NBA Playoff Schedule 2016: Wednesday TV Coverage and Game 5 Picks
Some unfortunate injuries have put a damper on this year's NBA playoffs, but there's been plenty of entertaining basketball in the first round.
Many of the opening series were predictably dull. The San Antonio Spurs were always going to wipe the floor with the injury-ravaged Memphis Grizzlies, and the Cleveland Cavaliers weren't going to be caught off guard by the inexperienced Detroit Pistons. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant (to a lesser extent) of the Oklahoma City Thunder were never going to fall victim to an old Dallas Mavericks squad.
However, four of the other five series ended up tied after four games. Two of those series return to action for Game 5 on Wednesday, along with the Stephen Curry-less Warriors as they try to close out the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena.
We'll check out the TV schedule for the three games and then preview and predict all three of Wednesday's Game 5 matchups.
| Charlotte Hornets at Miami Heat | Tied 2-2 | 8 p.m. | TNT |
| Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Clippers | Tied 2-2 | 10 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors | Warriors lead 3-1 | 10:30 p.m. | TNT |
Game 5 Picks
Charlotte Hornets at Miami Heat (Series tied 2-2)
What happened to the Miami Heat offense? In Games 1 and 2 at home, Miami scored 123 and 115 points, respectively, making the Charlotte Hornets look helpless on defense. In Games 3 and 4 on the road, it quickly regressed to the mean, scoring just 80 and 85 points, respectively.
So, what should we be expecting in Game 5? Probably something between the Heat's extreme showings at home and on the road.
Somewhat concerning for the Hornets is their lack of wing depth, as Nicolas Batum is struggling with a strain in his left foot. Courtney Lee has played 42 minutes in three consecutive games now, which doesn't bode well for the team's ability to contain guys like Dwyane Wade and Joe Johnson as the series goes longer. Batum is questionable for Game 5, per Charlotte Hornets PR, but he's not going to be 100 percent.
Another problem for Charlotte is the fact that power forward Marvin Williams' offense has been missing in the playoffs. After averaging 11.7 points per game on a 45.2/40.2/83.3 shooting slash during the regular season, he's down to 3.5 points per game on a 19.4/22.2/0.0 slash.
The Heat have more depth and experience and will be home at AmericanAirlines Arena in Game 5. They're the smart pick.
Prediction: Heat 104, Hornets 94
Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Clippers (Series tied 2-2)
This series took a drastically different turn Monday, when the Portland Trail Blazers won Game 4 and the Los Angeles Clippers took three losses: the one on the scoreboard and the two injuries to Chris Paul (shooting hand) and Blake Griffin (quad).
Per ESPN's Arash Markazi, Los Angeles' two best players are out for the playoffs. In a span of 24 hours, the Clippers went from a team with a legitimate shot at the Western Conference Finals (after Stephen Curry's injury) to a squad that will have a tough time winning even one more first-round contest.
The Blazers' Damian Lillard is going to have the likes of Jamal Crawford, Austin Rivers and Pablo Prigioni guarding him, while C.J. McCollum has J.J. Redick checking him. Redick is also dealing with a nagging heel injury, Markazi reported. Don't be surprised if Lillard and McCollum combine for 60 points in Game 5.
The absences of Paul and Griffin will have a trickle-down effect, further taxing a shallow bench. A young, hungry and well-coached Portland squad should be able to win Game 5 on the road at Staples Center and then return home for a series-clinching victory against the hurting Clippers.
Prediction: Trail Blazers 107, Clippers 93
Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors (Warriors lead 3-1)
Curry is out for at least two weeks, but the Golden State Warriors shouldn't have too many problems with their opponents in that time frame.
First on the docket is finishing off an uninspiring Houston Rockets team that looked defeated in the second half of Game 4. Curry injured his knee on the final play of the half with the score tied at 56. Surely, the Rockets would win or at least keep the game close at home with Curry sidelined, right?
Wrong. The Warriors shredded the Rockets defense for 41 third-quarter points, coasting to a 27-point blowout. Golden State nailed 12 three-pointers in the second half.
The Rockets have consistently found ways to disappoint their fans this season, and it's unlikely they have the resolve to pull out a road win at Oracle Arena considering what happened at the Toyota Center on Sunday. Expect Draymond Green and Klay Thompson to rally their teammates into the second round Wednesday.
Prediction: Warriors 110, Rockets 95
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