Quick Recap:
• Record: 2-0
• Units: +2.0
• Best Win: Cleveland Cavaliers -3.5 (+1.0u)
• Tough Loss: —
Bryan Bash delivered a perfect slate on May 11, 2026, finishing 2-0 across his NBA playoff selections. Both picks cashed comfortably as Bash capitalized on a strong night of handicapping in the second round of the postseason.
Pistons at Cavaliers
Bash opened the evening with Cleveland Cavaliers -3.5 against the visiting Detroit Pistons, and the pick Won decisively as Cleveland cruised to a 112-103 victory. The Cavaliers covered the 3.5-point spread by 5.5 points behind a historic performance from Donovan Mitchell, who tied an NBA playoff record with 39 second-half points and finished with 43 for the game. Mitchell matched Eric “Sleepy” Floyd’s mark set in 1987, converting a free throw with 27.6 seconds remaining before missing his second attempt that would have broken the record.
The third quarter proved to be the difference in this contest and the key to the cover. After trailing at halftime, Cleveland exploded for 38 points in the third quarter while holding Detroit to just 21, creating a 17-point swing that essentially decided both the game and the spread. The Cavaliers’ 24-0 run during that frame buried the Pistons and gave Bash’s backers plenty of cushion down the stretch. Despite Detroit shooting an impressive 50.6% from the field and 43.5% from three-point range, the Pistons couldn’t overcome Cleveland’s dominant third-quarter performance. Caris LeVert led Detroit with 24 points, but it wasn’t nearly enough to keep pace with Mitchell’s record-tying explosion.
Thunder at Lakers
Bash’s second selection backed the Los Angeles Lakers +11.0 as home underdogs against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and this pick also Won as the Lakers fell 115-110 but covered the spread by six points. Oklahoma City completed a second-round sweep with the victory, improving to 8-0 in the playoffs, but Los Angeles kept the game competitive throughout and provided value for those backing the home underdog.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paced the Thunder with 35 points and eight assists, while Chet Holmgren delivered the decisive blow with a tiebreaking dunk with 32.8 seconds remaining. Ajay Mitchell added 28 points, including 10 in the frantic final period. For the Lakers, Austin Reaves turned in an excellent all-around performance with 27 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. The Lakers shot an efficient 50.7% from the field and 88.9% from the free-throw line, numbers that helped them stay within striking distance despite ultimately being eliminated from the postseason. The Thunder’s 35-point fourth quarter gave them just enough separation to secure the win, but not nearly enough to cover the double-digit spread. The Lakers’ third-quarter surge, when they outscored Oklahoma City 39-31, kept them well within the number and ensured Bash’s second winner of the night.
Bryan Bash’s 2-0 performance on May 11 showcased sharp handicapping on both a favorite and an underdog. The Cavaliers’ dominant third quarter delivered a comfortable cover on the Cleveland side, while the Lakers’ competitive effort against the top-seeded Thunder provided value on the other end. It was a clean sweep for Bash across both playoff matchups.
