Zack's Picks (2 Live)
Zack's Past Picks
The Cleveland Cavaliers had their first flat performance of the postseason in game four’s loss against the Indiana Pacers. Down three games to one, they can not allow the Pacers to dictate the tempo early on like game four. Look for the Cavaliers to show the focus they did in game three, and extend this series at least one more game. Lay the big number on Cleveland.
The Minnesota Timberwolves have been masterful defensively against the Golden State Warriors. Golden State has not scored over 100 points in the series yet, and Jimmy Butler put his all into game three. With Anthony Edwards coming off his best game of the series, look for other teammates to find their confidence in game four. Minnesota covers and heads back home to try and close out the series in five.
Darius Garland saw his first action in over two weeks in game three’s victory for the Cleveland Cavaliers. As expected he did not shoot the ball well at twenty seven percent, but I expect a rise from him in game two. With Donovan Mitchell’s strong play, Indiana is going to have to over compensate to a degree defensively. Garland gets past his points prop here in game four at Indiana.
Of the remaining teams in the postseason, the predictability of the Cleveland Cavaliers has been the strongest. They swept the Miami Heat, and if they were healthy perhaps they would be going for another sweep today. Road success in their three postseason wins has been by a minimum twenty points, and an average margin of victory of 38 points. Not as lopsided here in game four, but their surge offensively continues to push them past the number.
Coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors is searching for lineups that are going to work without Steph Curry. This will give Anthony Edwards more flexibility to take over in game three. Game one he did not know how to attack the Warriors defensively, and game two he missed a key six minute stretch in the second quarter. After three straight playoff games of under performing points wise, look for Edwards to clear his points prop in game three.
The Golden State Warriors problems against the Timberwolves may continue in game three, but I’m expecting a better output offensively from Golden State. In game two, Jonathan Kuminga stepped up, and next in line is Brandin Podziemski. He has scored 11 points or less in seven out of his last eight games, but did he get his last two shots to go in game two. Look for his best offensive game since game four against the Rockets.
In two of the last three playoff games from Indiana they have pulled off miracle comebacks in the final minute. Today, look for the Cavaliers in a desperation spot to play with the same intensity as game two, but to avoid a fourth quarter meltdown. With this line gaining momentum on the Cavaliers side, I expect at least two if not all three in Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and DeAndre Hunter to play tonight. Tail the Cavaliers.
The Golden State Warriors have the daunting task of going back on the road after just defeating the Rockets forty eight hours ago. Jimmy Butler during the Rockets series did not make more then seven field goals from game two on. That makes it hard to clear a points prop, but Butler also has had a knack for setting the tone in a new series in game one. He also gets the edge as Minnesota has not seen him in a Warriors uniform. All four regular season matchups were played before January 15th, when he was a Miami Heat. Take his prop over in game one.
Certain players raise their game in the postseason versus the regular season. Aaron Gordon since his put back dunk to win game four over the Clippers, has surged in the points department. He scored 23, 19, and 22 to close out the series against the Clippers. Look for his confidence to continue in game one against the Thunder, as he goes over his points prop for a fourth straight postseason game.
Veteran players have that ability to preserve their energy for an expected long series. James Harden had been held in check from a scoring stand point in games two through five, averaging just sixteen points. His shot attempts were down, but in game six he took twenty shots his most since game one. Expect Harden to be ready for another big game tonight in a must win game seven. Take his points over.
For the first time since game one the Denver Nuggets are favored in their series against the LA Clippers. Typically, the home court edge pays off for the home team in game seven, but I’ll side with the Clippers here. Look for the Clippers to not make the same mistake as game five when they came out flat at Denver. Just like the Nuggets last playoff series when they were up 3-2 against Minnesota, they fall short in game seven. Take the Clippers.
Jabari Smith Jr. role has changed significantly from being a starter for the Houston Rockets. On the road in this series he has warranted an uptick in minutes where he is averaging 24 minutes. Expect his offense to be needed and the possibility of Smith finishing out the finally 4-5 minutes if a blowout does occur. Take his over in the points department tonight.
In game five the Denver Nuggets had so much success offensively that they got by with Nikola Jokic having an off game. The thirteen points he scored were the second fewest from Jokic since mid January. With the surging offense of Denver, the Clippers will be forced to make full team adjustments in particular on Jamal Murray. Look for Jokic to bounce back in the points department and clear his points prop tonight.