NBA Playoffs 2nd Round Friday
New series: NBA Turn Up
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NBA Round 2 Record: (15-11)
6:30pm cst: Boston Celtics (-2.5) vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Well, we were a bit off on game 2 when the Celtics ran away with the game. Where we were not wrong was the return of Joel Embiid on the defensive end. He protected the paint and kept Tatum out. Embiid had not played in about 2 weeks and looks very much out of shape. Embiid looked very lethargic (more than usual). James Harden looked the similar, which makes sense after he helped carry the 76ers to a game 1 victory. I’m worried about Embiid. When he is protecting the paint and blocking shots there is no Sixer on the backside to grab the rebounds. I expect the Celtics to shoot 50 3PT again but will they make 39% again now that they are on the road? Will Grant Williams and Malcolm Brogdon carry the offense off the bench? The 76ers should be well rested after basically not playing the entire second half but same goes for Boston. Sixers need to play fast with Boston, which is why they were so successful with Maxey and Harden leading the way. Embiid is one of the best in the NBA but may hurt the Sixers in this matchup but we’ll find that out tonight. I like Philly tonight to bounce back from its embarrassing performance in game 2. I also like the speed Maxey played with and the space that Embiid creates for him. We should learn everything about the 76ers and Embiid after tonight for the rest of the series.
Pick: 76ers +2.5
Tyrese Maxey Points Over 20.5 (+100)
James Harden Points, Rebounds & Assists Over 34.5 (-120)
PJ Tucker Blocks/Steals Over 0.5 (+280)
9:00pm cst: Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns (-4)
The Suns had a chance to steal a one in game 2 when the Nuggets missed almost every open shot especially Jamal Murray. The Suns appear to be dead in the water, which they are. DeAndre Ayton is a weak overpaid center. Chris Paul is done but won’t admit it. Kevin Durant has not looked like prime Durant whatsoever. Devin Booker is doing everything he can to keep them respectable. The Nuggets come at you in droves. Similar to the Clippers, the Denver 2nd team could keep up with mostly any first teamers. Even if Durant and Booker score 40 points each where will the other help come from? Everyone wants to be part of a “super team” until they look around themselves and realize they don’t have any help. The Suns may have put its franchise back 4 years or more if this Durant experiment doesn’t bring a championship and I don’t think it will. The Nuggets will have to miss every shot and Suns will have to make every shot to win this game. It’s possible but unlikely. I rather back the Nuggets than this Suns mess. If the Suns win one game it will be this one and the last.
Pick: Nuggets +4
Devin Booker Points Over 30.5 (-120)
Nikola Jokic Points, Rebounds & Assists Over 47.5 (-115)
***The other games will be posted once more lineup information is available.
