Injury Bug Controversy

This season’s NBA playoff picture boasts such uncommon parity and quality of talent across both conferences, it’s hard to believe that the quartet of predetermined Warriors-Cavs Finals were so recent. However, as we discussed yesterday, a string of highly entertaining first round matchups were marred by a heavy dose of the injury bug 😢

Los Angeles and Miami both scored upset Game 1 victories on the road, benefitting from injuries to each of their opponents’ signature stars. Giannis Antetokounmpo playing 10 minutes clearly impacts the outcome of any game, but both incidents occurred under similar circumstances 👇

• In each case, a superbly athletic star goes hard to the rim, while an opportunistic defender positioned himself late to draw an offensive foul

• This confluence of similar injuries has caused some fans to think about if the league is rewarding the wrong type of play 👀 

Despite these injury concerns, these first-round series nevertheless hold a ton of intrigue. The Lakers have looked like a dark-horse contender since the All-Star break, and have a chance to take advantage of a hobbled Memphis squad and are currently -300 to win the series. Meanwhile, the Heat gave themselves a chance in the series with their impressive Game 1, but will be hard-pressed to ultimately prevail if Giannis returns 🍿

Heat vs. Bucks Betting Preview (odds subject to change)

• Spread: Bucks -6

• Moneyline: Bucks -245, Heat +200

• Over/U: 219

Lakers vs. Grizzlies Betting Preview

• Spread: Lakers -1

• Moneyline: Lakers -112, Grizzlies -104

• O/U: 227

Pivotal Matchups

For the Lakers, this game represents an opportunity to all but steal the series — winning the first two matchups in Memphis would take the life out of a struggling Grizzlies squad. While Ja fortunately avoided major injury during the Game 1 loss, he described his pain level as a “10” following the game and a return tonight is looking unlikely 😬

• While the Grizz still boast high end talent in newly minted DPOY Jaren Jackson Jr. and sniper Desmond Bane, neither is well-suited for a true No. 1 offensive role

• Ja seemed despondent over the prospect of yet another pitfall in such an up-and-down season for Memphis 📉

Even with a healthy Morant in tow, the Grizzlies would have their hands full with this Lakers squad. LA has amassed the best record in the West since the All-Star break, forming a defensive identity anchored by Anthony Davis’ presence in the middle 💪

• The big man put together a defensive masterclass in Game 1, with a playoff career high 7 blocks, but he and LeBron were surprisingly quiet offensively

• The Lakers’ scoring leaders came from unexpected places: midseason acquisition Rui Hachimura and rising fan favorite Austin Reaves 🔥

While the Grizzlies’ outlook appears decidedly bleak following their star’s injury, the same cannot be said for the Bucks. Giannis is expected to return for the Game 2, and his presence will immediately reinvigorate the consistently dominant defense that caved in his absence 🔓

• Khris Middleton, Milwaukee’s usual No. 2 option who has been beset by injuries all season, also showed signs of life in Giannis’ absence, dropping a season high 33 points

• On the Miami side, the Heat’s fortunes lie almost entirely in Butler continuing his heroic individual run from last season’s playoffs

Butler certainly looked to be building on that momentum in a virtuoso Game 1 performance 💪

Trivia Question: The Heat are hoping to be the first 8 seed to defeat a 1 seed in the first round since which squad?

For My Parlay Gurus

With Ja unlikely to suit up tonight, I’m surprised that Vegas isn’t favoring the Lakers by a more significant margin. I like LA to take full control of the series with a dominant win, while the Bucks rebound behind Giannis’ return and a rejuvenated Middleton. Take a look 👇

• Lakers -1 @ Grizzlies: -108

• Bucks -6 vs. Heat: -110

$100 on this bet would win you $268 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win up to $100*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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Trivia Answer: The last 8 seed to emerge from the first round was the 2012 Philadelphia 76ers, who defeated Chicago, largely due to Derrick Rose’s season-ending (and career-altering) Game 1 knee injury

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