NBA Playoffs 2014: Updated Odds and Picks for Monday's Action
A pivotal Game 5 and two equally crucial Game 4 matchups are on the NBA ledger on Monday.
The Dallas Mavericks have given the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs all they can handle through three games.
Thanks to a clutch game-winning three-pointer by Vince Carter in Game 3, the won a surprising 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. You'll see many images and videos of Carter's clutch shot, but few are cooler than this image tweeted by That Kidd :
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The Spurs aren't the only top seed in a firefight.
The Indiana stumbled into the postseason, and they haven't regained their footing against the Atlanta Hawks in the first round.
The series is tied at two, and Game 5 will push one team to the brink of elimination.
The only semblance of normalcy in the first round has come from the defending champions. Predictably, the Miami Heat have spanked the Charlotte Bobcats in three straight games.
Charlotte will be attempting to prolong the inevitable on Monday.
Here are the latest odds and predictions for these three playoff tilts. Odds information per Odds Shark and listed in parentheses.
San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks (Spurs -4)
The veteran have proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that they believe they can beat the Spurs. Both offenses have been a joy to watch. It's a sweet departure from the wretched flow of some of the other series in the postseason.
Bleacher Report's Kelly compares it to the Chicago Bulls-Washington Wizards series:
Nearly impeccable free-throw shooting (88 percent over the last two games) has been one of the keys to the ' success. Teams like the Spurs don't give opponents a ton of opportunities to exploit them.
Taking advantage of chances is key.
Even with Dallas' two-game win streak within the series, oddsmakers like the Spurs' chances to even the series.
San Antonio has gotten almost nothing from Danny Green. Through three games, he's averaging just three points per game. Aside from that, he's part of the group being lit up like a Christmas tree by Ellis.
You have to figure that Green will at least partially make his presence felt at some point in the series.
The trend of the series screams for another win in Game 4. But my respect for the Spurs won't allow me to predict them falling into a 3-1 hole.
If this were a confidence pool, this prognostication would have a "1" next to it. But let's say the Spurs win an epic Game 4 on the road to even the series.
Atlanta Hawks at Indiana ( -7)
It's hard to know what to make of the right now. Should they be up at least three games on the Hawks? Absolutely, but that's not the reality.
The primary issue for the this series has been limiting the dribble penetration from Jeff Teague and keeping the Hawks off the free-throw line.
In Atlanta's two wins, the team is averaging 33 free-throw attempts. The Hawks have converted just under 82 percent of those chances.
In the ' wins, Atlanta has shot just 17.5 foul shots per game. The Hawks made just under 86 percent of those attempts. Atlanta is deadly at the line, and Indiana must make them work harder for their points.
The need Roy Hibbert to make his presence felt in the series. His length can obstruct the Hawks' attempts in the paint without fouling. Atlanta's have been able to keep Hibbert moving and out of his comfort zone defensively.
Indiana has to make the adjustments to bring its big man into the picture.
Look for Hibbert to have his best game of the series in Game 5 and for the to cover the spread.
Miami Heat at Charlotte Bobcats (Heat -6.5)
In short, the Bobcats have no chance to win their series against the Heat and almost no chance of extending it to five games.
Bleacher Report's Ethan quoted James and Norris Cole after the Heat's win in Game 3:
This team is focused on separating itself from the rest of the Eastern Conference—and the NBA. The only way to do that is to be the only team to sweep its first-round series.
Veterans such as Wade and Ray Allen could also use the extra rest. The Heat will close out the Bobcats on Saturday. I wouldn't bet on them covering, though.
It's always hard to close a team out. Charlotte try to avoid embarrassment in its final home game of the season.
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