The first round of the 2022 NBA playoffs is underway, and we’ve already seen drama in several series. Kyrie Irving flipped Boston fans the double bird in Brooklyn’s one-point loss to the Celtics in Game 1, letting his former fans know that he would not take any of their displeasure. Minnesota went to Memphis and delivered a 13-point upset win over the Grizzlies in Game 1 behind 36 points from Anthony Edwards and a dominant effort in the paint from Karl-Anthony Towns. Dallas is tied with Utah, 1-1, after coming back from a double-digit deficit behind 41 points from Jalen Brunson and eight three-pointers from Maxi Kleber to win by six in Game 2 on Monday. Let’s take a look at Tuesday’s Game 2 matchups with our NBA betting predictions.
NBA News: Playoff Preview for April 19 Games
Atlanta Hawks (+7) at Miami Heat (O/U 219) (7:30 pm ET, TNT)
The Hawks did not draw much momentum from their play-in success in Game 1 in Miami on Sunday, as they were routed by the Miami Heat, 115-91. Duncan Robinson dominated the game, coming off the bench for Miami with 27 points, shooting 9 of 10 overall and 8 of 9 from behind the arc. The Heat defense limited the Hawks to just 38.7% shooting overall and 27.8% from behind the arc. Trae Young only had eight points, making just 1 of 12 shots and bricking all seven of his three-point attempts.
Miami shot 52.4% overall and 47.4% from three-point land. Atlanta did force 15 turnovers but had a hard time turning those into second-chance points. It was clear that the Hawks had some fatigue after having to win two games in two days, traveling from Atlanta to Cleveland and then down to Miami, while the Heat had benefited from a week of rest. I think the Hawks play much better in Game 2; an interesting pick has to do with the point total. In the regular season, the teams produced 206, 242, 218, and 203 points in four matchups; in Game 1, they produced 206 again. While the Hawks will be better on both ends of the floor, I like the “under” more than I like dealing with that spread.
Final Score Prediction: Atlanta 106, Miami 104Minnesota Timberwolves (+6.5) at Memphis Grizzlies (240.5) (8:30 pm ET, NBA TV)
The Timberwolves provided the most shocking outcome in Game 1, hanging 130 points on a Memphis team that has prided itself on smothering defense. Anthony Edwards put up 36 points, six boards and two assists in his playoff debut. That defense is what Memphis needs to fix first, as the Timberwolves shot 50% overall and 39% from three-point range. Memphis shot 45.3% from the floor, a respectable total, but they only made 25.9% of their shots from three-point distance.
A focus for the Grizzlies has to be Malik Beasley, who came off the bench for Minnesota to make play after play. All season long, though, Memphis has built a reputation for responsible defense, and while they got away from that in the opener, I expect they will get back to it. The point total seems high, but the teams generated 247 points in the opener. However, in the regular season, they went over 240 points just one time. For this matchup, though, I like the point spread play more, as I see the Grizzlies bouncing back.
Final Score Prediction: Memphis 118, Minnesota 108
New Orleans Pelicans (+9.5) at Phoenix Suns (221.5) (10:00 pm ET, TNT)
The New Orleans Pelicans shocked the L.A. Clippers to emerge from the play-in tournament, but they lost in Phoenix on Sunday, losing to the Suns by 11 in the series opener. Chris Paul had a double-double for the Suns, turning back the clock to put up 30 points and 10 assists, along with seven boards. This looked like another example of a tired team playing a rested team, as Phoenix jumped out to a quick 12-point lead and did not look back. The Pelicans outscored the Suns by 11 in the third, but they could not make the comeback stick; Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum simply did not have the legs to get their perimeter shots in down the stretch.
For Phoenix, Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton combined for 76 out of the 110 points the team scored. It’s worth noting that New Orleans is 1-7 against the spread when the point spread is 8-11 points, but I also see the Pelicans having fresher legs after the off day. The Suns should bring smothering defense again, but the Pelicans also have a feisty D. The point total seems in balance, so I’m going to put money on the point spread.
Final Score Prediction: Phoenix 111, New Orleans 106
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