Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers (-2, 172.5)
THE STORY: The first two games of the series were both decided by one point and it figures to be another close encounter as the second-round series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3. The 76ers notched an 82-81 victory in Boston on Monday to even the series after blowing a double-digit, fourth-quarter lead in Game 1 as the Celtics prevailed 92-91. Philadelphia is gaining confidence and won both home games against Boston in the regular season.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE CELTICS: Boston forward Paul Pierce is being greatly hindered by the left knee injury he suffered in the Atlanta series. Pierce is 5 of 20 from the field and averaging 10.5 points. He scored seven points in Game 2. Guard Avery Bradley aggravated a shoulder injury in Game 2 and is unable to play at the level he did late in the regular season. Ray Allen is receiving more playing time despite his ankle woes and scored a team-high 17 points in Game 2. Point guard Rajon Rondo is averaging 15 assists. Rondo had 13 against one turnover in Game 2.
ABOUT THE 76ERS: Second-year guard Evan Turner made big plays down the stretch and rookie post Lavoy Allen was a key contributor in both games in Boston. Turner scored six of his 10 points in the final three minutes, including driving for the go-ahead basket with 40.4 seconds left. Allen is averaging 11 points and 7.0 rebounds in the series after averaging 4.1 points and 4.2 rebounds in the regular season. “Our young guys just keep growing and they’re really becoming men,” Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said. “I have to tell you all season long, we couldn’t win these games and now our guys are believing they can do it and it’s pretty special to watch.”
TRENDS:
- Celtics are 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings in Philadelphia.
- 76ers are 2-6 ATS in their last eight home games.
- Celtics are 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 road games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The 76ers limited Boston to 24 total points in the second and third quarters of Game 2.
2. Celtics forward Kevin Garnett is averaging 24.0 points and 12.3 rebounds over the past three games.
3. Philadelphia forwards Elton Brand (5.5 points, 2.5 points) and Thaddeus Young (4.5 points) have been non-factors in the first two games while dealing with minor injuries – neck for Brand and ankle for Young.
Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder (-7.5, 195.5)
THE STORY: One game won't decide a best-of-seven playoff series, but it's fair to say the Oklahoma City Thunder have all the momentum as they entertain the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of their Western Conference second-round encounter. The Thunder had a lengthy layoff after sweeping the Dallas Mavericks in the opening round but showed no rust in the opener against the Lakers, cruising to a 119-90 victory.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE LAKERS: Los Angeles had precious little time to recover from an emotionally draining seven-game triumph over the Denver Nuggets, and looked sluggish at times against the well-rested Thunder. But Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant distanced himself from the suggestion that extra days off made the difference in Game 1. "Obviously, they're more well-rested than we are, but I don't think it made that much of a difference for us,'' he said. ''We could have had the same amount of days off. They're just younger and faster ... what you saw is them executing extremely well."
ABOUT THE THUNDER: Oklahoma City did several things right in the opening-game victory, but coach Scott Brooks pinpointed one area in particular that pleased him the most: the lack of turnovers. The Thunder handed the ball over just four times - a franchise low, and a remarkable turnaround for a team that averaged a league-high 16.4 turnovers per game during the regular season. ''I think that's huge," Brooks said. "Four - we've had that the first six minutes of games at times." The one-sided result allowed the Thunder to give stars Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant a large chunk of the night off.
TRENDS:
- Lakers are 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings.
- The over is 4-1 in Thunder last five overall.
- Lakers are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games following a ATS loss.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Monday's loss was the 12th worst in Lakers playoff history. It came just four days after the Nuggets crushed Los Angeles by 28 points.
2. Lakers C Andrew Bynum has averaged nearly 15 rebounds per game over his last four contests.
3. Thunder C Kendrick Perkins aggravated a hip injury in the opener and is a game-time decision for Game 2.
THE STORY: The first two games of the series were both decided by one point and it figures to be another close encounter as the second-round series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3. The 76ers notched an 82-81 victory in Boston on Monday to even the series after blowing a double-digit, fourth-quarter lead in Game 1 as the Celtics prevailed 92-91. Philadelphia is gaining confidence and won both home games against Boston in the regular season.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE CELTICS: Boston forward Paul Pierce is being greatly hindered by the left knee injury he suffered in the Atlanta series. Pierce is 5 of 20 from the field and averaging 10.5 points. He scored seven points in Game 2. Guard Avery Bradley aggravated a shoulder injury in Game 2 and is unable to play at the level he did late in the regular season. Ray Allen is receiving more playing time despite his ankle woes and scored a team-high 17 points in Game 2. Point guard Rajon Rondo is averaging 15 assists. Rondo had 13 against one turnover in Game 2.
ABOUT THE 76ERS: Second-year guard Evan Turner made big plays down the stretch and rookie post Lavoy Allen was a key contributor in both games in Boston. Turner scored six of his 10 points in the final three minutes, including driving for the go-ahead basket with 40.4 seconds left. Allen is averaging 11 points and 7.0 rebounds in the series after averaging 4.1 points and 4.2 rebounds in the regular season. “Our young guys just keep growing and they’re really becoming men,” Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said. “I have to tell you all season long, we couldn’t win these games and now our guys are believing they can do it and it’s pretty special to watch.”
TRENDS:
- Celtics are 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings in Philadelphia.
- 76ers are 2-6 ATS in their last eight home games.
- Celtics are 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 road games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The 76ers limited Boston to 24 total points in the second and third quarters of Game 2.
2. Celtics forward Kevin Garnett is averaging 24.0 points and 12.3 rebounds over the past three games.
3. Philadelphia forwards Elton Brand (5.5 points, 2.5 points) and Thaddeus Young (4.5 points) have been non-factors in the first two games while dealing with minor injuries – neck for Brand and ankle for Young.
Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder (-7.5, 195.5)
THE STORY: One game won't decide a best-of-seven playoff series, but it's fair to say the Oklahoma City Thunder have all the momentum as they entertain the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of their Western Conference second-round encounter. The Thunder had a lengthy layoff after sweeping the Dallas Mavericks in the opening round but showed no rust in the opener against the Lakers, cruising to a 119-90 victory.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE LAKERS: Los Angeles had precious little time to recover from an emotionally draining seven-game triumph over the Denver Nuggets, and looked sluggish at times against the well-rested Thunder. But Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant distanced himself from the suggestion that extra days off made the difference in Game 1. "Obviously, they're more well-rested than we are, but I don't think it made that much of a difference for us,'' he said. ''We could have had the same amount of days off. They're just younger and faster ... what you saw is them executing extremely well."
ABOUT THE THUNDER: Oklahoma City did several things right in the opening-game victory, but coach Scott Brooks pinpointed one area in particular that pleased him the most: the lack of turnovers. The Thunder handed the ball over just four times - a franchise low, and a remarkable turnaround for a team that averaged a league-high 16.4 turnovers per game during the regular season. ''I think that's huge," Brooks said. "Four - we've had that the first six minutes of games at times." The one-sided result allowed the Thunder to give stars Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant a large chunk of the night off.
TRENDS:
- Lakers are 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings.
- The over is 4-1 in Thunder last five overall.
- Lakers are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games following a ATS loss.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Monday's loss was the 12th worst in Lakers playoff history. It came just four days after the Nuggets crushed Los Angeles by 28 points.
2. Lakers C Andrew Bynum has averaged nearly 15 rebounds per game over his last four contests.
3. Thunder C Kendrick Perkins aggravated a hip injury in the opener and is a game-time decision for Game 2.
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