Trail Blazers vs Lakers game 2 pick against the spread

Trail Blazers vs Lakers game 2 picks against the spread

Lakers nation is in a panic. Everyone, including the best sportsbooks, listed the Lakers as the favorite to win the 2020 NBA Championship. Everyone watched the remarkable run by Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers as they burned up the bubble and beat the Grizzlies in the play-in game to advance to the NBA playoffs. The more the Blazers won, the more that people believed in this team. Charles Barkley backed the Blazers as an upset pick in this series and even predicted a sweep.


After watching game one, his prediction looks credible.

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Bettors believe in Portland

Before the first game of the series, everyone was betting on the Lakers. After the game one victory that has changed drastically. Look at the latest point-spread and that should say it all. The Lakers are still (-6) point favorites in game two, but the money is split with 50% betting on Portland and the other 50% remaining true to LeBron James and LA.

Do not doubt Dame

Damian Lillard is incredible and he is one of the best players on the planet. His play in the bubble has been nothing short of remarkable. In eight seeding games, he averaged 37.6 points and 9.6 assists and his deep shots in game one were jaw-dropping. He scored 34 points and had six 3-pointers, leaving the Lakers lifeless. The Lakers have to figure out a way to stop Lillard if they hope to recover from the loss.

Are the Lakers in trouble?

The most glaring issue for the Lakers is the 3-point shooting. The Lakers shot 5-31 from behind the arc. That is disgusting and a number that will not happen again in game two. Call it jitters or just cold-shooting, the Lakers are better from behind the arc, and although they could not hit the hoop in game one, look for a change in game two. 

Calling for playoff Rondo

The Lakers got some good news as Rajon Rondo is cleared to play and barring a set-back will be back in game two. His leadership on the court is invaluable. He is a playmaker and a distributor and this will help the Lakers consistency with star players off the floor.

Trail Blazers vs Lakers game 2 picks against the spread

The Blazers are riding a high and Dame is playing like the best player on the planet, but it’s time to bet on LeBron. The Lakers shooting from beyond the arc has to improve, right? They have to focus on a must-win game and must hit the wide-open shots that the Blazers tend to give up. Look for Anthony Davis to answer his very loud critics with a great outing in game two. The Trail Blazers are 11-26-2 ATS in their last 39 Conference Quarterfinals games and the Lakers get revenge in game two with a big win.

Lakers (-6) [BET NOW]

Sixers vs Celtics game 2 picks and predictions

Sixers vs Celtics game 2 picks and predictions

The Boston Celtics are a favorite pick of many experts to go to the Eastern Conference Finals. There are not many people that think that the Sixers have a chance in this series. After game one, it certainly looks like everyone is right. But remember, one game does not make a series. Is there a chance for the zig-zag theory to show up in game two? 

Game 1 recap

Jayson Tatum put up a playoff career-high and the Celtics overcame a late deficit to take a 1-0 lead in the playoff series against Philadelphia. The Sixers had numerous turnovers and were inconsistent all night long. The Celtics were the better team in game one. 

Point spread points to something else

The Celtics were (-6) point favorites in game one. Although they covered, the top sportsbooks are not willing to change the point spread. According to MyBookie, the #1 rated online sportsbook, Boston is yet again a (-5.5) point favorites. The wise guys and sharp basketball bettors jumped on this line earlier and bet on Philly. With all of the money coming in on the Sixers, the sportsbooks had no choice but to lower this line. The Celtics line is currently (-5) and moving and it may be attributed to the Gordon Hayward injury news. 

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A new lineup and a new attitude for Philly

For game two you can expect a new lineup for the Sixers. Rookie Matisse Thybulle is about to get more playing time. His defensive effort in game one stood out and he should be rewarded in this game.

The Sixers should start Thybulle and sit Al Horford making the Sixers lineup smaller, but more athletic. It also allows Horford to come off the bench and give this team leadership, energy, and offense. Horford was notably aggressive in game one and will be an impact player in this series. If Thybulle can stay out of foul trouble, this move will change the series.

The Sixers are focused

Joel Embiid is speaking his mind. He is “encouraging” the coaching staff to get him more involved and demanding his teammates to be more aggressive. He started by critiquing his play in game one.

“I’ve got be more aggressive,” Embiid reiterated after the game. “Maybe we need to call some more plays, but I don’t know. I mean, that’s another thing we’ve got to fix going into Game 2. Like I said, I’ve just got to be assertive and aggressive, and let the game come to me.”

This will motivate the Sixers. They have to improve in the turnover category. They had 13 first-half turnovers alone. That number has to improve in game two as the Sixers will be focused and ready to go.

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Sixers vs Celtics game 2 picks and predictions

This series is not over. The Celtics had an incredible game one performance that will be hard to repeat. The public is overreacting to the win and everyone is putting money down on Boston. That’s a mistake. The Gordon Hayward could miss the first two rounds and this injury is bigger than people think and the Celtics will have to try and adjust on the floor.

The Celtics are 2-5-2 ATS in the last nine games with just one game off and they have only covered once in the last five games after covering in the last outing. The public is going to take a beat down in the second game of this series as the Sixers cover and win the game to knot the series at 1-1.

Philadelphia Sixers (+6) [BET NOW]

Breaking down the 2020 NBA playoff bracket predictions

 Breaking down the 2020 NBA Playoff Bracket predictions

The NBA playoffs have arrived and hoop fans and sports betting champions are ready to make their 2020 NBA playoff bracket predictions. This is a different year in the NBA playoffs that has a play-in series and no real home-court advantage as all of the games will be played in the NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida. (get your printable 2020 bracket)

The 2021 NBA playoff bracket predictions are here

Play-In Series

The playoffs start Saturday with the play-in series between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Portland Trail Blazers. This is a unique start to the playoffs and the schedule is posted, so all that is left to do is pick a winner. This is a very interesting NBA match up. The Trail Blazers play some really bad defense and that will allow the Grizzlies to steal a game, but in the end, the Blazers will advance. The Blazers advance in two games.

Update: The Blazers only needed one game to advance, thanks to the stellar play of center  Jusuf Nurkic. They now will play the Lakers.  

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NBA Playoff Bracket predictions

Before we make the picks, here are the NBA first-round series prices:

Eastern Conference

(1) Milwaukee Bucks (-10000) vs. (8) Orlando Magic (+1300)

(2) Toronto Raptors (-3330) vs. (7) Brooklyn Nets (+1100)

(3) Boston Celtics (-375) vs. (6) Philadelphia 76ers (+275)

(4/5) Miami Heat vs. (4/5) Indiana Pacers

Western Conference

(1) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (8) TBD

(2) Los Angeles Clippers (-550) vs. (7) Dallas Mavericks (+375)

(3) Denver Nuggets (+160) vs. (6) Utah Jazz (+160)

(4/5) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. (4/5) Houston Rockets

Western Conference NBA playoff predictions

First-round

The West is all about the Lakers, the top seed. Although it could be argued that the Rockets vs Thunder is the best game in the first round, all eyes will be on LeBron James. The Lakers outlast advance past a tired Blazers team. In fact, in the first round, all of the favorites will advance. 2020 NBA playoff bracket predictions

Second round

Westbrook is hurt, Harden is inconsistent and the Rockets don’t have the size. They can’t stop Anthony Davis and the Lakers advance. The upset comes in the other matchup.

The Denver Nuggets will beat the LA Clippers. The Nuggets are as deep as the Clippers and they have the size to dominate up front. Nikola Jokic is the star, but the emergence of Michael Porter Jr. in the restart has been fun to watch.  Your first upset in the West is when the Nuggets advance in seven games.

Western Conference Finals

I really want to pick the Nuggets to beat the Lakers. They can score and run with LA and have enough depth to match up with the Lakers. But it’s LeBron James playing with motivation to return to the Finals and honor Kobe Bryant. The NBA loves its stars. Lakers advance in 7 games.

Eastern Conference NBA playoff predictions

First-round

The favorites are the Milwaukee Bucks followed by the Toronto Raptors, but the best first-round series is the Celtics vs Sixers. Although, it could be argued that the Miami vs. Indiana series will be equally as intriguing. I am not looking for major upsets in the first round as every favorite will advance except for the Heat who loses to the Pacers in seven games.Breaking down the 2020 NBA playoff bracket predictions East

Second round

This is where things get interesting. The Bucks will beat the Pacers in 5 games. They have an incredible defense and they are better than the Pacers.

The Raptors and the Celtics will be the series to watch. The defending champions against the team many predict will win it all this year. The Raptors are stout and play tough defense, but the offensive inconsistency, especially in the half-court will be too much to overcome. The Celtics lack size, but Robert Williams emerges as a quality big man and they advance in seven games.

Eastern Conference Finals

The Celtics have always struggled against Giannis Antetokounmpo and that is unlikely to change in the Finals. The Celtics can beat this team by shooting the 3-ball. The Bucks gave up the most 3’s made and attempted in league history. That is a strong point of this Celtics team. They can get points from more than one player and can spread the floor.

In a back and forth series, the Celtics win and advance in seven games.

NBA Finals

Does it get any better than this? The Celtics against the Lakers for another championship as the legend of this rivalry lives on.  Kyle Kuzma has given the Lakers and extra boost offensively with his play in the bubble averaging 15.4 points on 44.4% shooting from 3. The Celtics have young talent and they are well-coached but will it be enough to hold off arguably the best player in the world? Yes.

NBA Finals Prediction: Celtics in 6

2020 World Champions: Boston Celtics (+1200)

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Here are the odds to Win NBA Championship

Los Angeles Lakers +250

Milwaukee Bucks +250

Los Angeles Clippers +270

Toronto Raptors +900

Houston Rockets +1200

Boston Celtics +1200

Denver Nuggets +2500

Miami Heat +3000

Dallas Mavericks +4000

Portland Trail Blazers +4000

Philadelphia 76ers +5000

Utah Jazz +5000

Oklahoma City Thunder +6500

Indiana Pacers +10000

Brooklyn Nets +20000

Orlando Magic +30000

Memphis Grizzlies +40000

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers predictions and pick against the spread: Who wins?

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers predictions and pick against the spread: Who wins?

This year the NBA Playoffs have a twist. The NBA play-in series is going to make the postseason, even more exciting. The Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Grizzlies will face off in this inaugural edition to the playoffs. This is a can’t-miss NBA match up. With such a unique situation doing your homework before making your Grizzlies vs Blazers predictions and pick against the spread will pay off.

What’s the play-in all about?

The play-in is relatively simple. Since the Trail Blazers hold the No. 8 seed all they have to do is win the first game and they advance. If they lose the first game to the Grizzlies they will have to come back and play again on Sunday. The winner on Sunday will advance. The winner of the play-in series will not have much time to rest as they will join the rest of the Western Conference and play against the top-seeded LA Lakers. The rest of the NBA playoffs bracket is locked and ready to go.

Free picks against the spread for the biggest games in the NBA playoffs can be found here.

The NBA play-in schedule

The NBA playoffs start on Monday so they have to get in the play-in series before that tips-off. You won’t have to wait long to see the outcome of this series. Here is the schedule:

Game 1: Saturday, Aug. 15 at 1:30 p.m. ET

Game 2 (if necessary): Sunday, Aug. 16 at 3:30 p.m. ET

Breaking down the 2020 NBA Playoff Bracket predictions for every series and your printable brackets!

Series play-in odds

The NBA odds for this series are set and it is very clear that the Trail Blazers are the favorite. In the first game, the Blazers are listed as (-6) point favorites, which seems high. This is partly due to how hot the Blazers and Damian Lillard has been in the bubble. Lillard is easily the best player in the NBA restart and will be treating this series like the NBA Finals.

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Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers predictions and pick against the spread

So who wins? The easy pick is the Trail Blazers because the top sportsbooks have labeled this team as the favorite, but they have some issues. The defense is worrisome as they have allowed 124 or more points in five of the last eight games that they have played in. Defense does win ball games, but in this game Dame is just willing his team to win. The Grizzlies put up a fight, but in the end, the Trail Blazers advance in two games.

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers predictions and pick against the spread: Trail Blazers in two games.

Pittsburgh Steelers betting preview: Bet on a return to glory

Pittsburgh Steelers betting preview: Bet on a return to glory!

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the best teams in the National Football League. This is a team that has played in eight Super Bowls and has won six of them. This includes winning four in a six-year span.  Lately, the team has had trouble getting by the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens, but that is about to change. Our Pittsburgh Steelers betting preview shows that this team is ready for a return to glory!

Big Ben is Back!

One good sign for the Steeler fan base is that Ben Roethlisberger is healthy and will be back under center. Better yet he is relishing the rare role of being the underdog.  Last year, without Roethlisberger, the Steelers were No. 30 in total offense, the lowest they have placed ever. Roethlisberger is an upgrade to the quarterback position and will instantly add to what will be a potent offense this season. Ben has a combined record of 63-20-1 against the rest of the AFC North.  His leadership and his veteran presence will provide an element that the Steelers were missing last year. A motivated Big Ben is the kind that Steelers fans want to see.

Betting on Black and Yellow

The Steelers are underrated by the top sportsbooks who posted the win totals and futures odds on Pittsburgh.  They are (4-to-1) to win the AFC North, (12-to-1) to win the AFC, and (25-to-1) to win Super Bowl LV. According to the 2020 NFL win totals the Steelers are projected to win 9-9.5 games. Last year the team managed an 8-8 season, mostly carried by an incredible defense.MB NFL 320x50 Jpg

The defense can get better

The defense last year was incredible. They were among the best in the league against the pass and the run and they were the best in the NFL in turnovers (38). The numbers did not stop there. They led the NFL in sacks (54) and tied for fifth-fewest defensive points allowed per game (18.9). Despite those gaudy numbers defensive coordinator Keith Butler still thinks they can get better.

“Hopefully, we will be better wholly than last year,” Butler said last week.

2020 Steelers schedule

Like any team, the Steelers do have a few hurdles on the 2020 schedule. They play three of the last four games on the road, but overall it looks pretty good. They get a bye week after playing the Ravens and before they go and play at Dallas against the Cowboys. That bye comes in the middle of the season and that will benefit this team.

Time to bet big

The Steelers are going to avoid their first three-year playoff drought and win big this year. They will get 11 wins and win the AFC North and I am betting on it. Steeler fans rejoice! This is going to be a great year!