The NBA playoffs continue on Sunday with four more games on the schedule. I have Best Bet selections in the two daytime games on ABC national TV (Bulls/Heat) and Suns/Lakers).
The other two games for Sunday night were not strong enough to be official plays, but I do have some thoughts and analysis for each game below.
TORONTO at NEW JERSEY (-4, 191) – Game 4 – 7:35 pm ET (TNT)
No official play in this game, but I would lean lightly towards the Raptors (+).
Higher seeded teams usually bounce back in Game 4 after a SU loss and the Raptors fit a decent 60% ATS playoff situation based on their 13-point loss in Game 3.
While the situation is favorable, I am reluctant to go against the Nets as they matchup well in this series and stand 4-1 SU/ATS in the five head-to-head meetings this season when both teams had their full lineups available. New Jersey dominated those games and held a 14+ point lead in four of the five meetings.
No opinion on the total (O/U 191). Game 3 totaled exactly 191 points and see no value either way.
DALLAS (-3½, 210) at GOLDEN STATE – Game 4 - 10:05 pm ET (TNT)
No official play in this game, but I would lean lightly towards the Mavericks (-).
Dallas finished the regular season with the best record in the league (67-15 SU) and now they find themselves trailing in this series against the #8 seed Golden State Warriors. Look for Dallas to bounce back with a solid performance tonight as this is the most important game of the season for the defending Western Conference champions.
Class-A teams off a SU loss are a long-term winning play in Game 4 and the Mavericks fit a 54-28 ATS situation based on that premise. Road teams off a blowout loss are also a long-term winning play in the postseason and Dallas fits a 68-42 ATS situation which is based on their embarrassing 18-point loss in Game 3.
While the situations are favorable, the line is way too high. The Warriors are much better than a typical #8 seed and Golden State's full season record of 44-41 SU is misleading as the Warriors are an incredible 18-5 SU/ATS since March 5th with their entire starting lineup together (excluding the March 11th game which Baron Davis missed).
My full season power ratings favor the Mavericks by 4 points; however using just games since March 5th would favor actually favor Golden State outright by 1½ points tonight. The Warriors also match up well in this series and are 8-2 SU/ATS versus Dallas the past two seasons. Golden State head coach Don Nelson previously coached in Dallas and he is very familiar with the Maverick's style and current players.
No official play on the total (O/U 210). A light lean towards the Under as the three playoff games have averaged just 197½ points per game and I do expect Dallas to concentrate more on defense after allowing 109 points in Game 3. Overall, my re-scoring pace and percentage models have averaged 208 and 210½ in the three playoff games.
STEVE MERRIL is a professional sports handicapper and a documented member of The Professional Handicappers League. Get his Premium plays here.
Labels: baskeball, betting, handicapping, nba, procappers, professional handicappers league, sports, Steve Merril
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