Quick Recap:
• Record: 0-2
• Units: -2.2
• Best Win: —
• Tough Loss: Minnesota Timberwolves +5.0 (-1.1u)
Bryan Bash endured a difficult night on May 8, 2026, finishing 0-2 on his NBA playoff selections. Both bets fell short as favorites covered in contrasting fashion, with San Antonio pulling away late and New York dominating on the road to push Philadelphia to the brink of elimination.
Bash opened the evening backing the Minnesota Timberwolves +5.0 at -115 odds, but the Spurs covered comfortably in a 115-108 victory that gave San Antonio a 2-1 series lead. Lost. Victor Wembanyama delivered a masterpiece with 39 points on 13-of-18 shooting, 15 rebounds, and five blocks, controlling the paint on both ends of the floor. Anthony Edwards countered with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists for Minnesota, but the Timberwolves couldn’t overcome their shooting struggles. Minnesota shot just 38.4% from the field compared to San Antonio’s 45.9%, a disparity that proved decisive. The third quarter was particularly damaging for Bash’s ticket, as the Spurs outscored the Timberwolves 35-28 to build separation. San Antonio’s dominance inside was evident as Wembanyama went 10-of-12 from the free-throw line while providing constant rim protection. The Timberwolves stayed within striking distance throughout the fourth quarter, which ended 29-29, but never threatened to cover the five-point spread. Minnesota’s 54 rebounds couldn’t compensate for their poor shooting efficiency, and the seven-point final margin left the underdog bet short.
Bash’s second selection fared no better, as he backed the Philadelphia 76ers -1.5 at -110 odds. The New York Knicks dominated in a 108-94 road victory, pushing the 76ers to the edge of elimination with a commanding 3-0 series lead. Lost. Jalen Brunson shook off a slow 2-of-8 start to finish with 33 points on 11-of-22 shooting, sealing the game with clutch buckets down the stretch. The turning point came in the second quarter, where New York outscored Philadelphia 33-21 to erase an early deficit and seize control. The Knicks shot an impressive 50.0% from the field for the game compared to Philadelphia’s 42.9%, while also dominating the glass with a 49-33 rebounding advantage. That 16-rebound edge gave New York numerous second-chance opportunities and limited Philadelphia’s possessions. Kelly Oubre Jr. led the 76ers with 22 points and eight rebounds, but Philadelphia lacked the firepower to keep pace. The 76ers’ struggles from beyond the arc—shooting just 28.1% on three-pointers—compounded their problems. New York’s six-game postseason winning streak continued as they cruised to a 14-point victory, easily covering the small spread and leaving Bash’s favorite bet well short of cashing.
Bryan Bash’s May 8th card resulted in an 0-2 performance as both underdogs failed to cover and both favorites won outright. The combination of San Antonio’s third-quarter surge and New York’s second-quarter explosion proved pivotal in both losses, highlighting how momentum swings in playoff basketball can quickly turn spreads. Bash will look to rebound as the postseason continues.
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Quick Recap:
• Record: 1-0
• Units: +1.0
• Best Win: Timberwolves +4.5 (+1.0u)
• Tough Loss: —
Bryan Bash delivered a clean performance on May 10, 2026, finishing the day with a perfect 1-0 record. The handicapper’s sole selection came in the second-round NBA playoff matchup between San Antonio and Minnesota, where a dramatic turn of events helped secure the winning ticket.
Bash backed the Minnesota Timberwolves at +4.5 against the visiting San Antonio Spurs, a wager that cashed comfortably as the Timberwolves secured a 114-109 victory to even their second-round playoff series at two games apiece. The pick Won, with Minnesota covering the spread by 9.5 points in a game that featured one of the most significant storylines of the postseason thus far.
The contest’s defining moment came early in the second quarter when Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was ejected after delivering an elbow to the neck of Naz Reid in what was described as a frustrated moment. The stunning ejection of San Antonio’s franchise centerpiece fundamentally altered the game’s trajectory and ultimately proved decisive in the spread outcome. Without Wembanyama, the Spurs struggled to match Minnesota’s intensity down the stretch.
Anthony Edwards carried the Timberwolves offensively, erupting for 36 points with 16 of those coming in the crucial fourth quarter. His fourth-quarter explosion helped Minnesota outscore San Antonio 34-25 in the final frame, erasing what had been a strong third quarter for the Spurs. San Antonio had actually outscored Minnesota 28-20 in the third period to stay within striking distance, but without their defensive anchor in Wembanyama, they couldn’t contain Edwards when it mattered most.
The boxscore revealed additional factors that contributed to Minnesota’s cover. The Timberwolves shot a scorching 90.9% from the free-throw line compared to San Antonio’s 77.8%, capitalizing on their opportunities at the stripe. Minnesota also dominated the glass with a 49-41 rebounding advantage, giving them extra possessions throughout the contest. Perhaps most telling was San Antonio’s ice-cold three-point shooting—the Spurs managed just 23.1% from beyond the arc, a dismal performance that left them unable to keep pace despite shooting a respectable 47.7% overall from the field. Dylan Harper led the Spurs with 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals, but it wasn’t nearly enough without Wembanyama’s presence. Reid, the recipient of the elbow that changed the game, contributed 15 points and 9 rebounds to help the Timberwolves finish strong after some shaky stretches.
Bryan Bash closes out May 10 with a perfect 1-0 mark, capitalizing on a playoff game that swung dramatically due to an early ejection. The Timberwolves’ superior free-throw shooting, rebounding edge, and Edwards’ late-game heroics all combined to deliver a comfortable cover for those backing Minnesota at +4.5.
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