NBA Playoffs 2015: TV Schedule, Odds and Picks for Thursday's Bracket
On Thursday night, the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors look to take a 3-0 series lead over the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics and New Orleans Pelicans, respectively.
The scenes shift to the home courts of the losing teams in what has to be seen as a must-win situation for the Bucks, Celtics and Pelicans. Here's the schedule, viewing information, odds and picks for all three games:
| Chicago at Milwaukke | 8 p.m. | NBATV | Chicago minus-3.5 | Chicago |
| Cleveland at Boston | 7 p.m. | TNT | Cleveland minus-4 | Cleveland |
| Golden State at New Orleans | 9:30 p.m. | TNT | Golden State minus-5 | New Orleans |
Bulls Will Push Bucks to the Brink
Milwaukee hasn't had an answer for the Bulls' backcourt through two games. Specifically, Jimmy Butler has feasted on the Bucks' perimeter defense. Butler is averaging 28 points, 5.5 rebounds and four assists in the playoffs. The combination of Butler, Derrick Rose and Aaron Brooks has averaged 56 points, 10.5 rebounds and 14 assists per contest.
The Bucks' frontcourt hasn't fared well either—especially on the glass. Chicago has out-rebounded Milwaukee 116-89. There's a lot that needs to change for the Bucks to turn things around and win Game 3. Perhaps the most discouraging thing is that the Bulls haven't really played their best.
Chicago is averaging 16 turnovers per game, while the Bucks have just 17 total giveaways through two games. Still, it hasn't been enough for the Bucks to pull out a game. They will get a break in Game 3. As K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports, Bulls' rookie and super sub Nikola Mirotic is out for Thursday's game.
Mirotic was injured in a fracas on the floor for a loose ball with the Bucks' Zaza Pachulia in Game 2.
The Bulls would be wise to let Mirotic rest for Game 3 and 4. They shouldn't need him to vanquish Milwaukee. It would be a good idea to have him fresh and healthy for what looks like a second-round meeting with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
LeBron Won't Let Cavs Lose
Expect the Boston Celtics to give the Cleveland Cavaliers their best shot Thursday, but LeBron James will remind us once again that he's the best player on Earth. The game should be close as it appears the Celtics and their head coach Brad Stevens are beginning to make some adjustments. Boston lost Game 2 just 99-91 despite having their chances to pull away early.
The Celtics led Game 2 by as many as 10 in the first quarter and seven in the second period. However, James and the Cavs would reel them back in right before halftime.
James just missed a triple-double as he keyed the push that put the Cavs up to stay at the end of the second period. Cleveland's starting unit has been getting the best of the Celtics first five through two games. Boston's starters have a collective plus-minus rating of minus-95 in the series.
When it counts, James and the Cavs starters will create the distance in the second half.
Pelicans Protect Their Home Court
The Pelicans nearly pulled off a huge upset in Game 2. They led the Warriors by 13 points before the Western Conference's top seed kicked it into overdrive when it needed to and won 97-87.
The Warriors erased the early deficit with a 38-24 second quarter and closed the show with a 26-16 fourth quarter. Still, the Pelicans have to take some positives from the way they played. Defensively, they held the Warriors to under 20 points in two quarters and under 45 percent shooting for the game.
It all starts with defense for the Pels, and I believe they will produce their best effort on that end of the floor in Game 3. Couple that with some strong performances from role players like Ryan Anderson and Norris Cole, and the Pelicans are my pick to spring the upset Thursday.
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