The NBA playoffs were a lot more thrilling and unpredictable in the first round. Since then, the favorites have generally had their way. In the conference finals, one series is likely to be tight all the way, while the other one could turn in two different ways this upcoming Sunday in Game 3. The Eastern Conference Finals move from Indianapolis to Miami, while the Western Conference Finals move a little north, from San Antonio to Oklahoma City. Will anything significant emerge from the change of sites, and from the three-day layoffs between Games 2 and 3 for all four teams that are still alive in the NBA postseason?
Game 3: Indiana Pacers @ Miami Heat
Saturday, 8:35 PM ET
Odds: Miami -6.5
This is an absurdly large betting line. Indiana might not win outright, but the Pacers play the Heat close. They know how to do this. Indiana has the size in the middle of the paint with Roy Hibbert that can keep Miami from getting a lot of easy baskets. The Pacers have a bruising power forward in David West who has a solid midrange jump shot and who will likely shoot the ball better after struggling in Game 2 after he got hit with a finger near his eye. The big question in this game, and it’s useless to make a betting play against the spread until this is known for sure, is whether Paul George will play for Indiana. He was diagnosed with a concussion after being hit in the head with a knee from Dwyane Wade in the fourth quarter of Game 2 on Tuesday. George has been going through tests, and as of early Friday morning, he had not yet been cleared to play. However, the Pacers seem optimistic that he’ll be able to get on the court. If George can’t play, then Miami becomes a huge favorite in this game. The Pacers would likely be unable to find a lot of scoring from other places on the floor. However, if George plays, this feels like an even game that will be decided by one or two baskets.
Pick: Indiana +6.5
Game 3: San Antonio Spurs @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Sunday, 8:35 PM ET
Odds: Oklahoma City -2
The big news from this game in the Western Conference Finals also concerns the injury status of a player. Oklahoma City forward Serge Ibaka, who missed the first two games of this series with a calf injury and had been pronounced as being “out” for the playoffs a few days ago, has now been upgraded to “day-to-day” and could possibly play in Game 3. Ibaka was felt at the very least to have been unavailable for this series, but the remainder of the playoffs seemed to be off the board for the Thunder’s best interior defender. If Ibaka can not only play but also be reasonably forceful and athletic on the court, Oklahoma City would instantly regain a lot of its balance at both ends of the court. The Thunder could much more effectively stop San Antonio’s drives and cuts to the basket, and Ibaka can also be more of a factor on the glass. If Ibaka plays in this game, definitely give the Thunder an edge.
Pick: Oklahoma City -2
