A disappointing 1-2-1 day on Sunday saw our 2017 NBA Playoffs record move to 6-6-1 after some surprising results so far. With another four game slate on offer this Monday, the 24th of April, we’ll be looking for more wins as we preview every game below.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers (3am AEST)
After scoring 74 points in the first half, the Indiana Pacers held a 25-point lead at half time against the Cavaliers in game 3 on Friday. The Cavs then went on to complete the largest comeback in NBA playoffs history and take a 3-0 lead going into the second game in Indiana. After what was looking like a promising situation for the Pacers, they will be absolutely crushed after that loss and could easily just want to get this series over with.
Paul George has been the lone shining light for the Pacers after a dominant 36-15-9 performance in game three. The interesting take away from game three’s massive come back was the fact that Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving played no part in it. The 2nd and 3rd fiddle to LeBron sat out the whole second half as James and a cast of role players led the side back. Could see this one potentially being the gentleman’s sweep but hard to look past the Cavs after what happened in game three.
TIP: Cleveland Cavaliers -3.5 - $1.95 at William Hill
Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder (5.30am AEST)
Russell Westbrook exploded in game three in Oklahoma for 32pts, 13reb and 11ast as the Thunder opened their account and now just trail 2-1 going into game four. It’s a massive game for the Thunder here who can give themselves a massive chance with a win in game four. James Harden was great throughout the game but came up short in the clutch when he had multiple chances to ice it and take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
The Thunder role players and particularly Taj Gibson really stepped up in game three, and they’ll need a similar performance to match the explosive Houston bench and level the series in game four. Gibson went for 20 points on 10/13 shooting while Andre Roberson and Victor Oladipo both chipped in for 21 points apiece. The Rockets surrounding core shot poorly in game three, which has been a rarity all season, if they can shoot the three with any sort of consistency here we expect them to bounce back.
TIP: Houston Rockets to win – $1.97 at Sportsbet
Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls (8.30am AEST)
Chicago released a statement after game three that starting point guard suffered a fractured hand in the Bulls game two win over the Celtics and will take no further part in the series. The Celtics went on to take game three by 17 points and can level the series at 2 wins a apiece with a victory in Chicago. The home side is yet to win in this series, and the Bulls will lose a massive playmaking piece with Rondo out for the remainder of the season.
The Celtics were finally able to stem the influence of Jimmy Butler in game three, with Jae Crowder and Avery Bradley playing some important defence on the star small forward. Gerald Green was an inclusion in the Celtics starting line-up as they attempted to go small to counter the dominance of Chicago big man Robin Lopez. With Rondo out and the Celtics seemingly new and improved strategy, we like the series to stick to form here with another away win.
TIP: Boston Celtics to win – $1.68 at Ladbrokes
Los Angeles Clippers at Utah Jazz (11am AEST)
The Clippers star power forward Blake Griffin suffered a season ending knee injury in the team’s 111-106 win on Saturday, while Utah centre Rudy Gobert remains in doubt for game four. We might have seen Griffin play his last game in a Clippers jersey, as talks of LA blowing it up continue to gain traction now that their chances of making any sort of significant run seem to be shot with Griffin’s injury. Time after time they have been in good positions in the playoffs only to be marred by an injury to a key player.
While they still claimed victory on Saturday night, it’ll be a tougher test in Utah on Monday with Griffin out for the full game and a better prepared Jazz team. Derrick Favours and Gordon Hayward have been outstanding with Gobert out of the line-up. While you would think the centres absence would leave a gaping hole on defence, the rest of the team has stepped up and although they trail 2-1, we expect them to level the series here at home.
TIP: Utah Jazz to win - $1.70 at Sportsbet
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