Ricky Dimon
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A quartet of crucial Game 4s are taking place as the NBA playoffs continue on Saturday. All four of the series stand at 2-1, with slight leads being enjoyed by the Atlanta Hawks (vs. the New York Knicks), the Los Angeles Lakers (vs. the Phoenix Suns), the Brooklyn Nets (vs. the Boston Celtics), and the Dallas Mavericks (vs. the Los Angeles Clippers).
Let’s take a look at two intriguing first-basket bets for Sunday’s postseason action on the professional hardwood.
*Note: odds have not yet been posted for the two later games
New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks – Clint Capela +800
Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers – Devin Booker +550
Let’s break down the two prop plays one by one.
Knicks at Hawks – Capela +800
The Hawks are 3-0 in jump balls so far this series. Clint Capela has had no trouble getting the best of Nerlens Noel at the tip, twice controlling the ball to Trae Young and once handing it off to Bogdan Bogdanovic. You can be sure New York’s defense is going to be hounding young from start to finish, which the Knicks have basically been doing all series long. It hasn’t really mattered, as they are struggling to contain the third-year point guard no matter who they throw at him. But it does open things up for Capela, who is having an alley oop field day so far in the playoffs. Atlanta has been dominating in the pain and more of the same should continue on Sunday. Look for Capela to get involved right away.
Suns at Lakers – Booker +550
Suns vs. Lakers has also been a mismatch in the tipoff circle. Deandre Ayton is a perfect 3-0 at the expense of Andre Drummond, thus giving Phoenix possession first in each of the first three contests. Ayton has twice tipped it to Jae Crowder in addition to dumping it off to Chris Paul on one occasion. There is no reason to expect anything different in Game 4. Booker may be the beneficiary. He scored his team’s first bucket in Game 1 and also contributed a basket less than three minutes into Game 3. This is pretty much a must-win situation for the Suns, so count on Booker taking matters into his own hands right from the start.
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