BSNblog

The opening round of the NBA playoffs is now well underway, and with the majority of series’ going exactly as expected, it is hard to find a reason to expect an upset heading in to this Kentucky Derby betting weekend. While the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clippers were happy to win a game on the road, the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz find themselves fighting for their playoff lives after losing their first two games on the road. 

Indiana Pacers @ Orlando Magic
Saturday, 2:00 PM ET

The Magic were expected to be dead in the water after losing All Star center Dwight Howard for the remainder of the year, but head coach Stan Van Gundy’ team has proven to be a resilient bunch eager to prove they can still win without their superstar. Glen “Big Baby” Davis has had to mature in a hurry, and while Orlando no longer has that elite presence down low, they still have a chance in this series if they can score from the perimeter and play strong defense the way that they did in the series opener.

NBA Betting Pick: Orlando Magic

Memphis Grizzlies @ Los Angeles Clippers
Saturday, 4:30 PM ET

The way that the Clippers celebrated their incredible game one comeback against Memphis was perhaps a little excessive, but when you consider how big of a deficit they battled back from and all that team has been through this pay head season it is easy to understand why they were so pumped up. Consistency will be the key for Los Angeles’ other team the rest of the way, but the Clippers have already proven how good they can be so expect them to do everything they can to fight from under the Lakers’ spotlight at the Staples Center this weekend.

NBA Betting Pick: Los Angeles Clippers

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks
Saturday, 7:30 PM ET

After pushing the Thunder to the limit in the series opener, the Mavericks may not have had enough left in the tank for game two, even though it was another close game. Russell Westbrook has been an animal for Oklahoma City so far, and if Dallas is going to have any chance at climbing back in the series it is going to have to do a better job defending at its own end of the floor. Dirk Nowitzki averaged 28 points in the team’s first two betting online losses, so it looks like he is going to need a bigger contribution his teammates in support.

NBA Betting Pick: Dallas Mavericks

San Antonio Spurs @ Utah Jazz
Saturday, 10:00 PM ET

The Jazz barely squeezed in to an NBA playoff spot in the Western conference, and unless they can find a way to slow down San Antonio’s big three the euphoria of getting in won’t last long. San Antonio won 10-straight to lock up the top spot in the conference and hasn’t slowed down against Utah. Efficiency will be among the biggest keys for a Spurs’ team built around veteran players like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili, so look for them to come out flying once again as the series shifts to Utah.

NBA Betting Pick: San Antonio Spurs