Best Bets Today - Betting Picks for May 23, 2026
Use Code SSWC Tuesday’s slate features several strong betting opportunities across the NHL playoffs, NBA playoffs, WNBA, and MLB. A few teams enter with clear momentum advantages, while several player props stand out based on recent production trends and matchup setups.
Here are some of the top plays worth targeting.
NHL Best Bets
🏒 Montreal Canadiens vs Carolina Hurricanes
Pick: Carolina Hurricanes Moneyline
Carolina enters Game 2 in an ideal bounce-back spot after the rough loss in the opener. The Hurricanes were one of the NHL’s best home teams during the regular season and continue to generate strong offensive pressure with one of the higher shot totals among playoff teams.
Despite the Game 1 defeat, Carolina still created plenty of opportunities offensively and now returns to the ice with added urgency. Montreal has played excellent hockey recently, but the Hurricanes’ home-ice advantage and defensive structure make Carolina the stronger side in Game 2.
🏒 Montreal Canadiens vs Carolina Hurricanes
Pick: Over 5.5 Goals
The first game of the series produced eight total goals, and the offensive profiles of both teams continue pointing toward another high-scoring matchup. Montreal has repeatedly shown the ability to explode offensively during this playoff run, while Carolina remains one of the league’s most aggressive attacking teams.
Both clubs also bring productive power-play units into the game, which increases the scoring potential even further. With each side consistently generating quality scoring chances, the over remains the preferred play.
👉 For more daily betting analysis and updated odds, check out these free picks
NHL Player Prop Best Bets
🏒 Cole Caufield Over 2.5 Shots on Goal
Caufield continues to be one of Montreal’s most dangerous offensive players, and his recent shot volume strongly supports the over. He has cleared this number in three of his last five games while remaining heavily involved in the Canadiens attack.
Montreal has been aggressive offensively throughout the playoffs, and Caufield’s scoring mentality consistently puts him in position to generate shots. In another fast-paced matchup, the over looks favorable once again.
🏒 Logan Stankoven Under 2.5 Shots on Goal
Stankoven has remained active offensively, but the recent numbers continue leaning toward the under. He has recorded exactly two shots on goal in three straight games and stayed below this line in the series opener.
Carolina spreads offensive opportunities throughout the lineup, and Montreal did a solid job limiting cleaner scoring chances in Game 1. With Stankoven continuing to hover around this number rather than comfortably exceed it, the under provides stronger value here.
NBA Playoff Best Bets
🏀 New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Pick: New York Knicks +2.5
New York has completely controlled the opening stretch of this series and enters Game 3 with a 2-0 lead after winning both games convincingly. The Knicks have now won five straight overall and continue to rely on elite defensive play to disrupt opposing offenses.
Cleveland struggled badly offensively in Game 2, and New York’s defensive pressure continues to force difficult possessions throughout the game. Getting points with the team holding the series momentum creates strong value in this matchup.
🏀 New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Pick: Under 213.5
The pace and physicality of this series strongly support another lower-scoring game. The previous matchup finished with only 202 total points after Cleveland was held under 100 once again.
New York’s defense has consistently controlled tempo throughout the postseason, while Cleveland now enters with major pressure trying to avoid a 3-0 deficit. That combination should create another slower, more defensive playoff battle that stays under the number.
NBA Player Prop Best Bets
🏀 Jarrett Allen Over 12.5 Points
Allen has quietly been one of Cleveland’s most reliable scorers during this playoff stretch. He has gone over this number in four of his last five games and continues producing efficiently around the basket.
With the Cavaliers needing a stronger offensive performance at home, Allen should remain heavily involved in the interior offense. His recent consistency makes the over appealing again.
🏀 James Harden Over 18.5 Points
Harden still brings significant scoring upside entering this matchup and has already shown multiple recent performances comfortably above this number. In playoff environments where offenses tighten up, experienced scorers often take on larger offensive roles.
Cleveland needs a much stronger offensive showing to shift momentum back in the series, and Harden’s ability to create offense in bunches makes the over the stronger side here.
WNBA Best Bets
🏀 Minnesota Lynx vs Chicago Sky
Pick: Minnesota Lynx -2.5
Minnesota enters this matchup with strong momentum after a dominant offensive performance against Toronto. The Lynx have already proven they can win on the road and continue to shoot the ball extremely efficiently early in the season.
Chicago won the earlier meeting, but Minnesota’s recent offensive rhythm and overall scoring efficiency make the Lynx the stronger side in the rematch.
🏀 Portland Fire vs Toronto Tempo
Pick: Toronto Tempo -5.5
Toronto enters this game with the stronger offensive profile and a major edge statistically. The Tempo have already shown they can score in bunches, while Portland continues struggling defensively and allowing high point totals consistently.
With Toronto also playing at home and entering with stronger recent form, the Tempo look positioned to cover the spread.
WNBA Player Prop Best Bets
🏀 Kayla McBride Over 15.5 Points
McBride continues to produce efficiently within Minnesota’s offense and has already shown multiple recent games comfortably above this number. Even when she has missed the over, she has remained close enough to show a steady scoring floor.
Minnesota’s offensive pace and efficiency create favorable scoring opportunities across the lineup, and McBride remains one of the team’s more dependable perimeter scorers.
🏀 Brittney Sykes Over 19.5 Points
Sykes has been on a major scoring run recently, producing several explosive offensive performances over the last few games. Her shot volume and offensive role continue trending upward, especially in competitive matchups.
Portland’s defense has struggled badly early in the season, and Toronto continues to play at a fast offensive pace. That creates another favorable scoring environment for Sykes to clear this number.
MLB Best Bets
⚾ Washington Nationals vs Atlanta Braves
Pick: Atlanta Braves Moneyline
Atlanta enters this matchup with one of the strongest overall profiles on the board. The Braves continue scoring consistently while also bringing one of the better pitching staffs into Tuesday’s slate.
Washington has shown offensive flashes, but Atlanta holds clear advantages in both pitching and overall offensive production. Playing at home only strengthens the Braves’ position here.
⚾ Colorado Rockies vs Arizona Diamondbacks
Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks Moneyline
Arizona enters this game riding a strong winning streak and continues producing offense at a high level. The Diamondbacks have already handled Colorado successfully during the recent stretch and now return home with momentum firmly on their side.
Colorado’s road struggles and inconsistent pitching continue creating difficult matchups, while Arizona remains one of the hotter teams entering Tuesday night.
MLB Team Total Best Bets
⚾ Atlanta Braves Team Total Over 3.5 Runs
Atlanta’s offense has been rolling recently, consistently producing crooked numbers across multiple games. The Braves continue combining power with contact hitting, making them difficult to slow down once runners reach base.
Washington’s pitching staff has struggled throughout the season, and Atlanta’s current offensive momentum creates another favorable setup to clear four runs.
⚾ Arizona Diamondbacks Team Total Over 3.5 Runs
Arizona has been one of the hotter offenses entering this slate and continues producing consistently during the current winning streak. Colorado’s pitching numbers remain among the weaker profiles in these matchups, especially away from home.
With Arizona already scoring heavily against the Rockies recently, another game reaching at least four runs looks very realistic.
Final Thoughts
Tuesday’s card features strong value across several playoff matchups and hot MLB offenses. Carolina’s bounce-back spot, New York’s defensive momentum, and Atlanta’s offensive consistency all stand out as some of the stronger betting angles on the board.
