It’s business as usual for the Los Angeles Lakers as they are up 2-0 in their opening-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Lakers took Game 1 by a final of 87-79, barely covering the line online sportsbooks posted (they were 7.5-point favorites)…and they didn’t give their backers any cash in Game 2 either, as they failed to cover the 5.5-points, winning 95-92.
The sports betting public were heavy on LA in both of those games, but now that the series has shifted to Oklahoma City and LA has come out of the gate 0-2 ATS, it appears the affection for the Lakers has cooled a little. Early betting action being reported from sportsbook SPORTSBETTING.com shows even action so far on this Game 3 matchup.
The Lakers are getting points in this tilt, as they are currently underdogs of 3-points with the O/U set at 191.5 at most online sportsbooks. .
It’ll be interesting to see if star Kevin Durant can get going for the Thunder. While Durant has averaged 28-points a game through two playoff games, he is an atrocious 19-50 from the field (38 percent).
NBA Playoff Trends
Let’s look at a couple of trends of note for this matchup:
- The Oklahoma City Thunder are 10-3 against the spread in their last 13 games when favored by 4-points or less.
- In the Lakers’ last eight games when underdogs of 4-points or less, they are only 1-7 SU and 3-5 ATS.
Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Chicago Bulls barely eked their way into the NBA playoffs and facing a powerful Cavs team, it shows.
Listed as 11.5-point underdogs in Game 1, the Bulls failed to cover, losing 96-83 and they followed that up with a Game 2 loss by a final of 112-102 — although they did manage to cover the pointspread, as they were listed at +11.
The Bulls tip-off at home on Thursday night in Game 3. The sportsbooks have them as a small home underdog (+3.5 points) with an Over/Under line set at 193.
The small price on a dominant Cleveland squad has attracted early action from sports bettors, with about 60% of all the volume favoring the road team laying the 3.5 points.
NBA Playoff Trends
Some numbers worth noting:
In the Bulls’ last 17 games overall, they have recorded 5 Overs and 12 Unders.
The Chicago Bulls are a very impressive 14-6 ATS in their last 20 games as an underdog of +4 or less.
And finally, let’s have a quick look at some numbers from the Phoenix-Portland matchup.
The series is knotted at 1-1 after the Suns bounced back from a Game1 loss (as a 9-point favorite) and trounced the Trail Blazers 29 points, easily covering the 8-points.
Game 3 is set for Portland and the game is listed as a Pick’em with the Total at 205.
In the Phoenix Suns’ last 12 games when listed as a Pick’em, they are 9-3 SU and ATS.
In the Suns last 13 games in Portland, there have been 9 Overs, 3 Unders and a Push.
Things are just starting to heat up in the NBA Playoffs. Enjoy all of tonight’s betting action.
You can check all the NBA Odds
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