback.

Valeri Nichushkin out for the rest of the playoffs — In a surprising and brutal announcement, news broke Monday afternoon that Colorado's leading playoff goal scorer Valeri Nichushkin has been suspended without pay for a minimum of six months and will be out for the rest of the playoffs. Nichushkin was placed in Stage 3 of NHL's Player Assistance Program. Nichushkin previously was in the Player Assistance Program this season. Without him, Colorado fell 5-1 to Dallas and has an uphill climb to advance to the next round, currently priced at +700.

WNBA season starts today — The 2024 WNBA season tips off today with a four-game slate and plenty of intriguing storylines surrounding the league. The Las Vegas Aces (-16) begin their quest for a three-peat, hosting the Phoenix Mercury tonight. Caitlin Clark makes her long-awaited WNBA debut tonight with the Indiana Fever (+7), facing off against the Connecticut Sun. The Aces are -105 to win another title, followed by the New York Liberty (+240) and Connecticut Sun (+1200).

Jared Goff signs massive extension with Detroit Lions — Jared Goff signed a new contract with the Detroit Lions on Monday that makes him the second-highest paid quarterback in the NFL. Goff inked a four-year, $212 million contract extension with $170 million guaranteed. Not bad for a guy who was thrown away by the Los Angeles Rams. The Lions are +150 to win the NFC North this season and +550 to win the NFC.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll. Follow him on Substack: griffybets.substack.com.