Will Panthers win Stanley Cup tonight? | Celtics odds-on favorite to win 2025 NBA Finals

Good afternoon, sports fans.

Much like the Celtics did in Game 5 of the NBA Finals last night, the Panthers will be looking to close out the Oilers in their Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight. Saturday's 8-1 rout isn't exactly a momentum-builder, but there's definitely reason to believe that the Panthers can bounce back. Our Matt Severance points out that Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has a 4-1 record with a 1.97 goals-against-average and .914 save percentage in five playoff games following a loss this postseason. On top of that, Florida has thrived at home this postseason with an 8-3 record, while Edmonton is just 6-5 on the road. Consider this a sneak preview for the type of expert analysis and insight you will receive as a SportsLine subscriber.

• Ohio State will host HBCU powerhouse Grambling State during the 2025 college football season.
• Major League Baseball will reportedly pivot to ABS challenge system at Triple-A level.
• Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla coached NBA Finals with torn meniscusand will have surgery.

All times Eastern |Game odds via SportsLineconsensus

CELTICS OPEN AS ODDS-ON FAVORITE TO WIN 2025 NBA TITLE

The Celtics won their 18th NBA title in franchise history after defeating the Mavericks in Game 5 of the NBA Finals last night. As we look ahead to the 2024-25 NBA season, Caesars Sportsbook has already released the NBA title odds, and the Celtics have opened as the odds-on favorite at +300. No NBA team has won back-to-back NBA titles since the Golden State Warriors went back-to-back in 2017 and 2018. The Celtics were the odds-on favorite to start off the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons as well. CBS Sports NBA writer Sam Quinn has more on the Celtics opening as the title favorites for next season.

• Quinn: "At +300, the Celtics have opened as the strongest championship favorites since the 2021-22 Brooklyn Nets settled at +240. The Celtics were opening night title favorites in both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, but at longer odds. Now that the Celtics are officially the champions, their odds of repeating at the sportsbooks have only grown shorter."
  

Stanley Cup Final -- Game 5: Oilers at Panthers, 8 p.m. | TV: ABC

• The Pick: Panthers (-139)
• Key trend: The Panthers are 4-0 in their last four home playoff games.

SportsLine expert Matt Severance is 6-1 in his last seven NHL moneyline picks.

• Severance:"I think the Panthers simply lost focus trying for the sweep in the blowout Game 4 loss on the road. This was much like the Celtics did before easily finishing off the NBA Finals in Game 5 on Monday. Florida has won four straight at home in these playoffs and Sergei Bobrovsky is 4-1 with a 1.97 GAA and .914 save percentage in five playoff games this year after a loss. No team has ever won Game 5 on the road in this round when originally trailing a series 3-0."

Here's what else SportsLine is saying about the game:The Projection Model has "C" picks on the moneyline, spread, and total.Get one week of picks from SportsLine completely free with the promo codeNEWSLETTER*.Sign up here to get started!

Reds at Pirates, 6:40 p.m. | TV: MLB.TV

• The Projection: Pirates (+111)| Grade: B -- Moderate

SportsLine's Projection Model has a "B" grade on the moneyline and spread with a "C" grade for the total for the contest. The Pirates are 5-2 in their last seven home games, so we'll back that trend to continue with the Pirates playing well as of late.

SportsLine expert picks:Our staff has combed through the Tuesday night MLB slate and offered their best plays as the season continues.Get one week of picks from SportsLine completely free with the promo code NEWSLETTER*.Sign up here to get started!

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