NBA 2023 Playoffs Preview: Round 1

Summary

The NBA playoffs are finally here, and the Round 1 matchups are absolutely sensational!

There are multiple arguments for all of these teams to make it all the way and win the Championship this season, and the parity of these teams has made the race there so much more exciting.

Each series will be a dog fight no matter how you look at it, and there will be an emphasis on effort from teams in these next few weeks.

Regardless of their injury circumstances, teams have to move on and make do with what they have, which can be a tough thing to process.

Multiple stars have already been hit by the injury bug, whether it be Tyler Herro from the Miami heat with a broken hand, or Giannis with a lower back contusion.

There will be more physicality when it comes to the playoffs and the minutes played will start to become more and more inflated.

Bench units and rotations will be in question, as coaches want to narrow down the players making an appearance on the court.

Let’s enjoy these playoffs and analyse some of the best matchups this week in week one! Only available to bet on Stake.com/sports!

Match Betting Previews

Los Angeles Lakers versus Memphis Grizzlies - Wednesday, April 19th (LAL Leads 1-0)

The Los Angeles Lakers are on a high after defeating the Memphis Grizzlies in game one with an emphatic 15-0 run to end the game.

Laker nation is confident in their abilities to close this series out especially with the status of Ja Morant in this game.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis didn’t have to do much in this one, as their role players came through in a big way.

Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura are some of the best pieces in the league and Rob Pelinka has deserved a great applause in their integration within the team.

Nonetheless, the Lakers are in a commanding position and could put this series to bed in game two, which is likely.

Memphis and their home court advantage is quickly falling apart and their ability to make plays is showing an inefficiency in the 4th Q.

The Grizzlies are in danger of letting this series get out of hand and their coach Taylor Jenkins is looking to find ways to make up for Ja Morant’s presence in game two.

Tyus Jones will be taking over the PG position which should be fine as they have done well in the past with his ball-handling abilities.

They will be looking for everyone to step up, which might not be possible in this game.

Prediction - LA Lakers moneyline and the over on total points scored.

Philadelphia 76ers versus Brooklyn Nets - Thursday, April 20th (PHI Leads 1-0)

Philadelphia and Brooklyn lock horns for another match in a contested series that saw Philly win both games one and two at home.

This Philly team is looking to end this quickly, and James Harden and Joel Embiid have been playing at elite levels.

There is nothing to say about the strength of Brooklyn, even though they have been trying their best.

Game 3 in Brooklyn should be a reset, and they will have to pull out all the stops in order to stop the series from bleeding out in full.

Prediction - Brooklyn Nets +3.5 and possibly the money line.