The Los Angeles Clippers head back to Phoenix on the brink of elimination, as the Suns won Game 4 at the Staples Center on Saturday. Kawhi Leonard’s continued absence with a knee injury has kept the Clippers from being able to respond, and now they would have to win three straight to get to the NBA Finals. In the East, Milwaukee got a huge game out of Khris Middleton in Game 3 down in Atlanta and has a chance to take a 3-1 lead in Game 4, with two of the last three games, if necessary, coming at home.
Let’s look at both of these series as you think about how to start your week’s online NBA betting.
NBA News: Conference Final Games (June 28-29)
Monday, June 28
Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns
Game 5 (9:00 pm ET, ESPN) | Suns lead, 3-1
Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals saw both side’s shooters showing signs of exhaustion, as no one could make a shot. The Clippers were clanking free throws on purpose so that they could get the offensive board and then kick it out for a three-ball. Devin Booker scored 25 points for the Suns in an 84-80 slugfest, but he would foul out in the last minute of the game. In the third quarter, the Clippers’ shooting briefly came on as they went 10 of 17, and they pulled within one point four different times in the fourth, but they could not get over the hill. As a team, the Clippers shot 32%, while the Suns shot 36%. The teams combined for just nine three-pointers.
For Phoenix, Deandre Ayton also contributed 19 points and 22 boards, a career postseason best. Chris Paul had 18 points and seven assists. Paul George put up 23 points, 16 boards and six assists. Ivica Zubac came alive, with 13 points and 14 boards, and Reggie Jackson scored 20 points. In the last quarter, the Suns outscored the Clippers, 15-14, as the fatigued offenses combined for just 29 points. I expect both offenses to show back up in Phoenix, and I also expect the Clippers to show up desperate, but I don’t think it will be enough.
Final Prediction:
Suns 114, Clippers 110
Tuesday, June 29
Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks
Game 4 (8:30 pm ET, TNT) | Bucks lead, 2-1
Ask Luka Doncic or Julius Randle how nice it would be to have a sidekick who is also capable of taking over games when the team’s superstar isn’t firing on all cylinders. In Game 3 of their series with Atlanta, when Giannis Antetokounmpo couldn’t carry the Bucks, it was Khris Middleton who showed up, scoring 38 points on the night, including 20 in the fourth quarter. Trae Young had 35 for the Hawks but stepped on a referee’s foot late in the third period and rolled his right ankle, which slowed him in the fourth period.
Ten of Middleton’s 20-point fourth-period outburst came during a decisive run that helped the Bucks take the lead, as they turned a 95-88 deficit into a 103-98 lead. Atlanta led by as many as 13 points in the first half, but then Antetokounmpo found his shot, with 11 points in the second period, as Milwaukee came back to tie the game at 56. The Hawks did lead the game by two at the end of the third, but then Middleton outscored Atlanta all by himself in the fourth, as the Hawks only put up 17. As high of a ceiling as Milwaukee has shown, it will be tough for Atlanta to get to the NBA Finals, but they should bounce back to take Game 4 at home.
Final Prediction:
Hawks 122, Bucks 119
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