A few days have passed since the NBA Playoffs started and we are still in the first round, as we continue to see which teams will make it to the conference semi-finals; with only one out of the 8 spots being decided as of this point.
Eastern Conference
NBA Playoffs 2023: Milwaukee Bucks 1-3 Miami Heat
When:
Starting on April 16, 2023, at 5:30 pm ET at the Firsev Forum and FTX Arena
Where Can I Watch it?
ESPN and NBA League Pass
One of the surprises in this postseason so far has been Miami Heat’s domination over Milwaukee.
After Monday’s disheartening and shocking loss, we fully expect to see an angry, focused Bucks team. They have no choice because a loss ends their season, and that would be embarrassing as they are the top seed and had the best record in the NBA.
Giannis was great on Monday and that’s a great sign. There is no way he lets his team lose at home. Middleton and Holiday were subpar and you can bet that Giannis will light a fire under them and they will bounce back with big games at home.
This one next has all the earmarks of a Milwaukee blowout, as Miami focuses on the game 6 closeout at home. We take the Bucks making a win on the 5th game, but losing the 6th and giving Miami a pass into the Conference Semi-finals.
Bucks vs. Heat Betting Pick: Miami Heat
NBA Playoffs 2023: Boston Celtics 3-1 Atlanta Hawks
When:
Starting on April 15, 2023, at 3:30 pm ET at the TD Garden and the State Farm Arena
Where Can I Watch it?
ESPN and NBA League Pass
Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks look to stay alive in the 2023 NBA playoffs on Tuesday evening.
The Hawks trail the Boston Celtics by a 3-1 margin in a best-of-seven first-round series, and things are not looking too well on their side.
Game 5 arrives on Tuesday at TD Garden, with Boston aiming to secure a spot in the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a win.
Atlanta will be without standout guard Dejounte Murray, who is suspended for Game 5 following an incident with an official after Game 4, and with those factors in, we believe that there will not be a need for a 6th match.
Celtics vs. Hawks Betting Pick: Boston Celtic
NBA Playoffs 2023: Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 Brooklyn Nets
When:
Starting on April 15, 2023, at 1:00 pm ET at the Wells Fargo Center and Barclays Center
Where Can I Watch it?
ESPN and NBA League Pass
We predicted that after the departure of Durant and Irving, Brooklyn’s participation in this playoffs would be discrete. However, we didn’t expect this kind of collapse. Since the dominant display Philadelphia had in the first game, the hopes of the team from New York seem to have disappeared instantly, as in the next games they didn’t even try. The 100 points mark was rarely surpassed in the next three clashes.
This display from the 76ers has been the most solid of any team in this round, and we don’t believe that will change soon. They are clear title challengers.
76ers vs. Nets Winners: Philadelphia 76ers
NBA Playoffs 2023: Cleveland Cavaliers 1-3 New York Knicks
When:
Starting on April 15, 2023, at 6:00 pm ET at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and Madison Square Garden
Where Can I Watch it?
ESPN and NBA League Pass
If the Cavaliers are going to turn this series around and come back from their 3-1 deficit, they’re going to need players besides Garland to step up and score.
In particular, they’re going to need more efficiency from Donovan Mitchell (just 5-of-18 in Game 4).
Mitchell is an electric scorer who has the capability of taking over a game but wasn’t able to get the performance he likes in Game 4.
Another factor influencing our top Knicks vs. Cavaliers’ predictions is momentum.
In basketball, it is incredibly rare for a team to come back down 3-1. While the Cavs had the better regular season record and will have home-court advantage for Game 5, every player on the court knows that the Knicks are one win away from advancing.
While this can’t be quantified, it can be felt, and or a pick is placed on it.
Cavaliers vs. Knicks Betting Pick: New York Knicks
Western Conference
NBA Playoffs 2023: Denver Nuggets 3-1 Minnesota Timberwolves
When:
Starting on April 16, 2023, at 10:30 pm ET at the Ball Arena and Target Center
Where Can I Watch it?
ESPN and NBA League Pass
The Denver Nuggets will look to get their fifth consecutive home win ¡against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and in the process, advance to the Western Conference semifinals when they meet in Game 5.
Minnesota extended the 2023 NBA playoff first-round series with a 114-108 overtime victory on Sunday night.
The Timberwolves (42-40), who have lost 10 of their last 12 games in Denver, were 29-23 against conference foes this season. And as of right now, they are just buying time, but we believe that things are racking up against them.
Kyle Anderson (eye), Naz Reid (wrist), and Jaden McDaniels (hand) are all out for Minnesota, and that may be the final nail in their coffin in this next match.
Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Betting Pick: Denver Nuggets
NBA Playoffs 2023: Phoenix Suns 3-1 Los Angeles Clippers
When:
Starting on April 16, 2023, at 8:00 pm ET at the Footprint Center and Crypto.com Arena
Where Can I Watch it?
ESPN and NBA League Pass
The Suns, after losing Game 1 of the series, have won 3 straight, including both games in Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4. They won Game 4 on Saturday 112-100 behind Devin Bookers’ 30 points and Kevin Durant’s 31.
The Clippers will be without both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, both of whom have knee injuries.
Things are pointing out toward the Suns continuing their ferocious streak and making it a statement on their path to the semi-finals after running over the Clippers in one last match to secure their spot.
Suns vs. Clippers Betting Pick: Phoenix Suns
NBA Playoffs 2023: Memphis Grizzlies 1-3 Los Angeles Lakers
When:
Starting on April 16, 2023, at 3:00 pm ET at the FedEx Forum and Crypto.com Arena
Where Can I Watch it?
ESPN and NBA League Pass
Picking against one of the greatest players of all time is never easy, especially given James’ career playoff stats on the road mirror his stats at home.
The Lakers have lost four of their last five away games against the Grizzlies, though, and rank 25th in road scoring defense, which means that this match is one that the Grizzlies may take to buy some extra time, but in the end, we believe that the Lakers will make it to 4 victories before the Grizzlies tie the score once again.
Grizzlies vs. Lakers Betting Pick: LA Lakers
NBA Playoffs 2023: Sacramento Kings 2-2 Golden State Warriors
When:
Starting on April 15, 2023, at 8:30 pm ET at the Golden 1 Center and Chase Center
Where Can I Watch it?
ESPN and NBA League Pass
Wednesday night’s Game 5 in the Golden State Warriors vs. Sacramento Kings series is expected to be the most important game thus far for these two teams. As a result, both teams are making the necessary preparations for it.
Although they are ranked sixth in the Western Conference, the defending champions are never to be overlooked.
They picked up two big wins at home in Games 3 and 4, putting them right back into this series after dropping the first two games.
Their goal for Wednesday’s game is to get a rare road win, with the hope of playing Game 6 in their home arena with a chance to end the series.
As expected, the Warriors vs. Kings series has been back and forth and highly competitive, and we believe that the Warriors’ comeback will allow them to win games 5 and 6 and secure their spot.
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