The NBA playoffs are slowly moving along. We’ll see if the underdogs can find a way to prolong these various series.
Eastern Conference, First Round, Game 2: Charlotte Bobcats @ Miami Heat
Wednesday, 7:05 PM ET
Odds: Miami -10.5
This is a game in which Charlotte will take the court without full assurance that its pivotal player in the paint can be at full strength. Al Jefferson, whose injury early in Game 1 on Sunday robbed the Bobcats of both momentum and an advantageous matchup on the court, insists that he’ll play in this game. He’s going to take injections to minimize the amount of pain he feels. Modern medicine has certainly given athletes the ability to play through a lot of pain, and maybe Jefferson won’t be affected by his injury. However, if Jefferson is unable to move and operate fluidly, Miami will not have to worry about being overpowered in the post. The Heat own matchup advantages at every other position with the exception of point guard. Charlotte needs Jefferson to be a difference maker, and that doesn’t seem likely in this game. The Bobcats will stay close enough to cover the spread, however.
Pick: Charlotte +10.5
Western Conference First Round, Game 2: Dallas Mavericks @ San Antonio Spurs
Wednesday, 8:05 PM ET
Odds: San Antonio -8
The Dallas Mavericks know that they let one get away in Game 1 of this series. A 10-point fourth-quarter lead is not something that happens every day against an opponent that won over 60 games in the regular season and has home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs.
The Spurs played one of their worst offensive games in quite some time, with a full lineup and in a competitive game situation in which tanking or resting were not legitimate concerns. Dallas missed a big opportunity, so the question is if the Mavericks can now redouble their efforts and finish a game in the fourth quarter. It’s possible that Dallas’ desperation could help the number eight seed, but San Antonio is just not likely to play poorly on offense for a second straight game. This is the Spurs’ game to lose.
Pick: San Antonio -8
Western Conference First Round, Game 2: Portland Trail Blazers @ Houston Rockets
Wednesday, 9:35 PM ET
Odds: Houston -6
The Rockets have to win this game if they want to have a reasonable chance of winning this series. Houston led by 11 points inside the final five minutes of Game 1 on Sunday, and blew the advantage. Portland’s two best players, LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard, combined for more than 75 points, and they were both at their best down the stretch. Houston’s defense, a concern all season long, was not able to improve when it really mattered. Portland will continue to attack the Rockets in this game and force them to work as hard as possible to get each and every stop. The Trail Blazers should be able to score on the Rockets once more, and that’s why the Blazers will cover the number. Houston, though, will shoot the ball better than it did in Game 1 and tie this series.
Pick: Portland +6
