2014 NBA Golden St vs LA Clippers Game 7 Odds and Predictions: While the two-time defending champion Miami Heat took care of business and swept the Charlotte Bobcats, the rest of the series in the 2014 NBA playoffs have been incredibly competitive. In fact, Saturday’s slate of games includes three series-deciding Game 7s. Among the teams in action Saturday are Eastern Conference No. 1 seed Indiana and Western Conference No. 2 seed Oklahoma City, both of which needed to win on the road Thursday just to force Game 7s. Saturday’s win-or-go-home games should be even more exciting, and here is a closer look at all three series-deciding matchups.
Atlanta Hawks @ Indiana Pacers
In what has been a surprisingly competitive series, the Hawks have managed to solve Indiana’s top-ranked defense by spreading the floor with an arsenal of 3-point shooters in order to neutralize Roy Hibbert’s ability to protect the rim and create driving lanes for Jeff Teague. As a result, Teague has gutted the Pacers on a routine basis while Indiana has been forced to rely on brief spurts of solid play in order to stay in the series.
As bad as Indiana has looked at times this series, the Pacers can put it all behind them with a win Saturday in Game 7, and that is exactly what I expect them to do. By basically benching Hibbert, the Pacers have finally adjusted to Atlanta’s smaller lineup, and for the first time in this series, the Hawks are also playing with something to lose. I know Indiana trailed by as many as 30 the last time the Pacers played on their home court in this series, but facing a monumental collapse, Paul George, David West and the rest of the bunch will their way to a win.
Prediction: Indiana Pacers (-6) Cover the Spread
Memphis Grizzlies @ Oklahoma City Thunder
This has been an incredibly entertaining series between two franchises that are no strangers to meeting in the playoffs. Four of the six games have been decided in overtime, and both sides have taken turns blowing big leads. For the most part, Memphis has been able to stifle Kevin Durant and the Thunder offense thanks in large part to stellar man-to-man defense by Tony Allen. With the exception of Game 6 when Durant simply took over the game from the start, this series has been played at Memphis’ pace, and home court has meant little for either side so far.
Unfortunately, this thrilling series seems destined for an anticlimactic finish. After striking Oklahoma City center Steven Adams in the face at the end of Game 6, Memphis power forward Zach Randolph has been suspended for Saturday’s Game 7. Randolph is not only the team’s leading scorer, but his post play is a big reason why the Grizzlies have been able to control the pace of this series. Worse yet, Memphis point guard Mike Conley Jr. will be at less than 100 percent after injuring a hamstring. Conley’s ability to penetrate is vital for the success of an otherwise average Memphis offense, and his perimeter defense on Russell Westbrook has also played a big role in Memphis’ success in this series. With Randolph sidelined and Conley hobbled, Durant and company are going to smell blood and simply overwhelm the undermanned Grizzlies.
Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder (-7.5) Cover the Spread
Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Clippers
This has been a tough series to predict in part because of the whole Donald Sterling fiasco creating such an unusual atmosphere. Meanwhile, Los Angeles just hasn’t been able to consistently take advantage of Andrew Bogut’s injury to beat up the Warriors inside. Granted, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan have both had some monster games, but Griffin in particular has also dealt with foul trouble at times. Meanwhile, Stephen Curry has been able to dominate the Clippers’ perimeter defense, and a surprisingly balanced Golden State offense has been able to have to get good looks throughout this series. The end result has been mostly back-and-forth games, culminating in Saturday’s Game 7.
Los Angeles has a couple of things going for it in Saturday’s series-deciding showdown. For one, the Clippers have played well at home in this series. Perhaps more importantly, Jermaine O’Neal is either going to be sidelined or very limited, leaving an already-hurting Golden State interior defense even more vulnerable. I expect Griffin and Jordan to pretty much have their way on the glass and in the paint and ultimately lead the Clippers to a win. That being said, I don’t see Curry and company going down without a fight, even without some key pieces being healthy. I think the Warriors keep this one close.
Prediction: Golden State Warriors (+7) Cover the Spread
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