NBA Playoffs Heating Up, NFL Division Previews, Betting Picks & More - Ride the Line Ep. 11

A brand-new episode of the “Ride the Line” podcast is live on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts! Tune in to hear what co-hosts Grant and Tanner have to say about everything from the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty being at risk of collapsing to the inspiration behind Masataka Yoshida’s dog’s name.

NBA Playoff Drama

As per usual, the show starts off with a discussion about everything that is going on in the NBA playoffs. That starts with the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics, whose series is unfolding in ways that sportsbooks did not see coming. Grant and Tanner also sent urgent messages to Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, who they identify as a weak link responsible for Boston’s scary decline.

The show then heads out west to talk about the Los Angeles Lakers taking a 3-1 series lead over the Warriors. Following Game Four, Stephen Curry is now 0-14 in his career on go-ahead field goals with 50 seconds or less remaining in playoff games. Grant also shares a mind-blowing stat about the Lakers’ defense in the clutch (hint: it is nearly twice as productive as the next-best playoff team).

The co-hosts also spend time talking about the Phoenix Suns and the Denver Nuggets in a series that has been defined by individual brilliance, whether it be Devin Booker’s torrential scoring streak or Nikola Jokic dropping 53 points and 11 assists in a Game Four loss. Both Grant and Tanner, however, like the Nuggets to win the series despite early betting odds positioning the Suns as the Western Conference favorites.

NBA talk closes out with a recap of the one-sided New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat series, led 3-1 by the Heat. Jimmy Butler and company were one missed three-pointer away from making the NBA Finals last year and finished as league runner-ups in the 2020 bubble, and it now seems as if they will be competing to reach the Finals once again, just totally against the grain.

NFL Division Preview: The AFC East

The second segment of the show is dedicated to the AFC East as Grant and Tanner embark on an eight-week journey to forecast what is going to happen in every division in football this season.

The Buffalo Bills are unsurprising division favorites, and while both co-hosts like them to win the pennant, they are not as confident in them finding success in the postseason without an evolution in Josh Allen’s play.

The New York Jets, led by marquee offseason addition Aaron Rodgers, are next in line. The prevailing opinion on the show is that they will make the playoffs but winning a Super Bowl is too tall of an ask for the roster.

Grant and Tanner also share a concern for Tua Tagovailoa’s health when discussing the Miami Dolphins, who are third in odds to win the AFC East. But he’s not the only quarterback they dissect on the show—they also take aim at New England Patriots QB Mac Jones and declare that this will be his final season in the northeast if he doesn’t show improvement.

MLB Madness

After a trip to everyone’s favorite segment “Did You Hear? (which you’ll have to hear for yourself), the show closes out by talking about the landscape of the MLB. 

The Boston Red Sox have found their footing and are in blistering form in an AL East division that looks like the outright best in baseball. Grant declares that they should chase new pitchers at the deadline and can be World Series contenders if they do so.

Speaking of pitchers, the league’s leaders in ERA are not the traditional big names that everyone expects to see. Tanner still has faith in Shane McClanahan, whom he highlighted as a standout in fourth place amongst ERA leaders.

The final baseball topic is about Masataka Yoshida, who met his idol Bryce Harper before they engaged in a series. Harper gave Boston’s slugger cleats and bats with his signature and also took pictures with him.