NBA June 8th, Tips and Previews
Nets v Bucks
June 8th
The Nets were too good in game 1 of this second-round series in a fashion that was all too predictable. The Bucks were led terrifically well by Giannis Antetokounmmpo with 34 points but his supporting cast was unable to back him up.
Meanwhile Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant went off for a combined 54 points. It shows the need for the Bucks to find someone to stand up and support “The Greek Freak.”
James Harden went off injured and will miss this game, but he only played 43 seconds and the Nets were just fine. So the Bucks can’t take too much confidence from “The Beards” absence.
Hard to see any reason why the Bucks will turn this around, obviously they could improve and offer more support for Giannis and they’d be better for it. However, Durant and Irving could raise another level or two of their own.
If the dynamic Nets duo could do that then the Bucks would have little to no hope. It doesn’t seem that Giannis can beat this Nets team on his own and I imagine Brooklyn will have a plan to subdue those around him.
I expect Durant to go big in game two to make up for the loss of Harden and an anticipated lift in performance from the Bucks.
SUGGESTED BET:
Brooklyn Win @ $1.5
- Suggested Same Game Multi:
- Leg 1: K. Durant Over 30.5 Points
- Leg 2: G. Antetokounmpo Over 30.5 Points
- Leg 3: Nets Win
- Combined odds = $3.8
Suns v Nuggets
June 8th
This is an exciting series between two teams who have shown a lot of promise all season.
Phoenix were superb when knocking out the Lakers in the first round led by Devin Booker who averaged a monster 30 points per game against the defending champions.
With no Jamal Murray for the Nuggets, Booker has a tremendous chance to take this series by the scruff of the neck and lead his team to another series. And, I believe Booker will be prepared to make a statement early.
Nikola Jokic is, as always, the key for Denver. He averaged 33 points per game in the first round as he bullied the Trailblazers from both inside the paint but also from the perimeter to keep them on their toes.
If “The Joker” gets the chance to dominate this series like he did the Portland series it’s hard to see Denver losing out here. But I have faith the Suns will be prepared to slow down his influence.
I’m backing Booker to get the job done in game 1.
SUGGESTED BET:
Phoenix Win @ $1.73
- Suggested Same Game Multi:
- Leg 1: D. Booker Over 30.5 Points
- Leg 2: N. Jokic Over 30.5 Points
- Leg 3: Suns Win
- Combined odds = $5.2
76ers v Hawks
June 9th
The Hawks were terrific in game one and took out a deserved victory. It was a terrific offensive display.
They got the jump on the 76ers and managed to hold on as Philly came storming home. It was a tremendous show of character and would have instilled a lot of belief for the Hawks.
No shock, they were led by a terrific Trae Young performance as he managed to score 35 points and had 10 assists to boot. He was supported by Bogdan Bogdanovic who hit five three pointers on his way to 21 points.
Joel Embid amassed a monster 39 points, and nine rebounds and while Seth Curry and Tobias Harris both managed to score in the 20’s it wasn’t enough. It looks like it will be a high-scoring series and I expect Ben Simmons to lift his defensive game going forward.
The 76ers will bounce back here and level the series.
SUGGESTED BET:
Total Points Over 210.5 @ $1.89
- Suggested Same Game Multi:
- Leg 1: T. Young Over 30.5 Points
- Leg 2: J. Embiid Over 30.5 Points
- Leg 3: Total Points Over 210.5
- Combined odds = $5.7
