Friday, August 21 is Game 3 of the playoffs and we are must have been entertained already. The past two weeks in the bubble has been fun and it is good to see the NBA pick up from where it left with such ease in transition.
Some teams have been exceptional, earning their spot in the playoffs and we just cannot wait to see how they progress. We have 4 games on Friday, that is half of the teams playing the playoffs and we would be looking at some tips that would help you place better bets.
The first fixture for the day is Toronto Raptors vs. Brooklyn Nets. If there is any team that is expected to go hard in the playoffs, it is the Raptors, as they aim to defend their championship title. The Raptors have played against the Nets 13 times at the playoffs and the Nets have won 8 of those meetings.
The last time they met was in 2014 and the Nets won 4 out of 7 of their playoff meetings that season. They have met 4 times this season and the Raptors won 3 of those games. The Nets have played good games in the bubble, just like the Raptors. If there is any certainty, the total scoreline of their game would be 200+ points.
Next, Denver Nuggets would take on Utah Jazz. the two have played 23 playoff games in the past, the most recent being in 2010. Utah Jazz has a record of having won 12 of those fixtures, including their last match. But going by the regular season, Nuggets have a better chance of winning, having already beaten Jazz in a game at the bubble and also having won 3 of their past 5 meetings. But the reality of the playoffs might serve both teams differently, but the Nuggets seem more in form. Both teams also have a chance of scoring more than 100 points each.
After that, we see Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers. Both teams have one of the most meetings at the playoff stage, having played 105 playoff games over the past decades. Celtics has made 57 playoffs appearances while the 76ers have progressed to the playoffs 50 times.
The last time they met at the playoffs was in 2018 and they played 5 games, with the Celtics winning 4 of those matches. They have also met 4 times in this regular season, but the 76ers triumphed in 3 of those matches. With that information, one would say that 76ers are the favourite have a better chance, based on recent performance.
Finally, we get to enjoy a thrill between the Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks. Now, this is a one-of-a-kind fixture, because both sides have never met before at the playoffs, even though they have featured regularly at the playoffs. They have met 3 times this season, including once at the bubble, and the Clippers won all fixtures. They have been at their best this season, even at the bubble and they are quite set to win all their playoff fixtures.
