Many people are starting to shift their focus to boxing betting and the huge Ricky Hatton-Manny Pacquiao fight next Saturday but for now, we have some NBA playoffs in front of us.
Three games are on the card for tonight as the home court advantage switches. The series shift to Utah, Dallas and Chicago, and there’s plenty at stake. Here’s a look at the three games tonight:
Boston Celtics @ Chicago Bulls
Celtics vs Bulls odds: Bulls -3
The Boston Celtics are beaten down and bruised, but they are still the defending champions. Already missing Kevin Garnett, the Celtics lost another key cog as forward Leon Powe tore his ACL in Game 2 and will now miss the rest of the season.
The Celtics could very easily be up 2-0 in this series but could also be down 0-2. The real concern is that Chicago was unfazed by playing on the road but now have their home court advantage, which could lead to a couple of blowouts. The Bulls won 12 of their last 17 home games.
Paul Pierce will need to assert himself in Game Three but if the Celtics can’t find a way to slow down the Bulls offense, they might not advance.
Pick: Bulls -3
San Antonio Spurs @ Dallas Mavericks
Spurs vs Mavericks odds: Mavericks -4.5
The San Antonio Spurs will be looking to steal back home court advantage on Thursday night but winning in Dallas isn’t an easy feat. The Mavs won 32 of 41 home games this season.
With Tim Duncan battling knee problems and the Spurs battling depth problems, the difference in this series has to be Tony Parker.
Game 2 was a layup drill for Parker as he scored 38 points. Parker had 24 points in Game 1 but was just 9-for-22 from the field. When Parker is on, it creates opportunities for everyone else on the Spurs.
Look for the Mavericks to make some adjustments on Parker and slow him down. The Mavericks have been far more capable of dictating the style of play at home than on the road.
Pick: Mavericks -4.5
Los Angeles Lakers @ Utah Jazz
Lakers vs Jazz odds: Lakers -1.5
The Jazz have come to a fork in the road and they better take it. The Jazz, who have lacked the team chemistry that helped them put up a fight against the Lakers last year, must win on Thursday night or their series with the Lakers will be over.
The Lakers have used the Jazz as their personal piñata in Games One and Two, and it has been far from just the Kobe Bryant show.
The Lakers have averaged 116 points per game while Bryant has averaged just 25 points per game. In Game 1, the Lakers had three scorers with 20 points or more and all but one starter scored. Meanwhile, in Game 2, the Lakers had seven scorers in double figures.
The Jazz will put up a valiant effort tonight but hoops betting fans know that might not be enough.
Pick: Lakers -1.5
