Knicks vs Bulls 13/04
After being eliminated from the play-offs it is difficult to imagine the Knicks trying really hard to win this game. The Bulls at the same time want to win cause they need to avoid dropping to the 4th seed in the East (that would mean meeting the Nets in the 1st round instead of the Wizards or the Bobcats).
The Knicks got eliminated without playing last night as the Hawks managed to secure the 8th seed with a win against the Heat. There are several factors against the Knicks tonight. It`s likely that MSG homecrowd will be hostile towards them right from the start or will start sending boobirds flying first possible moment … or both. Not making to the play-offs is a tough disappointment to swallow for a team that has exactly 0 draft picks. For the players the motivation is gone aswell. In fact we could see some key players getting limited minutes after playing through injuries lately (Melo) or not playing at all.
The Bulls need to win and they have been on a roll over the last couple of weeks winning 7 games in a row. They are tough team to beat when they play a good basketball and when they play a team lacking motivation. Last time these teams met the Bulls pulled away early and the Knicks never had a chance. Chicago to cover -3 points with 5/10 units.
GL
Knicks vs Bulls 13/04
After being eliminated from the play-offs it is difficult to imagine the Knicks trying really hard to win this game. The Bulls at the same time want to win cause they need to avoid dropping to the 4th seed in the East (that would mean meeting the Nets in the 1st round instead of the Wizards or the Bobcats).
The Knicks got eliminated without playing last night as the Hawks managed to secure the 8th seed with a win against the Heat. There are several factors against the Knicks tonight. It`s likely that MSG homecrowd will be hostile towards them right from the start or will start sending boobirds flying first possible moment … or both. Not making to the play-offs is a tough disappointment to swallow for a team that has exactly 0 draft picks. For the players the motivation is gone aswell. In fact we could see some key players getting limited minutes after playing through injuries lately (Melo) or not playing at all.
The Bulls need to win and they have been on a roll over the last couple of weeks winning 7 games in a row. They are tough team to beat when they play a good basketball and when they play a team lacking motivation. Last time these teams met the Bulls pulled away early and the Knicks never had a chance. Chicago to cover -3 points with 5/10 units.
GL
Memphis vs Dallas 16/04
This game decides nothing other than 7th and 8th seed in the Western Conference standings. Winner will be 7th and loser will be 8th. What we know for sure is that top seed in the Western Conference will be the San Antonio Spurs. 2nd seed will be likely the Thunder or it could be the Clippers (if OKC loses last game against the Pistons and LAC gets a win against the Blazers).
In all likelihood it looks like the Thunder will take the 2nd seed as they have promised to play Durant all through regular season and it doesn`t look very likely they will lose to the Pistons at home. So for the game DAL/MEM it means winner gets to play the Thunder in the first round of the play-offs. Now the question is if MEM and/or DAL would prefer either of these teams. We think the answer is yes. Memphis did pull one of the biggest upsets in the playoffs in recent history against the Spurs few years ago when they were 8th seed aswell. They do matchup better against the Spurs and although they managed to beat the Thunder in the play-offs last season it was a Thunder playing without Russell Westbrook.
You can`t call this game fixed, but while Memphis must know they have better chances against the Spurs, Dallas has to look at their regular season results against OKC and SAS. The Mavericks are 0-4 against the Spurs and 2-1 against the Thunder. So clearly they have been by far more successful against the Thunder. While the Memphis have won and lost series against the Spurs, they have a good memories against them while playing as 8th seed. From player matchups point of view they would do better against the Spurs. All in all they are likely not to care about tonights game outcome. The Mavericks at the same time have had better success against the Thunder and will play for the win. Take Dallas +3.5 points with 6/10 units.
GL
Memphis vs Dallas 16/04
This game decides nothing other than 7th and 8th seed in the Western Conference standings. Winner will be 7th and loser will be 8th. What we know for sure is that top seed in the Western Conference will be the San Antonio Spurs. 2nd seed will be likely the Thunder or it could be the Clippers (if OKC loses last game against the Pistons and LAC gets a win against the Blazers).
In all likelihood it looks like the Thunder will take the 2nd seed as they have promised to play Durant all through regular season and it doesn`t look very likely they will lose to the Pistons at home. So for the game DAL/MEM it means winner gets to play the Thunder in the first round of the play-offs. Now the question is if MEM and/or DAL would prefer either of these teams. We think the answer is yes. Memphis did pull one of the biggest upsets in the playoffs in recent history against the Spurs few years ago when they were 8th seed aswell. They do matchup better against the Spurs and although they managed to beat the Thunder in the play-offs last season it was a Thunder playing without Russell Westbrook.
You can`t call this game fixed, but while Memphis must know they have better chances against the Spurs, Dallas has to look at their regular season results against OKC and SAS. The Mavericks are 0-4 against the Spurs and 2-1 against the Thunder. So clearly they have been by far more successful against the Thunder. While the Memphis have won and lost series against the Spurs, they have a good memories against them while playing as 8th seed. From player matchups point of view they would do better against the Spurs. All in all they are likely not to care about tonights game outcome. The Mavericks at the same time have had better success against the Thunder and will play for the win. Take Dallas +3.5 points with 6/10 units.
GL
Usually after such an embarassing loss teams bounce back. But this is the play-offs and the Clippers are not going to lay down and wait for the Warriors to take the lead again. In game 1 touch foul calls on Griffin made sure that quality in low-post players was equalized, but in game 2 the Clippers gave us a clear picture what it means for the Warriors not to have Bogut avaliable. It is just not possible that David Lee and Jermaine O`Neal can keep Clippers from scoring the layups and dunking the ball for extended period of time. 138 points the Clippers scored in game 2 will be difficult to repeat, but if they can keep their key players out of foul trouble they are going to score 120+ points again against the Warriors.
It is easy to overreact to a blowout game, but it would be surprise if this series would end with any other score than 4-1 for the Clippers. Doc Rivers is one of the best coaches in adjustment game during the play-off series, while Mark Jackson has a long way to go in that. It would take a lights out shooting performance from Curry and Thompson to keep up with the Clippers and even then it could not be enough. Clippers to cover -1.5 points with 7/10 stakes.
GL
Usually after such an embarassing loss teams bounce back. But this is the play-offs and the Clippers are not going to lay down and wait for the Warriors to take the lead again. In game 1 touch foul calls on Griffin made sure that quality in low-post players was equalized, but in game 2 the Clippers gave us a clear picture what it means for the Warriors not to have Bogut avaliable. It is just not possible that David Lee and Jermaine O`Neal can keep Clippers from scoring the layups and dunking the ball for extended period of time. 138 points the Clippers scored in game 2 will be difficult to repeat, but if they can keep their key players out of foul trouble they are going to score 120+ points again against the Warriors.
It is easy to overreact to a blowout game, but it would be surprise if this series would end with any other score than 4-1 for the Clippers. Doc Rivers is one of the best coaches in adjustment game during the play-off series, while Mark Jackson has a long way to go in that. It would take a lights out shooting performance from Curry and Thompson to keep up with the Clippers and even then it could not be enough. Clippers to cover -1.5 points with 7/10 stakes.
GL
Sharing one of my Plays
Heat vs Bulls 9.Apr
The Bulls have been one of the toughest teams to predict as they always seem to come out with a lack of energy against weaker teams, but play great in a situations they in theory should struggle. It has been sometimes question of a motivation, but the Bulls also have never been really healthy for an extended number of games in a row. One thing they have done well though is performing in games televised nationally as they just have too much pride in their lineup to go out and not to perform infront of a big audience.
This pride also plays a role tonight for couple of reasons. The Bulls lost last night against the Magic and likely feel frustration, anger and desire to bounce back, but even more importantly they have a perfect change to give the Heat play-off hopes a massive blow. The Bulls have been in a role of a punching bag for so many years that games against the Heat mean much more than just 48 minutes of running and shooting. Nothing would make players like Noah and Rose to feel better than get at least some kind of a revenge tonight. And yes, this game tonight will be on TNT.
Miami obviously needs this win badly. They were in a similar situation couple of nights ago against the Hornets and although they won the game, the performance was rather average. It is understandable as they play with a lineup limping on one leg or having only one healthy wrist. With a similar performance the Heat will lose tonight.
The Bulls have to play back-to-back, but Orlando to Miami back-to-back is one of the easiest in the league. Both teams want to win this game for different reasons and both teams have been dealing with injuries lately. As of now the Bulls are bit healthier and in general they are a better team. We expect the Bulls to win. Take Chicago to win @1.961 from Pinnacle with 3/5 units.
GL
Sharing one of my Plays
Heat vs Bulls 9.Apr
The Bulls have been one of the toughest teams to predict as they always seem to come out with a lack of energy against weaker teams, but play great in a situations they in theory should struggle. It has been sometimes question of a motivation, but the Bulls also have never been really healthy for an extended number of games in a row. One thing they have done well though is performing in games televised nationally as they just have too much pride in their lineup to go out and not to perform infront of a big audience.
This pride also plays a role tonight for couple of reasons. The Bulls lost last night against the Magic and likely feel frustration, anger and desire to bounce back, but even more importantly they have a perfect change to give the Heat play-off hopes a massive blow. The Bulls have been in a role of a punching bag for so many years that games against the Heat mean much more than just 48 minutes of running and shooting. Nothing would make players like Noah and Rose to feel better than get at least some kind of a revenge tonight. And yes, this game tonight will be on TNT.
Miami obviously needs this win badly. They were in a similar situation couple of nights ago against the Hornets and although they won the game, the performance was rather average. It is understandable as they play with a lineup limping on one leg or having only one healthy wrist. With a similar performance the Heat will lose tonight.
The Bulls have to play back-to-back, but Orlando to Miami back-to-back is one of the easiest in the league. Both teams want to win this game for different reasons and both teams have been dealing with injuries lately. As of now the Bulls are bit healthier and in general they are a better team. We expect the Bulls to win. Take Chicago to win @1.961 from Pinnacle with 3/5 units.
GL
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