The no. 1 seed Spurs and Pacers have not been given an easy ride by the no. 8 Mavericks and Hawks in the first round thus far. With both series already going longer than expected, can the top seeds finally stamp their dominance over their opponents before it’s too late?
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks – Game 4 (9:30 PM ET)
Line: San Antonio Spurs (-4) at Dallas Mavericks (+4); total: 203 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the San Antonio Spurs
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Spurs should be 2-1 up in the series with a big road win in Game 3 had it not been for Vince Carter and his miraculous shot. Regardless, San Antonio is still doing whatever it wants on offense against Dallas; they’re shooting 52% in their last two games, including a blistering 54% in Game 3.
Meanwhile, expect Popovich to make adjustments on their defense, which ranked 3rd in Defensive Efficiency in the regular season.
The Spurs are 0-5 ATS in their last five games.
Betting on the Dallas Mavericks
Whether by blowout or last-second shot, the Mavs have shown that they can beat the Spurs. Monta Ellis (50 points in his last two games) is leading an offense that’s scoring efficiently on the Spurs’ defense. In the last two games, Dallas has scored over 108 points, shot around 50% from the field and almost 40% from three.
Dirk Nowitzki (15 PPG in the series) has been silent thus far, but is bound for a breakout game after having his most efficient game in Game 3 (18 points on 7-for-13 shooting).
Dallas is 4-0 ATS in its last four games, while the over is 4-0 in its last four home games vs. the Spurs.
Writer’s Prediction
Nowitzki and Ellis take the Spurs down to the wire once again. Take Dallas +4 to cover at home.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Indiana Pacers – Game 5 (8:00 PM ET)
Line: Atlanta Hawks (+7) at Indiana Pacers (-7); total: 186.5 – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Atlanta Hawks
Despite shooting 36% from the field (compared to Indiana’s 48%), the Hawks still had a shot to win Game 3. Because of the Pacers’ inconsistent offense and the Hawks’ three-point shooting – they’ve hit 10 or more in every game this series – the Hawks have a shot in any game against Indiana.
Paul Millsap (22 PPG) and Jeff Teague (19.5 PPG) have proven that they can score against the Pacer defense and the likes of Teague and Kyle Korver can get hot at any time from downtown for the Hawks.
The over is 9-1 in Atlanta’s last nine visits to Indiana.
Betting on the Indiana Pacers
The Pacers will have the momentum after pulling off a gutsy road win in a building where they’ve historically struggled in. They now return home, where they blew out the Hawks 101-85 back in Game 2. Indiana is 7-3 in its last 10 home games vs. Atlanta.
David West (35 points in his last two games) and Paul George (22 PPG in the series) can supply the offense along with wild cards Lance Stephenson and Luis Scola, while the Indiana defense should pick up with an energized home crowd.
Writer’s Prediction
The Hawks with their long range shooting keeps them within striking distance in Indiana. Take Atlanta to cover +7 on the road.
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