There will be only two games on the NBA slate for Monday, May 9th. The NBA second-round playoffs have been filled with drama and spicy headlines, but who will tonight’s games?
Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks
Projected Starters
Celtics: C Robert Williams, PF Al Horford, SF Jayson Tatum, SG Jaylen Brown, and PG Marcus Smart
Bucks: C Brook Lopez, PF Giannis Antetokounmpo, SF Wesley Matthews, SG Grayson Allen, and PG Jrue Holiday
Pickwatch Experts:
Straight Up 70% Bucks
Against the Spread 67% Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have a 2-1 lead in this best-of-seven series with the Boston Celtics. Milwaukee has given up the fewest points per game in the NBA Playoffs so far at 96.9 PPG.
Boston has given up the fourth-fewest points per game in the NBA Playoffs so far at 103.7 PPG. Jayson Tatum struggled in Game 3 for Boston only scoring 10 points and he has to be much better for them in order to even this series up. Jaylen Brown scored 27 points for the Celtics in Game 3, but it wasn’t enough in the losing effort.
Milwaukee still does not have Khris Middleton due to injury. Giannis Antetokounmpo flirted with a triple-double in Game 3 for the Bucks with 42 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, in a 103-101 Game 3 win. He is currently one of the most dominant players in the NBA right now.
Despite both of these basketball teams being defensive-minded, the Celtics are shooting 44.7% from the field in the NBA Playoffs and the Bucks are shooting 45.4% percent from the field.
The Boston Celtics will play in desperation mode in Game 4 because they want to avoid a 3-1 deficit heading back to Boston for Game 5. However, the Bucks are the defending NBA Champions for a reason and they will protect their homecourt in Game 4.
Pick: Milwaukee (-1)
Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors
Projected Starters
Grizzlies: C Xavier Tillman, PF Jaren Jackson, SF Dillon Brooks, SG Desmond Bane, and PG Tyus Jones
Warriors: C Draymond Green, PF Jonathan Kuminga, SF Andrew Wiggins, SG Klay Thompson, and PG Steph Curry
Pickwatch Experts:
Straight Up 91% Warriors
Against the Spread 51% Grizzlies (+10)
The Golden State Warriors have taken the first two-of-three games in this series from the Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis will be facing adversity in Game 4 when Ja Morant will most likely be sidelined due to an injury. This series has been very rough physically and mentally.
Morant has missed several games during the regular season for Memphis and they are no stranger to winning basketball games without him, but the playoffs are a completely different animal. The Grizzlies got smacked around in Game 3, 142-112 and they will look to bounce back in Game 4 without their superstar player most likely.
He scored 34 points for them in Game 3 and they will need to fill that void. Look for Desmond Bane to step up, who only scored 16 points in Game 3. Dillon Brooks will also be returning from his one-game suspension for Memphis.
Jordan Poole continues to be a sensation for the Warriors with 27 points off the bench in Game 3 for them. Steph Curry also scored 30 points for Golden State and Klay Thompson scored 21 points in Game 4 for the Warriors.
Golden State is shooting 51.2% from the field in the NBA Playoffs so far. They have also given up the seventh-most points per game in the NBA Playoffs with 110.5 PPG.
Memphis is shooting 44.2% from the field in the NBA Playoffs so far. They have also given the fourth-most points per game in the NBA Playoffs with 112.8 PPG.
The Grizzlies will keep Game 4 close despite them missing Ja Morant, but it will be too much for them to overcome and the Warriors offense will just be too much to stop.
Pick: Golden State (-10)