NBA Betting News and Notes Sunday, April 23rd, 2017

NBA Knowledge

Cleveland won first two games of series by 1-6 points, then rallied back from down 25 at half to win with Irving/Love riding pine in 4th quarter. Road team covered all three series games. Cavaliers won their last six games with Indiana, with last four wins by total of 17 points. Cavaliers are 3-2 in last five series games played here. Indiana won five of its last eight games, covered eight of last nine- over is 13-4 in their last 17 games. Cleveland was 21-44 on arc last game, 18-43 inside arc. Nine of Cavaliers’ last 11 games went over the total- they shot 53.8/55.3% from floor in first two games, hen 44.8% in Game 3.

Houston won five of seven games with Oklahoma City this year; five of the seven were decided by 4 or less points, with Rockets winning five of last six. Houston was +26/+10/+5 in 2nd half in this series; Thunder had better balance in Game 3, with four starters in double figures. Five of last seven Thunder games stayed under the total- OKC lost four of its last seven home games. Houston is 4-6 in its last ten road games; under is 7-5 in their last dozen games. OKC shot 37% from floor in Game 1, 41.2% in Game 2, 55.4% in Game 3, which is unusual. Harden had 44 points last gam, Beverley had 1- Rockets could obviously use more from him.

Celtics are now 3-10 in playoffs under Stevens; Rondo’s broken thumb seems to have bailed them out of hole they dug losing first two series games at home. Boston won Game 3 easily, gain to foul line only seven (5-7) times. Celtics were 41-108 on arc in first three games; they’re 10-5 in last 14 games overall, 5-5 in last nine road tilts- over is 4-2-1 in their last seven. Chicago is now 9-3 in its last 12 games; six of their last eight games stayed under the total. Bulls won six of last eight home games; over is 2-6 in last eight Chicago games. Home side lost all three games in this series.

Gobert/Griffin are now out, which cancels each other out. Clippers shot 52%+ from floor in winning last two games- they were 22-33 on line in Game 3, after going 5-8 in Game 2. LA won nine of its last ten games (5-4-1 vs spread); over is 8-7 in their last 15 games, 1-2 in this series. Jazz is 2-5 against the Clippers this year, going 1-2 here- LA is 5-1 overall in last six visits to Salt Lake City. LA is just 21-63 on arc in series but with Gobert out, they should be able to attack basket more. Under is 7-4 in last 11 Utah games. Clippers are 5-6 in last 11 road games; four of their last six games overall stayed under the total.

Armadillosports.com

Sunday's Early Tips
By Chris David
VegasInsider.com

Eastern Conference First Round

Cleveland at Indiana

Prior to Game 1 of this series, Sportsbook.ag had posted odds as high as 13/5 (Bet $100 to win $260) for the Cavaliers to sweep the Pacers and we’re one Cleveland win away from seeing that outcome happen.

It very well looked like Indiana was going to trim into Cleveland’s 2-0 series lead on Thursday as it built a 74-49 halftime lead in Game 3. The Pacers couldn’t miss in the first 24 minutes but the final two quarters was a drastically different story.

Cleveland outscored Indiana 70-40 in the second-half and rallied for the third-largest comeback in playoff history as it earned a 119-114 road win in Game 3. Leading the charge was LeBron James, who finished with 41 points 13 rebounds and 12 assists. What’s even more impressive is that both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love didn’t register a minute in the fourth quarter for the Cavaliers.

Paul George led Indiana with 36 points and 15 rebounds but he cooled off considerably in the second-half with no points in the third and just 10 in the fourth. As a team, the Pacers shot 40 percent from the field while the Cavaliers connected on 44.8 percent of their shots and that included a blistering 21-of-44 (47.7%) mark from 3-point land.

The Cavaliers closed as short favorites (-1½) in Game 3 and the oddsmakers are expecting this series to conclude on Sunday. Cleveland opened as a three-point favorite over Indiana and most shops are holding 3 ½ or 4 as of Saturday evening. Make a note that the Pacers have never endured a four-game sweep in the NBA.

Sweeping has become a very common theme for the aforementioned LeBron James. Since he returned to the Cavaliers, he’s produced two first-round sweeps and four overall in the seven series that Cleveland has won. If you go back to his four-year stint in Miami, James helped the Heat sweep a pair of first-round series and the other two matchups were completed in five games.

With that being said, it’s hard to imagine that we’ll see this series headed to Game 6 or 7.

Will Indiana show some pride and rebound from the collapse this past Thursday or is the last time that we'll see George in a Pacers uniform?

The one thing we’ve learned about the Pacers this season is that they’ve been very streaky. They entered the postseason with five consecutive wins and they’ve had some great runs during the year where they looked like possible contenders.

On the other hand, this is also a team that has dropped four or more games in a row on three different occasions this season. The most recent skid taking place right before their five-game winning streak to close the season.

In mid-February before the All-Star break, Indiana suffered four consecutive losses at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Outside of that stretch, the Pacers only dropped back-to-back games at home one time during the season and those losses took place in November.

Including Thursday’s victory, Cleveland is now 6-1 against Indiana this season but just 3-4 against the spread in those contests. The one loss occurred at Indiana in November and LeBron sat that game out for the Cavaliers. The Pacers managed to earn covers in the first two games of this series and they did so by outscoring the Cavaliers by a combined 19 points in the fourth quarter of those games. Including the effort from Cleveland on Thursday, the visitor is now plus-31 in the final quarter of this series.

The Cavaliers have gone 15-8 straight up on the road in the playoffs over the last three seasons and that includes a 9-2 record when laying points as visitors. The money-line on Cleveland for Game 4 could be a good look but a lot of books have juiced the number as high as minus-170 (Bet $100 to win $58).

The ‘over’ has gone 3-0 in this series and the oddsmakers sent out an opener of 211½ for Game 4 and that number has been pushed up to 212½.

We did see a faster pace for Game 3 as the Pacers (95) and Cavaliers (87) weren't shy offensively but the number of attempts in Game 1 (78-81) and Game 2 (76-84) were much less. Knowing Indiana is facing elimination, I would expect head coach Nate McMillian and the Pacers to try to shorten the game if they’re holding a late lead.

If necessary, the Cavaliers will host the Pacers in Game 5 on Tuesday from Quicken Loans Arena.

The only sportsbook offering a series price on this matchup is 5Dimes.eu, who has Cleveland listed as a ridiculous ‘chalk’ (-16,300) while the takeback on Indiana (65/1) is just as crazy.

Western Conference First Round

Houston at Oklahoma City

While the Pacers failed to hold serve at home in Game 3, the Thunder managed to do so this past Friday as they nipped the Rockets for a 115-113 victory to cut the series deficit to 2-1.

Oklahoma City came out firing and led 34-25 after the first quarter and 65-58 at halftime. Billy Donovan and his squad built the lead to 10 points (93-83) heading into the fourth quarter but they nearly squandered that margin with Russell Westbrook resting. Fortunately for OKC, the team weathered the storm and a big 3-point miss at the buzzer from the Rockets’ James Harden to earn the Game 3 win.

Bettors should note that Oklahoma City is plus-20 in the first quarter in this series while Houston is plus-31 in the fourth quarter through the first three games. If your handicapping technique supports closers, then the Rockets have a serious edge in that department.

After scoring 51 points in a triple-double in Game 2’s loss at Houston, Westbrook recorded another triple-double (32-13-11) this past Friday. Harden led the Rockets with 44 points, six assists and six rebounds but was just 4-of-12 from 3-point land.

As a team, the Rockets only shot 45 percent and a lot of those misses came from downtown (10-of-35). Houston made an average of 14.3 triples during the regular season but have only hit 31 in this series, which makes you wonder what would happen in this matchup if they ever fill it up from the outside.

The Thunder connected on Friday, shooting 55 percent of the field and that included a 9-of-19 (47.4%) effort from 3-point land. Westbrook helped keep that percentage up by only attempting one 3-pointer in Game 3 after going a combined 5-of-22 in the first two losses at Houston. If there was a weakness to his performance on Friday it was four missed free throws, which was one less than his teammate Andre Roberson, who went 0-for-5 from the charity stripe.

Oddsmakers opened Oklahoma City as a one-point favorite for Game 4 on Sunday and the number has climbed to 1½ at a few spots. Despite winning on Friday, the Thunder failed to cover as a 2½-point favorite and they’re 1-2 against the spread in the series.

Houston has gone 2-4 SU and 1-4-1 ATS in its last six trips to Oklahoma City but five of the outcomes were decided by four points or less.

While the Rockets are the better team in this series and as much I respect head coach Mike D’Antoni, neither the team or him have had much success on the road in the playoffs. Since Harden arrived, Houston has only gone 4-14 on the road in the playoffs and they’ve now dropped seven straight as visitors in the postseason after Friday’s loss. To be fair to D'Antoni, he hasn't coached in the postseason since stints with the Lakers (2012) and Knicks (2010) but he'll be looking to break a nine-game losing skid on the road in the playoffs this Sunday.

The Rockets did post the third best road record (25-16 SU, 24-16-1 ATS) in the league this season but it’s hard to ignore how they closed against top-tier opponents away from home. Against teams at or above .500, Houston went 2-8 down the stretch on the road.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma City has won five of six and seven of its last 10 playoff games from the Chesapeake Energy Arena and the three losses came by a combined 12 points, which includes the infamous 108-101 collapse to Golden State in last year’s playoffs.

5Dimes.eu has Houston listed as a minus-525 favorite (Bet $100 to win $19) to win the series while the return on the Thunder is plus-415 (Bet $100 to win $415).

The ‘over’ has connected in the last two games of this series but both results were helped with much-needed free throws in the final minutes. The total for Game 4 is hovering between 224 and 225.

Game 5 will take place on Tuesday from the Toyota Center.

Sunday's Late Tips
By Tony Mejia
VegasInsider.com

Eastern Conference First Round

No. 8 Chicago at No. 1 Boston

2016-17 Regular Season (Tied 2-2)
Oct. 27 Celtics at Bulls (-1) 105-99 (Under 209)
Nov. 2 Bulls at Celtics (-3) 107-100 (Under 207.5)
Feb. 16 Celtics at Bulls (+1) 104-103 (Under 214)
Mar. 12 Bulls at Celtics (-7.5) 100-80 (Under 208)

2016-17 Postseason (Bulls 2-1)
Apr. 16 Bulls (+7.5) at Celtics 106-102 (Over 207)
Apr. 18 Bulls (+7) at Celtics 111-97 (Over 206.5)
Apr. 21 Celtics (-2.5) at Bulls 104-87 (Under 206)
**Game 5 will take place from Boston's TD Garden on Wednesday.

The Bulls announced point guard Rajon Rondo fractured his thumb in Game 2 on Friday morning, ruling him out until he's re-evaluated in 7-to-10 days. Unless there's a Game 7 in this series, a strong possibility given the remaining series layout, he's played his last game against the Celtics this season.

It now remains to be seen whether Chicago can survive without his pace, energy and defense. Early returns weren't promising. Rondo averaged nearly a triple-double (11.5/8.5/10.0) in helping the Bulls build a 2-0 lead in Boston, turning back the clock to the days where he helped drive veteran teammates Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to hang the most recent banner the storied Celtics have on display at TD Garden.

Jerian Grant started and Michael Carter-Williams played the bulk of the minutes in Rondo's before Cam Payne closed out garbage time. Payne, who played four minutes, outscored Carter-Williams with his three points. MCW and Grant shot a combined 3-for-10 from the field and had more turnovers (7) than assists (3). Both were liabilities.

Wade ended up playing a lot of point and shot 6-for-18, often forcing up shots when his options dried up. He led Chicago with 18 points and was probably its most effective starter, which says a lot about how awful the Bulls were. Butler never found a rhythm without Rondo to help him get going and shot 7-for-21 from the field, finishing a team-worst minus-27 in his 39 minutes of action. He failed to get to the free-throw line after shooting 18 over the first two games. Considering this season's breakthrough, it was a disappointing effort. Without Rondo, it was on him to help set the tone early and make the game easier for others, especially at home. There isn't time to revamp a game plan, so going up 3-1 hinges on turning things around with better energy and execution. At least Butler is pointing fingers at the right guy.

"I don't feel I changed the game defensively either," Butler told reporters after Saturday's practice. "I don't think I did too much of anything. It's alright, we go out ot and play the way we're supposed to , I play the way I'm supposed to, and then back to the Bulls have a chance."

Boston played its best game of the series after surrendering an average of 108.5 points per game in the two losses. Brad Stevens felt his team played like he wanted them to, wounded and desperate. They came out with the intensity required from a team that couldn't afford a loss and helped the cause by shooting the lights out at United Center, connecting on 17-of-37 3-pointers.

Rebounding and turnovers were a major point of emphasis for Boston prior to Game 3 and things turned out around as far as miscues go. They committed just 12 turnovers while forcing 17 from the Bulls, 11 of which came on steals. On the boards, however, the Celtics were victimized again, outrebounded 52-37, which brings the count for the series to 148-111. Even with Robin Lopez playing his worst game, Chicago still created extra chances on the offensive glass.

Isaiah Thomas joined the Celtics in Chicago after flying across the country to be with family and attend his sister Chyna's funeral in Tacoma. He and backcourt mate Avery Bradley were each at minus-20 or lower in Game 2 after actually being on the plus side in the series opener, so their ability to bounce back with 31 points and 16 assists were vital to getting Stevens his first road playoff win as Celtics head coach. Stevens adjusted his starting lineup by putting another shooter out there with Gerald Green replacing Amir Johnson, who got just six minutes. Second-year guard Terry Rozier, another perimeter threat who has been an asset at both ends, has become an x-factor in the series, while rookie lottery pick Jaylen Brown has fallen out of the rotation altogether.

Can Thomas hold up and provide another solid game at the end of what's been an emotionally taxing eight-day span since finding out his younger sister had died in one-car accident at practice last Saturday afternoon? After a record-setting regular season for the Celtics, Thomas has averaged 23.0 points and shot 45 percent from the field in this series despite his personal tragedy. After 11 turnovers in Boston over the first two games, he had just two miscues and nine assists, his largest output in that category since late January. Al Horford had his best game of the series, finally getting the better of Lopez and finishing with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals while going 2-for-3 from 3-point range. If he's settled in and continues to flourish, Chicago is in trouble.

The Bulls opened as 1.5-point favorite against the Celtics on Friday before news that Rondo was sidelined made the rounds. Boston ended up favored on the road and covered easily in what became the lowest-scoring game of the series. It opened as a 2.5-point road favorite and has been favored nine times on the road since the All-Star break, going 4-5 SU/5-4 ATS. Chicago won its last two-regular season home games by a combined 86 points. It won six of eight at United Center, a run that includes the Jazz, Hawks and Cavs as victims. The Bulls also beat Golden State there to open March and need to come through here to give themselves three shots to close out a series that has become even more challenging as they aim to become the sixth No. 8 seed in league history to drop a No. 1.

Western Conference First Round

No. 4 L.A. Clippers at No. 5 Utah

2016-17 Regular Season (L.A. won 3-1)
Oct. 30 Jazz at Clippers (-7.5) 88-75 (Under 190)
Feb. 13 Clippers at Jazz (-8 ) 88-72 (Under 207)
Mar. 13 Clippers at Jazz (-2) 114-108 (Over 202.5)
Mar. 25 Jazz at Clippers (-5) 108-95 (2OT) (Over 200)

2016-17 Postseason (Clippers 2-1)
Apr. 15 Jazz (+6) at Clippers 97-95 (Under 197.5)
Apr. 18 Jazz at Clippers (-9) 99-91 (Under 200)
Apr. 21 Clippers (-1.5) at Jazz 111-106 (Over 197.5)
**Game 5 will take place from L.A.'s Staples Center on Tuesday.

The Clippers survived the loss of Blake Griffin in nearly identical fashion to how Utah managed to persevere after Rudy Gobert was lost to a knee injury 17 seconds into Game 1. Griffin's toe injury was suffered in the second quarter and he tried to play through it until he couldn't, so L.A. has no choice but to cling to the hope that they can get through this series without their star power forward. Never mind the Warriors. First things first, especially since getting past the Jazz will be a chore.

Griffin is done for the remainder of the postseason, and if nothing else, he's given the Clippers plenty of opportunities to gain experience playing without him. He's missed 70 of 173 possible games including the postseason since 2015-16 began. Griffin averaged 25 points and six boards over the first two games and was headed to similar production before bowing out of Game 3, leaving with 3:17 left before halftime.

L.A. won the second half 61-48 as Chris Paul took the game over and everyone else simply played their roles in a 111-106 comeback win. They went on a 15-0 run to put away the Jazz, riding Paul's 34 points, the most he's scored since dropping 40 on Feb. 26, 2016. Luc Mbah a Moute responded well to getting more touches, while Marreese Speights wound up a team-best plus-12. Those are the two guys who most played Griffin's role, while Paul Pierce logged 21 minutes, his longest stretch on the floor since Nov. 29 and second-longest on the season. Despite not scoring and taking only one shot, he was out there for key stretches.

The Clippers biggest problem in this series may not be that Griffin is out, but rather, that Gobert may soon be in. The French center with the 7-foot-7 wingspan appears on the verge of getting back, even though he's considered doubtful for Sunday. Because of how vital this game is to the Jazz, it wouldn't be too surprising if he gets treatment all afternoon and sees how he feels closer to tip-off. Monitor this situation throughout the day and keep an eye on the VegasInsider.com Twitter feed - @TwitVI - for updates.

If Gobert remains out, look for the Jazz to go small without Griffin to worry about, likely utilizing Boris Diaw for long stretches to keep from overextending Derrick Favors. The former No. 3 overall pick scored just two points in 38 minutes on Friday night and will be playing a game on a single day's rest for just the second time since early March. He looks spent. Without Gobert available and with Favors limping around, the Jazz have surrendered 49.3 points in the paint and have been outrebounded by DeAndre Jordan and friends. Utah hasn't been beaten at home in consecutive games since Feb. 13, when these Clippers followed Boston's act in pulling an upset, winning 88-72. The stakes are obviously higher now.

"You don't want to go down 3-1 going back to their place," said Jazz point guard George Hill, who will be tasked with finding a way to slow down Paul. "They have been playing well at home. Yes, it's a must-win situation for us."

Utah saw All-Star forward Gordon Hayward get his team off to a great start with a 21-point first-quarter outburst in Game 3, ultimately scoring a career-high 40 points. He struggled down the stretch, making only one fourth-quarter bucket, so protecting homecourt falls on his shoulders more than anyone else's. Since Griffin is such a tough physical matchup, his absence means the Jazz can get away with playing multiple wings like Joe Johnson, Rodney Hood and Joe Ingles alongside Hill, Hayward and whoever they have working at center.

Quin Snyder has had a great season pushing the right buttons in leading his team to a Northwest title, making him part of the Coach of the Year conversation. He's going to be counted on to continue adjusting on the fly and now is on more of an even playing field with more experienced counterpart Doc Rivers, who is now also forced to become innovative with his own personnel.

The under has prevailed in five of the last seven Jazz games, but the teams combined for 217 points in Game 3 and teamed for 222 in their final regular-season in Salt Lake City.

Sunday’s NBA Playoffs Betting Preview
Covers.com

Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers (+3.5, 212.5)

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (54-31 SU, 37-45-3 ATS, 50-34-1 O/U): LeBron James (5,669) moved into third place on the NBA's postseason scoring list -- passing Kobe Bryant -- with his latest big outing and is averaging 32.7 points, 10.7 assists and 9.7 rebounds in the series. He knocked down six 3-pointers as Cleveland went 21-of-44 from 3-point range with swingman Kyle Korver and shooting guard J.R. Smith also making four apiece. Point guard Kyrie Irving had just 13 points on 4-of-17 shooting in Game 3 after averaging 30 points over the first two games.

ABOUT THE PACERS (42-43 SU, 39-46 ATS, 42-41-2 O/U): Forward Paul George is averaging 32.3 points in the series and his 97 points through the first three games prompted memories of former Indiana scoring star Reggie Miller, who tallied 95 in the first three games of the 1994-95 postseason. George had 36 points and a postseason career-best 15 rebounds in Game 3 for the Pacers' first 30-point, 15-rebound showing since Jermaine O'Neal contributed 37 points and 15 rebounds in the 2006 first-round series against the then-New Jersey Nets. Point guard Jeff Teague is among the players talking the good fight, saying "we're playing for pride now. We're all competitors in here and we all believe in one another. We're not getting swept."

LINE HISTORY: The Pacers opened as 3-point home dogs for Game 4 and by Sunday morning they were up to +3.5. The total hit the betting board at 211.5 and has been bet up a full-point to 212.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Cavaliers - PG Kay Felder (Questionable Sunday, leg).

Pacers - C Al Jefferson (Questionable Sunday, ankle).

TRENDS:

* Cavaliers are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win.
* Pacers are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games overall
* Over is 7-1 in Cavaliers last 8 games following a straight up win.
* Over is 6-1 in Pacers last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.

Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder (-1, 224)

ABOUT THE ROCKETS: (57-28 SU, 44-41-0 ATS, 43-41-1 O/U): Houston looked like it was going to steamroll the Thunder when it won by 31 points in the opener but the last two games were tight and the Rockets know they are in for a battle. "We've got to come out desperate," Harden told reporters on Saturday. "Come out on the defensive end with a sense of urgency and, offensively, continue to do what we do. Get our shots, get to the rim and be unselfish." Harden has scored at least 35 points in each game in the series and is averaging 38.7 points and 7.7 assists.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (48-37 SU, 46-38-1 ATS, 39-45-1 O/U): Russell Westbrook is averaging 35 points, 11.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists in the series but when his 51-point splurge in Game 2 didn't result in a victory, he altered his approach for Game 3 and got more people involved. Power forward Taj Gibson erupted for 20 points on 10-of-13 shooting and shooting guard Victor Oladipo tallied 12 points after being 5-of-26 shooting over the first two games but Westbrook doesn't want to hear his teammates referred to as the "supporting cast." "Well, for one, we are all one team. I don't have a cast, or other guys," Westbrook told reporters. "We're all in this together. My teammates have been doing a great job all season long, the last few games as well, and we'll continue to trust in each other and our be able to stay a team."

LINE HISTORY: The Thunder opened as 1-point home chalk for Game 4 and that number hasn’t moved off the opening number. The total hit the betting board at 225 and has dropped slightly to 224.

INJURY REPORT:

Rockets - SF Sam Dekker (Early May, hand)

Thunder - No injuries to report

TRENDS:

* Thunder are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games.
* Over is 9-2-1 in Rockets last 12 games following a ATS win.
* Over is 5-1 in Thunder last 6 Conference Quarterfinals games.
* Rockets are 6-0 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Oklahoma City.
* Rockets are 11-2 ATS in the last 13 meetings.

Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls (+2.5, 204)

ABOUT THE CELTICS (54-31 SU, 41-42-2 ATS, 41-40-4 O/U): Isaiah Thomas scored 16 points in Game 3 - nearly 13 below his season average - but handed out nine assists as others around him became more involved offensively, namely fellow guard Avery Bradley (15 points, 4-of-6 from 3-point range). "Avery did a lot of good things. I couldn’t take him out of the game," coach Brad Stevens said of his shooting guard, who also had seven rebounds, seven assists and spent much of the game shutting down Butler and Wade on the defensive end. Backup point guard Terry Rozier was a non-factor in the games in Boston but emerged in Game 3 to provide 11 points in 23 minutes off the bench.

ABOUT THE BULLS (43-42 SU, 44-41 ATS, 34-50-1 O/U): Coach Fred Hoiberg was asked after Friday's game if he would run the offense more through Butler and veteran Dwyane Wade and rely less on Rondo's backups, Jerian Grant and Michael Carter-Williams, who combined for eight points, three assists and seven turnovers. "We'll see," Hoiberg told the media. "We'll go back and watch it and get together with the film session with our team [Saturday]. Get them back in the gym, and then make that decision before the game on Sunday." Center Robin Lopez has been around to clean up many of the messes around him and has 16 offensive rebounds in the series, which has helped him average 14.7 points on 70.4 percent shooting.

LINE HISTORY: Oddsmakers opened the Bulls as 2.5-point home dogs for Game 4 and set the total at 204, as of Saturday afternoon neither has moved off the opening number.

INJURY REPORT:

Celtics - No injuries to report

Bulls - PG Rajon Rondo (Out indefinitely, thumb)

TRENDS:

* Celtics are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS win.
* Bulls are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss.
* Under is 4-1-1 in Celtics last 6 games following a straight up win.
* Under is 9-1 in Bulls last 10 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Chicago.

L.A. Clippers at Utah Jazz (-2.5, 198.5)

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS: (53-32 SU, 41-43-1 ATS, 45-39-1 O/U): Utah has had no answer for Chris Paul, who is averaging 26.7 points and 10.3 assists in the series while shooting 55.4 percent from the floor. Paul scored nine straight points to cap a 15-0 run during the fourth quarter of Friday's 111-106 win, stealing the spotlight from Hayward, who had only one fourth-quarter basket in the closing seconds. "He has an amazing will," coach Doc Rivers told reporters. "He's just a tough guy. He's stubborn in a very, very positive way. All the great ones have that in them. They're stubborn like they aren't going to lose. And that's how he felt. And you could feel that. His energy and that kind of rubbed off on everybody on the team."

ABOUT THE JAZZ (52–33 SU, 38-43–4 ATS, 43-42 O/U): Utah was in the driver's seat after a Game 1 win on the road but now knows it is one defeat away from having its back against the wall, and desperation has begun to set in. "Yes, it's a must-win situation for us," Hill told the media of Game 4. "You never want to go down 3-1, especially going back to their home court (for Game 5)." Forward Derrick Favors, who has started the last two games in place of Gobert, was held to two points in 38 minutes Friday night.

LINE HISTORY:

Oddsmakers have opened the Jazz as 2-point home favorites for Game 4 and the spread has bumped slightly overnight to -2.5. The total hit the board at 197.5 and has been bet up one point to the current number of 198.5

INJURY REPORT:

Clippers - PG Austin Rivers (Questionable Sunday, hamstring), PF Blake Griffin (Questionable Sunday, toe), C Diamond Stone (Out indefinitely, knee)

Jazz - C Rudy Robert (Doubtful Sunday, knee), SG Alec Burks (Doubtful Sunday, knee)

TRENDS:

* Clippers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
* Clippers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up win.
* Over is 4-1 in Jazz last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Utah.
* Clippers are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Utah.