NBA Weekend Tips: 76ers out to make quick Playoff net gains

The NBA Playoffs begin this weekend and for championship contenders like the Philadelphia 76ers, surviving the opening round is just one step towards the title.

Brooklyn Nets @ Philadelphia 76ers

Tipoff: 6pm Saturday BST (Sky Sports Arena)

The Nets’ decision to shut down Ben Simmons has robbed us of some spice from the third-versus-sixth series in the East. James Harden’s presence does not carry the same intriguing allure.

And although Brooklyn, who have been aided by a soft schedule, dug in admirably to hold onto an automatic playoff berth following their trade deadline combustion, it’s little wonder that they are 3.85 to cause an upset in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series with Philadelphia.

The 76ers shoulder title aspirations as solid outside bets at 13.5. Joel Embiid and Harden are the first teammates in over 40 years to corral the NBA scoring and assist crowns in unison. They’re a very good group in the half court – a boon in post-season basketball. And they will target a sweep: a useful boon at the outset of prolonged playoff runs.

Series Forecast: 76ers 4-0 Nets
Game 1 Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers win and Over 215.5 points @ 2.3 

New York Knicks @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Tipoff: 11pm Saturday BST

The Donovan Mitchell Derby. The Cavs have been a team transformed in the wake of the acquisition of the All-Star guard, who appeared destined to head to New York before his trade from the Jazz last season.

Cleveland fully deserved their spot in the East’s top four and Mitchell’s experience will be invaluable in converting more of their potential into a series win. The Cavs had the NBA’s second-best points differential at +5.4 and the top defence with just 106.9 points conceded per contest. That asset may be needed if their offence, as has occurred, dries up under pressure.

The Knicks, who took the regular season series 3-1, have questions over Julius Randle who hasn’t played for two weeks since spraining his ankle. Without their All-Star, it’s hard to see them nicking more than one game and they’re 2.82 to pinch the opener. With Randle, however, it may be closer than expected - with points at a premium. 

Series Forecast: Cavaliers 4-2 Knicks
Game 1 Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers to win by 1-5 points @ 4.7

Golden State Warriors @ Sacramento Kings

Tipoff: 1.30am Sunday BST (Sky Sports Arena)

The reigning Kings against… the Kings. Back in the playoffs after 17 years, Sacramento brings the NBA’s most productive offense with 120.7 points per night to take on the defending champions. Their offensive rating of 118.6 is special indeed - and losing the season series 3-1 will be of little concern. 

And they will take some hope in Golden State’s well-documented road struggles this term. An abysmal 11-30 on their travels, the Dubs’ lowly seeding provides a tough route towards a repeat. But not an impossible one.

The Warriors are priced at 11 in the NBA Championship odds, compared with 60 for their California rivals. Experience is an X-factor which favours the visitors, as is the possible return of Andrew Wiggins in time for the post-season. That would reunite their starting line-up which outscored opponents by a league-best 21.9 per 100 possessions and is no slouch defensively.

With shorter rotations in the playoffs, that gives Golden State a shot at concluding Sacro’s feelgood tale – especially if they limit opportunities. 

Series Forecast: Warriors 4-3 Kings
Game 1 Prediction: Golden State Warriors +0.5 and Under 238.5 points @ 3.55 

LA Lakers @ Memphis Grizzlies

Tipoff: 8pm Sunday BST (Sky Sports Arena)

For all the talk about the Los Angeles Lakers making a shock play-off run, the reality is that the 2020 champs had to sneak into the NBA Playoffs with an overtime defeat of Minnesota in midweek.

But that made it ten wins from their last 12 in which they have out-scored opponents by an average of 7.2 points. That’s including prevailing on their last four trips outside LA. They have been a team reborn since swapping the Russell Westbrook drama for a spring refresh with LeBron James and Anthony Davis looking close to their prime selves.

The Lakers actually won the regular season series 2-1, including a 112-103 victory in Memphis last month. They’re marginal favourites in this series and a shorter price at 7.2 to win the West than their opening opponents. Surely their only shot is if the hungry Grizzlies can be halted on the run.

Their speed in transition – led by Ja Morant - is a problem for LA, which could lead to some atypically high scoring in this series. Losing Steven Adams opens paths for Davis to dominate inside but likewise, the Grizz backcourt has a decided edge. No longer a young, untested group, it still feels like a match-up in which a baton will be passed on with the hosts value at 1.9 on a handicap of -3.5 in Game 1.

Series Forecast: Grizzlies 4-2 Lakers
Game 1 Prediction: Over 228.5 points @ 1.98 

NBA Weekend Tips

Brooklyn Nets @ Philadelphia 76ers: 76ers win and Over 215.5 points @ 2.3
New York Knicks @ Cleveland Cavaliers: Cavaliers to win by 1-5 points @ 4.7
Golden State Warriors @ Sacramento Kings: Warriors +0.5 and Under 238.5 points @ 3.55
LA Lakers @ Memphis Grizzlies: Over 228.5 points @ 1.98