FRANK’S CUTTING ROOM FLOOR FOR FRIDAY, 5/10:

My “Cutting Room Floor” plays are the situations I considered the closest to being worthy of investment but did not make the “final cut” for my official plays today for subscribers. The last play I cut for Friday was with Over the Total in the game between the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Denver (61-28) has lost three of their last four games after their 106-80 upset loss at home to the Timberwolves as a 6.5-point favorite on Monday. The Nuggets go on the road where they have played 6 straight Overs with the Total set in the 200-209.5 point range. They have also played 4 of their last 5 third games in a playoff series Over the Total. Minnesota (62-26) has won six games in a row — and they have played 24 of their last 39 games Over the Total after winning two or more games in a row. The Timberwolves have held the Nuggets to no more than 99 points in this series — and they have played 14 of their last 17 games Over the Total after not allowing more than 105 points in their last two games. Take the Over. Best of luck — Frank.

Frank Sawyer’s Hollywood Sports made it FOUR STRAIGHT WINNERS this week to fuel their 41 of 65 (63%) All-Sports run with featured 25*/20*/10* plays after a 2-0 Thursday sweep! Frank CA$HED the Dallas-Oklahoma City Over to continue his long-running 91 of 150 (61%) NBA featured play run — and now he furthers his 5 of 7 (71%) NBA Game of the Year/Month sides mark with his 25* NBA Northwest Division Game of the Year with the Denver-Minnesota ATS winner on ESPN at 9:35 PM ET! DO NOT MISS OUT!

At 7:05 PM ET on Friday, we will be playing the Indiana Pacers (502) minus the points versus the New York Knicks (501) in Game Three of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series. THE SITUATION: Indiana (51-40) has lost three of their last four games after their 130-121 loss on the road to the Knicks as a 4.5-point underdog on Wednesday. New York (56-34) has won four of their last five games while taking a 2-0 lead in this best-of-seven series. 

REASONS TO TAKE THE PACERS MINUS THE POINTS: Indiana made a healthy 51.6% of their shots — but that was the worst shooting effort in their last three games. Of greater concern is that they allowed the Knicks to nail 57.0% of their shots in what was the worst defensive performance in their last 44 games. Expect the Pacers to play better on that end of the court tonight — and look for head coach Rick Carlisle to give more minutes to T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin since they are two of the team’s better defensive players. The Knicks made 53.7% of their shots in Game One — but Indiana has covered the point spread in 15 of their last 24 games after allowing their last two opponents to make at least 50% of their shots. Their last three opponents are averaging a 51.0% shooting clip against them — but they have covered the point spread in 13 of their last 16 home games after allowing their last three opponents to shoot 50% or better from the field. They have also covered the point spread in 12 of their last 16 games after allowing 130 or more points in their last game. Additionally, the Pacers have covered the point spread in 25 of their last 38 games after a straight-up loss — and they have covered the point spread in 29 of their last 40 games after a point spread loss. They have also covered the point spread in 22 of their last 31 games when playing for no more than the fourth time in the last ten days. New York enjoyed their best shooting effort in their last 18 games by making 57.0% of their shots. They were fortunate to nail 67% of their contested shots — but they did only make 44% of their uncontested shots so perhaps the magic changes now away from Madison Square Garden. The Knicks have failed to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games after making 55.0% or more of their shots — and they have failed to cover the point spread in their 3 games this season when they scored 130 or more points. They are becoming a M*A*S*H unit now — Mitchell Robinson suffered a season-ending injury in Game One and O.G. Anunoby is out tonight from an injury on Wednesday. Even Jalen Brunson is questionable tonight with a right foot injury. 

FINAL TAKE: The Pacers have covered the point spread in 27 of their last 44 opportunities for revenge. 8* NBA Friday Daily Discounted Deal with the Indiana Pacers (502) minus the points versus the New York Knicks (501). Best of luck for us — Frank.

At 9:35 PM ET on Friday, we will be playing the Denver Nuggets (503) plus the points versus the Minnesota Timberwolves (504) in Game Three of their Western Conference Semifinals series. THE SITUATION: Denver (61-28) has lost three of their last four games after their 106-80 upset loss at home to the Timberwolves as a 6.5-point favorite on Monday. Minnesota (62-26) has won six games in a row as they return home with a 2-0 lead in this best-of-seven series. 

REASONS TO TAKE THE NUGGETS PLUS THE POINTS: The Timberwolves entered this series feisty to dethrone the defending NBA champions who ousted them from the playoffs last season. Anthony Edwards is generating comparisons to Michael Jordan. Slow down. I still expect this to be a long series. Denver lost a close game in the opener of this series — and they were simply flat in Game Two perhaps thinking they could casually flip the switch. They only made 34.9% of their shots which was the second worst shooting effort of their season and lowest field goal percentage in their last 73 games. Nikola Jokic was too passive on Monday as he often deferred to his teammates on offense. After receiving the Most Valuable Player Award on Wednesday after that embarrassing effort in Game Two, expect a very aggressive Joker tonight. And look for the Nuggets to get back to playing harder on defense — especially in transition where they have surrendered points at a whopping 190 points per 100 possession rate. Championship lethargy is nearly undefeated — but Denver has also demonstrated consistent resiliency after bad efforts in the Jokic era. The Nuggets have covered the point spread in 12 of their last 15 games after an upset loss — and they have covered the point spread in 10 of their last 15 games after an upset loss by 15 or more points. They have covered the point spread in 8 straight games after a double-digit loss to a Northwest Division rival. They have failed to cover the point spread in four straight games and in five of their last six games — but they have then covered the point spread in 16 of their last 21 games after failing to cover the point spread in five or six of their last seven games. The four days off this week should help them readjust mentally to the challenge of this series — and it should help players like Jamal Murray get healthier. Denver has covered the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games when playing for no more than the third time in ten days. They have allowed the T-Wolves to make 52.4% and 50% in both games in this series — but they have covered the point spread in 4 of their 6 games this season after allowing two straight opponents to make 50% or more of their shots. More activity on defense should help — after forcing 14 turnovers that generated into 26 points in Game One, the Nuggets forced 12 turnovers in Game Two but only got two points from them. More focus and attention on the restricted area should also pay dividends. After averaging 29 shots per game in the restricted area last round against the Lakers, they are averaging 27.7 shots per game in the restricted area this round but making only 54.5% of these shots. Minnesota won Game Two even without Rudy Gobert who missed the game due to the birth of his child. But a letdown may be coming now — the Timberwolves have failed to cover the point spread in 13 of their last 17 home games after winning six or seven of their last eight games. And while they have covered the point spread in six straight games, they have then failed to cover the point spread in 7 of their last 11 games after covering the point spread in five straight games — and they have failed to cover the point spread in the previous 3 times in the last three years they were riding a six-game point spread cover run. Furthermore, they have failed to cover the point spread in 6 of their last 8 games after allowing no more than 90 points in their last game. Holding Denver to just 34.9% shooting was the best defensive effort in their last 34 games. The Regression Gods are probably due to make an appearance regarding their shooting in this series as well. They are making 40.4% of their 3s against Denver — and they are nailing 49% of their midrange jumpers including 50% of their long midrange shots which leads all teams in the second round of the playoffs. The Timberwolves return home — but they have failed to cover the point spread in 7 of their last 11 games at home when favored by up to six points. 

FINAL TAKE: The Nuggets have covered the point spread in 6 of their last 9 games when avenging an upset loss as a home favorite — and they have covered the point spread in 4 of their last 5 games when playing with revenge from a loss at home by 10 or more points. 25* NBA Northwest Division Game of the Year with the Denver Nuggets (503) plus the points versus the Minnesota Timberwolves (504). Best of luck for us — Frank.