NBA Playoff Schedule: Predicting Winners for Wednesday Slate
After a wild Tuesday of action in the NBA that featured four contests, Wednesday provides fans with “only” two games.
But that’s OK, as the games feature two of the most compelling first round series with four of the biggest stars in the entire postseason. Both series are currently at 3-1, but only one of them will end tonight.
New York Knicks at Miami Heat, 7:00 p,m. EST, TNT (Heat lead 3-1)
Now that the Knicks are officially without Jeremy Lin, this game should be a breeze for Miami.
The inevitable Carmelo Anthony explosion finally came in Game 4—a situation most fans assumed was going to happen at some point in the series. Doing it in desperation mode at home makes sense.
New York is forced to play the remainder of the season with a horrific group of point guards that includes Mike Bibby and Landry Fields. Anytime you are forced to rely upon a 33-year-old Bibby at this point (4.3 ppg, 1.8 apg), there is a big problem.
Sure the Heat don’t have All-Star point guards either, but they do have LeBron James (27.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.3 apg) and Dwyane Wade (21.5 ppg, 4.3 apg, 3.0 spg). They've had no problems reaching the basket and getting to the foul line this series (except for the end of Game 4), and are not going to be playing relaxed like they did at times on Sunday.
New York simply doesn't have the firepower to keep up.
Unless ‘Melo is capable of hitting 15-of-29 shots again (he shot 22-of-64 in first three games), the Knicks are going to be sent packing to cap off what has been the craziest season of any NBA team.
Prediction: Heat 101, Knicks 92
Los Angeles Clippers at Memphis Grizzlies, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT (Clippers lead 3-1)
The Clippers could be down 3-1, but have enjoyed some incredible luck to find themselves ahead by the same margin.
That luck is about to run out.
Memphis has out-rebounded LA, made more free throws, turned the ball over at a less frequent clip and even outscored them thus far. They are deeper, have a more talented starting five and have the better head coach.
The only difference has been Chris Paul (23.5 ppg, 8.8 apg, 5.0 rpg, 2.5 spg).
Paul has taken over in the fourth quarter, and Memphis has foolishly left Tony Allen on him one-one-one in the fourth quarter. Forcing CP3 to pass and allowing his inferior teammates to beat you is essential.
Zach Randolph (12.5 ppg, 7.8 rpg) seems to be getting more strength in his knee by the game and Mike Conley (17.5 ppg, 7.5 apg) is turning into a star right before our eyes. With Rudy Gay (21.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg) able to get into the paint at ease against every member of the Clippers, this series is far from over.
Prediction: Grizzlies 95, Clippers 87
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