Thank God it’s Friday and thank God for the playoffs. Sports fans are in for a treat tonight as the NBA and the NHL have lined up a full plate of postseason games that will definitely tickle your fancy. Two of those games particularly deserve your attention, namely the Pittsburgh-New York NHL clash and the much-anticipated Game 3 showdown between the Los Angeles Clippers and the San Antonio Spurs.
Read on below for a quick breakdown of these two important games and while you’re at it, you can check out our previews of St. Louis vs. Minnesota and Atlanta vs. Brooklyn.
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Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers (7:00 PM ET)
[sc:NHL240 ]The New York Rangers moved to within a victory of reaching their second-straight Eastern Conference semifinal after beating the Pittsburgh Penguins, 2-1, in Game 4 on Wednesday night. Kevin Hayes put the Penguins on the brink of elimination when he scored the game-winning goal at the 3:14 mark in overtime.
Key to the Rangers’ dominance has been their excellent play on the defensive end. In their three wins in this series thus far, they have allowed a total of just three goals. For the Penguins to extend their season, they need Sidney Crosby and co. to break out from their goal-scoring funk. The Penguins have scored two or fewer goals in 13 of their last 19 games.
The Rangers are 4-1 in their last five home games against the Penguins.
Writer’s Prediction
The Penguins stay alive with a heart-stopping 2-1 win.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs (9:30 PM ET)
Line: Los Angeles Clippers (+4) at San Antonio Spurs (-4); total: 204.0 – view all NBA lines
The San Antonio Spurs snatched victory from the jaws of defeat Wednesday as they edged past the Los Angeles Clippers, 111-107, in an overtime thriller in Game 2. Tim Duncan turned back the hands of time, scoring 28 points and 11 rebounds to help the Spurs level the series at 1-1. It was Duncan’s 100th career 20-10 playoff game.
The Spurs will look to sustain the momentum of their huge win when they lock horns with the Clippers in Game 3 later tonight. There’s some uncertainty, however, with regards to the San Antonio lineup as Tony Parker has been listed as questionable for tonight’s game because of tightness in his right Achilles.
If Parker can’t suit up tonight, the onus is on Patty Mills to provide the offensive punch for the Spurs. The Australian was instrumental in the Spurs’ victory in Game 2, scoring 18 points including several clutch free throws in regulation and overtime.
The Clippers are 8-0 in their last eight road games while the Spurs are 9-0 in their last nine home games.
Writer’s Prediction
San Antonio wins, 97-90, to go 2-1 up in the series. Create a betting account now and bet on the best games for tonight.
