Our Picks For Tuesdays NBA Playoff Games
By A.J. Olona and Shawn Stewart
We have a double header on tap in the NBA Playoffs today, starting with the Jazz taking on the Nuggets and in the night cap, we have the Mavericks taking on the Clippers.
Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz (Jazz lead series 3-1)
Jazz stars Donovan Mitchell (45) and Rudy Gobert (27) smother Nuggets Nikola Jokic (15). (Ashley Landis / AP)
Shawn’s Take:
The Jazz look to close out the series against the Nuggets. The Nuggets had the Jazz's number in the regular season, but the Jazz are one win away from moving on to the next round. Donavan Mitchell has been playing lights out, while averaging 39.5 points a game this series. The Nuggets look like they could be without Jamal Murray in this contest. I like the Jazz in this game and have them punching their ticket to the next round.
Prediction: UTAH JAZZ WINS
AJ’s Take:
Its hard to go against the Utah Jazz after winning three straight. Despite Jamal Murrays best efforts, the Jazz were still able to close out Game 4. Murray put up 50 points in the loss on Sunday night to go along with 29 points from Nikola Jokic. All of that was to be outdone by Donovan Mitchell’s second 50 point contest of the series. Mitchell is average 39.5 points through four games in this series. In game 4, Utah was able to protect the ball and find the open man with ease, shooting 57% from the field and 48% from deep. Theres not much more that the Nuggets can do at this point.
Prediction: UTAH JAZZ WINS
Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers (Series tied 2-2)
Dallas star Luka Doncic (77) hits game winner in Game 4. (Photo curtsey Ashley Landis)
Shawn’s Take:
In the night cap, I think this has been the best series in the NBA playoffs so far. Doncic and the Mavericks have all the momentum, especially after the buzzer beater in Game 4. This series has been so hard to predict. The Mavericks were considered a long shot to get past the Clippers, and now it is a best of 3 series. I like the Clippers tonight though, I think Kawhi Leonard has a big night. This could be another close contest.
Prediction: LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS WIN
AJ’s Take:
While Luka Doncic sprained his ankle in Game 3, that didn’t stop him from having the best game of the series. Doncic went on the floor with a sprained ankle and proceeded to post 17 rebounds, 13 assists, and 43 points including a three point shot at the buzzer to win the game. The Mavericks have won 2 of the last 3 games (and could have won in Game 1 if it were not for a questionable ejection of Kristaps Porzingis). The Mavericks will be without Porzingis again for this game which will hurt the teams overall production. Without Porzingis, the Mavericks will need a big game from big man Boban Marjanovic. If Marjanovic can play how he did during the last game of the bubble, the Mavericks will easily take the lead in the series. On the other end, Kawhi Leonard has been playing lights out as well, posting nearly 30 points in every game thus far. While he has received some help from Lou Williams and even Ivica Zubac from time to time, Leonard will need Playoff P to step up and put his money where his mouth is. I see the Mavericks momentum continuing over and Doncic having another lights out performance.
Prediction: DALLAS MAVERICKS WIN
Follow A.J. on twitter @age_lona and Shawn @ShawnSportsNut.
