The second round of the 2022–23 NBA playoffs is in full swing, and SBOTOP basketball fans are in for a huge treat.
Steph Curry and the Warriors will meet LeBron James again, albeit in the Western Conference this time because the King is now with the Lakers. The NBA 2023 odds favour the Warriors’ chances to win since they are the higher seed, but it’s really a tough call.
Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, the Heat and the Sixers took Game 1 against the Knicks and the Celtics, respectively, and they’ll try to take a 2-0 lead before the series shifts back to their home court.
Miami Heat @ New York Knicks
Whether the Heat can sustain their Cinderella playoff run so far or not hinges on the fitness of Jimmy Butler, who rolled his ankle in the final minutes of their 108-101 Game 1 victory against the Knicks on Monday.
Butler, the hero of the Heat’s monumental first-round upset against the top-seeded Bucks, picked up where he left off in New York by leading the team in scoring with 25 points. Despite injuring his ankle late, he stayed in the game but was largely uninvolved in the offense.
He posted an Instagram story of himself walking around the streets of New York, looking okay, but Butler is still officially listed as questionable for Game 2.
If, for some reason, Butler sits out Game 2, the likes of Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry, and Gabe Vincent have to step up. Vincent was the Heat’s second-leading scorer in Game 1 with 20 points, while Kyle Lowry dropped 18 off the bench, and Adebayo had 16 points and eight rebounds.
The Knicks are in a similar situation, as Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson were also given questionable tags for tomorrow’s game.
Randle didn’t play in Game 1 due to a sprained left ankle sustained against the Cavaliers in the first round, and the Knicks missed his scoring when they blew a 12-point lead at home against the Heat.
Brunson, meanwhile, recorded 25 points, seven assists, and five rebounds in Game 1. Like Randle, Brunson is dealing with soreness on his right ankle.
For now, we’ll have to wait on the NBA 2023 updates, but if Randle and Brunson aren’t fit tomorrow, then we wouldn’t be surprised if the Heat take a 2-0 lead heading back to Miami.
Betting Tip: Miami Heat Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.17
Los Angeles Lakers @ Golden State Warriors
The Lakers and the Warriors may have proved that playoff seeding doesn’t really matter after they flipped the switch this postseason, and now they meet in the conference semi-finals after eliminating the Grizzlies and Kings, respectively.
Much of the talk is about the fifth playoff showdown between LeBron James and Steph Curry and co., but the other players from both squads should not be overlooked.
Anthony Davis will play a crucial role for the Lakers if they are to go past the Warriors and maybe even win it all. During the first round, AD averaged 20.8 points, 13.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 4.3 blocks per game, and the Grizzlies had no answer for him.
Golden State is expected to put Kevon Looney on Anthony Davis, and Looney is having a great playoff run thus far. Grabbing boards and smart defense have been Looney’s specialties because he has already tallied three 20-rebound games in their first-round series against Sacramento.
Betting Tip: Golden State Warriors Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.63
Philadelphia Sixers @ Boston Celtics
The Celtics played with their food again, and now they find themselves down by one game against a Sixers squad sans Joel Embiid.
James Harden took over for Philly by matching his playoff career high of 45 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer over Al Horford with 8.7 seconds left. However, he also got meaningful contributions from his other teammates.
Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris, and De’Anthony Melton combined for 61 points, while backup center Paul Reed had 10 points and 13 rebounds, including the game-icing free throws in the end.
Jayson Tatum led all Celtics scorers with 39 points, while Jaylen Brown and Malcolm Brogdon had 23 and 20 points, respectively, in the losing effort.
The Sixers will need more vintage performances from James Harden since Joel Embiid’s knee injury is more serious than first believed.
Harden is capable of high-scoring games here and there, but that’s not the case for his other teammates. Boston should be sharper on both ends, especially down the stretch, in Game 2.
Betting Tip: Boston Celtics Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.40
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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