Betting Guide for NBA Playoffs Thursday
The NBA Playoffs have finally arrived and we’ve already seen some riveting game 1’s and 2’s. There are several fascinating, unpredictable series in the first round, including the surging Los Angeles Lakers vs. the 2-seeded Memphis Grizzlies, star-loaded squads in the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns facing off, and the tight eastern conference matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks.
On Thursday, we have a compelling slate of games. First up at 7:30 PM ET is the Philadelphia 76ers facing the Brooklyn Nets. Then at 10:00 PM ET the Sacramento Kings will travel down the road to play the Golden State Warriors. Concluding the night is the Phoenix Suns taking on the Clippers in Los Angeles.
Today I’ll be giving a guide on the ins and outs of these NBA playoffs matchups so you can make informed bets. Let’s dive in.
76ers vs. Nets
Philadelphia currently leads this NBA playoffs first round series 2 games to none. In game 3 Thursday night, the 76ers are favored at -4.5 on the spread and -190 on the moneyline. Brooklyn is +4.5 on the spread and +160 on the moneyline.
Though Philly has largely been in control so far in this series, the Nets have shown signs of life. They led for much of game 2 before the Sixers made a run to take the lead. Despite losing two superstars in Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving via trade this season, they still have reliable young talent in Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson and Nic Claxton. That’s kept them somewhat relevant.
This is the first game of the series in Brooklyn, so expect to see the Nets play with more energy than in Philly. If there’s one game they’re going to win in this series, it’s this one.
Kings vs. Warriors
Sacramento leads this series 2-0. For game 3, the Kings are underdogs at +5.5 on the spread and +190 on the moneyline. Golden State is -5.5 on the spread and -230 on the moneyline.
The Kings have performed impressively thus far in the series, but the Warriors have been very competitive. They look far from the team that won the NBA championship last season, but they can still hang in there with the league’s best. Expect them to have a surge of momentum in front of their home crowd at the NBA playoffs, where they’ve been excellent all season long.
Suns vs. Clippers
This is the only series being played Thursday night that is tied 1-1. Los Angeles won game 1 and Phoenix took game 2. For game 3, the visiting Suns are favored at -2.5 on the spread and -136 on the moneyline. The Clippers are +2.5 on the spread and +116 on the moneyline.
This NBA playoffs series has been really competitive so far. The Suns’ starting five is loaded, featuring Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and DeAndre Ayton. The Clippers are not without their own star talent in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, though George has missed the first two games with an injury. George will remain out for game 3.
Despite the Clippers missing a star, they’ve been competitive thus far. Role players have stepped up and risen to the occasion against Phoenix. Vegas fittingly sees game 3 as a tight affair that goes down to the wire, and I don’t see it any differently.
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