The NBA playoffs continue Saturday with four more games on the schedule. I have Premium picks in the early game on TNT (Pistons / Magic) and in the late game on ESPN (Rockets / Jazz).

The other two games on Saturday weren’t strong enough to be official plays, but I have some ideas and analysis for each game below.

CLEVELAND (-4, 190) at WASHINGTON – Game 3 – 5:35 pm ET (TNT)

Washington is still without two of its best players as both Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler are still out with injuries, but I hope the Wizards get a boost of energy in front of their home fans today. I would lean slightly towards the Wizards (+) as Cleveland has a potential disappointment after establishing a 2-0 series lead.

LeBron James is still battling an ankle injury and only made 8 of 22 shots in Game 2. Despite having few hands, the Wizards have still played competitive basketball for the past three weeks. They are a profitable 6-4 ATS and have only lost twice by more than seven points in those ten games without Arenas and Butler.

Game 1 totaled 179 points with my requalification models totaling 180 and 184½, while Game 2 totaled 211 points with my requalification models totaling 196 and 210½. These teams also played in Washington on April 6 with the same lineups and that game totaled 193 points total with my re-scoring pace and percentage models averaging 188½ and 189½.

SAN ANTONIO (-2, 193) at DENVER – Game 3 – 8:05 pm ET (ESPN)

The Nuggets edged out San Antonio in Game 1, but then San Antonio rebounded with a solid 97-88 victory in Game 2 that wasn’t as close as the final score indicated, as San Antonio held a 17-point lead. .

Denver should get a boost from its home crowd tonight, however, visiting Class A teams have been a long-term winning play in Game 3 if the series is tied 1-1. San Antonio was in exactly the same situation two years ago when they beat Denver 86-78 in Game 3 as a 1½-point favorite after splitting the first two playoff games in San Antonio.

Games 1 and 2 fell easily under the total with scores of just 184 and 185, however the Nuggets are likely to pick up the pace a bit more at home. Game 2 was also faster than Game 1 as my re-scoring pace model increased from 192½ to 193½.

STEVE MERRIL is a professional sports handicap and a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Get your Premium plays here.

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