Nuggets/Clippers 10:00: Nuggets 20 turnovers in Game 2 did them in. Leonard is at his best and Harden is playing well for the Clippers; however, we won't dismiss the Nuggets off a loss. Jokic, who had a rare bad game in Game 2, should come back strong. He's got his sidekick - Murray - getting healthy, and Gordon and Porter Jr. are playing well. Look for the Nuggets to hang tight in this tightly contested series. 

Thunder/Grizzlies 9:30: Rarely see S.G.A. have a few mediocre (to his standard) games. Fortunately, he's got a great supporting cast. And the Thunder, which have been a strong road team all season, should stay focused like they've consistently done all season. OKC, a Top 3 offensive and defensive team, have taken Edey out of this series. We'll look for the Thunder to continue their roll. 

Knicks/Pistons 7:00: Knicks have to give Brunson more help, especially down the stretch. Surely, the Knicks have addressed that. And Hart and Anunoby are overdue to turn up their games. They're the better team and should pull this off despite the disastrous off-season trade of Hartenstein and DiVincenzo.  Pressure on Towns to step up his game several notches. 

Warriors/Rockets 9:30: Warriors' addition of Butler paid dividends down the stretch of the season and, it was surely apparent in Game 1. Butler has been a great playoff performer in his career and he showed his clutch ability down the stretch in Game 1. Add Curry and Green to that mix and the playoff experience just too great for the upstart Rockets. Warriors the call.

Heat/Cavaliers 7:30: In Game 1, Heat were competitive till late. They were outscored 34-21 in the 4th quarter. Look for cagey, veteran playoff HC Spoelstra to make the needed adjustments down the stretch to hang in this one. Adebayo, Herro and Mitchell should continue to play well. Heat were 2-0 ATS as double digit dogs prior to Sunday. Heat and the points the call. 

Magic/Celtics 7:00: Tatum injured his wrist in Game 1 and will probably not play. Fortunately, the Celtics have great depth. Pritchard was awesome off the bench and starter Brown is overdue to step up his game. Orlando did a great job defending the perimeter in the regular season but Celtics have too much perimeter firepower. And the Magic offense just too dependent on Banchero and Wagner. Celtics should roll again late here. 

Warriors/Rockets 9:30: Rockets turnaround complete under Udoka. He's got them playing great defense and crashing the boards. Their versatility to go small, big, zone, etc., makes them a formidable force to get through in the Western Conference. Butler does offer a big upgrade to the Warriors in playoff basketball but Houston collectively strong at taking away a team's offensive strength; after all, look what they did two weeks ago when Amen Thompson held Curry to 1 of 10 from the floor. We'll take Houston in Game 1. 

Grizzlies/Thunder 1:00: Thunder dominated this series for the season. And even with Morant healthy, they couldn't hang close. Thunder is deep and dangerous. They're well rested and the addition of Hartenstein this season has given them a dominant and scrappy presence in the paint, the missing piece last season.  OKC is in the top 3 offensively and defensively in the league. That's rare to have that level of dominance on both sides of the court. We'll look for Gilgeous-Alexander and company to set the tone of the series with a route. 

Wolves/Lakers 8:30: Wolves got it going down the stretch of the season (17-4 ) with the healthy return of Randle. Can Randle turn it on in the post season though? He was a post season flop in NY. Fortunately, he's got lots of support with Edwards, veteran Conley, DiVincenzo. And Gobert can be a force here vs Hayes, thrust into the 5 spot after the departure of A.D. Doncic flourished last year with the Mavericks all the way to the championship because of his big rim runners. He doesn't have that with the Lakers. We'll look for Minnesota to steal Game 1. 

Pistons/Knicks 6:00: Disappointed in the Knicks trading away Hartenstein and DiVincenzo during the offseason. They were huge in last year's playoff series win over Philadelphia. Cade Cunningham has some solid support and veteran playoff performers Harris, Hardaway, Beasely to give NY trouble. Take the points here. 

Clippers/Nuggets 3:30: Clippers went on a 32-15 ATS run down the stretch thanks in large part to the healthy return of Kawhi Leonard. Consequently, Harden excelled as a facilitator averaging 22.8 PPG and 8.7 APG. And underrated center Zubac is no easy walk through for Jokic. Moreover, Powell was spectacular in this season series - 27.8 PPG. We'll grab Lue and his Clippers in Game 1. 

Bucks/Pacers 1:00: Pacers were winning down the stretch but vs weak teams. They went 6=16 ATS last 22 games. They won this series last year but, of course, that was without Giannis. He's healthy now and dangerous. Bucks went 10-4 SU/11-3 ATS down the stretch without Lillard. And Giannis didn't play in 3 of those. Bucks are better defensively this season and I like our chances here. Bucks 4-0 ATS in this season series and we're taking the points today. 

Pelicans/Lakers 10:40: Pelicans 8-3 ATS as a double-digit dog. Sure, they shut down Zion and McCollum but still have hard working players such as Alvarado and Brown. Lakers unrested with Hachimura (knee) and LeFlop tired from last night and a game time decision. We'll grab the points. 

Thunder/Rockets 8:10: Thunder on a mission to reach 70-win season. They're deep and covering big numbers, even on the road. Rockets lose some defensive prowess with Brooks (suspended) out. OKC the call. 

Bulls/Nuggets 9:10: Bulls running hot on a 13-3 tear. They're coming off a dominant win over the Lakers on Saturday. They're catching the Nuggets returning home after an extended road trip in the second of back-to-back games. And Denver won't have Jokic tonight. Take the Bulls.

Suns/Warriors 10:10: Not since November has Golden State put together a three-game winning streak and I don't think it's happening here. Suns, coming off a loss to Minnesota, has responded well off losses and should deliver. Suns' Beal coming off bench to put in strong minutes to bolster his status before trade deadline. And Booker not happy he was overlooked for the ASG. We'll look for Durant and company to deliver tonight against the Draymond Green-less (out) Warriors. 

Cavaliers/76ers 7:10: Sixers free falling while hoping Embiid comes back soon. Chemistry and defensive issues have them in a disarray. Meanwhile, top East seed - Cleveland is coming off a tough defeat to Houston on Wednesday. Unlike Philadelphia, Cleveland has recently proven to bounce back strong off defeats. Good chance that Mobley (calf) returns tonight. Cleveland the call. 

Analysis to follow...

Analysis to follow...

Kings/Bucks 8:10: Kings on a 7-game winning streak with interim HC Christie. The former Kings wingman has taken a much different approach to practice than his predecessor -Brown. Brown ran the Kings ragged during practice while Christie has taken the foot off the gas pedal with relative light practices; consequently, the Kings have their legs for the games. But the streak should end here. Bucks have won this series 9 of the last 10 and I believe Giannis is ready to go. We'll grab Milwaukee at a discount here. 

Analysis to follow...

Analysis to follow...

Analysis to follow...

Analysis to follow...

Analysis to follow...

Analysis to follow...

Dallas/Boston 8:30: Dallas showed fight in Game 4, which we cashed in on. They played loose and tightened defensively with more urgency. A bit more pressure shifts to Boston now as Dallas finally got in rhythm. As for Boston, they'll surely come out with more intensity, especially on the defensive end. I don't believe Porzingis (lower leg) is ready to go extended minutes. We'll bet Irving and Doncic follow up strong games now that bench players broke out Friday. 

Analysis to follow...

Analysis to follow...

Dallas/Boston 8:00: Game 2 in this season's playoff series has been Boston's trouble spot. They're 1-2 SU/ATS in that scenario. Dallas, on the other hand, is 3-0 ATS in Game 2 on the road; moreover, they're 7-3 ATS as a traveler in the playoffs, including the loss in Boston in Game 1. Irving, who is 0-11 SU vs his old team, is overdue to break that streak. And despite his poor performance in Game 1, the Mavericks proved they could make a run-on Boston. They had it down to 8 on Thursday in the second half before poor shooting did them in. Irving was a miserable 6 of 19 from the floor and 0 of 5 from the perimeter. Lively and Gafford were taken out of their dominant play. And Porzingis surprisingly played outstanding. Kidd and the Mavericks should make the needed adjustments today, just like they did throughout the playoffs. Dallas the call. 

Mavericks/Celtics 8:30: The newly assembled Mavericks flourished on the road after the trade deadline and are playing their best ball as a traveler in the playoffs (5-0 run). Doncic and Irving are peaking while Lively has given them a strong presence in the paint. The well-disciplined T-Wolves, which were strong all season defensively, had no adjustment answer for the lob - alley oop combo from Irving to Lively and Doncic to Lively. And even Gafford got into the alley oop game. Porzingis (calf) looks to play for Boston but not sure of his conditioning or effectiveness to spell significant relief for Horford. And P.J. Washington could be that X factor if hitting that corner shot off penetration dribble from Doncic or Irving. We'll look for a bit of rust from Boston here. Dallas the call. 

Mavericks/Wolves 8:35: Not buying into the Wolves. Sure, Towns finally decided to successfully drive to the basket before cashing in on a few threes. And Edwards connected on some shots; however, Dallas still had many open looks down the stretch. Irving and Doncic did not have their best effort. And P.J. Washington missed some key shots, that he normally hits, down the stretch. As sluggish a game it was for Dallas, they were a free throw miss (Doncic) down the stretch to seriously challenge for the win the way Gobert was clanking (5 of 9) free throws. And the Wolves still haven't figured out how to stop Gafford alley oop on driving Irving and Doncic. Gobert gets continually lost in no man's land. Better execution down the stretch by the veteran backcourt of Doncic and Irving should deliver here. 

Analysis to follow...

Analysis to follow...

Wolves/Mavs 8:00: Mavericks' Lively and Gafford were difference makers in Games 1 and 2. They outdueled Towns and Gobert inside to open up the games for Doncic and Irving. Wolves' Edwards has been locked down and needs to get loose. Wolves should make the needed adjustments here. 

Analysis to follow..

Pacers/Celtics 8:00: Pacers choked away Game 1. I don't see them collapsing here knowing they traded blow for blow and even outscored the Celtics in Boston after trailing 12-0 to open the game. Pacers have solid depth with McConnell playing the best basketball of his season, Toppin hitting shots, cleaning glass and making stops. And Haliburton getting comfortable in post-season play. One of the big mismatches, however, is Siakam. He's a nightmare inside in the foul line with a soft touch. Him and Turner making it difficult for Horford going extra minutes because of Porzingis (out). And Kornet solid in relief but no Porzingis. And this is the playoff game (Game 2) in which Boston is vulnerable; remember, they lost outright at home to Miami (+14) and Cleveland (+13). We'll look for the Pacers to shake off their Game 1 debacle and play the Celtics tough again. 

Mavs/Wolves 8:30: This Dallas team is clearly a formidable foe. Ever since the acquisition of Washington, Gabbert and Lively II, the Mavericks became championship ready. However, Minnesota has grown tremendously themselves. Reid and McDaniels were the pieces the Wolves didn't have last year that made the difference this season. The defensive rotation by the Wolves has been tremendous at key intervals of the playoffs when it counted most. We'll look for the Wolves to get out of the gate strong in Game 1. 

Wolves/Nuggets 8:00: Nuggets were absolutely embarrassed in Game 6 blowout loss. Tonight, look for the heart of a champion to emerge as Jokic and Murray step up their game. And Porter Jr. , whose had three straight sluggish games, to turn it up a few notches. Nuggets the call. 

Pacers/Knicks 3:30: Like the toughness factor of this New York team. Looks like Hart (abdomen strain) and Anunoby (hamstring) will grit it out. They could easily sit it out like a number of injured NBA stars did this post-season; however, they're going to give it a go and that should fuel the rest of the team. McBride, Achiuwa, Burks have done a solid job in filling some of the void. We'll look for Brunson, Hartenstein and DiVincenzo to turn it up a few more notches today. Knicks the call.  

Thunder/Mavs 8:00: Joe for Giddey experiment went awry in Game 5. I wouldn't be surprised to see Giddey back in the starting lineup today. Thunder have done well in adjustments for most of the year and should make the right ones here. S.G.A. needs better support and should get it here. Look for the Thunder to force a Game 7. 

Analysis to follow...

Nuggets/Wolves 8:30: Dog has now covered 8 of the last 10 in this series. Wolves cooled off since those first two games. Jokic playing like a true MVP in the last 3 games and Wolves have no answer. Minnesota D.P.O.Y. - Gobert is not the answer to stop Joker. Big K.A.T. could get the assignment. And Porter, who hasn't played well in the last two games, overdue for a big game. That would be added gravy to a team that's playing extremely well, including Braun off the bench. 

Analysis to follow...

Wolves/Nuggets 10:30: Nuggets showed the heart of a champion bouncing back after two straight losses on their home floor. And Porter only had 4 points in Game 4 while Braun and Holiday picked up some of the bench work. That's a good sign going back on their home floor. Murray is back to his clutch self and Jokic is now locked in - MVP form. Wolves better off having Big K.A.T. at Center than Gobert. We'll look for the Nuggets to deliver in the pivotal Game 5.

Pacers/Knicks 8:00: Knicks' players dropping like flies. Anunoby, Bogdanovic, Robinson all out - again! But New York not using it as an excuse with "next man up" mentality. McBride, Burks, Achiuwa have all shown ability to come off the bench and do some good things on both ends of the floor. We'll look for the toughness of New York to play a factor in delivering the pivotal Game 5 win tonight!

Thunder/Mavericks 9:30: P.J. Washington killing it from the corner as Thunder continued to leave him open in this series. He's a key component along with Doncic and Irving and the Thunder have to come up with an effective plan against him for Game 4. Daigneault, 2024 Coach of the Year, should push the right buttons here. 

Celtics/Cavs 7:00: Mitchell doing everything he can to keep Cleveland in this one; however, no consistency from his supporting cast. The Cavaliers could really use Jarrett Allen (ribs) but he's focused on career longevity - which is the trendy thing to do nowadays in the NBA. Boston, meanwhile, most always has someone stepping up. In Game 3, White cooled off, but Tatum, Brown and Holiday went off. Boston continues to be dangerous on the road and we'll look for them to keep it rolling here with Mitchell hobbling on a bad knee. 

Nuggets/Wolves 8:00: Nuggets showed the heart of a champion in Game 3. They went into Minnesota and punched them in the mouth and put their foot on the throat. Today, the Wolves should counter effectively. They've shown throughout the regular season the ability to bounce back strong off a double-digit loss. Wolves have the depth to run Denver ragged. Look for more of Game 2 tempo from them here. 

Knicks/Pacers 3:30: Pacers had the opportunity in Game 3 to flat back the Knicks in Indiana but instead, let them hang around. Pacers' defense suspect and Knicks' Brunson, Hart and DiVincenzo carving it up. Despite the loss of Anunoby (hamstring), backup C Robinson (ankle) and sub sharpshooter - Bogdanovic, the Knicks keep penciling in the "next man up" mentality. Whether it be Burks, McBride or Achiuwa to spell relief for workhorse Hartenstein, the Knicks have the grit to get it done. We'll look for them to grind out a win here. 

Celtics/Cavaliers 8:30: Celtics surely have the capability to respond to adversity. They were menacing for most of the year on the road; however, they've had instances (3) where they've lost back-to-back games. And this venue hasn't been profitable for them. They've lost 4 SU at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Cavaliers' Donovan Mitchell putting the team on his back and delivering. And finally, his supporting cast is stepping up. It will be a big boost if Jarret Allen (ribs) could play but we won't count on it. Take the points. 

Thunder/Mavericks 3:30: Thunder have covered 7 of the last 10 in this series. Mavericks' Washington and Hardaway helped Doncic tremendously with a big game Thursday night. I don't see Hardaway and Washington putting up those numbers tonight. OKC great at making adjustments and should be able to convert those buckets those easy attempts around the rim that didn't fall on Thursday. S.G.A. should get more support tonight. Thunder the call.