NBA Playoffs: San Antonio Spurs show steel in first test against Thunder

Miami Heat @ Charlotte Hornets

• NBA
• Saturday, April 30th
• Tipoff: 01:00 BST
• Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte

Buzzing Hornets to deliver final deadly sting

After leading the series 2-0, Miami Heat now trail 3-2 to Charlotte Hornets in a sensational collapse. Charlotte are now in a superb position to win their first playoff series in 14 years

The winner of game five in a series that was tied at 2-2, has gone on to win the series 82.7 per cent of the time. After navigating the regular season playing relativity smooth free flowing basketball, Heat have sunk into a sluggish, isolation heavy style.

Dwayne Wade is now dribbling the ball too much, running down the clock leaving little time and space for his teammates to operate. Erik Spoelstra’s side lost by just two points last time out and had the chance to draw level or even win with just seconds on the clock.

However, the coach didn’t bother to draw up a game-winning play; instead, he instructed his players to give the ball to Wade and the 34-year-old controversially failed to convert.

Miami have now won six in a row at home, are ahead in the series, yet remain underdogs. Hornets have been waiting to get their buzz back for a few years now but with a rejuvenated Jeremy Lin and dynamic Kemba Walker leading the line, it looks as though Charlotte a force to be reckoned with.

The Heat have lost three consecutive road games and have eight losses in their last 11 away games. Walker is 5/2 to score 22 or more points in a Hornets win that would seal a second round berth.

Los Angeles Clippers @ Portland Trail Blazers

• NBA
• Saturday, April 30th
• Tipoff: 03:30 BST
• Moda Center, Portland

Lillard to sink Doc Rivers Clippers

Portland Trail Blazers lead the series 3-2 in a playoff match up full of twists and turns.

After losing their first two series games, Portland won three consecutive games and are now in the driving seat, taking all the momentum back to Oregon.

Last time out Damian Lillard scored 22 points, an incredible 16 of which came in the fourth quarter in a 108-98 victory. The guard has scored 27 points or more against Clippers twice already this season and is 6/5 to do it again in a Portland triumph. Lillard may be the team’s superstar, but C.J. McCollum has averaged 24.3 points in the Trail Blazers’ journey from 2-0 down and has be key for the side this season.

Portland outscored their LA opposition by 22 points in their game three and four victories against a fully fit Clippers and now, with vital players Blake Griffin and Chris Paul missing for the rest of the postseason, they will struggle to deal with a Portland side seeking a statement home victory.

LA have shot 39.5 percent in their three losses in the series – including a truly awful 25.4 average from three point range. Doc Rivers’ side looks down and almost out.

Oklahoma City Thunder @ San Antonio Spurs

• NBA
• Sunday, May 1st
• Tipoff: 01:30 BST
• AT&T Center, San Antonio

Kawhi Leonard continues rise to super-stardom

This will be the first of the second round playoffs, as San Antonio Spurs face off against Oklahoma City Thunder in an intriguing series.

Spurs swept their first round series while Thunder lost just once. However, this contest has the makings of a seven game slog with both heavyweights trading blows.

Both teams possess star talent, San Antonio with the evergreen Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker – topped off with the phenomenal Kawhi Leonard. Oklahoma have two of the NBA’s top five talents in the form of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, but will find it difficult to come out on top in a long tactical series.

The Thunder have a few too many potential weaknesses in depth and rotation to hold up against the scrutiny of an all-time great defence, the relentless San Antonio execution and the tactical mastery of Gregg Popovich.

Spurs will win this series if they can continue their exceptional defensive record but the big guns of Oklahoma will pose a real threat. Popovich’s men have experienced success dealing with Oklahoma’s talented duo but it is keeping a lid on Serge Ibaka that they may find challenging.

LaMarcus Aldridge was brought into the Texan team last summer and was expected to contribute significantly offensively, what has been a surprise is his defensive contribution. Combine this with the the news Leonard has been named Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, then you have championship winning calibre defensive wall.

In three of their last five meetings the teams have registered a points total of between 195-205 and are 12/5 to do the same this weekend.

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