544 Nets +3 over Sixers
The Nets were able to do what they needed to by stealing home court advantage winning game 1 and giving themselves a great shot at winning the series. I picked the Nets to cover the spread in game 2 and it was a 1 point game at halftime but one thing I underestimated was the absence of Ed Davis. Davis is very important for the Nets on both ends of the court and it showed as the Nets gave up 145 points and 62 points in the paint. He’ll be back for game 3 and the defense should improve. Another big factor is D’Angelo Russell. Russell got off to a slow start in game 1 but picked it up in the 2nd half but only shot 37% in game 2 but Russell in the 2 games vs the Sixers at home in the regular season averaged 29.5 PPG 5 RPG and 7 APG on 53% FG and 25% 3-pt FG. Spencer Dinwiddie has been great in the first 2 games and I expect that to continue (2 games at home in reg season vs the Sixers 21.5 PPG 6 APG on 60% FG and 85.7% 3-pt FG). Usually in the playoffs teams don’t need extra motivation because they’re trying their hardest to win and advance but with the disrespect Joel Embiid showed towards elbowing Jarret Allen expect the Nets to play a little more harder than usual.
546 Spurs -3.5 over Nuggets
Spurs were able to still a game a take home court advantage and they were 12 minutes away from taking a 2-0 series lead coming back to San Antonio but Jamal Murray erupted in the 4th quarter but I don’t expect that to happen again. The Nuggets were not that great of a road team during the regular season (20-21 straight up and 17-24 ATS on the road) and now they’re headed to San Antonio, one of the most experienced playoff teams (22 straight playoff appearances) with only one player in their rotation with playoff experience in Paul Milsap. Look for the Spurs top 2 players LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan to play even better and have big games back in San Antonio (DeRozan in 2 reg. season games vs Nuggets at home 27.5 PPG 6 RPG 6 APG on 55.6% FG. Aldridge in 2 reg. season games vs Nuggets at home 24.5 PPG 6 RPG on 61.1% FG).