We SPLIT our NBA releases 1-1 on Friday as the last of the Play-Ins were completed with 2* STRONG Miami holding off Atlanta 123-114 in OT for a Winner and 2* STRONG Dallas, apparently forgetting what time the game started, Losing 120-106 to Memphis. The Heat controlled the game for 3 quarters but allowed the Hawks to rally in the 4th to force OT as Trae Young hit a driving layup with 2 seconds remaining. Miami’s Davion Mitchell took over in OT to seal the victory. The Heat now move on to face Cleveland on Sunday. The Mavericks played the Grizzlies even for the last 3 quarters but could never rebound from sleep walking through the 1st quarter and going down 15. Anthony Davis poured in 40 for Dallas but received little help as PJ Washington, their 2nd option on offense, disappeared going 0-5 from the field for ZERO POINTS. Memphis moves on to assume their role in a “Pigs to the Slaughter” situation facing powerhouse, and #1 Seed, OKC on Sunday. Adding Zero Units brings our rolling 53 day record to 85-62 for PLUS 82.4 UNITS. The NBA Playoffs begin in earnest today so Let the Games Begin!
2* STRONG – (NBA) Miami ML -120 (123-114 OT) WIN
2* STRONG – (NBA) Dallas +6 (106-120) LOSS
2* STRONG – (NBA) Miami ML -120 : Tonight the Atlanta Hawks host the Miami Heat in a Play-In game that is lined at basically a toss up. The Heat have two primary edges in this matchup. First, Erik Spoelstra is an excellent Playoff Coach who has been here many times before. Second, Miami ranked in the top 5 in “Advanced Metrics” over their final 15 games and just held the very offensively capable Bulls, a team very similar to the faced paced Hawks, to 95 points. The Heat will throw multiple bodies at Hawks star Trae Young and try to force Atlanta to beat them inside. On the other side, Miami can do business in the paint and from behind the arc versus a very suspect Atlants defense. The Hawks are just plain lousy defensively, allowing 118 ppg over their final 15 games (24th in NBA and second-worst among all playoff teams), and Tyler Herro should have a field day. In the end it will be the Heat’s excellent defensive pressure that carries them to victory.
2* STRONG (NBA) Dallas +6: Tonight we have the Dallas Mavericks traveling to face the Memphis Grizzlies in a matchup where the Mavericks are getting No Respect. In fact, the Mavs are live to win this game or, at the very least, keep it close. Ja Morant is listed as questionable but, even if he plays, Dallas has considerably more playoff experience and are the much healthier team. The Grizzlies have been a terrible defensive team at home, and especially down the stretch. Also, the Grizzlies have covered just 6 of their final 20 games and just 2 of their last 15 at home. Dallas has the size and the shooting to exploit this defense. Memphis has allowed 109 or more points in 17 of their last 20 home games and will not be able to shut down the Mavericks. Memphis has been a “shit show”, including firing their coach, and it finally catches up to them tonight.