Milwaukee Bucks vs Orlando Magic
The Bucks and Magic collide at 6am with Milwaukee leading the series 3-1 (all times AEST).
After dropping Game 1, the Bucks have since blown out the Magic in double digits in the last three games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to be the driving force of this team, averaging 31.2 points and a league-high 15.8 rebounds per game during the playoffs.
The Greek Freak was announced as this season’s Defensive Player of the Year and is also the favourite to claim MVP honours for the second year running.
Nikola Vucevic has battled hard for the Magic all series, averaging 29.5 points and 10 rebounds. But he needs more help from his teammates if the Magic are any chance of the extending the series to a Game 6.
Tip: Milwaukee -12 @ $1.68.
Houston Rockets vs OKC Thunder
The Rockets and Thunder face off at 8.30am with the series tied at 2-2.
There is some extra feeling in this one, with Chris Paul facing off against his former team Houston after getting traded in the off-season.
Like the leader he is, Paul has been huge for the Thunder in the series, averaging 21.5 points, 6.8 rebounds. 4.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has also continued his impressive regular season as one of the league’s most improved players.
SGA is putting up 20.3 points and 7.3 rebounds in the series.
The Rockets have had to get by without Russel Westbrook, the man who replaced Paul in their line-up. Westbrook is sidelined with a quad strain and is listed as out for Game 5.
But that has simply meant more James Harden, and that is never a good thing for opposition teams. The Beard has put the team on his back, averaging 32 points, 4.3 threes, 7.8 rebounds, 8.8 assists and two steals in the series.
Houston’s small ball line-up has proven to be successful, giving up size but getting great production from P.J Tucker and Robert Covington in the four and five positions respectively.
Tip: Houston to win $ $1.64.
LA Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers
The Lakers and Blazers round out the Thursday schedule at 11am with LA leading the series 3-1.
After dropping Game 1 and generally struggling to get going in the Bubble, the Lakers have since hit their stride. Frank Vogel’s team blew out Portland in Games 2 and 3 and now with their mojo back, will be tough to take down.
LeBron James has done what LeBron James does when his team is ever faced with adversity – gone to another level. He was particularly dominant in Game 4, dropping 22 points on 8-of-9 shooting in the first half alone to give the Lakers dominance of the series on the late Kobe Bryant’s birthday. LeBron finished the game with 30 points and 10 assists in 28 minutes.
The Blazers have been dealt a major blow in any hope they had of recovering the series, with Damian Lillard set to miss Game 5 with a right knee sprain.
With Zach Collins already ruled out for the year, the Blazers will lean on CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic to try and extend the series.
Tip: Lakers to win @ $1.08.
