Four NBA playoff games tip off today with the Pistons and Jazz hoping to avoid a 3-0 deficit with wins today. We’re here to bring you the must-read notes from around the Association to help you make the best wagers. **video
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS AT BROOKLYN NETS
Spread: Philadelphia 76ers -1.5
Over/Under: 231 points
Series Price: Philadelphia -1,000/Brooklyn +600
Start Time: 3:00 p.m. ET, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
The Nets hope to even out the series today with a win as slight home underdogs. Joel Embiid will once again be out for today’s contest with knee soreness, but the 76ers did not need him in game three away from home winning 131-115 thanks to Ben Simmons’ 11 of 13 shooting for 31 points, and one assist shy of a double-double.
If the Nets want to pull off the upset today, they will need to be aggressive to the rim. Luckily they are up against the 28th ranked defense away from home in opponent points in the paint surrendering an average of 53. Bet the Nets Over their team total of 114.5.
DENVER NUGGETS AT SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Spread: San Antonio Spurs -4
Over/Under: 208 points
Series Price: Denver +160/San Antonio -200
Start Time: 5:30 p.m. ET, AT&T Center, San Antonio, Texas
The Nuggets have lost 14 straight games in San Antonio, a streak that began on March 4 2012. The Spurs hope to extend that streak to 15 and improve on their season record of 33-9 at home.
Both the Spurs and Nuggets all season long have gotten out to quick starts with the Nuggets averaging 28.6 first quarter points, and the Spurs averaging 28.9 first quarter points at home. If both teams score around their average first quarter points on the season, the total should go over comfortably early on. Back the first quarter game total Over 53.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS AT DETROIT PISTONS
Spread: Milwaukee Bucks -9.5
Over/Under: 216 points
Series Price: Milwaukee -1,667/Detroit +700
Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
The Pistons will once again be without their leading scorer in Blake Griffin, and even with him in the lineup during the regular season, the Bucks still pulled off the series sweep 4-0. The Bucks have gotten out to a 2-0 series lead already in the postseason, with Milwaukee winning by an average of 28 points.
The Pistons’ Reggie Jackson has been shooting the ball well throughout the two postseason games, and towards the end of the regular season without Griffin. Last game through 25 minutes, he shot 7 of 16 for 18 points with three boards and eight dimes. Look for similar numbers today and bet his point total Over 15.5.
HOUSTON ROCKETS AT UTAH JAZZ
Spread: Utah Jazz -2
Over/Under: 215.5 points
Series Price: Houston -910/Utah +600
Start Time: 10:30 p.m. ET, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, Utah
The Rockets defensively have been playing exceptionally well holding the Jazz to an average of 94 points a game on 39.4 percent shooting. The have defended the perimeter successfully holding the Jazz to 15 of 65 shooting from beyond the arc. On the offensive end, the Rockets are locked in, and Harden has looked every part of an MVP candidate averaging a triple-double thus far.
Utah’s Ricky Rubio is averaging 16.5 points over the first two playoff games. He has continued to be efficient in the assist game logging six in the first game then nine on the road in game two. Look for Rubio to help orchestrate the offense, and back Over his low points, rebounds, assists total of 23.5.
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