Picks and Predictions
Heat vs Pacers Game 2 Pick
Down 1-0 to the Indiana Pacers, the Miami Heat are exactly where they want to be.
All four times the Heat previously lost a Game 1 with LeBron James on the roster, they have come back to win the series, including the 2012 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Thunder vs Spurs Series Preview & Game 1 Pick
With Serge Ibaka out for the remainder of the playoffs because of a calf injury, more pressure has now been put on Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook to lead the Thunder past the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals. Dating back to 2012, the Thunder have won 10 out of the last 12 against the Spurs, including a 4-0 regular season series sweep by an average of 9.2 points per game. But this series has taken a different direction without the Thunder big man being available to defend against Tim Duncan.
Heat vs Pacers Series Preview & Game 1 Pick
The wait is finally over.
One year after the Miami Heat defeated the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, they meet again with a conference championship at stake. But unlike last year, the Pacers will have home-court advantage this time around.
Clippers vs Thunder Game 6 Pick
Chris Paul went from hero to goat in a matter of seconds.
While the final 11 seconds of Game 5 will forever live in infamy, it will forever be Paul’s worst 45-second stretch of his career that could very well haunt the Los Angeles Clippers for an entire off-season. After seemingly having Tuesday’s Game 5 in hand and blowing a 13-point lead with four minutes left, the Clippers must survive Thursday night’s game in order to live another day.
Blazers vs Spurs Game 5 Pick
No team has ever come back from a 3-0 series deficit.
After the Portland Trail Blazers 103-92 victory over the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, San Antonio Spurs, although they still hold a commanding 3-1 series lead, the door is still open for the greatest comeback in NBA history.
Clippers vs Thunder Game 5 Pick
Through three quarters of Game 4, Kevin Durant did what an MVP was supposed to do.
KD scored 30 points, and Oklahoma City had a 12-point lead entering the fourth quarter. Having put his team in a position to win, the Thunder were 12 minutes away from heading back home with a chance to close out the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night.
Heat vs Nets Game 4 Pick
From perfect, to now what Paul Pierce deems “not unbeatable,” the Miami Heat are suddenly faced with their first test of the postseason.
After the Brooklyn Nets’ 104-90 victory over Miami, the Heat have still yet to win a game in Brooklyn this season (0-4). Now, leading this best-of-7 Eastern Conference playoff series 2-1, the Heat must try again for their first win at the Barclays Center, Monday night in Game 4.
Pacers vs Wizards Game 4 Pick
Line: Washington -4.5
Things can’t get any worse for the Washington Wizards. At least they better hope not, otherwise midnight will soon strike on their magical playoff run.
In Game 3, they shot 24-for-73 from the field and scored the fewest points the franchise has scored in a game, regular season or playoffs.
Clippers vs Thunder Game 4 Pick
They can no longer blame their owner.
They can only blame themselves for the position they are in.
In Game 3, the Los Angeles Clippers were bloodied and beaten. Oklahoma City was better offensively, defensively, in transition, and on the boards. The Clippers couldn’t get the stops when they had to, and they failed to make the big shot when they needed too.
Heat vs Nets Game 3 Pick
The Miami Heat have yet to lose a game in this postseason.
Off to their best start during the Big Three era, the Heat continue to successfully flip the switch when it comes to the postseason. The Heat are hungry for a three-peat and show no signs of slowing down after their sixth consecutive playoff win this year, and eighth over all. Over the first two games of the series, the Nets have been no match for Miami.