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The 2014 NBA Playoffs continue on Wednesday with three heated contests. Tuesday night gave NBA fans two solid games, as the Raptors got back on track and evened their series 1-1 with the Brooklyn Nets, while the Washington Wizards took a surprising 2-0 lead over the Chicago Bulls with an intense overtime win. The Indiana Pacers blew out the Atlanta Hawks in the third game of the night, evening their series at one game apiece.
Tonight offers up some more intense matchups, as the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Bobcats all look to even up their own series.
Let’s break down each matchup as we try to pick the winners for tonight’s basketball action:
Charlotte Bobcats (7) @ Miami Heat (2) – 7:00 PM ET
Charlotte’s stiff defense and good postwork from big man Al Jefferson kept game one with the Heat tight, but winning in Miami looks to be a formidable task. Big Al is also nursing a bum foot and isn’t even a lock to play in game two. If he does, he isn’t likely to be 100%, further hampering Charlotte’s chances at stealing a game.
If the Bobcats are going to win even one game in this series, it’s likely coming in Charlotte in game three or four. Unless Al Jefferson comes out and has the game of his life, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade should take care of business and go up, 2-0.
Pick: Heat 90, Bobcats 86
Dallas Mavericks (8) @ San Antonio Spurs (1) – 8:00 PM ET
Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs keep on losing to the Spurs, but they will enter game two with the confidence of a solid showing in game one. Dallas has the offense to compete, but will need to step it up dramatically on defense and find a way to avoid fading late in game two.
On the other side, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili have no limit restrictions now that the regular season is over, so the Spurs will be ever more difficult to beat at home, where they went 32-9 during the regular season. The Mavs will need vintage Dirk to have a chance in this one.
Pick: Spurs 101, Mavs 98
Portland Trail Blazers (5) @ Houston Rockets (4) – 9:30 PM ET
LaMarcus Aldridge careered for 46 points in game one as the Blazers shocked the world with a thrilling overtime victory. It’s time for a counter punch by the Rockets, though, who are hosting Portland for the second game in a row.
The Blazers matchup extremely well with the Rockets and it’s beyond clear that Terrence Jones can’t handle Aldridge, but a more efficient James Harden (8-of-28 in game one) could end up being the difference Houston needs. Look for the Rockets to come together and even things up at home in game two.
Pick: Rockets 104, Blazers 101
