Though largely unexpected, the 1-1 standstill across the 2013 NBA Playoffs series boards makes for some mouthwatering basketball. All lower-ranked teams did what they set out to do, and what is generally harder than imagined: they snagged a game on the road during the semis. So now, the Chicago Bulls, the Golden State Warriors, the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Indiana Pacers are at an advantage over their opponent. All four are now the ones doing the homecourt protecting.
SJN has already looked at who will be the victors at the end of each series (Chicago vs. Miami; San Antonio vs. Golden State; Memphis vs. Oklahoma; Indiana vs. New York). Game 3 is now critical for all sides, and we aim to predict who will win it.
Chicago vs. Miami
It’s amazing to consider that Chicago split a game with Miami since three of their starters have shot abysmally in the series. Marco Belinelli is 7-for-23, Carlos Boozer is 6-for-20, and Jimmy Butler is 8-for-21. Collectively, the three are shooting just 34 percent, which isn’t that much worse than what the Bulls are putting up against the Heat this round (39.5%).
Though the Bulls pride themselves on their defensive tenacity, they’ve also shot pretty well up to this point in the postseason. Even against a big Nets team, and two games against the scrappy Heat, the Bulls’ percentage for the playoffs is at a respectable 45.4%. They’ve held opponents to 45.2%, which is all the more impressive when you factor in Game 2’s historic blowout.
But Deng, Rose, and Hinrich are still out for Chicago. Rumors are that none of the three will be making a return this year. So a Game 3 against a newly motivated Heat team, who whooped them by 36 points, will be hard to secure.
Prediction: Miami wins Game 3
San Antonio vs. Golden State
As a two-man team, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson are shooting for 48.5 % to the tune of 96 points. And this just in two matches against San Antonio. Just between the two of them, they’ve almost outscored Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard, and Manu Ginobili. It doesn’t help the Spurs that everyone on Golden State is playing well, and that Golden State has improved on their regular season FG%, PPG, RPG, STLPG, BLKPG, and 3-Point % for this series.
Gregg Popovich is hoping for a quiet game from either Curry or Thompson but instead he’s getting it from his own players. If the Warriors keep up their scorching shooting, impressive defense, and big game bravado, the Spurs might be in rebuilding mode soon.
Prediction: Golden State wins Game 3
Memphis vs. Oklahoma
As amazing as Kevin Durant has been (averaging 35.5 points, 13 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.5 blocks on 51% shooting from the field), one stat might spell disaster for OKC. In two games against Memphis, he has shot the three-ball eleven times and has only made three of them. That’s only good for a Monta Ellis-esque 27.4%. This is a do-it-with-his-eyes-closed 40-percent three-point shooter. Getting overworked from doing everything for his team will show itself first in his efficiency from downtown, and in Memphis, there’s little chance that will improve.
Memphis has shown it only gets better as a series progresses, and they’re further able to dig in with struggle, much like a bear trap. The more Durant struggles to power his team through to the Conference Finals, the more the Grizzlies will clamp down on Oklahoma’s nerve endings. The final result won’t be pretty.
Prediction: Memphis wins Game 3
Indiana vs. New York
A 47.2 field-goal percentage for Indiana in this series bodes well for them. Their biggest weakness is their offense, and a better-than-regular-season percentage is a step in the right direction for them. Except that they’re scoring less points than during the 82 games of the season. In the regular season, the Pacers averaged 94.7 PPG, and have put up 93.5 PPG against the Hawks and the Knicks. When put up against New York, it gets worse, as in this series the Pacers have managed to score only a lousy 90.5 PPG. How is this possible? Rebounding. The Pacers are not rebounding the ball against the Knicks at a rate they’re used to, so despite shooting better, they’ve shot less because they’ve had the ball in their possession less.
Luckily for Indiana, the Knicks have also dropped their rebounding numbers in the series. Instead of their usual 40.6, they’re posting 33.5 RPG.
Also in the Pacers’ favor is that they’ve accomplished their number one priority against the Knicks: to reduce their three-point percentage. If New York can’t find the three-ball, they’re toast.
Prediction: Indiana wins Game 3
