NBA Playoffs Betting Thursday Action

The Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers all went in to game five of their respective series’ with three-games-to-one series leads and the chance to eliminate their opponents to advance to the second round. However, none of the three teams capitalized on the opportunity, leaving the Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, and Denver Nuggets alive and within two wins of a series comeback. Each of those three series’ resumes on Thursday with two of the three favorites looking to close things out at home.

Chicago Bulls @ Philadelphia 76ers
Thursday, 7:00 PM ET

This game can basically be considered game seven for the 76ers, who aren’t going to have a very good shot heading back to Chicago after blowing consecutive opportunities to close out the first place team in the Eastern conference.

The Bulls may be without reigning MVP Derrick Rose, but nobody has forgotten how Chicago climbed to the top of the Eastern conference without him in the lineup for the better part of the season, and proved that they can win without him. The 76ers are a much better team at home than they are on the road, but the Bulls may have already realized that Philadelphia can’t handle their size down low, and it might already be too late for the lower pay head seed.

NBA Betting Pick: Chicago Bulls

Atlanta Hawks @ Boston Celtics
Thursday, 8:00 PM ET

The Celtics were the hottest team in the NBA following the All Star break, but like the 76ers they will be in big trouble if they fail to win game six and then have to head back to Atlanta to decide the series after consecutive losses. The Hawks have been that one perennial playoff team that hasn’t been able to do anything once they have gotten there for years and are eager to lose that stigma before management blows up the current group. However, when it comes to urgency this veteran Boston team understands this is the last betting chance for most of them to win another NBA championship ring, and they will rally to at least get out of the opening round by winning game six on Thursday at home.

NBA Betting Pick: Boston Celtics

Los Angeles Lakers @ Denver Nuggets
Thursday, 10:30 PM ET

While they may not have the same superstar talent as most of the other Western conference playoff teams, that is what makes the Nuggets such an interesting playoff team to follow. Extending this series to six games against a powerful Lakers’ team that has a major size advantage is a considerable accomplishment for this Denver team. Unfortunately for them, the Lakers are now pissed off and usually play their best when that competitive team spirit is awakened by adversity. Look for Kobe Bryant to shoot the lights out on the road before allowing Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol to close it out by bumping and grinding down low to cover the sports bet spread for game six on the road.

NBA Betting Pick: Los Angeles Lakers