2017 NBA Playoffs: A Look at the Playoff Action From Round 1
Published April 20, 2017 by Sol FH
With Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs in full swing, find out which teams look like they will breeze through the post-season.
The 2017 NBA Playoffs have begun and unless you have missed out on the first two games of Round 1 (all teams have already played two games), then it is about time that you take a look at the action as it currently stands.
Western Conference
Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trailblazers
Now this match-up pits the number 1 ranked team in the NBA, and favorites to win the 2017 NBA Championships, the Golden State Warriors, against the Trailblazers, whom just barely made it to the playoffs. After two games it is obvious that the Warriors are not going to have very much trouble with Portland and they already have a 2-0 lead. In Game 1, the game was fairly even until the fourth quarter when Curry and Durant took over and closed out with a big win. Game 2 was last night and it was all Warriors too. Game 3 will be played on Sunday at 3:30 GMT in Portland and if the Trailblazers are going to turn things around this will be the best time to do so.
San Antonio Spurs vs Memphis Grizzlies
The Spurs were ranked second going into the playoffs and many think that if there is a team in the West that can challenge the Warriors in the later stages, they might be able to. San Antonio are also up 2-0 against the Grizzlies and Memphis has not been a lot of competition thus far. With the series heading to Memphis for Game 3 on Friday Night at 00:30 GMT, punters can already get in on the odds at bet365 Sports, which are in favor of yet another Spurs' win at 1.62 to the Grizzlies' 2.40.
Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Now this is one of the more interesting match-ups in the playoffs. The Rockets are in the driver's seat with the first two wins behind them, but the Rockets have absolutely no answer for Russell Westbrook, as the NBA MVP hopeful scored 51 points, had 10 rebounds and 13 assists in Game 2. Unfortunately for the Thunder, Westbrook is alone and is just not enough for James Harden and the Rockets; at least not yet. Odds are posted for Game 3 and with the series heading to Oklahoma, bet365 Sports posted in favor of the home team at 1.66 to the Rockets' 2.30.
LA Clippers vs Utah Jazz
The only series in the West that is 1-1 is between these evenly matched teams. Both games 1 and 2 were incredibly close with the Jazz taking Game 1 on-the-road 97-95, while the Clippers took Game 2, 99-91. Game 3 gets underway on Saturday late night at 3:05 GMT and odds are even at 1.86 for the Jazz and 1.95 for the Clippers, as listed by bet365 Sports.
Eastern Conference
Boston Celtics vs Chicago Bulls
In a surprise turn of events in the later stages of the regular season, Boston went on a surge, while the Cavs fell off and ended the season in second place behind Boston. This has made way for one of the oldest playoff rivalries in the NBA pitting the Celtics against the Bulls. Now the Bulls came into the playoffs in 8th place in the East, while the Celtics were in 1st. That is simply not the case in the playoffs though, as the Bulls are in the lead 2-0 after winning the first two and heading back to the windy city for Game 3 on Saturday Night at 00:00 GMT. The Bulls are outright favorites at 1.76, but don't count out the Celtics at 2.10.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers
Cleveland are up 2-0 after winning the first game 109-108, and Game 2, 117-111. LeBron James took a side role in the second game scoring 27 points, while Kyrie Irving scored 37. The Pacers are playing good basketball, but stopping the defending NBA Champions is no easy task. Game 3 is scheduled for Friday Night at 00:00 GMT at Bankers Life Fieldhouse and odds are still in favor of the Cavs at 1.74 to 2.15 for the Pacers.
Toronto Raptors vs Milwaukee Bucks
Another very interesting battle, currently tied at one game apiece. The Raptors are the better team, at least on paper, but the Bucks have been improving with every game and could win from the underdog position. Game 3 is also tomorrow night at 1:00 GMT and bet365 Sports likes the Bucks at 1.83, but a smart bet would be on the Raptors at 2.00.
Washington Wizards vs Atlanta Hawks
The Wizards are out in front 2-0 after winning last night's game 109-101. John Wall led the Wizards to victory in the first two games and hopes to continue that trend in Game 3 on Sunday Night at 22:30 GMT.
