The second round of the NBA playoffs continues with a pair of blockbuster Game 1 encounters to feast our eyes on later this evening. Opening festivities is the much-anticipated Eastern Conference showdown between the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Following shortly thereafter is the Western Conference clash between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Houston Rockets. Read on below for a quick breakdown of these two pivotal games and while you’re at it, you can check out our Game 2 previews of Golden State vs. Memphis and Atlanta vs. Washington.
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Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (7:00 PM ET)
Line: Chicago Bulls (+5) at Cleveland Cavaliers (-5); total: 194.0 – view all NBA lines
[sc:NBA240banner ]LeBron James’ quest to bring Cleveland its first ever NBA title resumes tonight as the Cavaliers take on the Chicago Bulls in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal showdown. The four-time MVP was superb in Cleveland’s first-round series against the Celtics, averaging 27 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the four-game sweep.
But he will have to work harder in the upcoming series against the Bulls with the news that Kevin Love will be out for the rest of the playoffs with a shoulder injury he suffered against Boston. Chicago came close to an NBA playoff record Thursday, crushing Milwaukee in Game 6, 120-66, to clinch their first-round series with the Bucks. Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose were sensational in that best-of-seven series, averaging 25.0 and 19.0 points per game for the Bulls.
The Cavaliers are 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS against the Bulls this season.
Click here for an in-depth breakdown of this game.
Writer’s Prediction
Chicago wins, 97-91, to take a 1-0 series lead.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets (9:30 PM)
Line: Los Angeles Clippers (+6) at Houston Rockets (-6); total: 212.0 – view all NBA lines
There will be a new NBA champion this year as the Los Angeles Clippers ended the San Antonio Spurs’ reign with a 101-99 win in Game 7 of their Western Conference first round series Sunday. Chris Paul was the star of the show for the Clips, scoring 27 points, including the winning basket with a second remaining in the game clock. The win came at a huge cost, though, as Paul could miss the series opener against the Houston Rockets because of a hamstring injury.
That will be a welcome development for the Rockets, who are fresh off an emphatic 4-1 series win over the Dallas Mavericks. To no one’s surprise, it was James Harden who powered Houston to the series victory. He averaged 28.4 points and 7.4 assists in five games against the Mavericks.
The Clippers are 2-2 SU and ATS against the Rockets this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Houston wins, 112-100, to grab the series opener. Create a betting account now and bet on the best games for tonight.
