Today's blog starts with the NBA playoffs moving into the conference championships with the Nuggets-Lakers series starting tonight and the Magic-Cavaliers on Wednesday. It should prove to be two interesting series. The Lakers and Cavaliers have been the favorites to reach the NBA Finals for a long time, but I don't see either as being a lock against the upstart Nuggets and Magic.

Before we get to today's plays, I want to post a reminder to tune into tonight's ViewFromVegas.com Podcast at 8 p.m. Pacific Time at: http://www.lvrocks.com/details.php?id=149 (be sure to click on the Cam & Chat to read/take part in the lively discussion that is often as entertaining as the actual show). We'll be giving the ViewFromVegas of Rachel Alexandra's victory over Mine That Bird in the Preakness, plus an update of our Triple Crown contest, plus a look at the NBA and NHL playoffs and everything else that is going on in the world of sports, including a discussion about Delaware approving sports betting last week. If you miss the live show, you can always catch it afterward or in the coming days in the archive at the above site (but with no live chat or webcam).

And now onto the picks:

NBA PLAYOFFS (11-15 for a net loss of 5.5 units)
Nuggets-Lakers UNDER 215 (slight lean to Nuggets +6.5)
Magic +8 vs. Cavaliers (Wednesday)

NHL PLAYOFFS (11-19 for a net loss of 2.45 units)
Blackhawks +300 series price vs. Red Wings (better than taking +180 in Game 2)

MLB UMPIRE TOTALS (43-31-2 on the season and a net profit of 7.8 units)
No plays Tuesday...the best home-plate ump going on last year's stats was Dale Scott, who is working the Mets-Dodgers game tonight, at 20-13 with the under, but he's 3-5 this year with the under, plus the total is at 8 with Maine vs. Billingsly, so I have to pass.

MLB UNDERDOGS (41-56 for a net profit of 1.34 units)
Pirates +135 vs. Nationals
Giants +135 vs. Padres
Tigers +115 vs. Rangers
Angels +140 vs. Mariners

Good luck, everyone.  And don't forget to check the Forums each day as plays will be posted in the Tuley the Tout thread. Plays also are getting sent more often (and in a more timely fashion) to followers of twitter.com/viewfromvegas and I expect that to become even more common as I can post from my cell phone without having to log on to a computer or laptop.