Miami Heat at Atlanta Hawks
The Heat are up 2-0 in the series after back to back comfortable wins over the Hawks. In game 2, it was the Jimmy Butler show as he finished with 45 pts in 39 minutes. Interestingly, Duncan Robinson exploded for 27 pts in Game 1 but only played 7 minutes in Game 2. So the Heat are proving to be a well-rounded team that can beat you in multiple ways. This is highlighted by a quiet series for Bam Adebayo. However, he has been dealing with a quad injury and will be questionable for Game 3. Tucker and Vincent are also listed as questionable for Saturday's game as well.
Meanwhile, the Hawks will look to bounce back on their home court after struggling to compete with the Heat in Miami. However, their offence showed signs of life in Game 2 after scoring just 91 pts in Game 1. In Game 2, they shot 47% from the field and should take confidence in that performance into Game 3. However, turnovers have been a concerning area where they've committed a total of 37. Trae Young has been a major disappointment, highlighted by 10 turnovers in Game 2. So he'll need to improve on Saturday.
This has been a fairly low scoring series thus far and we're expecting the trend to continue in Game 3. The Under has saluted in 8 of the Hawks last 9 games. It's also 4-2 when these two sides meet in Atlanta.
Stadium Record
The Hawks are 5-0 in their last 5 home games. Miami has lost 5 of their last 7 in Atlanta.
Head to Head Record
Miami leads the series 2-0 and have won 6 of the last 10 meetings.
Best Bet
Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls
The Bucks will look to get back on track in this series after going down to the Bulls in Game 2 by 4 points, 114-110. To make matters worse, Khris Middleton picked up an MCL injury and could miss around 2-3 weeks. This just places even more importance on Giannis and he comes off a 33 pt / 18 rebound performance in Game 2. They'll also need more from the likes of Portis, Allen and Matthews to make up for the Middleton injury.
Chicago heads home with a huge amount of confidence after an important 114-110 win on the road. If the Bulls are going to get through this series, they'll need to win on the road and they'll look to continue the momentum in Game 3. In Game 2, it was the DeRozan show as he responded from a quiet Game 1 with 41 points. LaVine also had a good outing with 20 pts and Vucevic continued his red-hot shooting form with 24 pts / 13 boards.
Despite missing Middleton, Giannis will enjoy the extra responsibility and the Bucks have a great record in Chicago. They've covered in 11 of their last 12 games and should be fired up to bounce back from a disappointing home defeat.
Stadium Record
The Bulls have lost 4 of their last 5 at home. Milwaukee has won 11 of their last 12 in Chicago.
Head to Head Record
Milwaukee has won 8 of the last 10 meetings.
Best Bet
Phoenix Suns at New Orleans Pelicans
This series has suddenly changed after Devin Booker tore his hamstring in Game 2 and the Suns lost to the Pelicans on their home court. Booker is out for 2-3 weeks so the Suns will look to regroup in New Orleans. Without Booker, their scoring ability obviously weaker but on the positive side, they have played without the likes of Booker and Paul this season. So the likes of Bridges, Johnson and Payne will need to step up their points production.
Brandon Ingram exploded with 37 pts in Game 2 as the Pelicans recorded a memorable 125-114 win in Phoenix. They head home to New Orleans with a lot of confidence that they can compete with the Suns, especially with Booker on the sidelines. CJ McCollum was also important in Game 2 with 23 points and he nailed 6 threes - proving the mid-season trade with Portland was a great move. In terms of injuries, the Pelicans are looking healthy for Saturday's game.
The Under looks a great play in Game 3 with the Suns missing Booker and the trend in New Orleans has been low scoring affairs. The Under has gone 6-1 in the Suns last 7 games and the Under is 4-1 in New Orleans.
Stadium Record
The Pelicans have won 4 of their last 6 at home. Phoenix are 5-1 at this venue in their last 6 games.
Head to Head Record
The series is tied at 1-1 and the Suns have won 7 of the last 10 meetings.
Best Bet
