Stephen Nover – Sports Handicapper

The prideful Blues, who won the Stanley Cup three seasons ago, are on the verge of elimination down, 3-1, to the Avalanche. I don't see the Blues going down easily.

Yes, the game is in Colorado. But the Avalanche have been far from dominant during their last three home games, losing to the Blues by three goals and winning the other two in overtime. The Avalanche have scored four goals in regulation during their last three home games.

There's been a lot of bad blood in this series. So I see a lot of intensity and tight checking rather than a clean, fast skating up-tempo game.

I see the visiting Guardians hanging close to the Astros in a pitching matchup of Cal Quantrill versus Christian Javier.

I like Javier but he could be due for some regression with a 2.87 ERA. His ERA the past two seasons have been 3.55 and 3.48.

Quantrill is a decent middle-of-the-rotation starter with a 3.48 ERA. He's second on the Guardians in quality starts. He can be counted on to go at least six innings, which he has done in each of his last six starts.

This is important because while the Indians have a strong closer, Emmanuel Clase, they are vulnerable in middle relief. The Guardians have the least amount of blown saves in the league.

This Eastern Conference Final is tied 2-2, but it's my clear belief the Celtics are the superior team. That's especially the case with the Heat dealing with so many injuries.

Boston has outscored Miami by 28 points in the series. The Celtics have outrebounded the Heat the past two games by an average of 15 1/2 boards. The Celtics are the top defensive team in the league. The Heat are not effective when they are being outrebounded and not hitting from beyond the arc. I don't see that pattern changing here. 

Being on the road shouldn't make a difference for the Celtics. Boston is 19-6-1 (76 percent) ATS in its last 26 away contests, including 5-1-1 ATS during the playoffs. 
Then there are the Miami injuries. Jimmy Butler is dealing with a sore knee. Tyler Herro has a sore quad. It's bothered his long-range shooting as he's made only one of 14 3-point shots during the series. Kyle Lowery is back playing, but he isn't right. He scored three points in the last game while having a negative 27 during his court time.