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The NBA playoffs are finally here. Teams have endured all types of aspects since training camps started in October. A lot of the paired seeds are familiar with each other, and today’s play comes from Boston and New York. Both coaches stress defense, and even through injuries on both sides they’ve continued to stress defense. Both teams are half court offensive teams that do not get out in transition all that much. New York can for stretches when JR Smith is in the game, but does not tend to do so.

This is a series that both teams expect to game close to the six or seven game mark. With how familiar both teams are with each other you can expect a vanilla game one game plan. Each team will try to play to their strengths which both teams already know well. Expect the game to be tight and low scoring. Take the under of 190 in a game that should end in the mid to high 80’s.

This will be a game where the over looks good for three quarters and suffers during a drastically slower fourth period.

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Even with Kevin Durant and a host of players on both sides for Milwaukee and Oklahoma City likely to sit, this matchup still boasts well for the over of 203.5. Both teams have a style of play that remains a part of practice even for their depth role players.

The game should be up tempo with no restraint in the paint from a Serge Ibaka or Larry Sanders. With an up tempo style with a meaningless tag to it, you can expect two things. A lack of defensive focus which leads to easy transition baskets and fouls. The other thing to expect is for a role player with expanded minutes to try and make the most of his time on the court. Picture a walk on in the last minutes of college basketball. Once they get on the court the fans and the players themselves are thinking one thing, and that is score.

The coaches on both sides would be kidding themselves with anger and quick timeouts tonight. These players have not been in enough consistent game action to showcase play to play discipline offensively or defensively.

Grab the easy over on this matchup

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You’d think that Dallas was more of a playoff team than the Memphis Grizzlies based on the last few weeks of play. Memphis has struggled to find an identity without Rudy Gay, and has played similar to the Bulls in the eastern conference. They play a slow down offensive tempo and force teams to do that offensively as well, by having to run offensive sets.

Teams that have talented half court offensive players bode well against this Memphis team. Dallas is one of the best half court offensive teams in the NBA. Shawn Marion can still get his own shot within fifteen feet, and Dirk Nowitzski has played well as of late. Vince Carter who seemed ready to exit the NBA a few seasons ago, has quietly redefined his game. His has made the most three pointers in his career since 2001, a remarkable jump that does not get seen in the league.

Most veteran clubs that are out of the playoffs tend to decline down the stretch. Though the Mavericks did suffer a disappointing home loss to the Suns last week, they have for the most part held tough. Chris Kaman, Dirk, Vince, and Shawn Marion are old wily veterans that are going to play hard until the season is finished.

When you have an owner such as Mark Cuban that will revamp the team in a heartbeat, it’s a must to show a concerted effort each and every night.

Take the Mavericks as they show the will to finish the season, getting 3.5 to 4 points.

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NBA teams are down to their last regular season games. It can be tough to figure out how coaches are going to handle their rosters down the stretch of a season. Now that we are down to the last few final games I believe that most of the games will be a bit more sloppy.

Players are accustomed to their rotations and roles on a team. Injuries sometimes change that, but for an 82 game season, minutes are divided up appropriately. On the other hand some coaches believe in playing their main roster the same amount, even with a secure playoff spot.

Today’s matchup between the Knicks and Pacers I believe favors both arguments for the under of 192 points. These teams know each other very well and are neck and neck for already secured second and third spots for the postseason. Both have battled injuries and the Knicks are still unsure of their front line’s health entering the playoffs.

The early start time of 330 is one to factor in as well, and that both teams are solid half court defensive teams.

The Knicks turn right back around Monday to head to Charlotte in less than 27 hours from the jump ball of today’s game. I just do not believe the intensity will be there on both sides for this game to eclipse the total.

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Year after year the college tournament is one of the best things to watch in sports. During it many fans know they’ll be watching their teams favorite player, play his last games. The postgame podium typical question always occurs. “Hey so-and-so, are you coming back next season”. The players response 100 percent of the time is they have not put any thought into it and are only concentrated on this current loss and their teammates.

It’s becoming ridiculous to hear and see the countless players that make mistakes to leave to the NBA early. A few names have already cleared the ESPN TV Guide Flash (News Updates). I’ll focus on two names that I loved in college this year but believe they should not declare in Russ Smith and Michael Carter-Williams.

Carter-Williams is a true talent, but as a point guard he struggled more games than his stats show. All year his offensive skill set was limited to driving the basketball or scoring off turnovers. The reason Syracuse struggled in half court offense is because teams would back off Williams and clog the lane. He did get better in the tournament but his offense is no where near where it should and needs to be. His length and upside are tremendous. Why not come back another year and take your team back to the final four, on a team that is truly loaded for next season? Williams needs to also add a solid fifteen to twenty pounds, which he may be able to do before the NBA training camps next season.

The other point guard in Russ Smith really is questionable. Smith is a speedy guard that propelled the Cardinal to an NCAA title. Smith though is one that is a strong college player that would struggle to transition to the NBA. He is small and his biggest strength in speed would be negated in the NBA. The slashing style of small point guards does not work anymore in the NBA, unless you’re Chris Paul. Smith does not have the stature to impose his speed at the next level.

Plus with the Cardinal his speed went to use off the Louisville’s press and turnovers, or a run out outlet pass by Gorgei Dieng or a forward. Taking it to the paint for one on two or one on three plays recklessly will not work in the NBA.

Smith may back out after NBA workouts and not hire an agent. Hopefully he does.

As the names spawn out over the next few weeks, all college basketball fans can wince at their teams depth and incoming recruits. “Rebuilding Phase” begins once again.

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I hope you enjoyed yesterday’s free winner with the Toronto Raptors. Today I have two games for free plays. Two plays are also offered in the package plays. New Orleans heads to Sacramento tonight. These two met in New Orleans not to long ago in a very sloppy uncontrolled game. Look for a similar performance tonight. Sacramento’s overall weakness is their defense which can not be made up for even with high potent offense. Vegas has the Kings favored by six, which would be closer to two if the Hornets had not played last night. Take the points with the Hornets.

Another underdog I like is the Phoenix Suns getting a very large number of thirteen, which could jump another point by game time. They’ve been playing awful which sometimes is to the benefit of a team. Dallas likely will not give a full four quarters of effort. That leaves the opportunity of one strong spurt in the second half to make a game of things. A four to five minute spurt by the Suns should be enough to cover this big of a line in the NBA.