Saturday's NBA Playoff Action: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com
Indiana Pacers at Orlando Magic (+5, 181.5)
THE STORY: Fresh off two decisive second-half performances, the Indiana Pacers attempt to take a 3-1 series lead when they visit the Orlando Magic in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first-round series on Saturday. Indiana has outscored Orlando 81-43 in the third quarter in the first three games of the series and the uprisings have been critical elements in the Pacers’ back-to-back double-digit victories. Orlando has badly missed center Dwight Howard, sidelined after season-ending back surgery.
ABOUT THE PACERS (34-35 ATS): Leading scorer Danny Granger rediscovered his shooting stroke in Game 3 by scoring 26 points and going 5 for 9 from 3-point range. Granger hit just three of 14 3-pointers in the first two games. He is averaging 20.3 points and eight rebounds in the series while leading the well-balanced Indiana attack. Four other Pacers are averaging in double figures – guard George Hill (14.7), forward David West (13.7), guard Paul George (12.3) and center Roy Hibbert (10). Hibbert has taken advantage of Howard’s absence by also averaging 12 rebounds and 4.7 blocks. West is averaging 9.3 boards and playing tenacious defense.
ABOUT THE MAGIC (35-34 ATS): Forward Ryan Anderson is in the midst of an ill-timed disappearing act. Anderson has been tormented by West and is averaging just 7.7 points and shooting 31.8 percent from the field. Anderson made an NBA-high 161 3-pointers during the regular season but is just 5 of 15 from behind the arc in the series. “He’s going to have to put a lot more into the game,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. “It’s not going to be easy now for him. It’s the playoffs – people are going to make adjustments and they’ve made a conscious effort to take him out and he’s not going to get some easy things he got all year.”
TRENDS:
* Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
* Road team is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings.
* Pacers are 5-1 ATS in their last six road games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Indiana has averaged 95 points in its two victories and was limited to 77 in its loss.
2. Orlando G/F Jason Richardson has scored a total of seven points in the last two games after tallying 17 points in the opener.
3. The Pacers have held Orlando to 13 points in the third quarter twice in the series and 17 in the other contest.
Memphis Grizzlies at Los Angeles Clippers (-3, 187.5)
THE STORY: Despite staging one of the more remarkable comebacks in postseason history to steal Game 1 and home-court advantage, the Los Angeles Clippers were lamenting a missed opportunity as they prepare to host the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 3 of their first-round series Saturday afternoon. Los Angeles shot nearly 57 percent from the floor in Game 2 but came out on the short end of a 105-98 loss. "I felt like we could have got two (wins)," Clippers PG Chris Paul said.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (29-38-1 ATS): Memphis found the perfect strategy to counter the Lob City tactics of the Clippers: Attack the offensive glass. The Grizzlies managed to negate Los Angeles' sizzling shooting in Game 2 by establishing a punishing inside presence, owning a 16-4 edge in offensive rebounds and outscoring the Clippers 18-6 on second-chance points. Memphis also showed why it led the league in steals and forced turnovers in the regular season, harassing Los Angeles into 21 turnovers and recording 13 thefts. Rudy Gay scored 21 points to lead a balanced attack featuring six players in double figures.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (34-33-1 ATS): Paul was noticeably more aggressive on the offensive end from the outset in Game 2 and finished with 29 points, six assists and five steals. However, he was also responsible for five of the turnovers, matching his high from the regular season. One concern for the Clippers entering Game 3 is the health of their perimeter players. Reserve guards Mo Williams (bruised right forearm) and Eric Bledsoe (bruised left elbow) each left the floor with injuries in the fourth quarter, and Game 1 hero Nick Young (sprained right thumb) also was hurt. All three are expected to play Saturday.
TRENDS:
* Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Los Angeles.
* Favorite is 3-1-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Home team is 3-1-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Grizzlies are 1-3-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Memphis is the first team in 15 years (Seattle, 1995-97) to lead the league in steals and forced turnovers in back-to-back seasons.
2. The Clippers committed the second-fewest turnovers this season, setting a franchise mark with 12.33 per game.
3. Grizzles reserve guard O.J. Mayo scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter Wednesday. Memphis is 7-1 when he scores in double figures in the fourth.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks (1.5, 193.5)
THE STORY: To be the champ, you have to beat the champ – and the Oklahoma City Thunder appear to be embracing that mantra. The visiting Thunder can end the reign of the defending NBA champions and complete a series sweep in Game 4 against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. After two narrow home victories, the Thunder overwhelmed Dallas in Game 3 behind 31 points from league scoring champ Kevin Durant. No team in NBA history has ever overcome a 3-0 series deficit.
ABOUT THE THUNDER: Durant rebounded from a pair of sub-par shooting performances by scoring 15 first-quarter points to set the tone for Oklahoma City’s romp in Game 3. All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook helped break the game open with 11 points in the third quarter, but it was unexpected contributions that left the Mavericks dazed and on the brink of elimination. Backup guards Derek Fisher and Daequan Cook had all the points in 15-1 run bridging the third and fourth quarter as the Thunder moved within one victory of avenging last season's five-game series loss to Dallas.
ABOUT THE MAVERICKS: Falling behind by 15 points early put Dallas' aging core at a serious disadvantage. While the Mavericks were the comeback kings en route to the NBA title last season, star forward Dirk Nowitzki realizes the immediate goal is much more modest. "We have to win a game," he said. "We need to show some pride on Saturday.” Nowitzki torched Oklahoma City for a pair of 40-point performances in last season's playoffs, but with the Mavericks trailing by five points moments into the second half and the game hanging in the balance, he mustered only one point in the third quarter.
TRENDS:
* Thunder is 14-6 ATS in its last 20 games laying 0.5-4.5 points.
* Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Dallas.
* Underdog is 20-5-1 ATS in the last 26 meetings.
* Mavericks are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games as home underdogs.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Mavericks, who have never been swept in the playoffs, are trying to avoid becoming the first reigning champ to be ousted in the first round since the Miami Heat in 2007.
2. Oklahoma City committed a season-low eight turnovers Thursday – half its NBA-worst 16.0 average.
3. Nowitzki was held without an assist for only the second time in his last 26 postseason games.
San Antonio Spurs at Utah Jazz (5.5, 202)
THE STORY: The Utah Jazz found a way to slow down the San Antonio Spurs in their last trip to Salt Lake City. Of course, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich provided a considerable assist by resting his three top players to enable Utah to snap the Spurs' 11-game win streak. The Jazz won't have the luxury of facing San Antonio's juggernaut shorthanded this time around as they look to bounce back from a 2-0 deficit in Game 3 of their first-round series Saturday night.
ABOUT THE SPURS: Point guard Tony Parker was an under-the-radar MVP candidate during the regular season, and he's continued his brilliant play in the postseason to help San Antonio extend its win streak to 12 games. Parker scored 28 points to go with eight assists in the opener and followed it up with 18 and nine in Game 2 despite playing only 27 1/2 minutes. Parker has not made a 3-pointer since March 28, attempting only nine in the span, but guides a ruthlessly efficient offense that is averaging over 114 points during the 12-game streak.
ABOUT THE JAZZ: Utah rolled into the postseason riding a five-game win streak, but has been unable to keep pace with the top-seeded Spurs. Wednesday's 114-83 thrashing was the second-worst playoff loss in team history. The Jazz scored only 28 first-half points in Game 2 and were vaporized by a 20-0 Spurs' run. Utah acquitted itself better in the series opener, getting a combined 53 points from its frontline of Paul Millsap, Gordon Hayward and Al Jefferson, but the starting backcourt has produced a combined 20 points in the first two games.
TRENDS:
* Under is 4-0 in Utah's last four games.
* Spurs are 4-1-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
* Home team is 21-8-1 ATS in the last 30 meetings.
* Jazz is 1-5 ATS in its last six games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5 points.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Spurs have won eight of the last nine meetings, with the only loss coming last month with Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili sitting out.
2. Utah is 9-1 all-time at home against the Spurs in the postseason.
3. San Antonio has its first 2-0 playoff series lead since 2008.
Saturday's NBA Action
By Bookmaker.ag
San Antonio Spurs look to continue dominance over Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz hope their passionate home crowd can bring good luck and drastic changes in a series that is quickly getting away from them. The San Antonio Spurs have dominated the series so far, winning the first two games by an average of 23 points. When the Jazz go home to the Energy Solutions Arena, the series will be on the line, as falling down three games to none will be a death knell. That kind of desperation from Utah will make a bet on the NBA Playoffs that much more exciting. Point guard Tony Parker of the Spurs has been particularly effective, averaging 23 points per game and 8.5 assists to just 1.5 turnovers. If game 3 weren't such a blowout, Parker's numbers would be even more impressive.
Game 3 saw the Spurs jump out to a 25-point lead at halftime. The Jazz never had a shot, though at least the eventual 114-83 loss made the 15-point game 1 loss look a little better.
On the series, the Spurs are shooting 52 percent from the field, compared to just 38 percent by the Jazz. So far, Utah has looked completely outmatched by the veteran and driven Spurs.
The upcoming game on Saturday night is the most important game of the year for Utah. A loss would mean certain defeat, as no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the NBA to win a series. A win would help soothe the massive losses of the first two games, and show that Utah actually belongs on the same court with Tim Duncan and company.
Use the upcoming Jazz and Spurs match up for your bet on the NBA Playoffs. The way things are going it could be one of the final times you get the chance to bet on the Utah Jazz.
Dallas Mavericks face elimination in game four against Oklahoma City Thunder
Many had the Dallas Mavericks contending in their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder thanks to their veteran experience and knowledge gained from their win over the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals a year ago. However, with three games down, the Mavericks find themselves on the brink of elimination. While the games have largely been close enough to keep your fingernails low, the Thunder enter game four with a 3-0 lead. It's the perfect time to bet on the NBA Playoffs if you want to use your wager on the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavs were a couple of bounces off the rim from being up 2-0 on their way back to Dallas for game three. However, Durant got the roll in the game winner in game one, and the Mavs simply could not knock down the big shot in game two to preserve the victory.
Game three, however, looked to truly take the wind out of the Dallas sail. The Thunder, after winning the first two games by a mere 4 points combined, took home their third win of the series by the score of 95-79.
Kevin Durant had an elite night, scoring 31 points on 11 of 15 shooting, including 4 of 6 from beyond the arc. He carried the rest of the squad who, combined, shot just 35 percent from the field.
The entire Dallas team actually managed to shoot at a lesser clip than that, at 34.2 percent. The Mavs simply could not buy a bucket. Even on a night when the defense showed up, Dallas could not put it all together.
Considering the current series standing and the direction each game has gone, I would not be surprised to see the Thunder put their foot down and supply the mortal blow to the Dallas Mavericks. Use OKC for your NBA Playoff bet, and watch as the cash flows into your pocket.
NBA Preview
Spurs (2-0) @ Jazz -- San Antonio has won its last 12 games (11-0-1 vs spread) with both games in this series staying under total. Spurs won eight of last nine games vs Utah, winning three of last four played here by 8-4-10 points, but they did lose last visit here. SA was dominant in first couple games, leading last game 53-28 at half- they shot 57% from floor, made 10-22 behind arc. Spurs have only won one playoff series in last three years, curious to see if they can make short work of Jazz.
Pacers (2-1) @ Magic -- Indiana was lucky, drawing Magic in this round without Dwight Howard; Orlando scored 81-78-74 points in first three games, starters other than Glen Davis were just 9-28 in hideous Game 3 loss. Orlando is 9-3 in last dozen games vs Indiana, winning six of last eight played here, with only one of the six wins by less than 13 points, but most of that was with Howard. Indiana FG% has gone up in every game, from 34.5% to 42.9% to 46.8%, bad sign for Orlando.
Grizzlies @ Clippers (1-1) -- LA shot 56.7% from floor in Game 2 but lost at Memphis; very rare a team shoots that well and loses. Grizzlies made 31 of 39 on foul line in Game 2, after being 11-18 in opener. Clips won five of last seven series games, with home team winning six of last eight, four of five this season. Keep in mind Clippers lost Butler (broken hand) in wild Game 1 win, when they were down 27 but won. Memphis lost last three visits here, by 7-7-16 points.
Thunder (2-1) @ Mavericks -- Oklahoma City held defending champs to 34.7% from floor in surprisingly easy Game 3 win, after taking couple terrific games in Games 1-2, winning by 1-3 points. Durant was 11-15 from floor last game, after being 15-44 in first two; Thunder was 12-28 from arc, after being 11-32 in two home games. As long as Ibaka/Harden give OC double digits in support of Durant/Westbrook, Thunder is very good. Pride game for Dallas, whose guards just don't shoot it well.
Armadillosports.com
NBA: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks
Oklahoma City (50-19, 36-33 ATS) took a three-games-to-none series lead over the Dallas (36-33, 34-35 ATS) Thursday night and have now beaten Dallas in six of seven meetings since being eliminated by Mavericks in the Western Conference finals last season. The point differential over the seven games has been a miniscule +3.1 for Durant and company with Thunder 2-5 against-the-spread over the span. The Mavericks were right there in GM-1 & 2 but with Durant back to his scoring ways (31 points) Thunder lead wire-to-wire in GM-3 destroying Mavericks 95-79 as 3.5 point road dogs. The betting market figuring Thunder will repay Dallas for what went down last season have Thunder -1.5 point favorite to end it all in Dallas Saturday night. Memories of last year’s Western conference finals still lingering Thunder won't let the defending champs off the ropes. Consider OKC as your NBA Sport Pick as Thunder have cashed seven of eleven tickets as road faves of 3 or less and enter a profitable 10-2-1 ATS last thirteen meetings in Dallas.
San Antonio Spurs at Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz beaten down, humiliated, embarrassed after a pair of demoralizing defeats in San Antonio return to the comfort of EnergySolutions Arena two games away from extinction. Jazz 25-8 (20-13 ATS) at ESA during the regular season will be recharged in Salt Lake City. However, it'll take more than the hometown wave to avoid the brink of elimination. Jazz shooting just 37.8% from the field, 26.3% from long range in these playoffs have a tough one against a Spurs club that has netted a whopping 113.9 points/game and allowed a messily 95.4 per/game over it's current 12 game win streak (11-1 ATS). Plenty of reason to back San Antonio. The Spurs have done well on foreign hardwood of late laying 7 or less going 10-1 SU with a smart 7-2-2 mark at the betting window outscoring host teams by an average 11 points/game. Spurs on a mission look primed to grab a stranglehold on the series. They're 8-1 (6-2-1 ATS) last nine meetings vs. Jazz including 3-1 SU/ATS on this floor. Need help deciding whether to play chalks or underdogs in Major League Baseball, NBA Basketball, NHL Hockey join the Nations Best Handicappers for
INDIANA (44 - 25) at ORLANDO (38 - 31)
Top Trends for this game.
ORLANDO is 103-74 ATS (+21.6 Units) on Saturday games since 1996.
ORLANDO is 71-85 ATS (-22.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 21-35 ATS (-17.5 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 29-43 ATS (-18.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 12-24 ATS (-14.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 7-7 against the spread versus INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 10-4 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
9 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
MEMPHIS (42 - 26) at LA CLIPPERS (41 - 27)
Top Trends for this game.
MEMPHIS is 89-71 ATS (+10.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
MEMPHIS is 42-27 ATS (+12.3 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 17-33 ATS (-19.3 Units) against Southwest division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 174-237 ATS (-86.7 Units) after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.
LA CLIPPERS are 134-185 ATS (-69.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
LA CLIPPERS is 6-6 against the spread versus MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
LA CLIPPERS is 7-6 straight up against MEMPHIS over the last 3 seasons
8 of 13 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY (50 - 19) at DALLAS (36 - 33)
Top Trends for this game.
DALLAS is 94-75 ATS (+11.5 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 36-21 ATS (+12.9 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 31-19 ATS (+10.1 Units) against Northwest division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 19-5 ATS (+13.5 Units) in all playoff games over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 60-37 ATS (+19.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 38-21 ATS (+14.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 47-28 ATS (+16.2 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
DALLAS is 29-17 ATS (+10.3 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 138-115 ATS (+11.5 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 73-53 ATS (+14.7 Units) in road games over the last 3 seasons.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in a road game where where the total is between 190 and 194.5 points over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 11-8 against the spread versus OKLAHOMA CITY over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 10-9 straight up against DALLAS over the last 3 seasons
10 of 19 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO (52 - 16) at UTAH (36 - 32)
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 47-30 ATS (+14.0 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 45-20 ATS (+23.0 Units) in all games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 35-15 ATS (+18.5 Units) as a favorite this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 46-29 ATS (+14.1 Units) in road games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) when playing with 2 days rest this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 40-22 ATS (+15.8 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) after scoring 105 points or more this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 21-6 ATS (+14.4 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 26-10 ATS (+15.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
UTAH is 6-6 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
SAN ANTONIO is 8-5 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
7 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA vs. ORLANDO
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games
Indiana is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Orlando is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Orlando's last 5 games at home
MEMPHIS vs. LA CLIPPERS
Memphis is 1-5 SU in their last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis's last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the LA Clippers last 7 games at home
LA Clippers are 11-1 SU in their last 12 games at home
OKLAHOMA CITY vs. DALLAS
Oklahoma City is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City's last 6 games when playing Dallas
Dallas is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games when playing Oklahoma City
SAN ANTONIO vs. UTAH
The total has gone OVER in 5 of San Antonio's last 7 games when playing on the road against Utah
The total has gone OVER in 7 of San Antonio's last 10 games
Utah is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Utah's last 7 games when playing at home against San Antonio
Indiana at Orlando
Indiana: 8-1 Over away with a total of 180 to 184.5 points
Orlando: 4-15 ATS off BB losses by 15+ points
Memphis at LA Clippers
Memphis: 23-10 Under in road games
LA Clippers: 16-7 ATS revenging a road loss
Oklahoma City at Dallas
Oklahoma City: 12-3 Under after allowing 85 points or less
Dallas: 19-5 ATS in playoff games
San Antonio at Utah
San Antonio: 19-3 ATS with a total of 200+ points
Utah: 13-4 Under with a total of 200+ points