Sunday’s NBA Playoffs Betting Preview and Odds
Washington Wizards at Boston Celtics (-4.5, 215)
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (53-35 SU, 45-42-1 ATS, 54-33-1 O/U): John Wall scored a postseason career-high 42 points in Friday's closeout game at Atlanta and drew raves for his defensive effort, especially a chase-down block in the fourth quarter that helped cut off a Hawks run. "It’s really not fair - a point guard being able to do what he does," Washington coach Scott Brooks told reporters. "It’s only one player in the league who does that, and we all know who that is. But (Wall) does it every game. That’s a sign of a champion. You chase down plays. You stay in plays." Wall, who averaged 29.5 points and 10.3 assists in the first round, was held to 17.8 points on 37.3 percent shooting in four meetings with Boston in the regular season.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (57-31 SU, 44-42-2 ATS, 42-42-4 O/U): Isaiah Thomas averaged 28.9 points in the regular season but watched his shooting numbers take a dip as he averaged 23 points in the six games against Chicago and went a combined 3-of-26 from 3-point range in the final three games of the series. Boston's other players picked up their hurting leader over the final four games, with Avery Bradley emerging as the hero of Friday's 105-83 Game 6 triumph. "I was really proud of our guys for how they treated each other, how they stood together, stuck together, and how nobody pointed fingers," coach Brad Stevens told reporters. "They were just a great support network for one another, and especially for Isaiah."
LINE HISTORY: The Celtics opened as 4.5-point home chalk in this opening game of the Eastern Conference semifinals and that number has held. The total hit the betting books at 214.5 and has gone up slightly to 215.
INJURY REPORT:
Wizards - C Ian Mahinmi (Out Indefinitely, calf).
Celtics - No injuries to report.
TRENDS:
* Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
* Over is 3-0-1 in Wizards last 4 road games.
* Over is 3-0-1 in Celtics last 4 home games.
* Home team is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
* Wizards are 0-5 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Boston.
Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers (-3.5, 189.5)
Series tied 3-3
ABOUT THE JAZZ (54-34 SU, 40-44-4 ATS, 44-44-0 O/U): Utah hasn't won a playoff series since 2010 and it squandered a big opportunity by losing Game 6 at home. The Jazz received poor shooting performances from series star Joe Johnson (nine points on 3-of-9 shooting) and backup shooting guard Rodney Hood (four points on 2-of-10 shooting) and that sabotaged their ability to score. "I'm not sure if we got tired or got tired of missing," Utah coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "(The Clippers) were the more energetic team. Their physicality on the defensive end, we didn't respond offensively the way that we needed to, or as forceful as we needed to be. When you're not aggressive enough with your frame of mind, I don't think you shoot the ball as well."
ABOUT THE CELTICS (54-34 SU, 42-45-1 ATS, 46-41-1 O/U): Los Angeles held a 91-77 edge with 3:58 left in Game 6 and had to hold off a frantic Utah charge to even the series. Chris Paul helped quell the comeback attempt and will again be counted on heavily Sunday in a series in which he is averaging 27.3 points and 10 assists and topped 20 points in all six games. "He's so unselfish he wants to get other guys going, but sometimes we need him to get going," Jordan told reporters of Paul. "He's been able to do that in this series and just take advantage of whatever they're giving him and then still be able to get other guys involved and keep everybody engaged. As one of the leaders of this team, he's done a great job of that all season and even more in the playoffs."
LINE HISTORY: The Clippers opened as 3.5-point home favorites in this single elimination game and some early action on the chalk bumped that number to -4 before returning to the opening number of -3.5 Sunday morning. The total opened at 193 and has been bet all of the way down to 189.5.
INJURY REPORT:
Jazz - SG Alec Burks (Doubtful Friday, knee).
Clippers - PF Blake Griffin (Out for Season, toe), C Diamond Stone (Out Indefinitely, knee).
TRENDS:
* Jazz are 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a straight up loss.
* Clippers are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games following an ATS win.
* Under is 5-0 in Jazz last five road games.
* Under is 6-1 in the last seven meetings in Los Angeles.
* Road team is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
Washington Wizards at Boston Celtics (-4.5, 215)
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (53-35 SU, 45-42-1 ATS, 54-33-1 O/U): John Wall scored a postseason career-high 42 points in Friday's closeout game at Atlanta and drew raves for his defensive effort, especially a chase-down block in the fourth quarter that helped cut off a Hawks run. "It’s really not fair - a point guard being able to do what he does," Washington coach Scott Brooks told reporters. "It’s only one player in the league who does that, and we all know who that is. But (Wall) does it every game. That’s a sign of a champion. You chase down plays. You stay in plays." Wall, who averaged 29.5 points and 10.3 assists in the first round, was held to 17.8 points on 37.3 percent shooting in four meetings with Boston in the regular season.
ABOUT THE CELTICS (57-31 SU, 44-42-2 ATS, 42-42-4 O/U): Isaiah Thomas averaged 28.9 points in the regular season but watched his shooting numbers take a dip as he averaged 23 points in the six games against Chicago and went a combined 3-of-26 from 3-point range in the final three games of the series. Boston's other players picked up their hurting leader over the final four games, with Avery Bradley emerging as the hero of Friday's 105-83 Game 6 triumph. "I was really proud of our guys for how they treated each other, how they stood together, stuck together, and how nobody pointed fingers," coach Brad Stevens told reporters. "They were just a great support network for one another, and especially for Isaiah."
LINE HISTORY: The Celtics opened as 4.5-point home chalk in this opening game of the Eastern Conference semifinals and that number has held. The total hit the betting books at 214.5 and has gone up slightly to 215.
INJURY REPORT:
Wizards - C Ian Mahinmi (Out Indefinitely, calf).
Celtics - No injuries to report.
TRENDS:
* Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
* Over is 3-0-1 in Wizards last 4 road games.
* Over is 3-0-1 in Celtics last 4 home games.
* Home team is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
* Wizards are 0-5 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Boston.
Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers (-3.5, 189.5)
Series tied 3-3
ABOUT THE JAZZ (54-34 SU, 40-44-4 ATS, 44-44-0 O/U): Utah hasn't won a playoff series since 2010 and it squandered a big opportunity by losing Game 6 at home. The Jazz received poor shooting performances from series star Joe Johnson (nine points on 3-of-9 shooting) and backup shooting guard Rodney Hood (four points on 2-of-10 shooting) and that sabotaged their ability to score. "I'm not sure if we got tired or got tired of missing," Utah coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "(The Clippers) were the more energetic team. Their physicality on the defensive end, we didn't respond offensively the way that we needed to, or as forceful as we needed to be. When you're not aggressive enough with your frame of mind, I don't think you shoot the ball as well."
ABOUT THE CELTICS (54-34 SU, 42-45-1 ATS, 46-41-1 O/U): Los Angeles held a 91-77 edge with 3:58 left in Game 6 and had to hold off a frantic Utah charge to even the series. Chris Paul helped quell the comeback attempt and will again be counted on heavily Sunday in a series in which he is averaging 27.3 points and 10 assists and topped 20 points in all six games. "He's so unselfish he wants to get other guys going, but sometimes we need him to get going," Jordan told reporters of Paul. "He's been able to do that in this series and just take advantage of whatever they're giving him and then still be able to get other guys involved and keep everybody engaged. As one of the leaders of this team, he's done a great job of that all season and even more in the playoffs."
LINE HISTORY: The Clippers opened as 3.5-point home favorites in this single elimination game and some early action on the chalk bumped that number to -4 before returning to the opening number of -3.5 Sunday morning. The total opened at 193 and has been bet all of the way down to 189.5.
INJURY REPORT:
Jazz - SG Alec Burks (Doubtful Friday, knee).
Clippers - PF Blake Griffin (Out for Season, toe), C Diamond Stone (Out Indefinitely, knee).
TRENDS:
* Jazz are 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a straight up loss.
* Clippers are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games following an ATS win.
* Under is 5-0 in Jazz last five road games.
* Under is 6-1 in the last seven meetings in Los Angeles.
* Road team is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
