Oklahoma City and Cleveland know how quickly extra shots and outside shooting can swing their matchup. Their late creators will still need the last defensive rebound. New Orleans will challenge Utah at the rim, while the Jazz can answer with spacing and second chances. That game also depends on which side can find a new scorer after the first action is stopped.
Hartenstein and Mara earned extra chances against Cleveland's bigs in the recent meeting, even as the Cavaliers hit repeatedly from deep. Caruso returns to Oklahoma City's guard rotation while Cleveland's Watson remains out. Cleveland can still get organized shots through Mitchell and Harden, but the Thunder's extra-shot route and Shai's late creation give them the stronger finishing sequence. I'm siding with Oklahoma City at home.
New Orleans will challenge Utah at the rim, where George and Markkanen can answer with spacing and second chances. Jackson supplied Utah's late scores and a key block in the first meeting, but he is out for this match; Nurkic is also out, while Bamba and Murphy remain uncertain. Utah's recent offensive boards did not become enough points against San Antonio. Zion and Fears have already supplied late scores for New Orleans, so I'm siding with the Pelicans at home to find the last basket.
