The NBA playoffs have produced a first. Never before have three Game 7s been played on the same day. That ends on Saturday, with three series going the distance at the end of a wild two-week sequence in the first round. Heartbreak and joy will be found in three arenas on Saturday.
Game 7: Atlanta Hawks @ Indiana Pacers
Saturday, 5:35 PM ET
Odds: Indiana -6
This is a series in which the road teams are both 2-1. Home teams have found it hard to find composure. Atlanta’s two road wins have been fairly comfortable, while Indiana’s road wins have been close. It’s very possible that Indiana could find a new level of confidence in this game and blow out Atlanta, but that’s just not how most of this series has gone. Indiana crushed Atlanta in Game 2 at home, but that’s been the exception which proves the rule in this series. It’s true that Indiana is likely to make the handful of plays late in the game that will probably enable the Pacers to get out of the first round, but this series does not suggest that a blowout is likely to occur. Indiana has not been that dominant, and the Hawks are going to play this game with nothing to lose. If they hit a stretch in which they can make a few three-point shots, they should be able to stay close until the very end. Indiana will win, but Atlanta should cover.
Pick: Atlanta +6
Game 7: Memphis Grizzlies @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Saturday, 8:05 PM ET
Odds: Oklahoma City -7.5
The line is being set this high because Memphis power forward Zach Randolph has been suspended and point guard Mike Conley injured his hamstring in Game 6 of this series, which was won by Oklahoma City in an elimination situation. The Grizzlies have to have Conley in reasonably good health if they want to have any chance of winning this game. Conley is the player who slows down the tempo of the game and enables Memphis to play at its preferred pace. If Conley can’t be on the floor and effective when he is playing, the Grizzlies have no chance. It is probable that Conley will play on Saturday, but his effectiveness is something which won’t be known until the game reaches the second quarter. It’s possible that Conley could be fine, but it’s hard to know at this point. The most likely scenario in Game 7 is that Oklahoma City will win, because Conley won’t be at his very best. However, Conley will play hard enough on defense that the Grizzlies, while losing, can still keep this game close and cover the spread.
Pick: Memphis +7
Game 7: Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Clippers
Saturday, 10:35 PM ET
Odds: Los Angeles Clippers -7
The final Game 7 on Saturday night is on the West Coast, where the Clippers, worn out by the week of Donald Sterling madness and distractions, while try to proceed to the second round by handling the Golden State Warriors at home. The big concern for the Clippers is the health of point guard Chris Paul, who did not play at a high level in the second half of Game 6 on Thursday night on Golden State’s home court. Paul’s hamstring remains injured, and his speed was clearly compromised as a result. Paul’s defense against Golden State’s talented backcourt is an issue, and that’s why the Clippers might not be able to take advantage of the fact that Golden State’s best center, Andrew Bogut, is not going to be on the floor due to an injury that knocked him out for the entire postseason. The Clippers have the advantage inside, the Warriors have the advantage on the perimeter. This feels like a toss-up. Blake Griffin will probably win the game for the Clippers, but Golden State will cover.
Pick: Golden State +7
