The Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder were billed as title contenders for virtually the entire season, but tonight the two are just one loss away from an embarrassing first round elimination. Will the Hawks and Grizzlies seal the deal on their homecourt, or can the Pacers and Thunder stay alive to force a Game 7?
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Indiana Pacers vs. Atlanta Hawks – Game 6 (7:00 PM ET)
[sc:NBA240banner ]With the season on the line, Frank Vogel finally looks ready to give up on Roy Hibbert (just 12 minutes in Game 5), who has provided nothing this series, in favor of a smaller, more offensively potent line-up.
Paul George (22.6 PPG) has been consistently good throughout the series, and the Pacers have shown in the past two games – they’re 23-for-53 (43%) on three pointers – that they’re just as hot from downtown.
The Pacers are 3-7 SU/ATS in their last 10 road games.
Betting on the Atlanta Hawks
If the Hawks can score 41 points in a quarter on the Pacers in Indiana, then it’s not too big of a stretch to think they can’t do it at home, where they’re 16-4 SU in their last 20 games against the Pacers.
The Hawks’ three-point barrage (15-for-27, 55%) doesn’t look like it’s slowing down, and Jeff Teague (12.5 PPG on 35% shooting in his last two games) is due for a bounce back game in Game 6.
Writer’s Prediction
Atlanta finishes the job on its home floor in front of its fans. Take the Hawks +1 to win straight up.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies (8:00 PM ET)
Line: Oklahoma City Thunder (-2.5) at Memphis Grizzlies (+2.5); total 185 – view all NBA lines here
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder
Even with both Kevin Durant (10-for-24 FGs) and Russell Westbrook (10-for-31 FGs) struggling from the field, the Thunder were still a millisecond away from winning Game 5. With their season in jeopardy, expect the two to lay it all on the line in Game 6.
The Thunder bench has finally shown life in the last two games, with Reggie Jackson (32 points in Game 4) and Caron Butler (15 points in Game 5) providing key contributions.
OKC is just 1-6-1 ATS in its last eight games.
Betting on the Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies defense has Durant and Westbrook playing some highly inefficient basketball – both are shooting below 40% in the series – which they’ve capitalized on to take big leads early in the game.
And despite some poor shooting percentages, the trio of Zach Randolph (18.6 PPG), Marc Gasol (17 PPG) and Mike Conley (16 PPG) are supplying just enough offense for the Grizzlies to sneak by and win three of the last four games in overtime.
Memphis is 17-3 SU in its last 20 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Durant and Westbrook won’t allow the Thunder’s season to end just yet. Take OKC to win and cover -2.5 on the road.
