NBA Playoffs Odds: The Magic hung around through the first three quarters of Game 4 before the Bucks pulled away with a 37-point fourth quarter. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton accounted for 26 of those points and 35 of Milwaukee’s 63 points in the second half. Those stars are taking on more responsibility and appear to be hitting another gear as the Bucks plan to pick up momentum heading into a conference semifinals matchup with the Heat.
Milwaukee is now 7-1 against Orlando this year with those wins coming by an average of 16.7 PPG. As they have all year, the Bucks are packing the paint and daring the Magic to beat them from the perimeter. Orlando has tallied a league-low 23.3 PPG in the paint over their last three and has the second-worst offensive efficiency rating during that span. Even while shooting 40% (18-for-45) from downtown in Game 4, the Magic couldn’t keep pace with a Bucks team that led the NBA in PPG and net rating this season. The Bucks shot 41.5% (17-for-41) from deep with a .588 effective field goal percentage in that contest.
The Bucks are 40-31 against the spread (ATS) when favored this year and 30-18 ATS when facing conference foes. They are 8-4 against the Over in the Bubble. The Magic is 17-24-2 ATS when listed as underdogs and 22-25 ATS when facing conference foes.
NBA Playoffs Odds
Houston Rockets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Rockets had the series in their grasp but went through another cold spell from 3-point range and blew a 15-point lead while shooting 5-for-26 from deep over the final 18 minutes of Game 4. Houston attempted a playoff record 58 triples and received 32 points and 15 assists from James Harden, but the Beard tossed a careless outlet with 52 seconds remaining that led to a steal and Dennis Schroder lay-up, giving OKC a 111-108 lead they would never relinquish.
The Thunder have gotten back into this series by going small at times, and Billy Donovan benched Steven Adams down the stretch of Game 4. Luguentz Dort has done a decent job defending Harden and OKC is getting some consistency from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Schroder, which is the true key to their success.
Without Russell Westbrook (quad), the Rockets managed just seven fast-break points and earned just 10 free throw attempts in Game 4. Westbrook could be seen riding an exercise bike down the stretch and is reportedly “getting closer” to a return. The Rockets were 8-7 with a -1.2 net rating and averaged nearly 7 PPG fewer (112.6) when Westbrook was out this season.
The Thunder are 28-17 ATS following a win and 29-13 ATS when listed as underdogs this season. Their games are 17-25 against the Over when they’re listed as underdogs. The Rockets are 26-36 ATS when favored and 2-5 ATS over their last seven games. Rockets games are 12-17 against the Over after a Houston loss.
NBA Playoffs Odds:
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Inspired to honor the late Kobe Bryant, the Lakers came out on fire in Game 4 and put the Blazers to bed early. They pulled away for a 135-115 victory with a 135.6 offensive rating, dwarfing their previously shaky offensive performances in the Bubble. The Lakers have now scored 47.6 PPG in the paint over their last three wins and held the Blazers to 39.3 PPG in the paint during those contests. They have the best defensive efficiency mark in the WCF during that span, trailing only the top four seeds in the East.
Now the Blazers are expected to be without Damian Lillard (knee) in an elimination game. Portland is 2-6 with a rough -4.5 net rating in eight games without Lillard this year. Their prospects are bleak considering C.J. McCollum has been hampered by a back injury during the restart and their depth was already a significant problem in this series.
The Blazers are 14-23-2 ATS when listed as underdogs this season and 18-23 ATS following a loss. Blazers games are 24-15 against the Over when they’re underdogs. The Lakers are 30-23-1 ATS following a win and 31-33-1 ATS when favored this season. Lakers games are 29-36 against the Over when they’re favored.
