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The first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs was already crazy, but on Tuesday night it got even crazier. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies entered a ridiculous fourth straight overtime game- the first time it’s ever happened in NBA history. Memphis prevailed, joining the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers as winners on a crazy night of playoff basketball.
NBA fans will cross their fingers for the insanity to ensue on Wednesday night, as the playoff schedule boasts three intense games.
The Portland Trail Blazers will try to put the finishing touches on a 3-1 lead over the Houston Rockets, while the Raptors and Nets and Spurs and Mavericks try to break tight 2-2 series ties.
While we haven’t seen four straight overtimes, the series between the Blazers has Rockets has been highly entertaining, leading to loads of points and two of the games going into overtime.
We could be headed for another overtime battle tonight, while the other two games on the night should go down to the wire, as well. To get a better idea of who might emerge victorious, let’s break all three games down and pick the winners:
Dallas Mavericks (8) @ San Antonio Spurs (1) – 7:00 PM ET
Dallas is a Vince Carter clutch three pointer away from getting smoked in this series, while they just wasted an excellent opportunity at home in game four to push the Spurs to their limit. With the series reverted back to San Antonio tonight, it looks like the Spurs have Dallas right where they have them.
Dirk Nowitzki hasn’t been a major factor throughout this series, and if Dallas is going to force a game seven he’ll need to have his best game of the series. It’s unlikely on the road against a tough Spurs defense.
Pick: Spurs 101, Mavericks 98
Brooklyn Nets (6) @ Toronto Raptors (3) – 7:30 PM ET
This has been a tight, back and forth series that many didn’t expect to be so closely contested. It’s still anyone’s guess who gets the job done, though, as the series heads back to Canada.
The Raptors are young and scrappy enough to pull it off in game five at home, but Brooklyn has to have the edge due to experience. It should be another close game, but the Nets should pull it out in the end. Kyle Lowry being less than 100% doesn’t help Toronto’s chances, either.
Pick: Nets 96, Raptors 94
Portland Trail Blazers (5) @ Houston Rockets (4) – 9:30 PM ET
While the 3-1 series lead held by Portland doesn’t show it, this has easily been a top-two series in this year’s playoffs. The Blazers could very easily walk into Houston and finish things tonight, but Houston hasn’t been blown out yet in the first round and will have something to say about it at home.
Dwight Howard has been a consistent beast all series long, so the difference will likely be what James Harden decides to show up. Houston also needs to tighten up their defense more if they want to force a game six. At home, it’s possible they figure it all out for at least one more night.
Pick: Rockets 106, Blazers 104
