The Miami Heat have already eliminated the Philadelphia 76ers from the playoffs, which means that James Harden has now gone out in the second round of the playoffs three years in a row, and the 76ers have to decide whether he is part of their plan going forward. The other three conference semifinal series are all still in play, with two Game 6s set for Friday night. Boston visits Milwaukee after letting a 2-1 series lead turn into a 3-2 deficit, blowing a comeback in Game 4 and then giving away a 14-point fourth-quarter lead in Game 5. Memphis visits Golden State down 3-2 after beating the Warriors by 39 at home in Game 5 without Ja Morant. Dallas and Phoenix are tied at three games apiece after the Mavericks held the Suns to a season-low 86 points at home in Game 6. If Memphis can win at Golden State, that Game 7 would come Monday, while Dallas is scheduled to play in Phoenix on Sunday. If Boston can force a Game 7, they would also play Sunday. Let’s take a look at your best NBA betting picks for Dallas-Phoenix and discuss whether Boston can force Game 7.
NBA News: Playoff Preview (May 15)
Dallas Mavericks at Phoenix Suns, Game 7 (Time TBA)
Series tied, 3-3
The six games so far in this series have been extremely different, depending on the location. Phoenix has blown the doors off Dallas in the three games in the desert, while the Mavericks have routed the Suns three times in Texas. The difference has been the play of the role contributors for both teams – and the defensive intensity. The Mavericks only had nine assists in Game 5, the first time in six years that a team posted fewer than 10 assists in a postseason game. However, the Mavericks forced 22 turnovers, including 16 steals, in a 113-86 win in Game 6. Luka Doncic put up 33 points, 11 boards, eight assists and four steals, playing just 35 minutes.
This means that several questions arise for Game 7. Shooters like Spencer Dinwiddie, Reggie Bullock, Dorian Finney-Smith and Maxi Kleber all knocked down multiple three-pointers in Game 6 – as well as in Games 3 and 4. In the games in Phoenix, though, they have been ice-cold. The Dallas defense has been ferocious in all three games at home, but in the second half in Phoenix, the Suns have been able to wear down the Mavericks’ defenses. I expect Game 7 to be closer than any of the first six, because of the desperation that both teams will face. However, the Mavericks’ road shooting woes in Phoenix will prove decisive.
Final Score Prediction:
Phoenix 110, Dallas 108
Milwaukee Bucks at Boston Celtics, Game 7 (3:30 pm ET, ABC) (if necessary)
Milwaukee leads, 3-2
The problem for Boston going into Game 6 in Milwaukee is that the Bucks have solved the Celtics’ defense. The defense has been the Celtics’ strength since the calendar turned to 2022 and was terrific in Boston’s first-round sweep of Brooklyn. However, Milwaukee shattered that defense in the fourth quarter of Game 5, hanging 41 points on Boston. It didn’t help that Marcus Smart turned the ball over twice in the last 30 seconds and that Boston’s rebounding effort was subpar without Robert Williams III (knee) on the floor.
Boston has bounced back in similar situations, and I expect adjustments in the Celtics’ defensive game plan. Milwaukee has shown its championship mettle the past two games, though, and I see the Bucks ending this series on Friday.
Final Score Prediction:
Milwaukee 104, Boston 101
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