Kyle's Stuff Monday 5/5
- Kyle Kirms
- May 4
- 2 min read
Couple NBA games.
KNICKS @ CELTICS GAME 1
Entering this season, the Knicks had been a thorn in Boston's side. New York had played very well against the Celtics in the past few years. That was NOT the cast this year. Boston was 4-0 S/U and 3-1 ATS vs New York this year.
But here's the takeaway from this... the only time we saw these two teams matchup fully healthy was the last one. April 8th at Madison Square Garden. We saw a battle. Game went to overtime... Boston ended up winning the game 119-117.
Here's the thing though... Mitchell Robinson didn't return to the lineups for the Knicks until February 27th. What do we know about the Knicks when Mitchell Robinson's on the floor? The defense takes a huge step forward. He gives them a solid defensive presence underneath which allows them to put more pressure on the perimeter and take away the 3PT shot.
Now I know what you're thinking... "Kyle... Mitchell Robinson's only been playing 18-20 minutes per night... there's no way he makes that much of a defensive impact". Well.. check the numbers before and after February 28th when Robinson returned.
Boston is obviously an offense that's extremely reliant on shooting the 3PT shot. The only time New York has played Boston with Mitchell Robinson in the lineup was the last matchup... which went to overtime and finished a 2 point game.
I'm on the Knicks... I also think 212.5 is too high so I'd lean under. These are two of the slowest paced teams in the NBA.
NUGGETS @ THUNDER GAME 1
Denver has actually beaten OKC twice this year but there's asterisks next to both of em. On November 6th, they didn't have Hartenstein... and if remember, the Oklahoma City defense was a little vulnerable during that stretch. Then on March 10th, they had JUST BEATEN the Nuggets by 24 points the night before... Aaron Gordon was ruled out... it was one of those games where OKC just came out napping. They just whooped this team's ass 21 hours ago and one of the starters was ruled out.
I don't see any reason to step in front of Oklahoma City here... what is Denver? A good offensive team with a questionable defense. Well, that has been the bread and butter for Thunder domination all season.
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