I tend to go with home teams in Game 1s. But these are appealing for other reasons too.
1.5* Boston -2.5 1H
1.3* Boston -4 (-111) The Celtics swept the Nets, who weren't the team we all thought they might be. Yet still, it was a sweep- no easy feat. And the Bucks did knock the Bulls out in 5, although I think they were a much easier opponent. Bucks missing Middleton, Bulls missing Caruso and Lavine at the end of the series. The Celtics defense can be described as annoying and persistently in your face. Without RW, Horford and Theis, it would be hard to handle Giannis. The Bulls couldn't. Celts can, although it will be more of a limiting thing. Middleton is a big loss, and the Celtics really have a pretty good rotation 1-9, at home.
1.4* Memphis +2.5 The Warriors will be playing their 4 wing lineup and Draymond Green. But they almost pass the ball too much. On the other hand, Morant will need to adjust his game so as to not dribble into double teams. If Memphis can settle down a bit from some of the chaotic ball handling, I think they can win this series. Klay Thompson is not quite the same player, Curry still coming back a little bit from his injury, but also I think there is something to be said from a team with multiple championships already- is the fire still there? Memphis at home playing the renowned Warriors, Curry et al, I gotta think they will be very "up" for this game and series. Hopefully under control "up". Really like their top 7 or 8 guys, and energy.
1.5* Boston -2.5 1H
1.3* Boston -4 (-111) The Celtics swept the Nets, who weren't the team we all thought they might be. Yet still, it was a sweep- no easy feat. And the Bucks did knock the Bulls out in 5, although I think they were a much easier opponent. Bucks missing Middleton, Bulls missing Caruso and Lavine at the end of the series. The Celtics defense can be described as annoying and persistently in your face. Without RW, Horford and Theis, it would be hard to handle Giannis. The Bulls couldn't. Celts can, although it will be more of a limiting thing. Middleton is a big loss, and the Celtics really have a pretty good rotation 1-9, at home.
1.4* Memphis +2.5 The Warriors will be playing their 4 wing lineup and Draymond Green. But they almost pass the ball too much. On the other hand, Morant will need to adjust his game so as to not dribble into double teams. If Memphis can settle down a bit from some of the chaotic ball handling, I think they can win this series. Klay Thompson is not quite the same player, Curry still coming back a little bit from his injury, but also I think there is something to be said from a team with multiple championships already- is the fire still there? Memphis at home playing the renowned Warriors, Curry et al, I gotta think they will be very "up" for this game and series. Hopefully under control "up". Really like their top 7 or 8 guys, and energy.
Glad I had those 2 1/2 points today with Memphis. The Celtics' shooting doomed them. Losing day.
2.2 Philly/ Miami - under 107.5 Lowry and Embiid out. Two scorers that could combine for 50. Others will pick up some of the slack. Miami will be very hard to score against with Embiid missing.
2* Phoenix/ Dallas- under 110.5 Some good 3 point shooters, so that's a risk, but also two very good defensive teams. Both Dallas and Phoenix can play solid perimeter defense so outside looks of the shooters can be more harassed. Good chance I'll have some on the 1Qs on both of these.
2.2 Philly/ Miami - under 107.5 Lowry and Embiid out. Two scorers that could combine for 50. Others will pick up some of the slack. Miami will be very hard to score against with Embiid missing.
2* Phoenix/ Dallas- under 110.5 Some good 3 point shooters, so that's a risk, but also two very good defensive teams. Both Dallas and Phoenix can play solid perimeter defense so outside looks of the shooters can be more harassed. Good chance I'll have some on the 1Qs on both of these.
Little more on the Miami game than the other yesterday. Push.
1.8* Boston -3.5 1H The Celtics got schooled 1st half in Game 1, but also shot poorly. Desperation with a quality team that has shooters, playmakers, defense and at home. I think they'll come out strong. A 1/2 unit on the 1Q -1.5.
1.6* Memphis +2. Memphis in a similar situation. They cannot afford to go down 2-0, and do have the kind of team that can stay with and defeat GS. The Grizzlies do have that never quit attitude.
1.8* Boston -3.5 1H The Celtics got schooled 1st half in Game 1, but also shot poorly. Desperation with a quality team that has shooters, playmakers, defense and at home. I think they'll come out strong. A 1/2 unit on the 1Q -1.5.
1.6* Memphis +2. Memphis in a similar situation. They cannot afford to go down 2-0, and do have the kind of team that can stay with and defeat GS. The Grizzlies do have that never quit attitude.
Glad to help guys. With today's games, I'm having a hard time getting a feel for them. On the light side of 1* for both.
1* Miami/ Philly- over 208. The first over for me in the playoffs. Both teams shot horribly from outside, and I think that will even out tonight. There are also some poor defenders out there, Harden being the most obvious.
1* Phoenix -6. That Phoenix crowd must be fun to play for. The Suns can spread out the offensive production, play good perimeter defense, and keep Doncic from going berserk...Did Dallas beat a much weaker Utah team than we thought? The Suns dominated until the 4th quarter. Can Dallas really have many great runs? I'm not sure.
1* Miami/ Philly- over 208. The first over for me in the playoffs. Both teams shot horribly from outside, and I think that will even out tonight. There are also some poor defenders out there, Harden being the most obvious.
1* Phoenix -6. That Phoenix crowd must be fun to play for. The Suns can spread out the offensive production, play good perimeter defense, and keep Doncic from going berserk...Did Dallas beat a much weaker Utah team than we thought? The Suns dominated until the 4th quarter. Can Dallas really have many great runs? I'm not sure.
Glad to have extra time to think about Friday's games...hope it translates to wins in the cash column. Still, playing with lots of house money takes the pressure off.
1.6* Miami -2.5 (-116) Philly has a few things going for it. Dumping Simmons is one, but the addition of Harden isn't working out all that well. They are at home. Maxey and Harris are playing well, although Harris had a so-so season. On the other hand, this series has that feel to it like the Celtic-Nets series. Doc Rivers can try to BS us by not taking some responsibility for leaving Embiid in the last game of the Raptor series when they had a 25-27 point lead with less than 5 minutes to go. Sure, leave some starters/ ball handlers in, but not the guy who is by far the key player on your team. In fact, the way many 76ers are playing defense, they don't look like they are completely bought into Doc's leadership.
Harden is still crafty and a good ball handler, but he dribbles too much while the 24 second clock burns away. His defense and conditioning (and hamstring?) are poor. He can no longer provide the scoring of his prime years. Miami has the far better role players, the better coach, and if Lowry returns, that can only help. Miami's commitment to D is commendable. Embiid out.
1.6* Miami -2.5 (-116) Philly has a few things going for it. Dumping Simmons is one, but the addition of Harden isn't working out all that well. They are at home. Maxey and Harris are playing well, although Harris had a so-so season. On the other hand, this series has that feel to it like the Celtic-Nets series. Doc Rivers can try to BS us by not taking some responsibility for leaving Embiid in the last game of the Raptor series when they had a 25-27 point lead with less than 5 minutes to go. Sure, leave some starters/ ball handlers in, but not the guy who is by far the key player on your team. In fact, the way many 76ers are playing defense, they don't look like they are completely bought into Doc's leadership.
Harden is still crafty and a good ball handler, but he dribbles too much while the 24 second clock burns away. His defense and conditioning (and hamstring?) are poor. He can no longer provide the scoring of his prime years. Miami has the far better role players, the better coach, and if Lowry returns, that can only help. Miami's commitment to D is commendable. Embiid out.
1* Dallas -1 1Q
1* Dallas -2 1H. I really like this Phoenix team, and do think they are going to the finals. However, Dallas can play defense better than they have. Much better, and more physical. I think we'll see a bruiser of a Game 3. Dallas played really well without Doncic in the Utah series. They need to return to a more diverse offense, while still keeping Doncic as their main scorer/ facilitator. I'm not sure if Dallas holds on to win this game as they have had too many lapses in the 1st 2 games. But I think they'll be tough to knock out early in Game 3 at home. They might play well all 48 minutes this time. If not, at least for a half.
1* Dallas -2 1H. I really like this Phoenix team, and do think they are going to the finals. However, Dallas can play defense better than they have. Much better, and more physical. I think we'll see a bruiser of a Game 3. Dallas played really well without Doncic in the Utah series. They need to return to a more diverse offense, while still keeping Doncic as their main scorer/ facilitator. I'm not sure if Dallas holds on to win this game as they have had too many lapses in the 1st 2 games. But I think they'll be tough to knock out early in Game 3 at home. They might play well all 48 minutes this time. If not, at least for a half.
Good luck on the plays. FYI Embid is playing and line is now Phi -1
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