The first round continues in the 2021 NBA postseason, with two Eastern Conference games and one Western Conference game on tap for May 26. Washington and Philadelphia start the night off, with the Wizards looking to swipe a game in the City of Brotherly Love and avoid heading home in a 2-0 hole. The Atlanta Hawks took a road win in Game 1 in New York City, as Trae Young nailed a late dagger, and the Knicks now look for the home split. The West’s top seed, the Utah Jazz, got shocked at home in their series opener by the Memphis Grizzlies, who rose from the ninth spot in the standings to take that eighth seed, and the Jazz also look to restore order in their series in Game 2.
Check out our thoughts on each game as you plan your NBA betting for the day.
NBA News: First Round Update (May 26)
Washington Wizards at Philadelphia 76ers, Game 2
(7:00 pm ET, NBA TV) | 76ers lead, 1-0
Get ready for the notion of a Big Three in Philadelphia as well, after Tobias Harris dropped 37 points on the Washington Wizards in the series opener on Sunday, a 125-118 win for the home team. Harris had 28 points in the first half alone, and without his contributions, the Wizards might have won anyway, despite the 76ers getting 30 points out of Joel Embiid.
For the Wizards, Bradley Beal scored 33 points, and Russell Westbrook chipped in 16, but neither one of these offensive powerhouses could dominate the game over a long enough stretch to give the Wizards a shot at the upset. Philadelphia struggled to find consistent offense from anyone else than Harris until a three-point avalanche late in the third period. Even so, Washington was just down five points with 45 seconds remaining in regulation. This was Philadelphia’s first win in a postseason game in two years. Washington is trying to become the first team with a losing record in the regular season to win a postseason series since 1987, when the Seattle SuperSonics pulled off the feat. But do they have a shot against Philadelphia, when they couldn’t get the upset on a night when Ben Simmons had just six points for the Sixers?
Final Prediction:
76ers 121, Wizards 116
Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks, Game 2
(7:30 pm ET, TNT) | Hawks lead, 1-0
Trae Young was the story of the night, dropping 32 points on the Knicks, along with 10 assists and seven boards. He knocked down a runner in the lane with 0.9 seconds left in regulation to deliver the 107-105 win. He was 9 of 9 from the free throw line. Bogdan Bogdanovic chipped in 18 points as the Hawks played in their first playoff contest since 2017.
For the Knicks, Julius Randle had an off night from the floor, going just 6 of 23. He had 15 points and 12 boards on the night. Alec Burks led the Knicks with 27 points, and Derrick Rose added 17. Randle has had two games with 40 or more points against the Hawks this season, and if he can get back on track, the Knicks should have this series even.
Final Prediction:
Knicks 108, Hawks 102
Memphis Grizzlies at Utah Jazz, Game 2
(10:00 pm ET, TNT) | Grizzlies lead, 1-0
The Grizzlies are an Eastern Conference team in their mindset, as they play a grinding style of physical defense that gives them opportunities in the transition game and frustrates opponents. That approach kept Utah from settling into a rhythm from outside in the game, as the Jazz missed 35 of 47 shots from downtown. When the Grizzlies had the ball, they rode Dillon Brooks’ 31 points and seven boards. That total gave him a franchise record for points by a Memphis player appearing in his first postseason game. Ja Morant chipped in 26 points, Jonas Valanciunas had 15 points and 12 boards, and Kyle Anderson added 14 points.
For the Jazz, Bojan Bogdanovic had 29 points, 20 of them in the fourth period. Mike Conley put up 22 points, 11 assists and six boards. Rudy Gobert had 15 boards and 11 points, and Derrick Favors had a dozen points and 11 rebounds. Bogdanovic knocked down five three throws in the last minute of regulation, but the Jazz couldn’t keep Brooks from making a layup at the other end, and the 112-109 margin held. The Jazz played passive defense all night long, and they will need to adjust for Game 2.
Final Prediction:
Jazz 111, Grizzlies 106
NBA Betting Odds
Love betting NBA basketball games? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NBA lines for all games for Regular Season, Playoffs, and the Finals.
