The NBA playoffs are taking all sorts of strange and unexpected turns. The favorites in various series are not being very steady or consistent, as evidenced by the Indiana Pacers trailing the Atlanta Hawks 2-1 in their best-of-seven series. Meanwhile, the underdogs (read: Washington, Portland and Memphis) are faring a lot better than many observers and analysts thought they would.
Here’s a look at Friday’s action:
Game 3: Toronto Raptors @ Brooklyn Nets
Friday, 7:05 PM ET
Odds: Brooklyn -5
This is probably the easiest game to pick on Friday night, because it’s an even series. This is a series the Nets figured to win at the start, and through two games, nothing has happened that should change the bigger picture. Toronto was able to get a split by winning Game 2, but the Raptors needed DeMar DeRozan to play as well as he possibly could. If DeRozan had been anything less than spectacular, Toronto probably wouldn’t have won that game. The Nets are generally better on defense. Playing at home, they should be able to play at the tempo they want. They have more experience and more proven playoff performers. In a tied series, it figures that the Nets will take a 2-1 lead.
Pick: Brooklyn -5
Game 3: Chicago Bulls @ Washington Wizards
Friday, 8:05 PM ET
Odds: Wizards -3
The two series on Friday with 2-0 margins are harder to pick, because the series favorites are the teams that are trailing (making them now the underdogs in the series). Before this best-of-seven showdown began, Chicago was the favorite, but Washington won two games in the Windy City to change the way this matchup was seen. Chicago’s offense fell apart at the end of Game 2, scoring just four points in the final six and a half minutes of regulation. The Bulls are not getting to the free throw line the way they need to. Chicago is not playing with the focus or commitment it showed last year in the first round against the Brooklyn Nets. Washington’s youth means that the Wizards have plenty of energy to burn. Washington was down by double figures in the second half of each of the first two games but managed to mount a comeback each time. This seems like a series in which the Wizards will always find the right answer.
Pick: Washington -3
Game 3: Houston Rockets @ Portland Trail Blazers
Friday, 10:35 PM ET
Odds: Trail Blazers -3
The Trail Blazers were not expected to beat the Rockets in this series, but after winning the first two games in Houston, Portland will be tabbed as the in-series favorite to move to the second round. The Blazers have thrived because of power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who has scored a total of 89 points (46 in Game 1, 43 in Game 2) in the first two games of the series. Aldridge has been amazing, and he’s been so good that Houston’s Dwight Howard has been overshadowed. Howard has played well in this important playoff season for him and his career, but Howard hasn’t gotten much help from his teammates. James Harden has hit just 14 of 47 shots while playing terrible defense. Houston needs a big game from Harden on Friday. The feeling is that while Portland will probably win the series in six games, Houston will grab this one.
Pick: Houston
