FREE NBA PLAYOFF PICKS
*These NBA Playoff picks and research are done the previous game day evening, adjust your selections accordingly should spreads and lineups change.
DP’S PLAYER PROP
SEASON RECORD: 64-40
HOUSTON VS LA LAKERS
Like we have seen over many playoff campaigns, Eric Gordon is the X-factor that keeps on delivering for the Houston Rockets.
EG has now totaled 20+ points in his past three outings (which includes a Game 7 against the Thunder) at +50% on the floor across this stretch.
It took the energetic, bouncy two-guard some time to wind up (after suffering an ankle injury during the scrimmage games) but at full health – Gordon gets the go-ahead whilst Harden continues to be doubled.
With the series tied at 1-1, I expect Gordon to log heavy minutes again and take a plethora of shots.
DP’S PICK – ERIC GORDON OVER 17.5 POINTS
MILWAUKEE VS MIAMI
MIAMI LEAD 3-1
PLAYER BETTING TRENDS
- Goran Dragic has 20+ points in 6 of the Heat’s last 7 games in the Bubble. (19.5)
- Jae Crowder has 15+ points in 6 of his last 7 games against the Bucks. (11.5)
- Khris Middleton has 7+ assists in 4 of the Bucks’ last 5 games. (5.5)
- Eric Bledsoe has 7+ rebounds in 3 of his last 4 games against the Heat. (5.5)
- Bam Adebayo has 16+ rebounds in 3 of the Heat’s last 4 games in the Bubble. (11.5)
- Bam Adebayo has 20+ points in the Heat’s last two games. (15.5)
() = BOOKIE LINE
TREND BET
MIAMI
- 7-1 ATS in last 8 games vs teams above .600.
- 5-1 ATS in last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
- 20-8 ATS in last 28 playoff games as a favorite.
- 7-1 ATS in last 8 games overall.
MILWAUKEE
- 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs teams above .600.
- 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs teams above .500.
- 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog.
- 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
MATCHUP
- Heat are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
TREND BET – MIAMI -2.5
*Strongest trend bet of the night. If trends are your thing, this is your pick.
MATCHUP TRENDS
- Heat are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
SEASON SERIES
| GAME 4 | MIA | MIL | 115 : 118 (107 : 107) |
| GAME 3 | MIA | MIL | 115 : 100 |
| GAME 2 | MIL | MIA | 114 : 116 |
| GAME 1 | MIL | MIA | 104 : 115 |
| 07.08.20 | MIL | MIA | 130 : 116 |
| 03.03.20 | MIA | MIL | 105 : 89 |
| 27.10.19 | MIL | MIA | 126 : 131 (121 : 121) |
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| MIA | 44 | 29 | 29-7 | 15-22 |
| MIL | 56 | 17 | 30-5 | 26-12 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | AV. TOT |
| MIA | 112.0 | 109.1 | +2.9 | 221.1 |
| MIL | 118.7 | 108.6 | +10.1 | 227.3 |
PICKS ATS
| Spread | Points | Result |
| MIA | OVER | MIA |
| -2.5 | 217.5 | 103-94 |
No team has never come back from a 3-0 playoff series deficit to win, however after a gutsy 118-115 OT win in Game 4, largely without Giannis (rolled ankle), the Bucks still have a glimmer of hope.
After scoring 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting on a sprained right ankle in 11 first-half minutes of Game 4, Giannis again rolled his ankle while driving early in the 2nd quarter. He did not return to the game and left the arena in a walking boot.
Without Giannis, Khris Middleton stepped up, adding 36 points, including a contested 3-pointer with 6.4 seconds remaining in OT to ice the win.
The short -2.5 line is too good to pass up with the Greak Freak unlikely. If he does play, he’ll struggle further in a series that has already kept him in check.
PICK – MIAMI -2.5
HOUSTON VS LA LAKERS
SERIES TIED 1-1
PLAYER BETTING TRENDS
- Russell Westbrook has 8+ rebounds in his last 7 games against the Lakers. (7.5)
- P.J. Tucker has 2+ three-pointers in the Rockets’ last 6 playoff games as underdogs. (1.5)
- Eric Gordon has 19+ points in the Rockets’ last 5 playoff games as underdogs. (17.5)
- Robert Covington has 14+ points in 5 of the Rockets’ last 6 games. (10.5)
- Kyle Kuzma has 13+ points in 9 of his 12 previous games against the Rockets. (12.5)
- James Harden has 34+ points in 9 of the Rockets’ last 13 games against the Lakers. (30.5)
() = BOOKIE LINE
SEASON SERIES
| GAME 2 | LAL | HOU | 117 : 109 |
| GAME 1 | LAL | HOU | 97 : 112 |
| 07.08.20 | HOU | LAL | 113 : 97 |
| 07.02.20 | LAL | HOU | 111 : 121 |
| 19.01.20 | HOU | LAL | 115 : 124 |
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| LAL | 52 | 19 | 25-10 | 27-9 |
| HOU | 44 | 28 | 24-12 | 20-16 |
SEASON POINTS +/-
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | AV. TOT |
| LAL | 113.4 | 107.6 | +5.8 | 221.0 |
| HOU | 117.8 | 114.8 | +3.0 | 232.6 |
PICKS ATS
| Spread | Points | Result |
| HOU | OVER | LAL |
| +5.5 | 223.5 | 112-102 |
Westbrook has been nothing short of a shit-show so far in this Series. Never before have we seen a man run so fast with the ball, and have absolutely no idea what to do with it.
“Right now I’m just running around,” Westbrook said after the Rockets’ 117-109 Game 2 loss. “I’ve got to look at film and figure out how to be effective.”
Instead of attacking the basket, Westbrook settled for three-point jumpers, going 1 for 7 with the Lakers baiting him into shots that he should never be taking.
The Lakers re-establishing their identity, posting wins over the Rockets on the glass (41-35), transition points (20-6) and points in the paint (54-26).
DP’s Player Prop perhaps the better pick in this one.
PICK – OVER 223.5 TOTAL POINTS
