Three NBA Game 6 Playoff Predictions

Three games tonight that will decide which team passes to the semifinals. Plenty of unexpected twists and turns and a whole lot of action to come, make tonight’s games the perfect opportunity to make some money betting on the NBA. 

Toronto Raptors vs Indiana Pacers

• Time: Friday, April 29, 2016 7:30 PM ET
• Place: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
• Betting Odds: Indiana -1.5
• Total: 194

Bet on the Raptors

The Raptors kicked into high gear in game 5 and DeMar DeRozan smoked the Pacers to the tune of 34 points. Over and over again DeRozan took it to the basket, getting calls and going to the line thirteen times of which he hit 12.

But it wasn’t only DeRozan that stepped up, the entire Raptor bench was inspired and Bismack Biyombo Norman Powell and Cory Joseph came off with a combined 28 points along with 23 boards to boot.

They’ll need the same level of intensity in tonight’s game to make it through to the next round. Hopefully, they’ll also have Kyle Lowry adding his own contribution which should only add to their chances at defeating Indiana on their home court.

As far as defense is concerned, the Raptors will need to do a better job at containing Paul George, who will be itching to take advantage of playing in Indiana and feeding off the crowd’s intensity. DeMarre Carroll should however be able to contain George if he picks up his game.

Bet on the Pacers

Though the Pacers played a good game, they weren’t able to close and paid a dear price for it. Indiana was only able to put a total of nine points in the fourth quarter, while committing six turnovers that eventually lost them the game.

However, they’re heading back home and this should give them a morale boost from the crowd. They need to get over the loss and get the job done tonight.

Paul George must play at his best and he needs to make his statement tonight. Although George is one of the best forwards in the league right now, he needs to fire up his team to shut down the Raptors. George cannot this alone and Indiana will need the whole team to contribute for a win.

If they can play equally as well as in game 5 for the entire time, they should be able to gt the victory.

Betting Trends

• Toronto is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 6 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games on the road
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games when playing Toronto
• Indiana is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 games when playing at home against Toronto
• Indiana is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto

Game Predictions: George will explode tonight and he’ll show everyone why he’s one of the best players in the NBA right now. Even if the Pacers lost the last game, George still put up 39 points with 8 boards and 8 dimes. The bench will take a cue from George and also come alive. Pacers win.

Los Angeles Clippers vs Portland Trail Blazers

Bet on the Clippers

Without Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, the Clippers have gone from hot to just about freezing and now have a rocky road ahead of them in game 6.

Though J.J. Redick and Jamal Crawford are no Paul and Griffin, they’ll have to find it in themselves to make due. In game 5 the managed to put up a combined 36 points, which still wasn’t enough to lose that game. So, this means that Austin Rivers and Jeff Green will also have to step up in order for the Clippers to win tonight.

All this is to say that Los Angeles is on the edge and close to falling over. To win, they’ll need the entire team to come together both on offense and defense. Speaking of defense, DeAndre Jordan will need to do a better job at closing the lanes to prevent the Trail Blazers from putting up points from within the paint.

Bet on the Trail Blazers

Playing on their home court tonight, gives the Trail Blazers a clear advantage. A win tonight means a pass to the next round and Portland will do anything it takes to accomplish this.

Again, it falls on the shoulders of C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard to take this team to victory. In game 5, the duo put up a combined 49 points. And, both players are even better on their home court.

The Trail Blazers have a great shot at winning tonight, with Lillard and McCollum playing well, it should fire up the rest of team to get the job done.

Betting Trends

• LA Clippers is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
• LA Clippers is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games
• LA Clippers is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Portland's last 6 games when playing LA Clippers
• Portland is 12-5 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Portland's last 6 games when playing at home against LA Clippers

Game Predictions: The Clippers are hobbled without Griffin and Paul. Playing at Moda Center will prove too much for Los Angeles to overcome without their star players. Lillard and McCollum will be fired up and this will bleed into the rest of the team. Portland passes to the next phase.

Miami Heat vs Charlotte Hornets

• Time: Friday, April 29, 2016 8:00 PM ET
• Place: Time Warner Cable Arena
• Betting Odds: Charlotte -1.5
• Total: 191.5

Bet on the Heat

It had to be crushing for the Heat to have lost by 2 points on their home court in game 5. It has to be even worse to see their 0-2 series lead puff away and to now find themselves one game away from packing things up and going home.

Though the Heat led in the first two games, which made it seem like the series were easy pickings, the Hornets figured them out and shut down Miami’s offense.

The Heat has lost its edge in scoring, shooting only 23 of 68 through games 3 and 5. This puts tremendous pressure on Wade to come up with points and although Wade can take the offense on his shoulders, he can’t be expected to do everything.

However, if the Heat are to win, that’s exactly what Wade will have to do in hopes of firing up the team to get to scoring points. Luol Deng and Hasan Whiteside will have to dust themselves off and get to business. The same for Goran Dragic and Joe Johnson. The Heat should focus on scoring in the paint, where Dwyane Wade, Goran Dragic, Hassan Whiteside and Luol Deng can dominate. They should also attempt of getting into a flow early, capitalizing on fast-break opportunities that Charlotte tends to be soft against.

This is it, it’s down to this game and it’s done.

Bet on the Hornets

The Hornets are now in control of their destiny, after having won on Wednesday in one of the most exciting game so far in this series. The momentum is clearly on Charlotte’s side, as they somehow managed to turn things around after trailing 0-2 in the series.

Defense has been the key to unlocking wins for the Hornets. It’s their defense that’s held the Heat to 38 percent shooting over the past three matches. And, it was defense that kept the Heat to scoring only 88 points in game 5, in Miami.

Though Kemba Walker didn’t really play well in game 5, only managing to put up 14 points, the rest of the Hornets did kick into gear and four players put up 57 points. They’ll need the same intensity in tonight’s game, something which should be easier now that they’re playing back on their home court. In particular, Jeremy Lin has performed well in the paint over the last two games. If he can once again connect with Walker, they’ll be able to do a lot of damage tonight as Miami has faltered in defending the pick and roll.

Betting Trends

• Miami is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
• Miami is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 7 games
• Charlotte is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against Miami
• Charlotte is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Miami
• Charlotte is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Miami

Game Predictions: Back when the Heat beat Boston in 2012 while on the road, the roster had the likes of Lebron James and Chris Bosh. Now, it’s only Dwayne Wade, who the Hornets seem to have figured out. The Hornets pass to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.