Great basketball action will be coming your way tonight as the NBA has served up two blockbuster playoff games that will definitely tickle your hoops fancy. Opening festivities tonight is the Game 5 showdown between the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks.
Following shortly thereafter is the much-anticipated Game 5 clash between the Los Angeles Clippers and the San Antonio Spurs. Read on below for a quick breakdown of these two pivotal Western Conference games and while you’re at it, you can check out our previews of Atlanta vs. Brooklyn and Chicago vs. Milwaukee.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets (8:00 PM ET)
Line: Dallas Mavericks (+7) at Houston Rockets (-7); total: 222.0 – view all NBA lines
The Dallas Mavericks avoided elimination in Game 4, hacking out a 121-109 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday. Monta Ellis led the Mavs with 31 points but it was the solid production of J.J. Barea and Al-Farouq Aminu that spelled the difference for Dallas in this game. Barea had 17 points and 13 assists while Aminu finished with 16 points and 12 boards.
Key to the Mavs’ victory in Game 4 was their much-improved rebounding. They totally dominated the glass on Sunday, outrebounding Houston, 52-38. They will need more of the same in Game 5 if they are to extend this series into a sixth game.
On the other hand, the Rockets need to execute much better on the offensive end, particularly with their three-point shooting for them to end the series tonight. The most-prolific three-point shooting team in NBA history in the regular season shot just 7 of 31 from beyond the arc in Game 4.
The Rockets are 4-0 SU and ATS in their last four home games against the Mavericks.
Click here for an in-depth breakdown of this game.
Writer’s Prediction
Houston wins, 115-102, to advance to the second round of the playoffs.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers (10:30 PM)
Line: San Antonio Spurs (+2) at Los Angeles Clippers (-2); total: 205.0 – view all NBA lines
The Los Angeles Clippers bounced back from their lethargic performance in Game 3 to stun the defending champion San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 to level their Western Conference First Round series at 2-2 on Sunday. Chris Paul was the star of the show for the Clips, scoring 34 points and dishing out seven assists in 38 minutes of action.
Action now shifts to Los Angeles for the pivotal Game 5. For the Spurs to regain momentum in this series, they need to do a much better job with their perimeter and free throw shooting. The Spurs shot just 6 of 25 from beyond the arc in Game 4. They also struggled from the charity stripe as the Spurs made just 25 of their 35 free throw attempts.
The Clippers are 3-3 SU and ATS in their last six home games against the Spurs.
Click here for a complete preview of this game.
Writer’s Prediction
San Antonio wins, 100-95, to go 3-2 up in the series. Create a betting account now and bet on the best games for tonight.
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