Zach’s Season Record: 115-96
Twitter: @ZachSelwyn1
DESERT STAND UP! Big time W for the Suns yesterday – and WOW, I’ve never been more proud of the dumb Saguaro cactus tattoo I got in high school when I was drunk and hanging around Tucson as a kid. But the bigger news in the NBA was Kyrie Irving’s injury – which looked BAD – and Nikola Jokić being tossed for swiping right on Cameron Payne’s nose.
How do you run the MVP in an elimination game? Yeah, the NBA has become very soft – but at least they don’t award three free throws on “swipe through” fouls. That’s a lot of swiping in one paragraph. Let’s look at today’s games and odds and get y’all PAID.
Philadelphia 76ers @ Atlanta Hawks: Philadelphia -3 (-110)
Point Total: Over 225.5 (-110)
Ten days ago, I thought Trae Young was going to single-handedly carry the Hawks to the NBA Finals. Of course, Joel Embiid had just torn his meniscus and was questionable – but NOW, the dude is playing exceptional basketball on one knee. I just don’t get it. But the Philadelphia 76ers are suddenly in the driver’s seat and looking like they’ll waltz into the Eastern Conference Finals unless the Atlanta Hawks step up their game. So, who wins tonight? I’m sticking with the 76ers – especially at a point-spread of -3.
Points? OVER OVER OVER. These teams are exhausted. I’d like to say there was some epic defensive stand happening tonight, but doubtful. I think this is one of those offensive games where Trae drops 30 but Embiid drops 35.
Utah Jazz @ Los Angeles Clippers: Utah +5 (+100)
Point Total: Over 223.5 (-110)
Do the Clippers have what it takes to continue this to a two-game winning streak? Every fair-weather fan in LA says NO – but Kawhi Leonard might be out to prove that he is still that DUDE. The best meme I saw this week was a photo of Bojan Bogdanović and Joe Ingles that said “Paul George is being run out of the building by two substitute teachers.”
Substitute or not, these guys can TEACH the game to anybody, and with this series at 2-1, I don’t think the Clippers have what it takes to win Game 4 by 5 points. I’m taking Utah… the Clippers might win, but not by 5 points. GIMME TWO, UTAH! (Point Break reference, sorry…)
Points-wise – I think this is an easy OVER. The Clippers run an efficient offense when they’re motivated, and tonight is one of those nights. Utah is still firing, and if Mike Conley is back, they will have much more fluidity. If Conley is still out? Take the over. 223.5 is low.
There ya have it. I’ll be scouting Phoenix Suns WCF playoff tickets all over Craigslist this week - I’m even willing to trade my Dan Majerle jersey I bought back in 1993… Or my 1994 Charles Barkley shoes. Just don’t ask me about my dumb Saguaro cactus tattoo…
