The injuries continue to mount in these NBA playoffs. Trae Young had to miss Game 4 for Atlanta with a sprained ankle, but the Hawks were still able to deliver a 110-88 rout of the Milwaukee Bucks, in large part because the Bucks lost Giannis Antetokounmpo with a hyperextended knee, and now Giannis is questionable for Game 5 back up in Milwaukee. The Los Angeles Clippers have pulled to within 3-2 of the Phoenix Suns in their series, although Kawhi Leonard remains out with a knee injury.
Let’s take a look at your best NBA betting choices for the next game in each series.
NBA News: Conference Final Games (June 30 – July 1)
Wednesday, June 30
Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Clippers
Game 6 (9:00 pm ET, ESPN) | Suns lead, 3-2
Paul George put the Clippers on his back once again in Game 4, scoring 41 points to set a new career high in the postseason. Reggie Jackson chipped in 23 points, as the Clippers ran away from the Suns on the road. In addition to Kawhi, the Clippers were also missing Ivica Zubac, who went down with an MCL sprain in his right knee. It was all about George on this night, though, as he had 20 points in the third quarter alone. He went 15 of 20 for the game, including 3 of 6 from behind the arc, and he pulled down 13 boards and dished out six assists. Marcus Morris Sr chipped in 22 points, going 9 of 16.
Phoenix fell behind by as many as 15 during the opening half but took a 62-61 lead on a Chris Paul jumper in the third. However, the Clippers went on a 10-0 run in response and started draining three-balls, and they led by 13 going into the fourth period. Devin Booker led Phoenix with 31 points, and Paul scored 22 points. Deandre Ayton added 10 points and 11 boards, but the Clippers were the aggressive team on the night, so Phoenix now has to respond.
Final Prediction:
Suns 114, Clippers 107
Thursday, July 1
Atlanta Hawks at Milwaukee Bucks
Game 5(8:30 pm ET, TNT) | Series tied, 2-2
Even without Trae Young, the Atlanta Hawks had no trouble filling the basket on Tuesday night. Lou Williams led the way to a 22-point rout of Milwaukee in Game 4, putting up 21 points. Bogdan Bogdanovic found his shot, scoring 20 points. Williams has long had a reputation of one of the best reserves in the NBA, and so he will have no problem starting for Atlanta in Young’s stead once again. Young suffered a bone bruise when he rolled his ankle on a referee’s foot during Game 3.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was not a factor even before he went down to injury, as his first half only saw six points, including a pair of airballs from the charity stripe. He did have eight points in the opening 4 ½ minutes of the third period, but then when Antetokounmpo went up to contest a Cliff Capela dunk, he landed awkwardly and had to leave the game. After that, Atlanta went on a 25-8 run to go into the fourth period up by 25. The fact that the Bucks only had 38 points in the first half had to be concerning, as Milwaukee came out with a decided lack of energy, apparently having decided that they were going to win easily. Khris Middleton followed up a 38-point performance in Game 3 with just 16 points in Game 4, going 6 of 17, including 0 for 7 from downtown. Can the Bucks bounce back on Thursday?
Final Prediction:
Hawks 112, Bucks 106
NBA Betting Odds
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