Predicting Today's games! Includes player performances.

In Detail 

What a day for the NBA! Sunday evening, we have two really great matchups to watch. Starting with game 1 of the Boston Celtics who take on the Washington Wizards in the second round of the Eastern Conference, (1 pm ET - ABC) and finishing with the Los Angeles Clippers take on the Utah Jazz, in a game 7. (3.30 pm ET - ABC). So, as one can understand, many options regarding our predictions, and our betting options for today's games.

Starting off with the first game on today's schedule, the Boston Celtics going up against the Wizards in game 1 of the eastern conference semis. In our preview in yesterday's article, we previewed the great offenses of the two teams, but also their mediocre defense. Defensive rebounding can be a problem for both teams, however since the beginning of the season, and the first round of the playoffs, defensive rebounding is a huge issue for the Celtics. However, it's game 1 of the semis, and we have many different options to choose from, including player's performances.

Moreover, our first prediction is Beal's big game offensively. Even though he will be guarded by one of the greater guard defenders in the league, in Avery Bradley, Beal will take many shots, as John Wall will try to feed him early on in the game, and thus Beal will get buckets, and score more than 22.5 points. Moving on, Isaiah Thomas is expected to play in game 1, despite having his emotions spill out, as he is dealing with tough times, and will be huge for the Celtics. Our prediction is that he will score more than 26.5 points in the game, and will be the X-factor of the game. Finally, due to the great offenses of both teams, another great betting prediction is the over 209.5 points in the game.

Game 6

Following the Celtics/Wizards matchup, on the west coast, we have the Clipper taking on the Jazz in a game 7, at the Staples Center. The intention will be high as ever, while both teams will fight for a spot in the western conference semis against the Warriors. Chris Paul had some incredible performances in some games against the Jazz this series and will be the X-factor of today's game as well. It can be really hard to predict stand out player performances in a game 7 in the NBA; however, we will give out an option for you to choose on one particular player who we think can have an impact offensively and that's, of course, Chris Paul scoring over 24.5 points. When it matters the most, Chris Paul shows up. He wants to advance to the semis to get another shot on the Warriors, he has to make his team show up as well, but he will be the primary scorer today leading his team to the second round of the playoffs.

This prediction led to our final prediction of the day. A day with five different betting prediction that you can choose the ones you like, agree and bet it online. Because Chris Paul wants another shot at the Warriors and due to the thrilling victory in Utah that caused the game 7, the Clippers will come on top and will advance to the second round of the playoffs. Game 7 goes to the Clippers who advance.

Our options: 

• Isaiah Thomas over 26.5 points 
• Bradley Beal over 22.5 points 
• Washington Wizards @ Boston Celtics = Over 209.5 points
• Chris Paul over 24.5 points
• Utah Jazz @ Los Angeles Clippers = Clippers to advance 

Celtics (1) vs Wizards (4) PREVIEW!!!

Overview (Breaking it down).

Perhaps, one of the most exciting second round series in the 2017 playoffs. The Golden State Warriors will either take on the Los Angeles Clippers or the Utah Jazz (Game 7 - Sunday), while the Houston Rockets will face off the San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers the third-seeded Toronto Raptors. However, the most interesting and exciting game of the second round, which may eventually end up going to either six or seven games is the Boston Celtics vs the Washington Wizards. Two teams that don't like each other, two teams that have been focusing on challenging the Cavaliers in the eastern conference, have to take on yet another challenge, in order to face the Cavs in the eastern conference finals. 

John Wall and Isaiah Thomas have been incredible this year, both named all-stars, both point guards have led their team to the second round of the playoffs with strong performances all along. Super stars in the making, will now have to face off in a very heated second round series. John Wall this far in the postseason has been averaging an amazing 29.5 points per game in six games while handing out 10.2 assists per game and showing his superstar capable talents, potential. On the other hand, the Celtics being down 0-2, defeated the Bulls four straight times, with Isaiah Thomas scoring 23 points per game and handing out 6 assists. Throughout the curse of the regular season the two teams split their four games. The atmosphere in these four games, was like a playoff atmosphere, with two teams wanting to surpass each other in the standings, and get to challenge the Cavaliers. The passion both teams have is unreal, and it will be something that will stand out throughout this series. Technical fouls, trash talking, miracle shots, fights, close games, clutch player and superstars in the making, are all going to take part of this upcoming second round series. Both teams have unstoppable offenses, but lack this playoff defensive mentality that will win you games. Defensive rebounding is also an important issue for both teams especially for the Celtics, while both teams also like to run down the court and start a fastbreak that can lead to an open lane, for a layup, a dunk.

Most important weakness. 

Boston Celtics: 

One of the most important and problematic issues for the Boston Celtics throughout this NBA season, but also through round one of the 2017 NBA playoffs, is the defensive rebounding. In the regular season they ranked 23rd in defensive rebounds per game. This is something that can affect the Celtics negatively, but also affected the team negatively in the two games they lost against Chicago. The Wizards have the 'offensive weapons' to challenge a weak team on the glass with Marcin Gortat, Markieff Morris, and even John Wall and Oto Porter Jr, and it will be something that can play a huge part in the series. Jae Crowder, Horford, Johnson but also Bradley have to box out in order to prevent an offensive rebound that can result into a second chance point that may hurt their team. 

Washington Wizards: 

Despite having a 'deadly' offense with John Wall leading the team, and Bradley Beal an offensive weapon, a scoring machine, the Wizards lack options sometimes. When Marcin Gortat and Morris are not in their game, the Wizards have problems. This also happened when losing the two games against Atlanta away from home. However, the biggest problem of the Wizards team is their defense which in the regular season was ranked the 21st defense in team opponent per game in the entire NBA. Another small but crucial weakness that may affect the series to a small extent, is the number of turnovers the Wizards make every game which is 14.1. 

Prediction 

Certainly, this series will possibly be the most exciting of all four second round matchups, as both teams have the passion and willingness to achieve their ultimate goal of the season, reaching the eastern conference finals, and taking on their biggest challenge yet, the Cleveland Cavaliers. If the Wizards play every game like their last one, this series will switch hands and will favor them. The final prediction is that the Wizards will either defeat the Celtics in either six or seven games. The playoff intention, the winning mentality, the superstar potential will all be in this series. A one series to not miss...



 Wizards in six or seven!

Are the Milwaukee Bucks the future of the NBA?

One of the most interesting debates for the next couple of years in the NBA is the following: Who will be the MVP in three years? Who will be the NBA champion in three years? Will it be the Minnesota Timberwolves with Karl Anthony Towns? The Golden State Warriors? The San Antonio Spurs who are contenders every year for the past 20 years in the NBA? A question that can have many right answers, and a question that will be answered by 2020. Yesterday’s Bucks/Raptors game 6 was one of the most exciting and passionate game of the playoffs so far. Giannis Antetokounmpo played 47 minutes, trying to get the Bucks back into the game, while Middleton, Terry, Monroe helped him in overcoming a 25 point deficit. Unfortunately, a couple of late mistakes by the Bucks caused them the game, which got them out of round two and the rest of the playoffs. However, the future for this young team is bright. Even though there are many teams who can be in championship contention in the next three to five years, I believe that the Bucks are one of these teams. 

Despite not having a great three-point shooter on their roster, except Jason ‘The Jet’ Terry, who made a couple of clutch shots in yesterday’s showcase, the Bucks fought really hard and won two games against a very solid Toronto team (3rd seed). The Bucks however, need a shooter that will help, Middleton and Antetokounmpo offensively. Let’s not forget that the Bucks were also playing without Jabari Parker, a really talented young offensive player who can average 20 per game. If healthy, starting from next year, while adding a shooter, or an experienced point guard, (e.g Derrick Rose, Chris Paul) the Bucks can overcome the first round of the playoffs, take a huge step and reach the eastern conference semis. To do that, they must play all season long, like they played in the playoffs for most of the six games. Starting from October, all the way through April, if they can reach the 4th seed in the eastern conference will be a great achievement that will lead them closer to their short term goal, reaching the second round. With Giannis Antetokounmpo as a leader of the team, Jabari Parker a young offensive weapon who can get you 20 points per game, and a great scorer in Middleton, the Bucks have a young core who can cause problems for many teams around the association. If this summer, the trades, the signings are in their favor the Bucks can be a threat in the eastern conference in the upcoming years.

Moreover, the Bucks this summer have to focus on the offensive part, the Greek Freak has to find his shot, has to work on getting even stronger, knocking down important free throws, open shots, while Jabari Parker, has to get back healthy and stronger as ever, and the front office of the Bucks has to make some important changes and decisions in the point guard and the shooting guard positions, surrounding Jabari and Giannis with shooters. If they can do that, in my opinion, the Bucks in three years could absolutely be the face of the NBA and can become a huge threat in the eastern conference, challenging the Cavaliers, possibly the Sixers and the rest of the conference. Above all, yesterday’s game showed how the Bucks when being down 25 points with 16 minutes to go, did not give up, as they rallied back, and took the lead 82-80. The exceptional coaching of Jason Kidd, along with the effort of the young Bucks, but also the championship experience of Jason Terry and Mathew Dellevadova, was what sparked the comeback, that ended up eventually being short. However, this team with these changes and improvements can make a lot of noise in the eastern conference starting from the following season. 

Which 'Sweep' was more impressive? The Warriors or the Cavs?

The two greater and most important NBA teams, the Warriors and the Cavaliers had to handle their businesses in the first round of the post-season, going up against the 8th seeded Trail Blazers, while the Cavs had to surpass the 7th seeded Indiana Pacers. Both teams managed to end their series in four games. However, the biggest question of the two four-game series, was which ‘sweep’ was the most impressive? 

On the one hand, the Golden State Warriors were going up against a great offensive team in the Portland Trail Blazers, with one of the most productive backcourt duos of the season, Lillard and Mccollum. However, the Trail Blazers were also one of the worst defenses of the season, allowing 109 points per game. Jusuf Nurkic had been a great trade for the Trail Blazers; however, he did not play in all four games, and thus could not help the Blazers inside the paint, where he was needed the most. The Warriors, despite facing problems with Kevin Durant’s injury as he played limited minutes in the two games he started, but also concerned with Steve Kerr’s back pain problems, handled their business and outscored the Blazers in all four games. In the four games they played, the Warriors scored 119.5 points per game,

showcasing their offense, and making a statement to the rest of the league. Steph Curry had an impressive series, scoring almost 30 points per game with six assists, and helping the Warriors cruise through one good opponent in the Trail Blazers. So, without Kevin Durant for most of the time, without being coached by Steve Kerr, but assistant coach Mike Brown, the Warriors, easily defeated the Blazers in four games. 

Meanwhile, the struggling of late Cleveland Cavaliers had to go up against a 7th seeded Indiana Pacers team, who despite having a star in the making Paul George, in the four games against the Cavs there was no other help for him. The Cavaliers defeated the Indiana Pacers in four games, and got the rest they wanted, as they are waiting for round 2; however all four wins, came in close games against a mediocre Pacers team, and this shows that the Cavaliers are not 100% yet. Yes, they have an unstoppable offense, that starts with Lebron, Kyrie, Love, JR etc. However their defense for a team that good is terrible. Game 1, was a really close game, and it came down to making the last shot, but CJ Miles missed. Game 2 was decided by 6 points, and was close along the way, while Game 3 in Indiana, was a game where the Pacers were up by 25, and Lebron had to put an incredible show, a superhuman performance, for the Cavs to rally back and beat the Pacers 119-114. While, Game 4 was also a close game, that was decided by one missed Paul George three. This shows that Cleveland despite winning four games against a mediocre team in the Indiana Pacers, had some issues, was lucky, and Lebron pulled out one of his best performances in the first round of the playoffs just to beat the Pacers, who were lucky to even get in the playoffs. Now, I’m not taking anything away from the Cavaliers’ offense however defensively; they have to be more physical, grab more rebounds, and do not expect Lebron James to deliver a super-human performance every single time. 

So, finally to answer the question, in my opinion the Warriors ‘sweep’ was the more impressive one, as they took on a better team, putting on a show offensively, scoring almost 120 points per game. While Kevin Durant played limited minutes in the two games he played, coached by Mike Brown for the first time in the season, an assistant coach. To sum up, both teams can enjoy the rest, as they are waiting for round 2 to begin, and the semi-finals. 

‘The Evolution of the 3point line and Super Teams’

The NBA is changing, as it is adapting a new system, new offences, the 3point line system. And I know that this statement has been stated a thousand of times with the evolution of the three point line, the Splash Brothers and the Warriors, James Harden and the Houston Rockets, and other teams who have to change now their way of attacking and add the 3point shot to their arsenal. However, it is not only the point guards, and the shooting guards who have adapted to this new way of playing basketball and becoming successful, it is also the big men, the centres of this league. Kristaps Porzingis, Demarcus Cousins, Karl Anthony-Towns and even Pau Gasol late in his career has started adapting to this new system of basketball. The numbers don't just speak for themselves, they scream, that no matter your position on the court, point guard or centre, having a 3point shot is a direct advantage, while not having one is considered a significant disadvantage. Records are breaking each and every season, each and every game right in front of our eyes. NBA records from this season include the 3point field goal attempts and 3point field goals made, but also most of the teams don't even take that many mid-range shots, as they shoot threes, or they drive inside the paint. The Houston Rockets made an NBA record 14.4 threes per game. Moreover, they shot more from the three point line, than from inside. These stats are mind blowing and argue how the NBA has changed and has become more spectacular to watch and enjoy. Not having a 3point shot in your arsenal as a player, nowadays is considered a disadvantage. Imagine Giannis Antetokounmpo with a 3point shot. Instantly becomes a player on another level. This shows how basketball over the course of the last five years, has changed.

To a large extent, Stephen Curry has affected the game to the degree that Michael Jordan enhanced and changed the game back in the 80s. Earlier this year we saw him breaking Kobe Bryant’s record of 12 threes in a single game. Another interesting fact is that when Kobe Bryant scored 12 three-point field goals in a single game, people, NBA analysts, and broadcasters did not even believe that something like that could happen again. It was something rare, unusual, and unreal. The record-breaking machine, named Steph Curry has affected all 30 NBA teams, in the way they viewed their respective defence, as well as how they shape their offensive strategy. But the most interesting stat is that children and basketball players all over the world are changing their strategy of how to score, as well. The game is changing, the evolution of the 3point line is huge, and I will not be surprised if in the next 10 years commissioner Adam Silver adds another line, and make it a 4point line or a 5point line. 

On another note, ‘super teams’ has also become an NBA topic that has been discussed a lot of times during this regular season. Since, Kevin Durant decided to join the team that beat him in the Conference Finals, while being down 3-1, ‘super teams’ have become a storyline throughout the NBA regular season. Starting with the Miami Heat in 2011, when LeBron James decided to take his talents to the South Beach, joined by Chris Bosh to team up with Dwayne Wade made a ‘big 3’ who eventually ended bringing two NBA titles to Miami. Something that originally started the talk of the 'super teams' and continuing with today’s ‘super teams’ the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016 champions), and the Golden State Warriors (2015 champions), the NBA has changed in that regard as well. In this case these two teams have already met twice in the NBA finals, and is possible that they can meet a third time this year, it can be argued that they do not destroy the NBA season but make it more spectacular. With the Washington Wizards emerging, with the Cleveland Cavaliers struggling, with the explosion of Kawhi Leonard and the exceptional coaching of the San Antonio Spurs, the two ‘super teams’ have not destroyed the NBA season, but have made the NBA season spectacular, and a joy to watch. 

GSW 2016-2017

To conclude, rivalries is something that has been missing in the NBA the last decade as well. From the Boston Celtics and their ‘big three’, and the Los Angeles Lakers of Kobe Bryant, to these  two ‘super teams’, the Golden State Warrios and the Cleveland Cavaliers. An NBA rivalry that started in 2015 and is on the merge of becoming an old time rivalry in the history of the game. Finally, also with some young NBA stars emerging into superstars, and young teams as well, the NBA will find back this passion that has been missing, and these rivalries and will become as amazing, and spectacular as it has ever been over the course of the next five years.