Road teams continue to be the play in the NBA playoffs. Entering Saturday, road teams are 7-3 straight up after Cleveland roared back in Indiana Friday to make that series 2-1.
I go back to three-point shooting. Denver made 16 threes Friday night compared to the Thunder’s nine and won, while the Cavs made 14 compared to the Pacers nine.
Threes have been the theme of the Celtics/Knicks series, which shifts to MSG for an afternoon start, while we all know about Golden State’s love of the three.
Celtics at Knicks Game 3 Odds
The Knicks are getting around six points and over $700 a ticket for Game 3 this afternoon at Madison Square Garden. NBA fever has gripped the Big Apple.
Boston is 3-4 in the playoffs against the spread, while the Knicks are 6-2. For all the talk about the homecourt advantage, the Knicks are 28-16 at home, while Boston is 34-9 on the road. Boston has won the last four match-ups at MSG.New York is 0-5 in its last five home games against the spread, and Boston has won 12 road games in a row after a loss. New York leads the series 2-0.
Celtics at Knicks Game 3 Prediction
The Celtics shot 36.8 percent from beyond the arc in the regular season, but have shot 25 percent from outside the arc in the two games. That’s how you lose 20-point leads.
Have the Knicks gotten in Boston’s head? Take a lesson from last night when Cleveland ran Indiana out of the gym. The Cavs were focused after being down 2-0 (and healthy). Jayson Tatum has to play better, he’s shot horribly in the first two games.
I think Boston will be motivated by the chance to silence the MSG crowd and play well. Laying the six points gives me pause, but Boston typically plays well on the road, and road teams are the play.
The Pick: Celtics -6 (-108 at DraftKings)
Timberwolves at Warriors Game 3 Odds
Minnesota is 5-2 against the spread in the playoffs and has covered every time they’ve won straight up. For Game 3, they’re giving 5.5 points on the road.
Golden State is 4-5 against the spread in the playoffs. The Warriors are 8-1 without Steph Curry in their last nine home games, and Curry will not play Saturday.
The Warriors have covered six of their last seven games as home underdogs and are 14-18 as underdogs this season.
Wolves at Warriors Game 3 Prediction
As I thought was possible, Golden State went through the motions in Game 2. The Warriors used 14 players and, without Curry, treated Game 2 like a mid-November scrimmage.
Golden State may just be thinking they want it to be a three-game series when Curry gets back tied at two. If so, this is the game they want, and I think they get it.
Draymond Green talks a lot, but that usually fuels him. I’m also worried that Anthony Edwards ankle injury is worse than what is being let on. His explosiveness is such a big part of his game. Minnesota hasn’t gotten much from Rudy Gobert in the series, but Julius Randle had 24 in Game 2.
I like Golden State to set the tone early and hold on for a win. I will happily take the points for a home underdog.
The Pick: Warriors +5.5 (-108 at FanDuel)
