We are at roughly just over the midway point of the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Here is why we like the Milwaukee Bucks and the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday to not only cover, but win on the road as well.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Miami Heat 7:30 PM ET
The Heat currently lead the Eastern Conference first round playoff series two games to one despite being the eighth seed.
My Take:
The Bucks are expected to have two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of Athens, Greece back in the lineup after missing games two and three with a back injury. This is a huge difference for Milwaukee. Yes, the Bucks scored a remarkable 138 points without him in game two, but in game three, the Bucks lost by 22 points to a Heat squad that had 14 fewer wins than Milwaukee in the regular season. You cannot ignore the fact Antetokounmpo had 31.1 points per game and 11.8 rebounds per game in the regular season. Take the Bucks at -7.5 on the road, and the under at 218.5. Milwaukee will be significantly better defensively if Antetokounmpo plays 30 minutes or more. Milwaukee should tie the series at two games apiece.
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Memphis Grizzlies @ Los Angeles Lakers 10:30 PM ET
The Lakers lead the Grizzlies two games to one in the Western Conference quarterfinals despite the fact Los Angeles is the seventh seed.
My Take:
Los Angeles started out playing with a lot of swagger and poise in game three of their series against Memphis on Saturday, a 111-101 win. It was a dominant first quarter for the Lakers as they outscored the Grizzlies 35-9. However Memphis played much better as the game went along and outscored the Lakers 92-76 from the second to the fourth quarters. This should give Memphis the necessary game four momentum. Take the Grizzlies at +4.5 and the over at 222. Game three had 212 points scored, but the Grizzlies shouldn’t have a nine-point quarter again tonight.
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