Editor’s Note: Don’t just bet your favorite sports. LIVE YOUR BET LIFE! Get started today at PointsBet with two risk-free bets up to $2,000. Bet now!
We are late in the Conference Semi-Final round of the NBA Playoffs. Tonight is Game 5 in both Boston and Memphis. Giannis Antetokounmpo and a banged-up Bucks’ team are in Boston to face a rejuvenated Al Horford and the Celtics with the series tied at two while the young, but 2nd seeded Grizzlies look to stay alive with a home date against Stephen Curry and the Warriors three games to one.
Boston cannot defend Giannis (who can?) but the Celtics’ balance at both ends of the court helped them pull even on Monday night in Game 4 of their series. Jaylen Brown and three or four of his teammates rotated defensively in an effort to slow down the former MVP while five Celtics scored in double figures including Jayson Tatum and Al Horford who led the Celtics with 30 points each. The Bucks outrebounded the Celtics by 10 (48-38) on Monday night but Boston was more efficient from the field and the free throw line.
In the Western Conference, Jaren Jackson, Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies have had opportunities galore but their inability to take advantage of those moments has put their backs to the wall in their series against Klay Thompson and the Golden State Warriors. Dillon Brooks was just 2-9 from beyond the arc and Jaren Jackson, Jr. was worse going 0-7. As a team, the Grizzlies shot just 24% from three. That will have to change as Ja Morant (knee) remains questionable for this elimination contest.
The NBC Sports Predictor App has published a contest to celebrate these two games and the stars taking the court in them. Be a part of the excitement. Play these games courtesy of PointsBet. They are free.
This particular Pick N’ Roll game offers an opportunity to win or split a $50,000 jackpot. Download the NBC Sports Predictor app to join the party right now. There are other free-to-play games on the app including contests focusing on the Premier League and NASCAR. Download it now and enjoy.
To help you out, here are some statistics and suggested picks to three questions from this week’s game.
Question #1 Most Points Scored by a Player
Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Boston Celtics Season Avg. 29.9ppg
Jayson Tatum vs. Milwaukee Bucks Season Avg. 26.9ppg
Stephen Curry vs. Memphis Grizzlies Season Avg. 25.5ppg
Ja Morant vs. Golden State Warriors Season Avg. 27.4ppg
We work our way to the answer to this question from least to most likely to lead the group in scoring. Ja Morant is most likely out for the Memphis Grizzlies. Stephen Curry’s history tells us the all-time great could explode for 40 points without warning. That said, Curry has struggled of late on the offensive end. His scoring average is solid but he ranks 97th in the league among all players in the postseason at 46.6%. Jayson Tatum and Giannis Antetokounmpo are leading their respective teams as they go head-to-head. The difference? Boston has no defender who can slow the Greek Freak. Its as if Giannis is making a statement to the league and specifically those who voted for MVP that they made the wrong decision.
Suggested Answer: Giannis Antetokounmpo to score the most points of this group.
Question #2 Milwaukee Rebounds vs. Boston
0-40, 41-43, 44-46, 47-48, 49-52, 53+
Milwaukee leads the NBA in rebounding in the playoffs averaging just over 50 per game. On Monday night, the Bucks pulled down 48 rebounds and Giannis led the defending champs with 18 boards. Through the first four games of this series, the Bucks are averaging 48 rebounds per game. They opened the series pulling down 54 rebounds in their 101-89 win at Boston. Game 2 was a Boston win in which Milwaukee grabbed 37 rebounds. Game 3 was another Bucks’ win and it included a dominant night on the boards as they secured 54 rebounds in that game. In Game 3, the Bucks secured 53 rebounds in their win over Boston.
This play really comes down to who you see winning this game. If you like the Celtics, lean to a lower total. The opposite if you like the Bucks. Milwaukee is simply wearing out. Boston’s long bench is winning this marathon of a series.
Suggested Answer: The Milwaukee Bucks to pull down 44-46 Rebounds.
Editor’s Note: Now, all our premium tools for Fantasy, DFS and Betting are included in one subscription at one low price. Customers can subscribe to NBC Sports EDGE+ monthly ($9.99) or save 20% on an annual subscription ($95.88). And don’t forget to use promo code SAVE10 to get 10% off. Click here to learn more!
Question #3 Celtics Points vs. Bucks
0-98, 99-105, 106-111, 112-119, 120+
It is not easy to peg this category correctly but we can narrow it down with confidence. Boston has scored 109 and 116 points in their two wins in this series and 89 and 101 points in two losses. Notice the obvious trend. Back at home for Game 5 it is a logical assumption that Boston will shoot more efficiently from the field. In addition, Jayson Tatum has not had a breakout game yet in this round. He is due. Finally, and this is one of the recurring themes in this article, Jrue Holiday and the Milwaukee Bucks look tired. Holiday is one of the elite defenders in the league and he was a -23 in Game 4. To put it in perspective, only one other player on the Bucks reached negative double digits for Milwaukee and that was Grayson Allen. That stat screams fatigue to me and with no Kris Middleton, the added burden is too much for Holiday.
Suggested Answer: The Celtics to score 112-119 points in the game.
Enjoy the NBA Playoffs. Enjoy Predictor.
PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links. CO, IL, IN, IA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, WV, and VA. only. 21+. T&C apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.