Quick Recap:
• Record: 2-0
• Units: +2.0
• Best Win: Detroit Pistons -3.0 (+1.0u)
• Tough Loss: —
Bryan Bash delivered a perfect slate on May 05, 2026, finishing 2-0 across his NBA selections. Both picks covered comfortably, with the handicapper capitalizing on a dominant home performance in Detroit and a blowout victory by the defending champion Thunder.
Cavaliers at Pistons
Bash opened his evening with the Detroit Pistons -3.0 at -110 odds, and the top-seeded Pistons delivered a convincing 111-101 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of their second-round series. The pick Won easily, as Detroit covered the 3-point spread by seven points.
The Pistons set the tone early, exploding for 37 points in the opening quarter while holding Cleveland to just 21. That commanding 16-point first-quarter advantage proved decisive, as the Cavaliers never truly threatened despite shooting a respectable 45.0% from the field. Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 23 points and 7 assists, while Tobias Harris contributed 20 points and Duncan Robinson added 19. The Pistons’ defensive pressure was a key factor, forcing 20 turnovers that translated into 31 points. Detroit ended an NBA record-tying 12-game postseason losing streak against Cleveland, a drought dating back to the 2007 Eastern Conference finals. James Harden paced the Cavaliers with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, but Cleveland’s 20 turnovers and inability to recover from the early deficit doomed their chances of keeping the game within the number.
Lakers at Thunder
Bash’s second selection proved equally successful, as he backed the Oklahoma City Thunder -15.5 against the Los Angeles Lakers at -110 odds. The defending champions cruised to a 108-90 victory, covering the substantial spread by 2.5 points in a Won result.
Oklahoma City dominated from start to finish, building leads of 5, 8, 12, and 18 points after each respective quarter. The Thunder shot an impressive 49.4% from the field and connected on 13 of 30 three-point attempts (43.3%), while the Lakers struggled at 41.2% overall and just 33.3% from beyond the arc. Chet Holmgren was outstanding with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell each added 18 points. The Thunder improved to 5-0 in the playoffs despite missing 2025 All-Star Jalen Williams with a hamstring injury for the third consecutive game. Oklahoma City’s superior ball movement was evident in their 29 assists compared to the Lakers’ 26, and their shooting efficiency created a comfortable margin throughout. LeBron James led Los Angeles with 27 points and 6 assists, but the Lakers never mounted a serious challenge, particularly struggling in the third quarter where they managed only 19 points while the Thunder extended their advantage.
Bryan Bash’s perfect 2-0 performance on May 05 showcased strong handicapping on both a modest spread and a large number. The Pistons’ first-quarter explosion and the Thunder’s overall dominance provided comfortable covers in both playoff contests, giving Bash a clean sweep for the evening.
