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Sunday's NBA Playoffs betting preview and odds
The opening round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs continues Sunday with a quartet of Game 4s, including the Warriors looking to finish off the Spurs and set up a matchup with the Pelicans in the confernece semi finals.
Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks (-4.5, 204)
Celtics lead series 2-1
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.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, ABC
SERIES PRICE (PER PINNACLE):
LINE MOVES AND BETTING ACTION: Oddsmakers opened the Bucks as 5-point home faves for Game 4, but the line is already moving in the opposite direction and down to the current number of -4.5. According to our consensus the Bucks are seeing the slightest of edges with 52 percent of wagers on them. The total is seeing more action, since opening at 206.5 it is down to 204. Despite this, the Over is the prefered play here with 61 percent of wagers on it, indicating some sharp play on the Under.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (57-28, 52-31-2 ATS, 46-38-1 O/U): 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. 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 (45-40, 35-45-5 ATS, 49-35-1): The Bucks were no slouch at the other end of the floor while shooting 57 percent and making 16-of-33 3-pointers. 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. 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.
MATCHUP CHART:
TRENDS:
* Celtics are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games following a ATS loss.
* Celtics are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
* Over is 7-0 in Celtics last seven overall.
* Over is 12-3-1 in the last 16 meetings.
Golden State Warriors at San Antonio Spurs (+7, 203.5)
Warriors lead series 3-0
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.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
SERIES PRICE (PER PINNACLE): Off the board.
LINE MOVES AND BETTING ACTION: The Warriors opened Game 4 as 6-point road favorites and were quickly bet up to the current number of -7. That's not surprising considering the Warriors are seeing 64 percent of the wagers according to our consensus. The total remains at the opening number of 203.5.
ABOUT THE SPURS (61-24, 37-41-1 ATS, 41-43-1 O/U): 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. 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.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (47-38, 42-41-2 ATS, 40-44-1 O/U): 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. So Golden State is getting it done at the defensive end, 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. Offensively, Golden State is leaning on Durant and Klay Thompson, who is shooting 63.3 percent from the floor and 65 percent from beyond the arc.
MATCHUP CHART:
TRENDS:
* Spurs are 0-5 ATS in their last five games overall.
* Warriors are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings in San Antonio.
* Over is 5-1 in Warriors last six games following a ATS win.
* Over is 5-0-1 in Spurs last six games following a ATS loss.
Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards (+1.5, 218.5)
Raptors lead series 2-1
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.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, TNT, Sportsnet One (Toronto), NBCS Washington
SERIES PRICE (PER PINNACLE):
LINE MOVES AND BETTING ACTION: The Raptors hit the board as 1.5-point road favorites and have been moved up to -2 at some shops. The total has yet to ove off the opening number of 218.5. Bettors are giving the edge to the Raptors in Game 4 with 55 percent of wagers on the road favorite. Bettors are also expecting a high scoring affair, as 61 percent of backers are on the Over.
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (61-24, 45-39-1 ATS, 44-40-1 O/U): 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. 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.
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (44-41, 38-46-1 ATS, 39-44-2 O/U): The Wizards finally got the performance for their dynamic backcourt that they needed. 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. 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. all added 14 assists in the rout and he is averaging 26.7 points, 12.7 assists and 2.7 steals in the series.
MATCHUP CHART:
TRENDS:
* Raptors are 1-6 ATS in their last seven road games.
* Wizards are 0-7 ATS in their last seven games following a ATS win.
* Over is 5-0 in Raptors last five vs. Southeast Division opponents.
* Under is 4-0-1 in Wizards last five games following a ATS win.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers (+1, 205)
Pacers lead series 2-1
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.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT, FS Ohio (Cleveland), FS Indiana
SERIES PRICE (PER PINNACLE):
LINE MOVES AND BETTING ACTION: Despite clearly outplaying the Cavaliers for the majority of the first three games, oddsmakers and bettors are still puting their faith in LeBron and the Cavs. Game 4 opened as a Pick and quickly moved to Cavaliers -1, with Cleveland seeing 54 percent of wagers according to our consensus. The total hit the board at at 205.5 and is down slightly to 205.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (51-34, 32-52-1 ATS, 39-44-2 O/U): The Cavaliers were 40-0 when taking a lead into the fourth quarter this season prior to Friday. 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.
ABOUT THE PACERS (50-35, 50-35 ATS, 32-52-1 O/U): 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. 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. Indiana held the Cavaliers to an average of 90 points in the first three games. 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.
MATCHUP CHART:
TRENDS:
* Cavaliers are 0-4 ATS in their last four games overall.
* Pacers are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning SU record.
* Under is 6-0-1 in Pacers last seven vs. a team with a winning SU record.
* Under is 5-0-1 in the last six meetings.
The opening round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs continues Sunday with a quartet of Game 4s, including the Warriors looking to finish off the Spurs and set up a matchup with the Pelicans in the confernece semi finals.
Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks (-4.5, 204)
Celtics lead series 2-1
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.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, ABC
SERIES PRICE (PER PINNACLE):
LINE MOVES AND BETTING ACTION: Oddsmakers opened the Bucks as 5-point home faves for Game 4, but the line is already moving in the opposite direction and down to the current number of -4.5. According to our consensus the Bucks are seeing the slightest of edges with 52 percent of wagers on them. The total is seeing more action, since opening at 206.5 it is down to 204. Despite this, the Over is the prefered play here with 61 percent of wagers on it, indicating some sharp play on the Under.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (57-28, 52-31-2 ATS, 46-38-1 O/U): 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. 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 (45-40, 35-45-5 ATS, 49-35-1): The Bucks were no slouch at the other end of the floor while shooting 57 percent and making 16-of-33 3-pointers. 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. 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.
MATCHUP CHART:
TRENDS:
* Celtics are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games following a ATS loss.
* Celtics are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
* Over is 7-0 in Celtics last seven overall.
* Over is 12-3-1 in the last 16 meetings.
Golden State Warriors at San Antonio Spurs (+7, 203.5)
Warriors lead series 3-0
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.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
SERIES PRICE (PER PINNACLE): Off the board.
LINE MOVES AND BETTING ACTION: The Warriors opened Game 4 as 6-point road favorites and were quickly bet up to the current number of -7. That's not surprising considering the Warriors are seeing 64 percent of the wagers according to our consensus. The total remains at the opening number of 203.5.
ABOUT THE SPURS (61-24, 37-41-1 ATS, 41-43-1 O/U): 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. 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.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (47-38, 42-41-2 ATS, 40-44-1 O/U): 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. So Golden State is getting it done at the defensive end, 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. Offensively, Golden State is leaning on Durant and Klay Thompson, who is shooting 63.3 percent from the floor and 65 percent from beyond the arc.
MATCHUP CHART:
TRENDS:
* Spurs are 0-5 ATS in their last five games overall.
* Warriors are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings in San Antonio.
* Over is 5-1 in Warriors last six games following a ATS win.
* Over is 5-0-1 in Spurs last six games following a ATS loss.
Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards (+1.5, 218.5)
Raptors lead series 2-1
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.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, TNT, Sportsnet One (Toronto), NBCS Washington
SERIES PRICE (PER PINNACLE):
LINE MOVES AND BETTING ACTION: The Raptors hit the board as 1.5-point road favorites and have been moved up to -2 at some shops. The total has yet to ove off the opening number of 218.5. Bettors are giving the edge to the Raptors in Game 4 with 55 percent of wagers on the road favorite. Bettors are also expecting a high scoring affair, as 61 percent of backers are on the Over.
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (61-24, 45-39-1 ATS, 44-40-1 O/U): 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. 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.
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (44-41, 38-46-1 ATS, 39-44-2 O/U): The Wizards finally got the performance for their dynamic backcourt that they needed. 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. 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. all added 14 assists in the rout and he is averaging 26.7 points, 12.7 assists and 2.7 steals in the series.
MATCHUP CHART:
TRENDS:
* Raptors are 1-6 ATS in their last seven road games.
* Wizards are 0-7 ATS in their last seven games following a ATS win.
* Over is 5-0 in Raptors last five vs. Southeast Division opponents.
* Under is 4-0-1 in Wizards last five games following a ATS win.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers (+1, 205)
Pacers lead series 2-1
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.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, TNT, FS Ohio (Cleveland), FS Indiana
SERIES PRICE (PER PINNACLE):
LINE MOVES AND BETTING ACTION: Despite clearly outplaying the Cavaliers for the majority of the first three games, oddsmakers and bettors are still puting their faith in LeBron and the Cavs. Game 4 opened as a Pick and quickly moved to Cavaliers -1, with Cleveland seeing 54 percent of wagers according to our consensus. The total hit the board at at 205.5 and is down slightly to 205.
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (51-34, 32-52-1 ATS, 39-44-2 O/U): The Cavaliers were 40-0 when taking a lead into the fourth quarter this season prior to Friday. 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.
ABOUT THE PACERS (50-35, 50-35 ATS, 32-52-1 O/U): 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. 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. Indiana held the Cavaliers to an average of 90 points in the first three games. 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.
MATCHUP CHART:
TRENDS:
* Cavaliers are 0-4 ATS in their last four games overall.
* Pacers are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning SU record.
* Under is 6-0-1 in Pacers last seven vs. a team with a winning SU record.
* Under is 5-0-1 in the last six meetings.
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