NBA Playoff Picks: A Pair of Game 3’s Highlight Friday Night’s Schedule
Friday, April 22, 2011
by BetUS.com
NBA Betting heads into the weekend, with a pair of key Game 3’s highlighting the evening schedule. With the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics tipping off early, and the Hornets and Lakers going at it late, who should be your picks?
Eastern Conference Playoffs Game 3
No. 3 Boston Celtics at No. 6 New York Knicks
Boston Leads Series 2-0 (0-2 ATS)
Friday, April 22: 7:00 p.m. ESPN
Live from Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
BetUS Sportsbook Betting Odds:
Boston: +3 ½
New York: -3 ½
Total: 191 ½
In the first half of our NBA Betting doubleheader, we head to the World’s Most Famous Arena, where the most entertaining series of the first round will matchup the Celtics and Knicks in a key Game 3. After losing the first two games of this series by a combined five points, can the Knicks finally break through at home?
It won’t be easy, because as the Knicks are looking to breakthrough, they’re breaking down physically. Guard Chauncey Billups sat out Game 2 with a strained left knee, while center Amare Stoudemire was out for the second half against the Celtics because of back spasms. Neither practiced on Thursday, and at time of publication, it was uncertain if, or how much each would play.
However, when you’ve got a superstar like Carmelo Anthony, it might not matter. The reason the Knicks are favored in the NBA Betting on Friday is because of “Melo,” who had a playoff performance for the ages in Tuesday’s Game 2 loss. He scored 42 points, ripped down 17 rebounds and had six assists, as he singlehandedly willed his team to stay in the game. Yes the Knicks lost Tuesday night, but it certainly wasn’t Anthony’s fault.
And if the New York Knicks can get a performance half as good Friday night, we like them as our NBA Betting picks. The truth is, New York might not be as talented as Boston, but with their size and athleticism is clearly giving the Celtics problems, particularly in the paint. Even without Stoudemire, the Knicks controlled the interior, outrebounding Boston by 16 boards in Game 2.
We’re not saying that the discrepancy will be that large Friday night, but it’s been clear since the opening tip of this series, that New York isn’t the long shot underdog many make them out to be.
As long as Anthony stays on the court, we like them to finally get over the hump, and get a Game 3 win. The Knicks are the NBA Betting wager to make.
BetUS Sportsbook NBA Betting Pick: New York -3 ½
Western Conference Playoffs Game 3
No. 2 Los Angeles Lakers at No. 7 New Orleans Hornets
Series Tied 1-1 (New Orleans 2-0 ATS)
Friday, April 22: 9:30 p.m. ESPN
Live from New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA
BetUS Sportsbook Betting Odds:
Los Angeles: -5 ½
New Orleans: +5 ½
Total: 184
Next, let’s go to the Big Easy for another crucial Game 3. With the Hornets and Lakers locked in at one game apiece, who’ll have the edge Friday night?
We actually like the Lakers, and it’s because of two tactical adjustments they made in Game 2. For starters, coach Phil Jackson insisted that his big guys get the ball in the paint, and they responded. Andrew Bynum dominated Game 2 with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The other key was defensively, where Jackson switched superstar Kobe Bryant onto New Orleans do-it-all point guard Chris Paul. It truly turned out to be the difference in an NBA Betting victory in Game 2. After Paul went off for 33 points and 14 assists in Game 1, he “only,” had 20 and 9 in a Game 2 loss. That may seem like a great stat-line for most, but if New Orleans wants to win Game 3, they’ll need even more from their star guard.
Simply put, the Lakers made all the adjustments needed to even this series up in Game 2. As long as they play like they did Wednesday night, we see no reason why they won’t win Game 3 as well.
Make Los Angeles your NBA Betting Pick!
BetUS Sportsbook NBA Betting Pick: Los Angeles -5 ½
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amare stoudemire - andrew bynum - boston celtics - carmelo anthony - chauncey billups - chris paul - kobe bryant - los angeles lakers - madison square garden - nba betting
