The second round of the NBA playoffs will continue with two games Sunday.
The NBA playoffs record so far is 13-23-1. Odds are provided by Oddsshark.com.
Cleveland at Chicago (+1.5)
What a game three.
It wasn’t always the prettiest, but Friday’s game featured the right amount of drama to keep fans on the edge of their seats. It was physical. It was close. And it included a last second bank shot (who knew the bank was open that late in Chicago?)
The Bulls played better defense in game three, giving the Cavs fits at numerous times. Somehow, Chicago will have to keep that defensive pressure up in game four.
The Bulls won’t get the same production from Derrick Rose. They also can’t depend on another bad night shooting from Kyrie Irving and Lebron James. The Bulls will get the Cavs’ best shot on Sunday, and I like my odds much better with the Cavs in this position.
Chicago needed some things to go its way in game three to pull out the buzzer-beating win. Pau Gasol will likely play limited minutes in game four, meaning Chicago is already behind in having things go its way.
Lebron will not let the Cavs go back home down 3-1. Take Cleveland and expect this series to get even better as it goes along. Pick – Cleveland
Houston at LA Clippers (-7.5)
What happened to the Houston Rockets defense?
Sure, it wasn’t the best in the league during the regular season, but ever since the Rockets and Mavericks torched the scoreboard in round one, Houston is looking a bit deflated on the defensive end, even without the help of New England’s equipment staff.
Oddsmakers and the betting public aren’t trusting Houston anymore. With Chris Paul back in the lineup and Austin Rivers (who would have thought that?) torching the net, who could blame them?
Something tells me that number is too high. Houston is still the No. 2 seed. With its back against the wall, Houston will find a way to keep this close, and possibly win this one straight up to even the series and make this a bit more interesting going into the stretch run. Pick – Houston
