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Saturday, May 9
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Game of the Day: NBA Saturday playoff matchups
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Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards (+3, 199)
Series tied 1-1
John Wall will likely be on the sidelines for a second consecutive contest when the Washington Wizards host the Atlanta Hawks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Saturday. The star point guard has been diagnosed with five non-displaced fractures in his left hand and wrist and Washington has yet to announce his status for the rest of the series.
Wall’s injury is a big blow to the Wizards, who solidly defeated the Hawks in Game 1 before Atlanta recovered to win the second game with Wall sitting out. “By no means do we feel like this series is over or our goals change,” veteran forward Paul Pierce told reporters. “We will continue to go out there and reach for our goals.” The Hawks played much better in Game 2 after a lackluster opening performance and look to take control of the series. “We’ve been doing it all year,” center Al Horford told reporters. “I know it’s the playoffs and the intensity goes up. There are a lot of things that go into it, but it’s gotten us this far, so we have to stay confident.”
TV: 5 p.m. ET, ESPN
LINE HISTORY: Most shops opened the Wiz as 2-point favorites, but that line has since hopped the fence all the way to +3 as of this writing.
INJURY REPORT: Hawks - N/A Wizards - G John Wall (Doub-Wrist)
ABOUT THE HAWKS: Atlanta would like to see shooting guard Kyle Korver (9-of-26 in the series) regain his stroke and point guard Jeff Teague (7-of-26) is also struggling. One player thriving is small forward DeMarre Carroll, who is averaging 23 points in the series and has compiled six consecutive 20-point efforts, the longest by a Hawks’ player since Dominique Wilkins rattled off 12 straight in 1988. Power forward Paul Millsap has posted back-to-back double-doubles and has four in the postseason.
ABOUT THE WIZARDS: Journeyman Ramon Sessions started in place of Wall and had a solid effort with 21 points in Game 2. He will continue to play a big role in the series moving forward with Wall’s status in doubt while Pierce is troubled by the timing of the injury. “It is definitely difficult for the team but I am sure it is even more devastating for John,” Pierce told reporters. “I’m more hurt for him than anything because I know how badly he wants to be out there.”
TRENDS:
*Hawks are 5-1-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
*Wizards are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
*Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
*Over is 10-2 in Wizards last 12 home games.
Golden State Warriors at Memphis Grizzlies (+4.5, 196.5)
Series tied 1-1
The return of Mike Conley sparked Memphis in Game 2 and the Grizzlies look to take a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals when they meet the visiting Golden Warriors on Saturday. Conley scored 22 points eight days after having facial surgery to lead Memphis to a 97-90 victory on Tuesday.
The Grizzlies have homecourt advantage after splitting the two games on Golden State’s floor, and thoroughly rattled the Warriors in Game 2 while forcing 20 turnovers. “We were too quick with our intention to score,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr told reporters. “Instead of just moving the ball and setting good screens, everyone was trying to do everything frantically on their own.” Memphis standout defender Tony Allen is causing problems for Golden State and insists the Grizzlies haven’t tweaked their philosophy. “We play a certain style no matter who we play,” Allen told reporters. “It’s just a game of basketball. You’ve got to get back in transition and with a team like (the Warriors), you’ve got to defend the perimeter.”
LINE HISTORY: Books initially opened the Grizz +4 but that's been bet to its current price of +4.5.
INJURY REPORT: Warriors - C Ognjen Kuzmic (Ques-Ankle) Grizzlies - N/A
ABOUT THE WARRIORS: The Golden State backcourt of Stephen Curry (20.5 average in the series) and Klay Thompson (15.5) have yet to hit their stride and the Warriors were 6-of-26 from 3-point range in Game 2. Curry was a subpar 7-of-19 shooting in the contest while Thompson was reduced to non-contributor status by Allen, ducked the media afterward and then bristled the following day when a reporter suggested Allen was in his head. “They know what I think now? That’s all I gotta say,” Thompson responded. “In my head? Come on, man.”
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES: Conley wore a mask to protect the broken bones in his face and was 8-of-12 shooting in 27 stellar minutes. “I’m just happy that he’s able to play,” center Marc Gasol told reporters. “I’m happy that Mike is not only able to push through it but help his team win. He gives us poise, he gives us toughness.” Conley said his vision was fine out of the swollen left eye for most of the game, but his lack of activity did cause cramping issues in the final minutes.
TRENDS:
*Road team is 11-5 ATS in the last 16 meetings.
*Grizzlies are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
*Under is 6-1 in Warriors last 7 Conference Semifinals games.
*Under is 24-4 in Grizzlies last 28 home games.
Saturday, May 9
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Game of the Day: NBA Saturday playoff matchups
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards (+3, 199)
Series tied 1-1
John Wall will likely be on the sidelines for a second consecutive contest when the Washington Wizards host the Atlanta Hawks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Saturday. The star point guard has been diagnosed with five non-displaced fractures in his left hand and wrist and Washington has yet to announce his status for the rest of the series.
Wall’s injury is a big blow to the Wizards, who solidly defeated the Hawks in Game 1 before Atlanta recovered to win the second game with Wall sitting out. “By no means do we feel like this series is over or our goals change,” veteran forward Paul Pierce told reporters. “We will continue to go out there and reach for our goals.” The Hawks played much better in Game 2 after a lackluster opening performance and look to take control of the series. “We’ve been doing it all year,” center Al Horford told reporters. “I know it’s the playoffs and the intensity goes up. There are a lot of things that go into it, but it’s gotten us this far, so we have to stay confident.”
TV: 5 p.m. ET, ESPN
LINE HISTORY: Most shops opened the Wiz as 2-point favorites, but that line has since hopped the fence all the way to +3 as of this writing.
INJURY REPORT: Hawks - N/A Wizards - G John Wall (Doub-Wrist)
ABOUT THE HAWKS: Atlanta would like to see shooting guard Kyle Korver (9-of-26 in the series) regain his stroke and point guard Jeff Teague (7-of-26) is also struggling. One player thriving is small forward DeMarre Carroll, who is averaging 23 points in the series and has compiled six consecutive 20-point efforts, the longest by a Hawks’ player since Dominique Wilkins rattled off 12 straight in 1988. Power forward Paul Millsap has posted back-to-back double-doubles and has four in the postseason.
ABOUT THE WIZARDS: Journeyman Ramon Sessions started in place of Wall and had a solid effort with 21 points in Game 2. He will continue to play a big role in the series moving forward with Wall’s status in doubt while Pierce is troubled by the timing of the injury. “It is definitely difficult for the team but I am sure it is even more devastating for John,” Pierce told reporters. “I’m more hurt for him than anything because I know how badly he wants to be out there.”
TRENDS:
*Hawks are 5-1-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
*Wizards are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
*Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
*Over is 10-2 in Wizards last 12 home games.
Golden State Warriors at Memphis Grizzlies (+4.5, 196.5)
Series tied 1-1
The return of Mike Conley sparked Memphis in Game 2 and the Grizzlies look to take a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals when they meet the visiting Golden Warriors on Saturday. Conley scored 22 points eight days after having facial surgery to lead Memphis to a 97-90 victory on Tuesday.
The Grizzlies have homecourt advantage after splitting the two games on Golden State’s floor, and thoroughly rattled the Warriors in Game 2 while forcing 20 turnovers. “We were too quick with our intention to score,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr told reporters. “Instead of just moving the ball and setting good screens, everyone was trying to do everything frantically on their own.” Memphis standout defender Tony Allen is causing problems for Golden State and insists the Grizzlies haven’t tweaked their philosophy. “We play a certain style no matter who we play,” Allen told reporters. “It’s just a game of basketball. You’ve got to get back in transition and with a team like (the Warriors), you’ve got to defend the perimeter.”
LINE HISTORY: Books initially opened the Grizz +4 but that's been bet to its current price of +4.5.
INJURY REPORT: Warriors - C Ognjen Kuzmic (Ques-Ankle) Grizzlies - N/A
ABOUT THE WARRIORS: The Golden State backcourt of Stephen Curry (20.5 average in the series) and Klay Thompson (15.5) have yet to hit their stride and the Warriors were 6-of-26 from 3-point range in Game 2. Curry was a subpar 7-of-19 shooting in the contest while Thompson was reduced to non-contributor status by Allen, ducked the media afterward and then bristled the following day when a reporter suggested Allen was in his head. “They know what I think now? That’s all I gotta say,” Thompson responded. “In my head? Come on, man.”
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES: Conley wore a mask to protect the broken bones in his face and was 8-of-12 shooting in 27 stellar minutes. “I’m just happy that he’s able to play,” center Marc Gasol told reporters. “I’m happy that Mike is not only able to push through it but help his team win. He gives us poise, he gives us toughness.” Conley said his vision was fine out of the swollen left eye for most of the game, but his lack of activity did cause cramping issues in the final minutes.
TRENDS:
*Road team is 11-5 ATS in the last 16 meetings.
*Grizzlies are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
*Under is 6-1 in Warriors last 7 Conference Semifinals games.
*Under is 24-4 in Grizzlies last 28 home games.
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