The first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs is coming to a close. The top two seeds in the East – the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics – have already won their respective series, which leaves just six series still ongoing.
Two more series can be wrapped up as the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors try to take care of business in Game 5 at home.
Meanwhile, there will be four exciting Game 6’s that could very well settle those series if the road teams prevail.
Read on below as SBOTOP previews the upcoming games in the six remaining first-round series.
Chicago Bulls @ Milwaukee Bucks
The Bulls are in big trouble down 3-1 against the Bucks. Despite Milwaukee missing second-leading scorer Khris Middleton, they still blew out the Bulls by at least 20 points in Games 3 and 4 in Chicago.
And now, they could be without both of their starting guards for Game 5. Zach LaVine is in the Covid protocols and is questionable to play. Meanwhile, Alex Caruso is in the concussion protocol and is also questionable.
Meanwhile, the Bucks have received some unexpected stellar play from Grayson Allen, who scored 49 points on a sizzling 18-of-24 shooting (11-of-14 on 3-pointers) over the last two games.
With home advantage back on their side and the Bulls possibly without two of their best players, the NBA 2022 betting odds will have Giannis Antetokounmpo and the defending champion Bucks heavily favoured to close out the series in Game 5.
Betting Tip: Bucks Asian Handicap -12.00 @ 1.96
Denver Nuggets @ Golden State Warriors
The Denver Nuggets did well to avoid a sweep against the Warriors as they won Game 4, 126-121. Nikola Jokic was outstanding with a team-high 37 points, while Monte Morris erupted for 24 points in 27 minutes.
But Denver’s defence has been unable to slow down Golden State’s offence all series, and it will be even tougher to do with the series shifting back to Chase Centre.
Stephen Curry is back to his best after scoring 33 points and 8 assists in 37 minutes in Game 4 and could potentially be back in the starting lineup for Game 5.
Betting Tip: Nuggets Asian Handicap +8.50 @ 2.01
Philadelphia 76ers @ Toronto Raptors
The Philadelphia 76ers have failed to close out the Raptors in back-to-back games and are now in danger of going to a Game 7 if they lose in Toronto.
Joel Embiid’s thumb injury has affected his game as he is not playing up to his MVP-calibre level. Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam has stepped up his game even further to make up for the absence of All-Star point guard Fred van Vleet.
James Harden has had a disastrous series thus far, averaging just 18 points on 37.6 per cent shooting. With Embiid ailing, the Sixers need a much better performance from their other superstar to finally take the Raptors down.
Betting Tip: 76ers Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 1.98
Phoenix Suns @ New Orleans Pelicans
The top-seeded Suns have regained control of their series as they beat the Pelicans 112-97 in Game 5 to take a 3-2 lead. Mikal Bridges led the way as he had 31 points while playing 47 minutes. Chris Paul was also terrific with 22 points and 11 assists.
As for the Pelicans, their hot shooting finally cooled off as they shot just 40 per cent from the field and 5-of-25 on 3-pointers. Their dynamic duo of Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum combined to go just 14-of-41 and 2-of-13 from beyond the arc.
Ingram and McCollum both need to have much better performances in New Orleans to have any chance of forcing a Game 7 against Phoenix.
Dallas Mavericks @ Utah Jazz
The Mavs are in complete control of their series against the Jazz now that Luka Doncic is back. After suffering a narrow defeat in Game 4, Dallas absolutely dominated Utah in Game 5, 102-77, on the back of 33 points from Doncic and now lead 3-2.
To add to the Jazz’s problems, All-Star Donovan Mitchell suffered a thigh injury late in Game 5. According to the latest NBA 2022 updates, Mitchell has a quad contusions and his status for Game 6 is still uncertain.
Even before his injury, Mitchell was having a miserable Game 5 with 9 points on 4-of-15 shooting, and an injured quad is unlikely to make him play any better.
Betting Tip: Mavericks Asian Handicap -2.50 @ 1.98
Memphis Grizzlies @ Minnesota Timberwolves
The Grizzlies are one win away from eliminating the Timberwolves, who suffered their second fourth-quarter collapse of the series in Game 5. Minnesota let a double-digit lead slip away as they lost 111-109.
Ja Morant, who had been having a disappointing series, finally came alive with 18 fourth-quarter points, including the last-second game-winning layup. The newly crowned NBA Most Improved Player finished with 30 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists.
The Timberwolves responded well to their epic Game 3 collapse, but it remains to be seen how much fight is left in them after their second demoralising defeat of the series.
Betting Tip: Grizzlies Asian Handicap -2.50 @ 2.04
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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