NBA Playoff Picks and Predictions for Monday
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA picks and predictions for Monday, May 11.
Denver Nuggets at Dallas Mavericks, 9:35PM ET
DALLAS (AP) - Still grumpy about how Game 3 finished, and groggy from the practically sleepless night that followed, the Dallas Mavericks got together Sunday to watch some film.
Guess what clip coach Rick Carlisle didn't show?
Hint: It's one the league isn't proud of, either.
As much as they don't want to see the play, it's one they'll all remember: Antoine Wright bumping Carmelo Anthony in an obvious attempt to draw a foul, then bumping him again, yet failing to get rung up either time at the end of a game during which the officials had no trouble blowing their whistles. Anthony wound up swishing a 3-pointer with 1 second left, taking the Denver Nuggets from two points down to one point ahead and a commanding 3-0 lead in this second-round series.
``We're not going to get that last play back, so just by watching it doesn't do us any good,'' Mavs star Dirk Nowitzki said.
NBA Free Pick: Denver | Best Line: +1.5 Sports Interaction
Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks, 7:05PM ET
When LeBron James has one of those nights, everyone else turns into fans.
His teammates? Yep. Even his coach.
``I try as much as possible,'' Cleveland's Mike Brown said Sunday, ``to stay out of the way.''
With one of his best performances ever, James carried the Cavaliers to the brink of another playoff sweep. The Atlanta Hawks sure know what they're up against, having watched their most inspired showing of the series turned into just another loss by the MVP's 47 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.
``Right now, he's playing at such a high level,'' said Hawks coach Mike Woodson, sounding a bit disheartened as his team heads into Game 4 Monday night. ``Man, it's crazy how good he's playing. It really is.''
James has that look Michael Jordan used to bring out at playoff time, a steely eyed determination to win a championship no matter what's in the way. If that means taking every big shot, so be it. If that means turning the game into me against them, well, that's the way it has to be.
NBA Free Pick: Cleveland | Best Line: -9.5 Sports Interaction