Series score: 3-2 New York
The Pistons have extended this series to a game 6, after closing out for a hard-fought victory at MSG last time out.
The key to Detroit’s run lies in the hands of Cade Cunningham, who has averaged 25-9-9 across the opening five games.
Alternatively, the Knicks’ star man Jalen Brunson looks to be playing on one leg despite throwing up big numbers this series (30-4-8).
New York’s starting five has been put through the ringer this series, and I think something might give in Game 6, with the Pistons physicality reigning supreme.
Series score: 3-2 Denver
The Nuggets have surprised pundits and fans alike, storming back into this series with wins in games 4 and 5.
Jamal Murray was the start in Game 5, winding back the clock to the Bubble Playoffs, dropping 43-5-7, as the Nuggs saw off the Clips by 16 points.
On the other side of the court we were treated to some vintage James Harden, playoffs Harden that is, with the Beard posting up a limp 11 points.
It’s do-or-die for the Clippers here, and I’m backing Kawhi to go full cyborg mode and carry his side to a Game 7 in Denver.
Series score: 3-1 Golden State
The Warriors head to Houston with a chance to wrap up the series after claiming both of their home games against the inexperienced Rockets.
This is an elimination fixture for the 2nd seeds, who have battled valiantly, but have struggled to execute in the half-courts and score down the stretch.
A 48 hour turnaround will favour the home side here, with Warriors veterans Jimmy Bulter and Steph Curry putting in huge 40 minute shifts in Game 4.
With their struggles down the stretch, if the Rockets do win, they are going to win big, as they did in Game 2 (15 Pt margin).
I’m backing the young Rockets to out hustle the Warriors here, extending the series to a Game 6.
Series score: 3-1 Minnesota
The Lakers return to LA with their season hanging in the balance.
Despite, LeBron and Luka playing a whopping 46 minutes each, the Lakers could not hold off the fast finishing T-Wolves in the 4th quarter, with Antony Edwards taking the game by the scruff, dropping 43-9-6 on the way to a 3-point victory.
It’s hard to count out Luka and LeBron in a home elimination fixtures, especially when you factor in the league’s favouritism to the Lakers, I’m expecting both of those men to find themselves at the charity strip at a frequent clip.
I have Luka dropping 30+ points on the way to a Lakers victory.
Series score: 3-1 New York
The Knicks head home to New York with an opportunity to close out the series 4-1 after winning both games on the road, be it in controversial circumstances.
The Pistons have put on a decent showing across the opening four games and could easily be leading the series 3-1, if not for their inability to close out the contest.
The last two games have been decided by the final bucket, and I’m backing another close contest to materialise here, with the Knicks coming up clutch again.
Series score: 3-1 Boston Celtics
The defending Champs look to progress through to the 2nd round of the playoffs, when they return to Boston with a series lead of 3-1.
This has been a series dominated by defence, with each game seeing under 210 total points, and the Magic hitting triple digits just once.
Although both defences are evenly matched, the Celts are far superior on the offensive end, with scorers in all five positions, and elite shooting from the perimeter.
I’m backing the Magic’s commendable resistance to final fold in this elimination game, with Boston covering at home combined with over 199.5 total points scored.
Series score: 2-2
The Nuggets vs Clippers series hangs on a knife’s edge as we head back to Denver with everything locked-up at two games a piece.
Despite being outscored 34-16 in the 4th quarter of Game 4, the Nuggets snatched victory thanks to an incredible buzzer beating dunk from Aaron Gordon off a Jokic air-ball.
That victory was much needed for the 2023 Champs, who have looked outmatched for most of this series, relying heavily on their starting 5, who all had 42+ minutes in a physical Game 4.
There seems to be no home advantage in this match-up, and I’m taking the Clippers to reclaim the lead in the series, combined with Kawhi dropping 20+ points, and Jokic claiming his usual 25+.
Series score: 3-1 Indiana Pacers
The Bucks are up sh*ts creek without a paddle.
Dame Lillard return from injury last just two games and 6 minutes, as the veteran point guard was helped off the floor early in Game 4 after rupturing his achilles tendon, before the Pacers went on to win by 26 points on the road.
With Lillard gone, as are the hope of Milwaukee fighting their way back into this series, with Giannis getting next to no help from he rest of the line-up.
I’m backing the Greek Freak to have a huge night out in what will ultimately be a losing cause.
Series score: 3-0 Cavs
The Cavs look to complete a first round sweep over the Heat, when the pair meet in Miami on Tuesday morning (AEST).
Cleveland has make this series look easy, dropping 120+ points in all three games against Miami, a mark which has only been hit three times across 26 games in across all other Round One series.
Miami became the first ever side to make the playoffs from 10th seed, and I’m backing them to become the first ever 10th seed to get swept in the first round.
Cavs to Cover.
Series score: 2-1 Golden State
The Warriors head into their 2nd home game holding a 2-1 advantage over the young Rockets.
This has been a series of attrition, rather than flashy offence, with an average points total of 197.
Steph Curry has been the difference between the two sides, averaging 29-6-7 across the three games despite being doubled on most of history offensive possessions.
I’m backing the Chef to drop another 25+ points on the way to another hard-fought home win.
Indiana look to go 2-0 against the Bucks, after crushing home to a 19-point victory in Game 1.
Milwaukee’s role players were nowhere to be seen last time out, with Giannis the only starter to hit 10+ points, while the entire team went 24.3% from deep.
Meanwhile, four of the Pacers starting five contributed 10+ points, as they put the Bucks to the sword in transition.
I’m backing Giannis to be burdened with all the offence duties for the Bucks, backing him in for another big night on the box score.
The Grizzlies return to Oklahoma for more punishment after getting rolled by 51 points by the Thunder in Game 1, the 5th biggest margin in postseason history!
Despite the mammoth margin, MVP favourite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander endured an off shooting night, going 4-13 on the floor for 15 points from 23 minutes, with six points coming from the charity stripe.
SGA’s down night was covered up by the performances of his teammates, with the Thunder showing just how deep their squad runs, with Aaron Wiggins top scoring with 21 off the bench.
I’m backing A. Wiggins to hit 10+ points for a fifth consecutive games, combine with the unders (11.5) for Scotty Pippen Jr. who only managed 2 points against the league’s best perimeter defence.
The Lakers were one of just two home teams to lose in the opening game of round one, with the T-Wolves having an all-time shooting night.
Minnesota didn’t look to shy away from the bright lights in LA, hitting 50% from deep, outscoring the Lakers 63-45 beyond the arc.
Luka stormed out of the blocks in game one, dropping 16 points in the 1st quarter, and eventually finishing the contest with 37-8-1 in his first postseason appearance in purple and gold.
Doncic has runs on the board against the T-Wolves, after running riot on this side for Dallas in the Western Conference Finals last season, and LeBron and co should hand over the keys to their Serbian cheat code.
I can’t see Minnesota shooting the lights out from deep two games in a row, I’m backing the Lakers to level this series at 1-1, with Luka hitting his overs and Reaves chipping in with 15+.
The reigning Champs look to go 2-0 when they host the Magic in game two of their playoff series.
The Celts were comfortable 17-point winners in game 1, with Derrick White lighting it up from deep hitting 7/12 from 3.
It was no surprise to see the Unders salute in Game 1, with Orlando boasting the league’s best defence (105.5 OPPG), while the Celts were 2nd best in that category across the regular season (107.2 OPPG).
Despite having the best defensive rating in the league, the Magic still finished the season with a negative point differential (-0.1), illustrating their struggles on the offensive end.
I can’t see the Magic shooting well enough to win this contest, but I do like their chances of keeping Game 2 close.
The Cavs put the Heat to the sword in Game 1, their guards doing the lions share of damage, with Mitchell (30), Garland (27), and Ty Jerome (28) all knocking down 25+ points.
The Bookies don’t give the Heat much a chance in Game 2, with the line set at -11.5, and I tend to agree.
I have Donovan finding the bottom of the net at a frequent clip on the way to a 2-0 series lead.
The Rockets relinquished their home-court advantage in Game 1, going down to the Warriors by 10 points in Houston.
Unsurprisingly, it was Chef Curry and Playoff Jimmy took control of Game 1, combining for 56 of the Dubs 95 points.
Meanwhile, the young Rockets found the going tough on the offensive end, shooting a woeful 20.7% from deep, with Alperen Sengun (26) the only player to score 12+ points.
The Rockets had success going big against the Warriors, collecting 16 more rebounds, and a staggering 22 offensive boards.
I’m taking Sengun to drop another 20+ Points, combined with 10+ boards from Adams.