After thrilling the live betting crowd in the first round, the Cavaliers, Celtics, Raptors and Wizards will now look to keep online gambling heated as they head to the Eastern Conference’s semi-finals.
There are still some unfinished businesses from the Top 4 East franchises, but all of it will be settled as they try to show betting websites which one is the real team to beat.
Washington Wizards @ Boston Celtics (May 1, 01:00 GMT+8)
If there’s one thing we proved (again) in the Wizards’ first round victory over the Hawks, it is the fact that they still don’t have depth beyond their starting unit – a fatal flaw which I expect to be fully exposed in this series with Boston.
The Celtics have been thriving since Brad Stevens shifted to a small ball lineup where all starters can shoot the three. It remains to be seen if it will work against Washington, but they are still a far better team after showing that they are not just about Isaiah Thomas.
If you’re punting, the Celts -5.00 @ 2.02 sounds like a steal.
Toronto Raptors @ Cleveland Cavaliers (May 2, 07:00 GMT+8)
Any team with a player named LeBron James is expected to dominate. We have seen what LeBron can do as he single-handedly carried the Cavs and crushed Indiana while breaking records on the way.
Toronto are also a scary team offensively especially when DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka are clicking, though it’s not encouraging that they had a 25-point defensive collapse in Game 6 against Milwaukee.
I personally don’t think that this match will be close with Cleveland playing on a mission, so go for the Cavs -6.50 @ 1.88.
Houston Rockets @ San Antonio Spurs (May 2, 09:30 GMT+8)
A lot of fans are looking forward to an intense Texas showdown between the two MVP candidates, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. However, I won’t put my hopes up if I were you.
While Leonard is continuously making his case as the league’s best two-way player, Harden has noticeably regressed in the past few games. He was particularly inefficient in Houston’s last two matches, shooting only 32 percent on both occasions.
Sure enough, with their key man slumping, the Rockets will need their reserves to step up if they want to win, but I don’t see that happening against the team that boasts the NBA‘s best defence.
Not to mention that they defeated the Spurs just once in four tries. With that said, pick San Antonio -5.00 @ 1.85.
Utah Jazz @ LA Clippers (May 1, 03:30 GMT+8)
The Clips have won Game 6, thanks to a balanced offence and brilliant contribution from their bench unit. Nonetheless, as a team known for choking in crucial matches, pundits are not favouring them to win, even at Staples Center.
Utah struggled shooting from deep the last time out; but with Gordon Hayward, Rudy Gobert and George Hill staying in excellent form, they should still be able to close out the series and move to the next round.
Another thriller is on the books, though I think the Clips will feel the absence of Blake Griffin this time. Hence, choosing the Jazz +4.00 @ 1.87 appears to be the best move.
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
