Will Timberwolves cover vs. Mavericks? | No OTAs for Bengals' star receivers

Good afternoon, sports fans.

The Boston Celtics have officially clinched their spot in the NBA Finals after they swept the Indiana Pacers. It's beyond impressive that the Celtics have only lost twice in the playoffs up to this point. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have alternated shouldering the scoring load throughout the playoffs, and should pose quite a tall task for either the Dallas Mavericks or Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Finals. Consider this a sneak preview for the type of expert analysis and insight you will receive as a SportsLine subscriber.

• The NFLPA is working on "overhauling" its offseason schedule.
• Bills general manager Brandon Beane says the team traded Stefon Diggs due to "that albatross" contract.
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All times Eastern |Game odds via SportsLineconsensus

JA'MARR CHASE, TEE HIGGINS ABSENT FROM BENGALS OTAs

Two of the Cincinnati Bengals' stars were noticeably absent for the team's OTAs on Monday. According to an ESPN report, star wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins weren't in attendance for Monday's session. Chase is looking for a long-term contract extension, while Higgins has expressed a desire to be traded. The Bengals are coming off of a 2023 season in which they went 9-8 and missed the playoffs. That's just one of the updates from Cody Benjamin, who breaks down why there are issues in Cincinnati.

• Benjamin:"Cincinnati kicked off its voluntary OTAs this week, and neither Ja'Marr Chase nor Tee Higgins was in attendance, as ESPN reported. Chase, a three-time Pro Bowler, is under contract through 2025 but seeking a long-term extension. Higgins, meanwhile, has yet to sign the $21.8 million franchise tag the Bengals applied prior to free agency. Absent a new deal of his own, Higgins has reportedly repeatedly lobbied for a trade out of town."

Game 4: Timberwolves at Mavericks, 8:30 p.m. | TV: TNT

• The Pick: Timberwolves +1.5 (-110)
• Key trend: The Timberwolves are 5-2 ATS in road games this postseason.

SportsLine expert Zack Cimini is 16-9-1 in his last 26 NBA ATS picks.

• Cimini:"Minnesota may be down 3-0 to the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals, but the market continues to be on their side. In the opening two games of the series, they were the bigger home favorite than what we have seen in Dallas' home series spreads. The market has also bought down the opening line to the Timberwolves side. The only difference in Games 1-3 has been execution down the stretch. Look for the Timberwolves to play with enough aggression that avoids that window for Dallas. Tail Minnesota."

Here's what else SportsLine is saying about the game:The Projection Model has a "B" pick on the total, while having "C" picks on the spread and moneyline.Get one week of picks from SportsLine completely free with the promo codeNEWSLETTER*

Game 4: Rangers at Panthers, 8 p.m. | TV: ESPN

• The Projection: Rangers (+145)| 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 Rangers are 5-1 when playing on the road during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, so we'll look for that trend to continue.

SportsLine expert picks: Our staff has combed through the Tuesday night NBA slate and offered their best plays as the playoffs continue.Get one week of picks from SportsLine completely free with the promo codeNEWSLETTER*

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