The first close-out game of the conference semifinals will be taking place today, as the Golden State Warriors take on the Memphis Grizzlies. Holding a 3-1 lead, the visitors will have the chance to dispatch a Grizzlies team without star guard Ja Morant. Meanwhile out in the Eastern Conference, the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics will tussle to try and gain a narrow lead in the series. Currently they are tied at 2-2.
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Brook Lopez over 17.5 points + rebounds (-110)
So far throughout this series against the Celtics, Brook Lopez has had no trouble rebounding the ball. After averaging just over 4 per game in the regular season and conference quarterfinals, the center has not recorded fewer than 6 in this round. His scoring has started to catch up, too, with 13 and 17 points in his last 2 outings. Lopez enjoys a size advantage over any center that the Celtics are able to put on the floor, which automatically makes him a threat on the offensive glass. He has great touch in the paint too which allows him to maintain close to 50% shooting from the field in the semifinals. Look for Lopez to produce a performance along the lines of 14 points and 8 rebounds.
Read our full game preview for Milwaukee Bucks vs Boston Celtics.
Al Horford over 2.5 made threes (+150)
Al Horford was lights out against the Bucks in Game 4, going off for 30 points. His perimeter attack was a major part of that, as he knocked down 5 of his 7 3-point attempts. It was the 3rd time in 4 games in which he has hit at least 3 threes. Spacing the floor has been a crucial part of his role against the Bucks. Through the 4 games, at least half of his field-goal attempts have been beyond the arc in 3 outings, making 48.2% of them in the process. No team that made it past the first round allows more 3-point attempts per game this postseason than the Bucks. I expect that they will take their chances and force Horford to be the one to take them. The Bucks treated Nikola Vucevic of the Chicago Bulls the same way last series, even after he shot well. Expect the same tonight.
Now check out our Bucks vs Celtics same game parlay (+982 odds!)
Dillon Brooks over 23.5 points + assists (-111)
With Morant likely out for the remainder of the playoffs for the Grizzlies, other guards will be forced to step up. One of them is likely to be Dillon Brooks, who is already coming into the game off from a strong passing performance. In Game 4 he was able to record 8 assists, and with continued increased usage he should be well positioned for a similar night in Game 5. While Brooks has struggled from the field against the Warriors, he has remained aggressive. Despite not making more than 30% of his field goals in either Game 1 or 3, his 19 attempts in the latter indicate his willingness to shoot himself out of this slump. The guard was able to put together 3 performances of 20 or more points in the conference quarterfinals. It is about time he has his breakout game in this series, too.
Take a look at our full game preview for Golden State Warriors vs Memphis Grizzlies.
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