NBA playoffs, betting odds, picks, schedule: Rockets will take care of business, Lakers defense looking great – CBS Sports

Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: Rockets -3.
The Rockets won Game 1 by 15 and Game 2 by 13. The scenarios have not materially altered for Game 3. No new gamers are entering or exiting the lineup. There wont be a change of place. Oklahoma City got exactly the sort of protective efficiency it required out of Lu Dort in Game 2, holding James Harden to only 5-of-16 shooting, but the Rockets still won easily. Oklahoma City simply has no response for Houstons switching. It cant maintain offensively in this series..

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Lakers Rout Trail Blazers in Game 2
( 3:23).

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers: Under 225.
Portland balanced 126 points per game in their 8 seeding games. Theyre down to 94 per game against the Lakers, and now Damian Lillard is dealing with a dislocated finger. The Lakers, meanwhile, just got to 111 on an excellent day.

Indiana Pacers vs. Miami Heat: Pacers +5.
Indiana has played Miami closer than the final ratings suggest, and Miamis eight-point win in Game 2 relied on unsustainable 51 percent shooting from behind the arc. Miami may well win Game 3, however the gap in between these teams isnt big enough right now to validate a five-point spread.

The excellent normalization of the 2020 NBA playoffs is officially at hand. After five days worth of video games, just one series underdog (Utah Jazz) presently leads its series. The Lakers, Clippers and Bucks all seem to have gained back control of their respective matchups. In spite of all of the hubbub, upsets dont appear to be extremely likely at the minute. The better groups are winning..
That is how the very first round tends to work, however its important for the sake of assessing these bubble playoffs. Things havent been normal through three weeks in Orlando. That theyre beginning to come closer must make betting the rest of the postseason a bit simpler. With that in mind, here are Saturdays best options..
All lines by means of William Hill Sportsbook.
Milwaukee Bucks at Orlando Magic: Bucks -12.
Orlandos “fire away” tactical plan worked really well for 48 minutes, but unsurprisingly, the Bucks caught on, adjusted for Game 2 and held the Magic below 100 points. They won Game 2 by 15 points regardless of getting only two points from Khris Middleton. That is going to improve, but Orlando does not have an alternative here. Their roster is so diminished that they cant merely alter equipments and come up with another method to flummox Milwaukee. They played their trick and the Bucks figured it out. Now its time for them to accept the beatdown we all knew was coming..

Orlandos “fire away” video game plan worked truly well for 48 minutes, but unsurprisingly, the Bucks caught on, adjusted for Game 2 and held the Magic listed below 100 points. They won Game 2 by 15 points in spite of getting only 2 points from Khris Middleton. Indiana has played Miami closer than the last ratings recommend, and Miamis eight-point win in Game 2 relied on unsustainable 51 percent shooting from behind the arc. The Rockets won Game 1 by 15 and Game 2 by 13. Portland balanced 126 points per game in their 8 seeding games.