The first round of the NBA playoffs is winding down as two teams look to advance with a victory on Thursday.
The Pacers return home trying to eliminate the Bucks in Game 6, while the 76ers seek to keep their season alive at home against the Knicks.
Let’s take a look at both games and make our picks.
Bucks vs. Pacers
The Bucks found a way to avoid elimination without its top two players, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, as Milwaukee defeated Indiana, 115-92, in Game 5.
Both superstars are listed as doubtful for Thursday’s Game 6, while Giannis hasn’t even suited up in the series yet. However, there was a sliver of optimism late Thursday morning that either or both could play.
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (Achilles) are both working to try and make a return vs. Indiana for Game 6 tonight, but still unclear if either will be able, sources tell ESPN. Bucks are trailing 3-2 in series.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) May 2, 2024
Milwaukee is still a large road underdog as the Bucks have yet to win back-to-back games in the first-round series. The margin of defeat for Milwaukee in this series has been 17, 3, and 13 points, while allowing 121 points or more in all three losses.
In two of the three wins, Indiana has shot 44% and 51% from three-point range, which were the two games the Pacers won by double digits.
Pacers center Myles Turner has knocked down at least three treys in four games, while guard Tyrese Haliburton is 9-of-22 from long distance the last two games.
Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis each scored 29 points in the Game 5 rout for the Bucks, but expecting that kind of scoring output from Portis again is asking a lot after not scoring more than 17 points in any of the first four games.
Even with hope mounting that Antetokounmpo and/or Lillard could return, let’s still back the Pacers here to close things out at home.
Pick: Pacers -6 (-108 at FanDuel)
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Knicks vs. 76ers
Philadelphia threw away a late lead in a heartbreaking Game 2 loss at New York, but the tables turned in Game 5 as the 76ers rallied to stun the Knicks and eventually win in overtime.
The Sixers look to stay alive back at Wells Fargo Center and try to push this series back to New York for a Game 7. Philadelphia is listed as a three-point favorite after laying 5.5 and 5 points in the two earlier home games in this series.
Tyrese Maxey single-handedly kept Philadelphia’s season going by torching New York for 46 points in Game 5, including the game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds of regulation.
Not to be outdone, Knicks’ guard Jalen Brunson has shined as well by posting consecutive 40+ point games. Brunson lifted New York to a Game 4 win at Philadelphia with 47 points prior to his 40-point showing in the Game 5 loss.
Since the beginning of March, the Knicks own a solid 7-3 record against the spread as an underdog, which includes six outright road wins.
Let’s grab the points with the Knicks here in this late tip-off with the 76ers.
Pick: Knicks +3.5 (-115 at BetMGM)
