Milwaukee Bucks-Brooklyn Nets

Over/Under: 237

Spread: BKN -1

Game 2

After losing James Harden 1 minute into the first game of the Bucks-Nets series, the Nets were able to keep up the offensive pace to defeat the Bucks after strong scoring efforts from Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving . Two unsung heroes for the Nets were Blake Griffin and Mike James . The Bucks poor three-point shooting in game one got the best of them, but both Giannis Antetokonmpo and Khris Middleton posted double-doubles. With Donte DiVincenzo out, both Pat Connaughton and Bryn Forbes hit the 20-minute mark.

Injuries:

*James Harden -Out

*Jeff Green - Out

*Donte DiVincenzo - Out

Player Breakdown:

Kyrie Irving – James Harden being out of the mix will allow Irving to run the point more and just like we saw in game one, he should have a higher assist-ceiling heading into this game. He should be playing at least 40 minutes in this game and he not only dished 8 dimes, but he also took 26 shots. Irving should absolutely be in that range again and let’s not forget that he’ll also grab boards and steals. If he shoot a little bit better from beyond the arc this game, he should score 30 actual points without Harden being present. Irving is sub-10K on both FanDuel and DraftKings. The Bucks were middle of the road at defending Point Guards this season.

Kevin Durant – Durant grabbed 10 rebounds to go along with scoring 29 points and because of the Nets lack of skill in the post, Durant will have to constantly be contesting for boards. Durant has also recorded four multi-block games in his last five contests. Durant continues to shoot well, especially from inside the arc. Durant has shot at least 48 percent from the field in each of his last five games. Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo were both very productive against each other and similar production is to be expected in game two.

Giannis Antetokounmpo – The Nets lack of size will haunt them in the form of “The Greek Freak” throughout this series. Antetokounmpo shot over 66 percent from the floor and dropped 34 points on the Nets. The Nets don’t really play Nicolas Claxton and DeAndre Jordan and even if they did, neither could keep up with Antetokounmpo. He grabbed double-digit boards in all but one game in the playoffs. He even blocked multiple shots in his last two outings. The Nets seem to be taking the approach of “Giannis will do Giannis things, and let’s shift focus on other players and limit them.” That has to be the only explanation as to why the Nets aren’t throwing big bodies at Antetokounmpo. He’ll continue having his way in the lane.

Blake Griffin – Griffin started the first game in this series and was able to secure a double-double and play 35 minutes. As long as the game stay’s competitive (which it should), Griffin should be set up to take a few more shots. He gets a lot more love in the rotation than any other big man not named Kevin Durant . Jeff Green being out also works in Griffin’s favor and that should keep his minutes high. Griffin was used as a bailout option for the most part on offense last game. He’ll be set up to take three’s if Joe Harris isn’t open. Antetokounmpo will be keeping an eye on Durant and Brook Lopez isn’t good at moving quickly outside of the paint and that should give him high-percentage shots from long-range.

Mike James – When looking at this game, James is a very cheap value on both FanDuel (4800) and DraftKings (3300). He took 11 shots last game and played 30 minutes. Let’s not forget that he grabbed seven rebounds as well and that should help keep his minutes above 20 once again with Harden out of the lineup James wasn’t only used as a bailout option as he took 7 field goals inside the arc. He’ll get a few opportunities with the Nets second unit

 

Denver Nuggets-Phoenix Suns

Over/Under: 221.5

Spread: PHX -5

Game 1

A lot of people are surprised that one if not both of these team’s made it past their first round match ups. Yes, Anthony Davis got hurt, but, the Suns were able to still hold a LeBron James -led Lakers team under 110 points in every first-round game. The Nuggets got what they needed out of their star (and hopefully future MVP) Nikola Jokic and his dominant scoring and despite how much better Portland was defensively down the stretch, Denver’s depth was able to break through despite having multiple players still hurt.

Injuries:

*Will Barton

* PJ Dozier

Player Breakdown:

Nikola Jokic – If the Nuggets are going to pull the upset in this series, Jokic will have to continue to carry them. The guy scored 36 or more points in 4 of his last 5 games. In tight games, he will hit the 40-minute mark and he’s even grabbed 11 rebounds in 2 of his last 4 games. Deandre Ayton will have a tough as nails assignment, but he’s been one of the more impactful centers defensively. Expect Jokic to take at least 20 shots in tonight’s game and he’ll likely test Ayton’s legs early and fire away at the arc to see if he can keep up with him beyond the paint.

Devin Booker – As Chris Paul ’s Shoulder continues to recover, Devin Booker should continue to see more shots and he should be taking 18-22 for this game. Remember, Will Barton is still out and Booker should have an easier time creating space for himself. Booker is coming off of a 47-point performance and he scored 30 or more points 4 of the 6 games versus the Lakers. Booker has been hot shooting from the field, shooting 56.5 percent or better in his last 2 games. Booker being sub-9K on both FanDuel and DraftKings makes him a very appealing play even though Denver will do all they can to take him out of the game.

Michael Porter Jr. – I’m a bit worried about Porter heading into this series because he will draw either Mikal Bridges or Jae Crowder and both are very staunch defenders. Porter did score 26 points in his last 2 games, but that was in a different series. Phoenix has thrived on controlling the pace of play and their defense and Porter will have constant traffic in the lane when driving and I’m worried that he’ll take lower-percentage shots from the arc and not get as many good looks. If Porter isn’t going to score a lot, he’ll need to grab rebounds and he didn’t do a great job of that against the Blazers.

Chris Paul – Is Paul’s Shoulder 100 percent? Nope! This is a situation we have to be careful with because he is having trouble extending on his shots and he’s abandoning shooting from the arc. He’s played 29 minutes dishing 9 or more dimes in 2 of his last 3 games. If he’s not going to take shots, Paul must help produce in other ways. After tonight, we should have a better idea as to how the shots will be divided among the Suns guards.

Monte Morris – Morris has played a huge role since returning from injury and he has been getting more minutes and shots and with Barton and Dozier still out, Facundo Campazzo needs help and Morris has played 33-plus minutes in his last 2 contests. He’s taken at least 16 shots in both and he’s even shot 44 percent or better from downtown in each of his last four games. He’s also been productive at grabbing boards and steals and he’s produced five or more dimes in four of his last five games. He’ll continue to be prioritized with the Nuggets second unit. He has stolen the ball in all but one game since returning to the court.

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