Battle Of One Seeds

Entering the year, I think the consensus was that OKC was going to be good, with some people maybe having them in the top four of the Western Conference. But for them to be in the running for the first or second seed? I certainly didn’t see that coming 🫡

The timeline is now for OKC, as they actually have a legitimate chance to make the Finals this year. Whoever emerges out of the West will most likely end up drawing the Celtics, a certified machine. When Boston is shooting well, the opposition ends up getting buried, and their entire roster is capable of finding the bottom of the net from deep on any given night 🏹

While this matchup might not offer a look at both teams at full strength, with SGA and Jalen Williams set to rest, it should still be an intriguing watch 👇

• How will Boston fare against a team that spaces its opponents out with omni-present shooting on the floor?

• Battle of the new-age big man: Chet will go up against Porzingis, who helped usher in the era of mobile, shot-creating big men. Can he hold his own?

• In my opinion I think the Celtics manage to get Chet in foul trouble with a host of bodies to throw at him, including Al Horford and Luke Kornet (don’t laugh). Once Holmgren is off the floor, the Celtics guards should be able to live in the paint

Thunder @ Celtics Betting Preview

• Spread: Celtics -8.5

• Moneyline: Celtics -370, Thunder +295

• Over/Under: 227.5 Total Points

• When: 7:30PM EST on ESPN

The other late-night ESPN game is another great matchup, as Phoenix plays host to Cleveland. Entering this season, another conception that I had, which has been shattered, was that every team in the pacific division would make the playoffs. As of writing this, the Clippers are the only guarantee to reach the postseason, with the Warriors, Lakers, Suns and Kings all but locked into the play-in 😮‍💨

With that being said, every game down the stretch is important for these teams. Unfortunately for the Suns, every game will be against another playoff team, with the Cavs next on the list. Luckily for Phoenix, Cleveland is down a pretty important player in Spida 🕷️

• While Cleveland does have the defenders to make things at least somewhat more difficult, their rim protection won’t be as effective considering the Suns sport some of the best mid-range artists in Book and KD

• I expect Cleveland to attempt to slow the pace down, but Phoenix should eventually bury them

Cavs @ Suns Betting Preview

• Spread: Suns -6

• Moneyline: Suns -250, Cavs +205

• Over/Under: 225.5 Total Points

• When: 10PM EST on ESPN

I’d also be remiss to not mention a Celtics legend who officially retired this week. Rajon Rondo, who is a perpetual candidate to sneak onto a contender and offer some playmaking juice (looking at the 2020 Lakers), called it quits after an incredible career. Enjoy some highlights from number 9 👇

Trivia Question: This year’s OKC team has cleared the 50-win mark, sitting at 52 for the season. When was the last time the Thunder achieved this benchmark?

For My Parlay Gurus

OKC has only played the Celtics once this season and managed to win on their home court. But without SGA or Jalen Williams I’m going with Boston to cover what I think is a slightly forgiving spread. Meanwhile, I like Phoenix to win outright given their desperation to remain afloat in the play-in race, and the fact that Cleveland is down Donovan Mitchell. Check out my parlay 👇

• Celtics -8.5 vs Thunder: -110

• Suns ML vs Cavs: -250

$100 on this bet would win you $167 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win an Overtime hoodie*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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Trivia Answer: The last time the Thunder won at least 50 games was during the 2015-16 season when they hit 55, but lost to the Warriors in the conference finals after taking a 3-1 series lead

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