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Saturday’s NBA schedule brings us four more Game 3s as we continue through the first round of playoff action in the bubble. The Heat and the Rockets have each won the first two games in their respective series and will look to go up 3-0 with another win Saturday. The other two series are a little more intriguing since the Blazers and Magic were both able to take Game 1 of their series against the Lakers and Bucks, respectively, but those No. 1 seeds bounced back and took Game 2. Can either Orlando or Portland steal a win and the lead in their series or will the Lakers and Bucks show their Game 1 slip-ups were just a blip on the radar? If you think you have all the answers, check out this Pick’em pool.
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Milwaukee Bucks vs. Orlando Magic: Game Result
The Bucks are heavily favored in this game and this series but Milwaukee did lose Game 1. Milwaukee’s defense was mostly absent from that game but returned with a strong showing in Game 2. Not surprisingly, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been the centerpiece of the Bucks’ attack and finished Game 2 with 28 points, 20 rebounds and five assists. He was slowed down a little bit by Orlando’s defensive scheme in Game 1 but seemed to have it figured out on Thursday. Milwaukee will need more from Khris Middleton going forward but the Bucks should be able to get by the Magic, especially with Aaron Gordon ($6,600; hamstring) still questionable after missing the first two games of the series.
Choice: Milwaukee Bucks
Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat: Game Result
The Heat has dominated the series against Indiana so far and can go up 3-0 with another win on Saturday. Miami’s defense has been excellent throughout the team’s time in the bubble and the Heat has clamped down on a Pacers team short of offensive options after losing Domantas Sabonis (foot) for significant time. The Heat has gotten good play from Jimmy Butler and solid contributions from Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro from long range. The Heat has thoroughly outplayed the Pacers at both ends of the floor and unless T.J. Warren gets red hot again like he was earlier in the bubble, I don’t think the Pacers will get a game in this series.
Choice: Miami Heat
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Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Game Result
The Thunder is also down 0-2 in its series but I have much more hope for OKC to be able to steal a win. The Thunder has had stretches of the first two games where the team has looked solid but hasn’t been able to be consistent enough to get the win. OKC definitely has the advantage with Steven Adams and Danilo Gallinari in the frontcourt but hasn’t been able to get the bigs the ball enough. The Thunder also hasn’t gotten enough from Chris Paul and needs more from the second unit and Dennis Schroder as well. With Russell Westbrook (quad) still most likely out, the Thunder needs to climb back in the series soon if the team wants to extend it. Houston has been shooting well but I think the Rockets will come back to earth enough to let the Thunder take Game 3.
Choice: Oklahoma City Thunder
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Game Result
The Blazers took Game 1 to start the series but didn’t look nearly as sharp in Game 2, as Anthony Davis led the Lakers to the win to even the series. Damian Lillard dislocated his finger in the loss but is expected to try and play in this game just two days later. The Lakers have still not looked dominant and LeBron James hasn’t gotten going in the bubble but the Lake Show seems to have found a mismatch the team can exploit with Davis against Portland’s frontcourt that will continue to be without Zach Collins (ankle), who will miss the rest of the postseason. Davis will likely be enough to get the Lakers through this series, especially if Lillard is less than 100%, but the Lakers need to round into form if they want to make a deeper run in the playoffs.
Choice: Los Angeles Lakers
Which team from this group will score the most points on 8/22?
The options for this prop are Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers and two or more teams to tie. The Rockets have been the highest scoring of this bunch so far in the playoffs and I think their game against the Thunder will be a close one with OKC trying to avoid going down 0-3. Even if the Thunder wins that game, the Rockets could still claim this prop. However, I’m going to lean toward the Lakers in this one since I think LeBron will play better and they’ll continue to feed Davis down low. The Bucks are also a strong consideration here but I’m less convinced that Milwaukee’s game stays competitive throughout.
Choice: Los Angeles Lakers
Who will score the most points on 8/22?
The options here are Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, Damian Lillard, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and any other player. Lillard’s injury makes me a little hesitant to roll with him, James hasn’t found his groove yet and Harden hasn’t had to carry the load with the Rockets spreading things around. For me, this comes down to a tough choice between Davis and Antetokounmpo, but I’m leaning toward Davis since I think the Blazers have no way to slow him down but will keep the game close.
Choice: Anthony Davis
Who will have the most rebounds from this group of players on 8/22?
The group available for this prop is Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Vucevic, Steven Adams Anthony Davis, LeBron James and Jusuf Nurkic. Even though he isn’t a true center like many on this list, Antetokounmpo has dominated the boards against the Magic with 17 boards in Game 1 and 20 in Game 2. No other player in this group has posted more than 15 rebounds in either of their games, so I think the Greek Freak will take this prop.
Choice: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Who will have the most assists from this group of players on 8/22?
There are just four options here with one from each game: Malcolm Brogdon, Chris Paul, LeBron James and Damian Lillard. While LeBron has the high mark out of this group with his 16 assists in Game 1, he hasn’t been the most consistent play. That honor would go to Brogdon, who had 10 assists in Game 1 and nine assists in Game 2. Paul will need to step up and have a good game, though, for the Thunder to get the win, so I think he’s a sneaky play here as well. However, I’m going with the consistency here from Brogdon, who I think will need to step up as well with his team’s back against the wall.
Choice: Malcolm Brogdon
How many players will record a triple-double?
There are a few possibilities here with James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James the most obvious choices to hit a triple-double. James produced the only triple-double from this group in the first two games of the series with 23 points, 17 rebounds and 16 rebounds. Chris Paul came close in Game 1 as well, so there is potential for multiple triple-doubles. However, don’t get carried away here. Luka Doncic isn’t on this slate and Westbrook isn’t likely to play, so I think 0 or 1 are the most likely results.
Choice: 1
Who will have the most Points, Rebounds and Assists on 8/22?
This is a fun prop that gives you the top two options on four teams. While I like Giannis, he hasn’t been getting much help from Middleton on the other side of his prop. The Butler and Bam tandem is intriguing as well, but I think the way to go here is LeBron and Anthony Davis since both of them have shown they can produce big numbers in multiple categories.
Choice: LeBron James/Anthony Davis
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