Germantas Kneita
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The first elimination game of the NBA season is finally here as the Charlotte Hornets take on the Indiana Pacers in a win or go home type of situation. The Pacers in particular should feel that they could make noise in the playoffs, especially if they could get a few players back from injury. The Hornets on the other hand would love to give rookie LaMelo Ball a taste of post-season action. It’s set to be an exciting one tonight as the Play-in Tournament gets underway, and I’ve put together a same game parlay for you to consider.
You can check out the full game preview here, as well as all of our picks and predictions for the NBA Play-in Tournament, but in the meantime let’s look at the selections for tonight’s game.
Indiana Pacers -3 (-110)
Miles Bridges over 18.5 points (-118)
Terry Rozier 3+ made threes (-148)
Domantas Sabonis over 22.5 points (-108)
Parlay odds: +1123
Indiana Pacers -3 (-110)
Elimination games are never easy to predict, but given the form of the teams involved, I would lean towards Indiana in this one. The Hornets have lost five straight and have covered just once in their last five at Indy. The Pacers have scored well lately, while Charlotte has struggled without Gordon Hayward in that department. With Malcolm Brogdon likely back tonight, the Pacers could have increased success in slowing down the likes of LaMelo Ball. They also have a more experienced core that has been more tested in bigger games, which should make a difference here. Take Indiana.
Miles Bridges over 18.5 points (-118)
Over the last 10 games the Indiana Pacers have been playing at the second-fastest pace in the league, and that type of game should suit Miles Bridges perfectly. His link-up with Ball and his ability to finish at the rim should open up opportunities for him here to get above the 20-point mark. Bridges has looked good in the two games since his return from health and safety protocols, managing a total of 47 points and playing 40 minutes in their season finale against the Wizards.
He should see time matched up against Domantas Sabonis tonight who could have trouble keeping up with him in transition. Oshae Brissett could see time against him too but does not have the athleticism to match him. If he plays big minutes here, this line should be a given.
Terry Rozier 3+ made threes (-148)
This season Terry Rozier has been launching shots on a nightly basis. He has been averaging 8.3 attempts from deep per game and knocking down close to 39 percent of those shots. In three games against the Pacers this season he has not attempted fewer than eight shots in a game. And while in one of the games he only shot one for nine from deep, he was able to connect on at least three shots from downtown in the other two. Considering he is Charlotte’s leading scorer this season and this is undoubtedly the biggest game of the campaign for the Hornets, do not expect Rozier to go shy tonight. He could end up with double-digit attempts from range here, and he has not failed to make fewer than three shots when he has done so this season.
TERRY ROZIER TIES IT AT MSG pic.twitter.com/YSDgqW9BJZ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 15, 2021
Domantas Sabonis over 22.5 points (-108)
In a win or go home type of game like this you need your best players to step up, and I have faith that Domantas Sabonis is going to have a huge night for the Pacers. The matchups are certainly favorable for him on the offensive end here, with undersized opponents like P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges likely to prove easier to deal with in the post.
Sabonis has struggled against bigger and longer defenders but the two bigs available for the Hornets in Bismack Biyombo and Cody Zeller are unlikely to cause him such issues here. If Brogdon is back in the line up too it should benefit Sabonis as he will have some of the playmaking responsibility taken off his shoulders here, allowing him to focus on scoring. Sabonis has been able to hit 23 or more points in five of his last nine games and should see around 40 minutes tonight. Look for this over to hit.
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