The 2021 NBA Playoffs are in full swing! With just the 2 games on the agenda today, we have had plenty of time this morning to research the fixtures in depth and bring you the absolute best predictions. Have a read below for all our NBA picks.
Atlanta Hawks @ Philadelphia 76ers (Game 2) – 7:30pm EDT
The Atlanta Hawks will look to build on their upset victory in Game and go 2-0 up against the Philadelphia 76ers who were highly favoured to progress to the Eastern Conference Finals. Meanwhile, Philadelphia will be desperate to notch their first win of the series and avoid heading to Atlanta down 2-0.
The Hawks were impressive in Game 1 of the series where they secured a 128-124 win on the road. Trae Young continued his incredibly strong postseason form with 35 points and 10 assists.
If the Hawks are to register another upset road win another big performance from Trae is a must. Bogdan Bogdanovic also performed well putting up 21 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds. John Collins finished with 21 points.
.@thetraeyoung isn’t letting up! He recorded 35 PTS, 10 AST & 2 REB in Game 1 against the Sixers.
🎥Presented by @KumhoTireUSA pic.twitter.com/ImuZWmybHF
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) June 7, 2021
Joel Embiid was the leading light for the 76ers in the loss, pouring in 39 points. Ben Simmons also contributed with 17 points and 10 assists. However, Simmons was again wasteful from the free throw line going 3-10. The Hawks will likely continue to foul Simmons to exploit this weakness which could hurt Philadelphia in a tight game.
Seth Curry and Tobias Harris put up 21 and 20 points respectively. While they didn’t manage a win the 76ers will take some confidence from Game 1 after almost completing an extraordinary comeback. If Philadelphia can take this momentum into Game 2 they should be able to square the series at 1-1.
NBA Pick – Philadelphia 76ers (- 225)
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Los Angeles Clippers @ Utah Jazz (Game 1) – 10pm EDT
The Los Angeles Clippers will travel to face the Utah Jazz in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. The Clippers will look to keep their momentum going after coming from 2-3 down in last round’s series to get over the Mavericks.
The Jazz, who have been able to rest after seeing off the Grizzlies in 5 games, will hope they can translate this advantage into a 1-0 series lead. The Clippers will enter Game 2 with confidence having seen off the Mavericks in a 7 game series where they won 4 of the last 5 games.
That stretch also included 3 wins on the road which should further bolster the Clippers hopes going into a series where Utah has home court advantage.
Kawhi Leonard again starred for the Clippers in their 126-111 Game 7 win, putting up 28 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists. This followed a dominant series saving performance in Game 6 that saw Kawhi explode for 45 points.
He looms as the danger man for Utah. Paul George was also influential in Game 7 with 22 points and 10 assists. Marcus Morris supported the Clippers superstar duo with 23 points including 7 3-pointers.
Four straight wins scoring 120 points in each game in a single series?
That’s an NBA postseason first.#TimeToLearn | @WGU pic.twitter.com/Wjq1xxPYHY
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) June 4, 2021
After losing the first game of their series against the Grizzlies the Jazz responded strongly to win 4 straight games and advance to the semifinal round.
The Jazz closed out the series with a 126-110 win in Game 5. Donovan Mitchell was impressive, posting 30 points and 10 assists. Jordan Clarkson and Rudy Gobert both contributed strongly finishing with 24 and 23 points respectively.
The Jazz have had the edge over the Clippers this season having won two of the three regular season meetings. The Clippers will be without Serge Ibaka due to a back injury while the Jazz will be sweating on the fitness of Mick Conley after a hamstring complaint forced him out of Game 5 against the Grizzlies.
NBA Pick – Utah Jazz (- 162)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
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