Thank God it’s Friday and thank God for the return of the NBA Playoffs. After a short one-day break, the NBA returns with a bang tonight with two mouth-watering postseason games that will definitely tickle your basketball fancy. Kicking things off tonight is the Game 3 duel between Eastern Conference rivals Cleveland and Chicago.
Following shortly thereafter is the much-anticipated Game 3 showdown between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Houston Rockets. Which teams will grab the all-important 2-1 series edge tonight? Read on below for a quick breakdown of these two pivotal games and while you’re at it, you can check out our other Game 3 previews in Golden State vs. Memphis and Atlanta vs. Washington.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls (8:00 PM ET)
Line: Cleveland Cavaliers (+2) at Chicago Bulls (-2); total: 196.0 – view all NBA lines
[sc:NBA240banner ]Cleveland will head to the Windy City with momentum on its side after thrashing the Chicago Bulls, 106-91, in Game 2 of their best-of-seven series on Wednesday night. Four players scored in double-figures for the Cavs who knotted their series with the Bulls at one game apiece.
LeBron James led the way for the Cavs with 33 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Key to Cleveland’s victory was its phenomenal outside shooting. They shot 46.2% (12-of-26) from beyond the arc in Game 2, a large improvement from their 26.9% three-point shooting clip the previous game.
It was Chicago who struggled from deep in Game 2, nailing just seven of their 22 three-point attempts. The onus is on Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler and Mike Dunleavy to get their perimeter game going quickly in Game 3. They just shot a combined 4-of-13 with the long ball on Wednesday.
The Bulls are 7-3 SU and 5-5 ATS in their last 10 home games against the Cavaliers.
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Writer’s Prediction
Chicago wins, 92-86.
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers (10:30 PM ET)
Line: Houston Rockets (+4.5) at Los Angeles Clippers (-4.5); total: 217.0 – view all NBA lines
The Houston Rockets won’t go away that easily. The Rockets overcame a huge 13-point deficit against the Clippers in Game 2 to hack out a 115-109 victory and level their second round series at 1-1. James Harden led the Rockets in the comeback win, scoring 16 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter to help Houston salvage a split in their home court.
Blake Griffin had another monster performance, scoring 34 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in Game 2. The Rockets were able to put the clamps on him, however, in the second half as he scored just eight points against a tough Houston defense.
Help could be on the way, though, for Griffin as Chris Paul is expected to make his much-awaited return to the hard court later tonight. Paul has been superb for the Clippers this postseason, averaging 22.7 points and 7.3 assists per game. Paul hasn’t played since that epic Game 7 victory against the Spurs where he scored 27 huge points, including the game-winner with a second remaining in the clock.
The Clippers are 7-1 SU and 5-3 ATS in their last eight home games against the Rockets.
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Writer’s Prediction
Los Angeles wins, 109-104, to go 2-1 up in the series. Create a betting account now and bet on the best games for tonight.
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