Best Bets
The Warriors are warm favourites to take out the opening game of the NBA Finals series when they clash with the Cavs at the Oracle Centre.
These two sides meet for the fourth time in the NBA Finals and the Warriors will be looking to become the first side to defend their title since LeBron James led the Miami Heat to back-to-back wins in the 2012/13.
The Cavs have been a one-man band in the postseason with LeBron James leading the scoring charts with a 30+ (PPG) average.
If James can lead the Cavs to an upset, he would join Michael Jordan as one of the greatest players to ever step foot on the court but faces a massive task against a side with four All-Stars and one of the best offensive records in the league.
I’m backing the Warriors and Steph Curry to get the jump on the Cavs at home and clinch the opening game of the series.
The Swans will be looking to put the inconsistency that has plagued their season in the rear view mirror when they take on Carlton in the opening match of the Dream Time round. The Blues are struggling at the bottom of the ladder this season and will be struggling to cover the Swans across the middle of the park. Carlton have struggled to put their opposition under any real scoring pressure and Swans full-forward will be looking to enjoy himself against a fragile Carlton backline. Franklin kicked 10-goals against Carlton in the corresponding game last season and I’m backing the Swans spearhead to be the first goal scorer in this clash.
Best Outsider
The Sharks will welcome back former NSW forward Andrew Fifita to their pack just in time for the clash with South Sydney. The Rabbitohs have been one of the form teams of the competition and played some outstanding football to surge up the top of the ladder. South Sydney will be without a number of stars who have been called into both the NSW and Qld Origin camps. Cronulla have been unaffected by the State of Origin schedule and should be able to come out on top in what should be an entertaining clash between two forward packs who have dominated the opening rounds of the competition.
Best Three-Leg Multi
With places in the Socceroos squad for the World Cup to go up for grabs, expect the Aussies to be fired up for their friendly with the Czech Republic. Tim Cahill will be eager to prove his worth to the side as they look to find some form before their first game against France. South Korea will be warm favourites when they cash with Bosnia in the lead-up to their opening game in the tournament in Russia. The Hurricanes have been in outstanding form in Super Rugby and are red-hot favourites to bounce back from the disappointment of their loss to the Crusaders last week.