The NBA brings a 2-game slate with in on Monday night. The TNT double-header will begin with the Miami Heat looking to build upon their 2-1 lead against the Milwaukee Bucks. With Giannis Antetokounmpo set to return for the visitors, it looks to be no easy task. That will be followed by the Memphis Grizzlies looking to claw their way back against the Los Angeles Lakers. The visitors are also down 2-1, and will be keen to regain home court advantage.
Be sure to take a look at all of our'NBA playoff predictions. But for now, check out my first basket scorer selections below.
Through 3 games in the series, Bam Adebayo is yet to lose the opening tip to Brook Lopez. He is clearly the more athletic player from the pair and he should be favoured to continue succeeding in giving the Heat the opening shot. Jimmy Butler seems a good value selection from there. The Heat have a great chance to take a 3-1 lead, and I expect Butler to come out and lead by example tonight. He made the opening shot for the Heat in Game 3, di not be surprised to see him make the first one overall tonight. He has been in incredible form in the series, averaging 30 points per game on 60.3% shooting. With the Bucks having the worst defensive rating in the playoffs so far, they should have real issues stopping him here.
So far in this series Anthony Davis has won the opening tip over Jaren Jackson Jr. in 2 of the 3 games. As a result, he should be favoured to gain the Lakers the opening possession once more. He should be well positioned to go on and convert himself too. In 58 starts this season, he has made the first shot for the Lakers on 19 occasions. However, heading into Game 4, he is yet to do it in the postseason. Being matched up against the leagues lead shot blocker could help. If the Lakers can drive to the rim early and draw Jackson Jr. out, Davis should be left open for a lob. He had his best game of the series in Game 3, dropping 31 points. The Lakers may look to him early to see if he still has it going tonight.