NBA Handicapping Predictions – Spurs vs Thunder
The San Antonio Spurs dominated Game Two to take a 2-0 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
The San Antonio Spurs dominated Game Two to take a 2-0 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
Oklahoma City led by nine early in the fourth quarter, but the San Antonio Spurs kicked it into high gear and won their 19th straight game Sunday night in Game One of the Western Conference Finals.
The Heat are big favorites tonight and to win this series facing the Celtics, but this season Boston beat Miami in 3 of 4 games.
It’s one of the most anticipated playoff series’ in years. Oklahoma City is an up and coming young team full of talent.
The Philadelphia 76ers evened up this series with a win Wednesday night. The eighth seeded 76ers have pushed this game to the brink.
NBA Basketball Matchup: #8 Philadelphia 76ers (3-3) vs. #4 Boston Celtics (3-3)
Date/Time: May 26, 8:00 PM EST on ABC
NBA Gambling Odds from BetDSI
NBA Betting Favorite: Celtics -5.5
Over/Under: 170.5
Can the young Sixers upend the heavily favored Celtics in Game Seven? The oddsmakers have the veteran Celtics favored by 5.5.
Let’s take a closer look at this critical Game Seven in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Doug Collins’ team has shown that they are extremely scrappy, but this will be a major test for them on the road in a deciding Game Seven. Boston knows how to win Game Seven’s, so the 76ers will have to play their best.
When Philadelphia has won in this series it has been largely due to their terrific defense. The 76ers were ranked in the top five in defense in the NBA all year, and most people don’t realize how solid this group is on the defensive end. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
They have controlled the boards in most of the games, and they are getting out and running whenever they have the opportunity. Philadelphia needs big games out of their point-forwards Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner.
Both of these guys have unique skill sets and they are tough matchups for the Celtics.
Boston led 36-33 at halftime in Game Six, but they looked terrible in the second half. The Celtics looked tired and slow against the young Sixers. The two days of rest before Game Seven will certainly help the Celtics, but they must come out focused and ready to go.
Boston shot a miserable 33.3% from the floor in Game Six. Brandon Bass was the hero in Game Five, but he was just 4 for 14 from the floor in Game Six. Rajon Rondo was 4 for 14, and he only had six assists. Only Kevin Garnett has consistently produced on the offensive end throughout this series.
Rondo must be fully engaged, and Paul Pierce needs to be aggressive getting to the rim if the Celtics are going to win this one.
The Celtics know this is one of their last chances to win with the current group, and I expect them to pull out a close win. Still, the best value is likely the under in what I expect to be a tight game.
Free NBA Pick: Under 170.5
The Heat won a highly tense Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead in this series, but it was a costly win since both Udonis Haslem and Dexter Pittman were called for flagrant fouls and both will miss this game.
Philadelphia has made this a tough series for the Celtics, but the 76ers are now on the brink of elimination.
The Heat took back home court advantage in this series with a monster game from LeBron James in Game 4 and now the Pacers have to find a way to win or they will be going home down 3-2.
The Philadelphia 76ers came from 17 points down in third quarter to top the Boston Celtics in Game Four.
The Spurs did it again, winning in impressive, albeit different fashion. This time, like a cat playing with a mouse they let their opponents think they were in the game, getting down by as many as 24 points before turning it on and winning going away.
The Heat have lost the last 2 games of this series and Game 3 was an ugly loss where Dwyane Wade and even had a spat with his head coach.
The Spurs proved again in game two that they are on fire.
The Boston Celtics may not have shown up ready to play in the first two games of the series, but they were at their best in Game Three.
I suppose it could be said that the fact that the Los Angeles Clippers made the playoffs and won a round is a fine accomplishment for a franchise without much history of success…but at least go out with your pants on.
The Pacers won Game 2 and while LeBron James and Dwyane Wade combined for 52 points in the game these 2 stars got no help with no Miami player going for more than 5 points.
The first two games of this series couldn’t have been any closer. The Celtics escaped Game One with a one-point win.