Betting news, trends, odds and predictions for Sunday, April 22, 2018 from various handicappers and websites
**Boston at Milwaukee**
-- In an 0-2 hole going back home for Game 3 in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Milwaukee (45-40 straight up, 35-45-5 against the spread) broke through Friday night with a 116-92 win over Boston as a five-point home favorite. The 208 combined points went ‘over’ the 205.5-point total to stay perfect in the series. The Bucks darted out to a 27-12 lead to end of the first quarter and kept their feet on the accelerator. They led 58-35 at intermission and didn’t allow the Celtics to get any closer than 14 in the second half.
-- Khris Middleton was the catalyst in the Game 3 laugher, producing 23 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, one steal and one blocked shots. Middleton hit 10-of-17 field-goal attempts and 3-of-6 launches from 3-point land. Giannis Antetokounmpo added 19 points, six assists, five rebounds, two steals and two rejections, while Jabari Parker and Eric Bledsoe finished with 17 points apiece. Thon Maker was also in double figures with 14 points, five rebounds and five blocked shots. He buried 3-of-4 attempts from downtown.
-- In the losing effort, Al Horford scored a team-best 16 points for the Celtics. Greg Monroe contributed 15 points and 12 rebounds in just 23 minutes of playing time off the bench. Jayson Tatum finished with 14 points and five boards.
-- Horford is averaging 18.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocked shots per game in the series so far. Horford, the two-time national-title winner at the University of Florida who has helped his team to the postseason in all 10 of his seasons in The Association, has a 9/3 assist-to-turnover ratio.
-- Boston (57-28 SU, 52-31-2 ATS) owns a 27-15 record both SU and ATS in its 42 road assignments.
-- Milwaukee has posted a 26-16 SU record and a 13-25-4 ATS mark at home.
-- As of Saturday afternoon, most books had Milwaukee installed as a 4.5-point ‘chalk’ with a total of 204. The Celtics were +175 on the money line (risk $100 to win $175). For first-half wagers, most spots had the Bucks favored by 2.5 points with a total of 99.
-- Boston is playing without Gordon Hayward, Kyrie Irving and Marcus Smart.
-- Brad Stevens’s team is ranked third in the NBA in scoring defense, limiting opponents to 100.4 points per game. The Celtics are second in FG percentage ‘D’ (44.0%) and first in defending the 3-point line (33.9%). They’ll need improve in this area in Game 4 after Milwaukee buried 16-of-33 (48.5%) from long distance in Game 3.
-- VegasInsider.com's Chris David leans to the Bucks in Game 4 and has an opinion on Boston’s team total. David said, “Boston was one of the NBA’s best road teams this season before dropping its last three regular-season road games. The Celtics had not lost back-to-back road assignments before then, but now the C’s have lost four in a row on the road. They’ve scored only 93.3 PPG during this span. During Stevens’s postseason career, Boston is scoring merely 96.0 PPG in 14 road contests. I like the Celtics’ team total for Game 4 to go ‘under’ 100.5 points.”
-- Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocked shots per game in the series to date. He’s hit 32-of-51 FGAs (62.7%) and knocked down 3-of-6 treys.
-- Before losing at Milwaukee in Game 3, Boston had gone 4-1 SU and 5-0 ATS in its five previous head-to-head meetings with the Bucks.
-- The ‘over’ is on an incredible 18-2 run for the Bucks, who have seen the ‘over’ go 23-18-1 in their home games. They’ve watched the ‘over’ cash at a 49-35-1 overall clip.
-- The ‘over’ has cashed in seven consecutive Boston games to improve to 46-38-1 overall and 21-20-1 in its road assignments.
-- Sportsbook.ag has Boston as the -190 ‘chalk’ for its updated series price. The Bucks are the +165 underdogs.
-- Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Eastern on ABC.
**Golden State at San Antonio**
-- Golden State (61-24 SU, 37-47-1 ATS) will go for the kill shot Sunday afternoon at San Antonio. The oddsmakers are expecting the Warriors to deal out broom treatment. As of Saturday afternoon, most betting shops had Steve Kerr’s squad listed as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 203.5. The Spurs were +260 on the money line (risk $100 to win $260). For first-half bets, Golden State was favored by 3.5 points with a total of 103.
-- Golden State is 30-12 SU and 19-23 ATS on the road this year.
-- Golden State took a 3-0 series lead by capturing a 110-97 win over San Antonio in Thursday’s Game 3 at AT&T Center. The Warriors took the money as 3.5-point road favorites against a Spurs club that was playing without their head coach, Gregg Popovich. ‘Pop’s wife passed away on Wednesday.
-- Kevin Durant led the way for the Warriors in Game 3, scoring a game-high 26 points by making 9-of-17 FGAs and all seven of his shots from the free-throw line. He also had nine rebounds and six assists. Klay Thompson (19), Shaun Livingston (16), Quinn Cook (12), Draymond Green (10) and Andre Iguodala (10) also scored in double figures. As usual, Green stuff the box score with seven assists, six rebounds, four blocked shots and two steals.
-- In the Game 3 setback, LaMarcus Aldridge scored 18 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out four assists compared to just two turnovers. Tony Parker snapped out of his extended slump, contributing 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field. Patty Mills had 14 points and Rudy Gay had 11 points and six boards.
-- Thompson is in a shooting groove here in the early stages of the playoffs. Through three games, the Washington State product is averaging 25.7 points PPG and has a 9/3 assist-to-turnover ratio. Thompson has drained 31-of-49 FGAs (63.3%) and 13-of-20 from 3-point range (65.0%).
-- San Antonio (47-38 SU, 42-41-2 ATS) has compiled a 33-9 SU record and a 26-15-1 ATS ledger at home. The Spurs had won 11 in a row at home, going 9-2 ATS in the process, before losing Game 3. They have been home underdogs five times, posting a 2-3 record both SU and ATS.
-- VI’s David won’t be surprised of the Warriors seal the deal on Sunday. David said, “Even though the Spurs are often considered the NBA’s best organization, the club has been swept before and a Popovich squad has never won a Game 4 when trailing 3-0 in a series. They’re 0-3 in three such instances and average margin in those defeats has been 16.3 PPG, including a 129-115 loss to Golden State in the Western Conference finals last season.”
-- Popovich will not be on the sidelines again Sunday for Game 4.
-- According to VI’s Kevin Rogers, road teams with 3-0 series leads in last year’s postseason went 5-1 SU and 4-1-1 ATS. Rogers said, “The only home team to avoid the sweep last season was the Cavs when they forced a Game 5 by beating Golden State in Game 4 of the Finals.”
-- The ‘under’ is 43-41-1 overall for the Warriors, 22-20 in their road outings.
-- The ‘under’ is 44-40-1 overall for the Spurs, 21-21 in their home games.
-- ABC will have the telecast at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
-- Golden State star Steph Curry still hasn’t been cleared for contact. He is reportedly in danger of missing the start of Round 2 while still recovering from an MCL injury to his knee.
-- Philadelphia captured a 106-102 win in Saturday’s Game 3 at Miami. The 76ers, who took a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, covered the number as 3.5-point road favorites. J.J. Redick led seven Philadelphia players in double figures with 24 points. His two free throws with 16 seconds remaining sealed the spread cover. Miami had two shots on its final possession to trim the deficit, but it missed on both and the 76ers secured the rebounds with three ticks left and dribbled out the clock. The 208 combined points dropped ‘under’ the 212.5-point total. Ben Simmons had a triple-double with 17 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists and four steals. He made 8-of-13 FGAs. Joel Embiid finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots. Dwyane Wade had another sensational performance in defeat. The Heat’s franchise icon contributed 25 points, three rebounds and three steals in 26 minutes of action.
-- I’m convinced the 76ers are going to win the East.
-- The updated series price for Indiana-Cleveland is the Cavs -115 at Sportsbook.ag. Gamblers can back the Pacers, who overcame a 17-point deficit to win Game 3 at home and take a 2-1 series advantage, at -105 odds.
By Brian Edwards
Eastern Conference First Round - Game 4 - Raptors lead 2-1
Toronto at Washington (TNT, 6:05 p.m. ET)
In a complete reversal from what transpired in Game 1 and all regular season, the Wizards’ bench has managed to outplay Toronto’s reserves. That difference and homecourt advantage help Washington turn around an early deficit to get back in the East’s 1-8 series with a 122-103 rout. This Game 4 affords the Raptors an opportunity to prove that everything it did over the course of 82 games to be installed as the betting favorite in the entire Eastern Conference was no fluke. Over the past few seasons, they’ve proven unreliable this time of year, reaching just one conference finals in five years despite being a top-four seed each time. This game is vital to keeping the heat off so early in the playoffs.
If they’re going to make a run to finally break through, the Raptors have to prove they’ll be able to win on the road. They’ll also have to impose their will by capitalizing on their depth, an edge that materialized to help make the difference in a 114-106 Game 1 win where they had a 42-21 advantage off the bench. Since then, Washington has a 98-73 lead in that department.
John Wall shook off a Game 1 where he shot 6-for-20 from the field and has been tremendous since, averaging 28.5 points and 13.5 assists while shooting over 50 percent despite missing all six of his 3-point shots. If he gets that part of his game going, the Raptors defense will be in a significant amount of trouble. Backcourt mate Bradley Beal followed up his 3-for-11 no-show by tying Wall with a game-high 28 points on Friday.
The Wizards will be a confident group as they take the floor looking to extend their playoff home winning streak to eight in order to get even in this series.
BookMaker.eu opened Game 4 at a pick ‘em while most Vegas shops opened Toronto -1 and as of Saturday, the Raptors are -1 ½ across the board and as high as -2.
While the early action believes Washington’s effort in Game 3 was a fluke, Chris David of VegasInsider.com warns bettors to be careful of backing the Raptors.
He explained, “There’s no doubt that Toronto is a serious contender and this team built the second-best record in the league by winning at home (34-7) and dominating teams with losing records (35-2). On the road, the Raptors were solid (25-16) in the regular season but they were only 8-12 against playoff teams. Including Friday’s loss, Toronto has dropped five straight to playoff squads and the defense has allowed 118.4 PPG.”
“The book appears to be out on Washington in the playoffs. Fade them on the road and back them at home. Going back to last postseason, the Wizards have won seven straight home playoff games (5-2 ATS) at Capital One Arena. Since 2014, Toronto is now 5-15 SU and 6-14 ATS on the road in the postseason,” added David.
Toronto hopes to have one of its most consistent bench performers available as backup point guard Fred VanVleet hopes to return from a shoulder injury that has limited him to just three minutes all series. If he’s unable to play, Delon Wright will continue to get extended minutes despite shooting just 5-for-17 over the last two games after being the x-factor in the opener with 17 points.
Washington’s Mike Scott has shot 18-for-24 from the field and has averaged 15.3 points, so his emergence has been one reason that the over has prevailed in all three contests.
The teams have combined for at least 120 points in all three games, topping out at the 249 they tallied in Game 2. The total here opened at 219 and has settled at 218.5 late Saturday.
Eastern Conference First Round - Game 4 - Pacers lead 2-1
Cleveland at Indiana (TNT, 8:35 p.m. ET)
The supporting cast surrounding LeBron James is so thin that point guard George Hill’s lack of availability in the second half of Game 3 helped contribute to an epic collapse that saw the three-time reigning Eastern Conference champs blow a 17-point second-half lead in Indiana.
Hill is listed as questionable due to back spasms after playing in only nine second-half minutes as Cleveland squandered a 57-40 lead, falling behind in the final few minutes and losing 92-90 when J.R. Smith came up short on a heave just inside halfcourt despite other open teammates appearing to have better looks.
LeBron James didn’t throw any of his teammates under the bus despite getting little help for the third straight game in a series that has seen Kevin Love play through an injured thumb and all of Cleveland’s key midseason acquisitions wilt amid the playoff spotlight. James is averaging 32.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists but has been unable to count on anyone but Love and Hill for veteran contributions.
Smith has struggled. Korver has shot 28.6 percent from the field, and although he’s 4-for-13 from 3-point range, he’s come up empty from beyond the arc in Games 1 and 3. Jeff Green was a awful in the opener but has been better of late, while neither Jordan Clarkson, Rodney Hood nor Larry Nance has emerged in the manner James hoped when the roster overhaul rejuvenated the Cavs in February.
There appears to be no cohesion between the best NBA player of the current generation and his younger teammates, but all isn’t lost because James is definitely firing on all cylinders, which includes shooting 6-for-12 from 3-point range after missing all four of his long-range attempts in the series opener.
The Pacers have to feel confident in their ability to keep Cleveland’s supporting cast from finding a rhythm since they’ve had Victor Oladipo, Thaddeus Young and Lance Stephenson really put in the work on defense. A victory here would give them three opportunities to put down the Cavs, potentially ending a second LeBron era in Cleveland in the process.
Indiana opened as a 1-point favorite, but the game has since been bet down to a pick’em. If Hill can't play, Clarkson might move into the starting lineup, but it's more likely that veteran Jose Calderon would get the call after sitting out entirely on Friday night.
The ‘under’ has cashed in the first three games of this series and VI’s David believes the low side is the right lean again.
He said, “Even though both these teams have shown offensive flashes throughout the season and even in a couple quarters of this series, the defense outshined the offense in this particular matchup. Plus, those units have been helped by the fact that the Cavaliers (31%, 67%) and Pacers (33%, 70%) have been terrible from both 3-point land and the free throw stripe. Another factor helping the ‘under’ has been the pace, which has been super slow. Both clubs are averaging 76 field goal attempts and that’s ranked last in this year’s playoffs.”
Including Friday’s outcome, the ‘under’ is on a 6-1-1 between the pair and Indiana has now seen the ‘under’ go 25-15-2 at home this season.
The total in Game 1 closed at 212 ½ and is now down to 205 ½ for the fourth installment.
By Tony Mejia
Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks Preview and Predictions 04-22-2018
21st April 2018 by Gracenote
the milwaukee bucks clamped down defensively to get back into their first-round series with the boston celtics, and they'll try to even the best-of-seven matchup at two wins apiece when the teams play game 4 in milwaukee on sunday. after allowing an average of 116.5 points in the first two games at boston - one of which did go to overtime - the seventh-seeded bucks held the celtics to 40 percent shooting and forced 18 turnovers in friday's 116-92 game 3 win.
"the activity, if you take the stat sheet out of it, the activity and the energy that we brought ... as you go through the game, that's what you need, is the energy first," interim coach joe prunty told reporters. the bucks were no slouch at the other end of the floor while shooting 57 percent and making 16-of-33 3-pointers. the halftime score was 58-35 in favor of the hosts and second-seeded boston knows it needs a better start to avoid going back home tied 2-2. "we got into a hole. this is new for our group," forward al horford - who scored a team-high 16 points - told the media. "they had it going ... and we really didn't have an answer for them tonight."
tv: 1 p.m. et, abc
about the celtics: with three young players - jaylen brown, jayson tatum and terry rozier - making their first career starts in a road playoff game, jitters and anxiety seemed to play a role as boston fell behind 27-12 after the first quarter. "i think that we learned that the level - the intensity - that is playing in the playoffs on the road (is heightened)," horford said. "i feel like it was just a different level of intensity and we all saw it. we felt it." the trio combined to go 11-for-27 from the floor in the loss but they committed just one turnover combined after the opening quarter.
about the bucks: jabari parker managed only two points on 1-of-7 shooting in the two losses at boston, but he recovered in a big way back home with 17 points, five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal off the bench in game 3. "jabari's a special talent, man," point guard eric bledsoe told the media. "all he's got to do is stick with it. not get too high, not get too low. he played phenomenal tonight. we need him to play like that from here on out." giannis antetokounmpo had his streak of consecutive 30-point playoff games snapped at four but he was 8-of-13 from the floor and is shooting 62.7 percent while averaging 28 points in the series.
buzzer beaters
1. milwaukee is shooting 54.8 percent in the series, compared to 45.1 percent for boston.
2. bucks backup c thon maker had 14 points and five blocked shots in game 3 while starting c john henson sat with a sore back.
3. horford is averaging 18.7 points in the series while making 3-of-5 3-pointers and 15-of-17 free throws.
prediction: bucks 111, celtics 105
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Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview and Predictions 04-22-2018
21st April 2018 by Gracenote
the golden state warriors cruised to wins in each of the first three games in the first round of the western conference playoffs and will look to sweep the san antonio spurs out of the postseason for the second straight year on sunday. the warriors, who visit san antonio for game 4, knocked the spurs out in the western conference finals last spring and are trying to do the same two rounds earlier this time around.
golden state watched kevin durant and shaun livingston exit late in game 3 after rolling ankles - neither injury is considered serious - and is still missing all-star stephen curry (knee), so taking care of business in game 4 is the priority. "we want to not come back, limit our road travel and expand our time to rest so we can get our best guys healthy, like steph (curry), kd and shaun," shooting guard klay thompson told reporters. "that's our motivation." the spurs were without head coach gregg popovich in game 3 and he is expected to miss game 4 as well following the death of his wife, erin, but the team was not about to use the emotional situation as an excuse for the 110-97 game 3 setback. "as a team, this is my answer," interim head coach ettore messina told reporters. "individually, i guess any different individual is going through his own personal things, and it's impossible for me to evaluate that. i think everybody did a fantastic job as players, as people working in the organization, the staff, of really trying to support each other and face this moment like it should be faced -- to support a friend."
tv: 3:30 p.m. et, abc
about the warriors: golden state is limiting san antonio to an average of 96.7 points in the series, and the defensive effort of all-star forward draymond green is the key. "he's been fantastic, defensively," warriors coach steve kerr told reporters of green. "he's been all over the place. this is a team that you have to disrupt. they're excellent with their execution ... and draymond is as good as anybody i've ever seen in terms of recognizing a play and blowing it up." offensively, golden state is leaning on durant (an average of 27.3 points in the series) and thompson, who is shooting 63.3 percent from the floor and 65 percent from beyond the arc while averaging 25.7 points through the first three games.
about the spurs: all-star lamarcus aldridge is trying to carry the team in the continued absence of superstar small forward kawhi leonard, who is away from the team while rehabbing a quad injury, and he turned in his second straight double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds in game 3. aldridge is trying to find some help on the offensive end, and veteran point guard tony parker came off the bench and enjoyed his best game of the series with 16 points in 17 minutes on thursday. fellow point guard patty mills is stepping up as well and averaged 17.5 points in the last two games after scoring five points in game 1.
buzzer beaters
1. curry began participating in limited practice with the team on saturday and will be reevaluated in a week.
2. san antonio sg manu ginobili went scoreless on 0-of-5 shooting in game 3 after averaging 9.5 points in the first two contests.
3. green recorded four blocks in game 3 - his most since swatting four at portland on feb. 14.
prediction: warriors 106, spurs 101
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Toronto Raptors vs. Washington Wizards Preview and Predictions 04-22-2018
21st April 2018 by Gracenote
the washington wizards decided to get physical with the toronto raptors in game 3 and it worked, giving the wizards a chance to even their best-of-seven first-round series when the teams meet for game 4 in the nation's capital on sunday. in a game that featured five technical fouls and plenty of chippy action, the eighth-seeded wizards routed the raptors 122-103 on friday to pull within 2-1 in the series.
"they came out and punched us," toronto coach dwane casey - whose team averaged 122 points in two victories at home to start the series - told reporters. "and we allowed them to." john wall and bradley beal scored 28 points apiece for washington, which shot 55.3 percent overall and scored at least 30 points in each of the first three quarters. the top-seeded raptors received 23 points from demar derozan and 19 points and eight assists from kyle lowry but their vaunted bench struggled to shoot 10-for-29 with none of the seven reserves scoring in double figures. that unit is usually led by backup guard fred vanvleet, but he missed his second game in the series due to a bruised shoulder and is considered day-to-day.
tv: 6 p.m. et, tnt, sportsnet one (toronto), nbcs washington
about the raptors: derozan and lowry combined for eight of toronto's 18 turnovers and they know that taking care of the basketball is paramount against a team that likes to run. "we didn't take care of the ball at all. that was the game," derozan said. "they fed off that. they got out in transition, where they're at their best, and it killed us." serge ibaka, who scored 23 points in game 1, was held to three points on 1-of-4 shooting in the loss while committing three turnovers, his highest total in that category in a span of 14 games.
about the wizards: beal, who averaged 28.8 points in four meetings with the raptors during the regular season, produced a total of 28 through the first two games of the series before breaking out friday. "brad came in and played well," coach scott brooks told the media. "we needed him. i took a lot of the blame talking to him that i needed to get him involved more, and we did that early in the game, and it paid off." wall added 14 assists in the rout and he is averaging 26.7 points, 12.7 assists and 2.7 steals in the series.
buzzer beaters
1. wizards pf mike scott is 18-of-24 from the field in the series, including 6-of-7 from 3-point range.
2. derozan is averaging 25.7 points in the series and has made 6-of-14 3-pointers.
3. washington c marcin gortat had 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting in game 3 after being held scoreless in 12 minutes of game 2.
prediction: raptors 110, wizards 108
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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers Preview and Predictions 04-22-2018
21st April 2018 by Gracenote
the indiana pacers battled back from a 17-point deficit to win game 3 of their first-round, eastern conference playoff series over the cleveland cavaliers, and the momentum is entirely in their locker room moving forward. the pacers will try to take advantage of that momentum and push the advantage to 3-1 when they host the cavaliers in game 4 on sunday.
indiana, led by small forward bojan bogdanovic, stunned cleveland at both ends of the floor in the second half of friday's game 3 and held the cavaliers to 33 points after the break. "i just thought their physicality," cleveland coach tyronn lue told reporters. "denying the basketball, getting into us so when we catch the ball we're back on our heels. the pressure. i thought it just hurt us." the cavaliers were 40-0 when taking a lead into the fourth quarter this season prior to friday, and pacers coach nate mcmillan was not surprised that his team was able to battle back. "there's been a lot of fight in these guys all season long," mcmillan told reporters. "we've been in that situation at half where we've been down or we haven't played our best basketball and they come out and just continue to fight, continue to scrap."
tv: 8:30 p.m. et, tnt, fs ohio (cleveland), fs indiana
about the cavaliers: superstar lebron james often finds himself on an island with inconsistent production from his teammates, and he was one of three cleveland players to score in double figures in game 3 while finishing with 28 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. james is 12-0 in his career in first-round playoff series and is trying to instill a sense of urgency in the cavaliers. "it's the postseason," james told reporters. "every game is a must win. you want to come in and play well and win no matter what. no matter if you have homecourt advantage or if you're starting on the road, that's the mindset you have to have."
about the pacers: bogdanovic scored a season-high 30 points on 11-of-15 shooting and went 7-of-9 from beyond the arc, including a four-point play late in the fourth quarter, while playing solid defense against james. "he did an excellent job," indiana swingman lance stephenson, who often finds himself matched up against james, told reporters of bogdanovic. "i'll give him a 100 on the test. he did a good job on lebron and hit open shots. attacked. we've seen he could do that throughout the season, but for him to do that in the playoffs is amazing. bogey manned up." indiana held the cavaliers to an average of 90 points in the first three games.
buzzer beaters
1. pacers all-star sg victor oladipo is 3-of-16 from 3-point range in the last two games after going 6-of-9 in game 1.
2. cleveland pg george hill scored 13 points in game 3, matching his total from the first two contests.
3. indiana pf thaddeus young is shooting 65 percent from the floor in the series and totaled six steals in the last two games.
prediction: cavaliers 105, pacers 96
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Preview: Celtics at Bucks
Gracenote
Apr 21, 2018
The Milwaukee Bucks clamped down defensively to get back into their first-round series with the Boston Celtics, and they'll try to even the best-of-seven matchup at two wins apiece when the teams play Game 4 in Milwaukee on Sunday. After allowing an average of 116.5 points in the first two games at Boston - one of which did go to overtime - the seventh-seeded Bucks held the Celtics to 40 percent shooting and forced 18 turnovers in Friday's 116-92 Game 3 win.
"The activity, if you take the stat sheet out of it, the activity and the energy that we brought ... as you go through the game, that's what you need, is the energy first," interim coach Joe Prunty told reporters. The Bucks were no slouch at the other end of the floor while shooting 57 percent and making 16-of-33 3-pointers. The halftime score was 58-35 in favor of the hosts and second-seeded Boston knows it needs a better start to avoid going back home tied 2-2. "We got into a hole. This is new for our group," forward Al Horford - who scored a team-high 16 points - told the media. "They had it going ... and we really didn't have an answer for them tonight."
TV: 1 p.m. ET, ABC
ABOUT THE CELTICS: With three young players - Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Terry Rozier - making their first career starts in a road playoff game, jitters and anxiety seemed to play a role as Boston fell behind 27-12 after the first quarter. "I think that we learned that the level – the intensity – that is playing in the playoffs on the road (is heightened)," Horford said. "I feel like it was just a different level of intensity and we all saw it. We felt it." The trio combined to go 11-for-27 from the floor in the loss but they committed just one turnover combined after the opening quarter.
ABOUT THE BUCKS: Jabari Parker managed only two points on 1-of-7 shooting in the two losses at Boston, but he recovered in a big way back home with 17 points, five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal off the bench in Game 3. "Jabari's a special talent, man," point guard Eric Bledsoe told the media. "All he's got to do is stick with it. Not get too high, not get too low. He played phenomenal tonight. We need him to play like that from here on out." Giannis Antetokounmpo had his streak of consecutive 30-point playoff games snapped at four but he was 8-of-13 from the floor and is shooting 62.7 percent while averaging 28 points in the series.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Milwaukee is shooting 54.8 percent in the series, compared to 45.1 percent for Boston.
2. Bucks backup C Thon Maker had 14 points and five blocked shots in Game 3 while starting C John Henson sat with a sore back.
3. Horford is averaging 18.7 points in the series while making 3-of-5 3-pointers and 15-of-17 free throws.
PREDICTION: Bucks 111, Celtics 105
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Preview: Warriors at Spurs
Gracenote
Apr 21, 2018
The Golden State Warriors cruised to wins in each of the first three games in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs and will look to sweep the San Antonio Spurs out of the postseason for the second straight year on Sunday. The Warriors, who visit San Antonio for Game 4, knocked the Spurs out in the Western Conference finals last spring and are trying to do the same two rounds earlier this time around.
Golden State watched Kevin Durant and Shaun Livingston exit late in Game 3 after rolling ankles - neither injury is considered serious - and is still missing All-Star Stephen Curry (knee), so taking care of business in Game 4 is the priority. "We want to not come back, limit our road travel and expand our time to rest so we can get our best guys healthy, like Steph (Curry), KD and Shaun," shooting guard Klay Thompson told reporters. "That’s our motivation." The Spurs were without head coach Gregg Popovich in Game 3 and he is expected to miss Game 4 as well following the death of his wife, Erin, but the team was not about to use the emotional situation as an excuse for the 110-97 Game 3 setback. "As a team, this is my answer," interim head coach Ettore Messina told reporters. "Individually, I guess any different individual is going through his own personal things, and it's impossible for me to evaluate that. I think everybody did a fantastic job as players, as people working in the organization, the staff, of really trying to support each other and face this moment like it should be faced -- to support a friend."
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
ABOUT THE WARRIORS: Golden State is limiting San Antonio to an average of 96.7 points in the series, and the defensive effort of All-Star forward Draymond Green is the key. "He's been fantastic, defensively," Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters of Green. "He’s been all over the place. This is a team that you have to disrupt. They're excellent with their execution ... and Draymond is as good as anybody I’ve ever seen in terms of recognizing a play and blowing it up." Offensively, Golden State is leaning on Durant (an average of 27.3 points in the series) and Thompson, who is shooting 63.3 percent from the floor and 65 percent from beyond the arc while averaging 25.7 points through the first three games.
ABOUT THE SPURS: All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge is trying to carry the team in the continued absence of superstar small forward Kawhi Leonard, who is away from the team while rehabbing a quad injury, and he turned in his second straight double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds in Game 3. Aldridge is trying to find some help on the offensive end, and veteran point guard Tony Parker came off the bench and enjoyed his best game of the series with 16 points in 17 minutes on Thursday. Fellow point guard Patty Mills is stepping up as well and averaged 17.5 points in the last two games after scoring five points in Game 1.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Curry began participating in limited practice with the team on Saturday and will be reevaluated in a week.
2. San Antonio SG Manu Ginobili went scoreless on 0-of-5 shooting in Game 3 after averaging 9.5 points in the first two contests.
3. Green recorded four blocks in Game 3 - his most since swatting four at Portland on Feb. 14.
PREDICTION: Warriors 106, Spurs 101
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Preview: Raptors at Wizards
Gracenote
Apr 21, 2018
The Washington Wizards decided to get physical with the Toronto Raptors in Game 3 and it worked, giving the Wizards a chance to even their best-of-seven first-round series when the teams meet for Game 4 in the nation's capital on Sunday. In a game that featured five technical fouls and plenty of chippy action, the eighth-seeded Wizards routed the Raptors 122-103 on Friday to pull within 2-1 in the series.
"They came out and punched us," Toronto coach Dwane Casey - whose team averaged 122 points in two victories at home to start the series - told reporters. "And we allowed them to." John Wall and Bradley Beal scored 28 points apiece for Washington, which shot 55.3 percent overall and scored at least 30 points in each of the first three quarters. The top-seeded Raptors received 23 points from DeMar DeRozan and 19 points and eight assists from Kyle Lowry but their vaunted bench struggled to shoot 10-for-29 with none of the seven reserves scoring in double figures. That unit is usually led by backup guard Fred VanVleet, but he missed his second game in the series due to a bruised shoulder and is considered day-to-day.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, TNT, Sportsnet One (Toronto), NBCS Washington
ABOUT THE RAPTORS: DeRozan and Lowry combined for eight of Toronto's 18 turnovers and they know that taking care of the basketball is paramount against a team that likes to run. "We didn't take care of the ball at all. That was the game," DeRozan said. "They fed off that. They got out in transition, where they're at their best, and it killed us." Serge Ibaka, who scored 23 points in Game 1, was held to three points on 1-of-4 shooting in the loss while committing three turnovers, his highest total in that category in a span of 14 games.
ABOUT THE WIZARDS: Beal, who averaged 28.8 points in four meetings with the Raptors during the regular season, produced a total of 28 through the first two games of the series before breaking out Friday. "Brad came in and played well," coach Scott Brooks told the media. "We needed him. I took a lot of the blame talking to him that I needed to get him involved more, and we did that early in the game, and it paid off." Wall added 14 assists in the rout and he is averaging 26.7 points, 12.7 assists and 2.7 steals in the series.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Wizards PF Mike Scott is 18-of-24 from the field in the series, including 6-of-7 from 3-point range.
2. DeRozan is averaging 25.7 points in the series and has made 6-of-14 3-pointers.
3. Washington C Marcin Gortat had 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting in Game 3 after being held scoreless in 12 minutes of Game 2.
PREDICTION: Raptors 110, Wizards 108
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Preview: Cavaliers at Pacers
Gracenote
Apr 21, 2018
The Indiana Pacers battled back from a 17-point deficit to win Game 3 of their first-round, Eastern Conference playoff series over the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the momentum is entirely in their locker room moving forward. The Pacers will try to take advantage of that momentum and push the advantage to 3-1 when they host the Cavaliers in Game 4 on Sunday.
Indiana, led by small forward Bojan Bogdanovic, stunned Cleveland at both ends of the floor in the second half of Friday's Game 3 and held the Cavaliers to 33 points after the break. "I just thought their physicality," Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue told reporters. "Denying the basketball, getting into us so when we catch the ball we're back on our heels. The pressure. I thought it just hurt us." The Cavaliers were 40-0 when taking a lead into the fourth quarter this season prior to Friday, and Pacers coach Nate McMillan was not surprised that his team was able to battle back. "There's been a lot of fight in these guys all season long," McMillan told reporters. "We've been in that situation at half where we’ve been down or we haven't played our best basketball and they come out and just continue to fight, continue to scrap."
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT, FS Ohio (Cleveland), FS Indiana
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS: Superstar LeBron James often finds himself on an island with inconsistent production from his teammates, and he was one of three Cleveland players to score in double figures in Game 3 while finishing with 28 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. James is 12-0 in his career in first-round playoff series and is trying to instill a sense of urgency in the Cavaliers. "It's the postseason," James told reporters. "Every game is a must win. You want to come in and play well and win no matter what. No matter if you have homecourt advantage or if you’re starting on the road, that's the mindset you have to have."
ABOUT THE PACERS: Bogdanovic scored a season-high 30 points on 11-of-15 shooting and went 7-of-9 from beyond the arc, including a four-point play late in the fourth quarter, while playing solid defense against James. "He did an excellent job," Indiana swingman Lance Stephenson, who often finds himself matched up against James, told reporters of Bogdanovic. "I'll give him a 100 on the test. He did a good job on LeBron and hit open shots. Attacked. We've seen he could do that throughout the season, but for him to do that in the playoffs is amazing. Bogey manned up." Indiana held the Cavaliers to an average of 90 points in the first three games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Pacers All-Star SG Victor Oladipo is 3-of-16 from 3-point range in the last two games after going 6-of-9 in Game 1.
2. Cleveland PG George Hill scored 13 points in Game 3, matching his total from the first two contests.
3. Indiana PF Thaddeus Young is shooting 65 percent from the floor in the series and totaled six steals in the last two games.
PREDICTION: Cavaliers 105, Pacers 96
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NBA
Long Sheet
Sunday, April 22
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BOSTON (57 - 28) at MILWAUKEE (45 - 40) - 4/22/2018, 1:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 50-31 ATS (+15.9 Units) in all games this season.
BOSTON is 19-6 ATS (+12.4 Units) as an underdog this season.
BOSTON is 27-14 ATS (+11.6 Units) in road games this season.
BOSTON is 18-5 ATS (+12.5 Units) in road games against Central division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 17-5 ATS (+11.5 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
BOSTON is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 26-15 ATS (+9.5 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
BOSTON is 26-17 ATS (+7.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
BOSTON is 29-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
MILWAUKEE is 36-44 ATS (-12.4 Units) in all games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 14-25 ATS (-13.5 Units) in home games this season.
MILWAUKEE is 4-12 ATS (-9.2 Units) in home games in the second half of the season this season.
MILWAUKEE is 60-94 ATS (-43.4 Units) in home games after a win by 10 points or more since 1996.
MILWAUKEE is 18-27 ATS (-11.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
MILWAUKEE is 25-40 ATS (-19.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 9-5 against the spread versus MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 9-5 straight up against MILWAUKEE over the last 3 seasons
10 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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GOLDEN STATE (61 - 24) at SAN ANTONIO (47 - 38) - 4/22/2018, 3:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GOLDEN STATE is 36-46 ATS (-14.6 Units) in all games this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 8-18 ATS (-11.8 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 17-27 ATS (-12.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
GOLDEN STATE is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 1045-919 ATS (+34.1 Units) in all games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 26-15 ATS (+9.5 Units) in home games this season.
SAN ANTONIO is 81-56 ATS (+19.4 Units) in home games in all playoff games since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 82-56 ATS (+20.4 Units) in home games after a loss by 10 points or more since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 297-245 ATS (+27.5 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 191-142 ATS (+34.8 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 132-95 ATS (+27.5 Units) in April games since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 40-25 ATS (+12.5 Units) against Southwest division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
GOLDEN STATE is 59-35 ATS (+20.5 Units) in all playoff games since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 27-8 ATS (+18.2 Units) in the first round of the playoffs since 1996.
GOLDEN STATE is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) when leading in a playoff series over the last 2 seasons.
SAN ANTONIO is 17-27 ATS (-12.7 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
GOLDEN STATE is 12-6 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
GOLDEN STATE is 14-4 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
10 of 17 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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TORONTO (61 - 24) at WASHINGTON (44 - 41) - 4/22/2018, 6:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 197-248 ATS (-75.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
WASHINGTON is 37-46 ATS (-13.6 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON is 407-476 ATS (-116.6 Units) in home games since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 8-6 against the spread versus WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 10-4 straight up against WASHINGTON over the last 3 seasons
8 of 14 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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CLEVELAND (51 - 34) at INDIANA (50 - 35) - 4/22/2018, 8:35 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEVELAND is 32-51 ATS (-24.1 Units) in all games this season.
CLEVELAND is 20-36 ATS (-19.6 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 49-35 ATS (+10.5 Units) in all games this season.
INDIANA is 24-13 ATS (+9.7 Units) as a favorite this season.
INDIANA is 14-3 ATS (+10.7 Units) in April games over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 21-11 ATS (+8.9 Units) in the second half of the season this season.
INDIANA is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) on Sunday games this season.
INDIANA is 35-18 ATS (+15.2 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.
INDIANA is 27-18 ATS (+7.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
INDIANA is 30-18 ATS (+10.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
INDIANA is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 13-4 against the spread versus CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
CLEVELAND is 12-7 straight up against INDIANA over the last 3 seasons
9 of 18 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
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NBA
Sunday, April 22
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Trend Report
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Boston Celtics
Boston is 16-7 ATS in its last 23 games
Boston is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games
Boston is 14-6 ATS in its last 20 games on the road
Boston is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Boston is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Boston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
Boston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games when playing Milwaukee
Boston is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Milwaukee Bucks
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Milwaukee's last 11 games
Milwaukee is 4-12 ATS in its last 16 games at home
Milwaukee is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Milwaukee's last 8 games at home
Milwaukee is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Boston
Milwaukee is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing Boston
Milwaukee is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
Golden State Warriors
Golden State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Golden State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 7 games
Golden State is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Golden State is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Golden State is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games when playing San Antonio
Golden State is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Golden State's last 12 games when playing San Antonio
Golden State is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
Golden State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
Golden State is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing on the road against San Antonio
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
San Antonio is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Antonio's last 8 games
San Antonio is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games at home
San Antonio is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of San Antonio's last 12 games at home
San Antonio is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Golden State
San Antonio is 1-11 SU in its last 12 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 8 of San Antonio's last 12 games when playing Golden State
San Antonio is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Golden State
San Antonio is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Golden State
San Antonio is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Antonio's last 6 games when playing at home against Golden State
Toronto Raptors
Toronto is 5-11-1 ATS in its last 17 games
Toronto is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games
Toronto is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Toronto is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games on the road
Toronto is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 6 games on the road
Toronto is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Washington
Toronto is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing Washington
Toronto is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Washington
Toronto is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
Washington Wizards
Washington is 7-15-1 ATS in its last 23 games
Washington is 2-7 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games
Washington is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
Washington is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
Washington is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Toronto
Washington is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto
Washington is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing at home against Toronto
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Cleveland is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games
Cleveland is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games
Cleveland is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Cleveland is 1-6-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Indiana
Cleveland is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games when playing Indiana
Cleveland is 2-10-1 ATS in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Cleveland is 4-15 SU in its last 19 games when playing on the road against Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cleveland's last 5 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Indiana Pacers
Indiana is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Indiana is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 6 games
Indiana is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Indiana is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Indiana's last 10 games at home
Indiana is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Cleveland
Indiana is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 6 games when playing Cleveland
Indiana is 10-2-1 ATS in its last 13 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Indiana is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
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