A Look at the Late Saturday NBA First Round Games
Scott Morris | April 18, 2015
Saturday begins the NBA’s “second season.” The first day concludes with two divisional battles and that usually results in tight seven-game series due to familiarity amongst the two teams.
The opening round of last season’s playoffs had four series that had divisional foes playing one another. Of the four, three went to seven games, while Miami swept Charlotte in the fourth.
Out of this year’s eight first round series, only two are battles between divisional foes and both open action tonight.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls
During the regular season, Chicago won three of four head-to-head games with Milwaukee. The Bulls covered as a favorite in 3 of the 4 games. The UNDER cashed in each of the four games.
If the Bulls can play as they are capable of, this could be a sweep by Chicago. Milwaukee has been coached very well this season by Jason Kidd, but was 32-14 versus opponents that were sub .500 and just 9-32 versus teams that had winning records.
The current line has Chicago favored by 7.5 points after opening at 8.5. As a favorite at home, the Bulls were 15-7 straight up and 7-14 against the spread.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets
During the regular season, these teams played head to head four times with Houston winning three of the four. The UNDER cashed in each of the four games between the two teams.
Houston has more talent that Dallas and should win this series, but Dallas can play tough against any team in the league due to their offense. Houston opened at -5.5 and that has been bet down to -5.
Some are surprised that Houston has not been given more points as they are 30-11 at home this season, while covering the number in 26 of those 41 games. Since the All-Star break, Houston is 12-3 at home.
While Houston played well at home, Dallas was 23-18 SU as well as 20-21 ATS on the road. However, the Mavericks finished 2-9 ATS on the road as an underdog.
Houston is playing well heading into this series and no one on Dallas will be able to stop or even slow down James Harden.
