Thunder to keep on rolling

 

The NBA is live on Sky Sports every Sunday, and there are two outstanding games taking place that have play-off implications. Nick Shiambouros previews the double- header and gives us his best picks...

 

Boston Celtics @ Oklahoma City Thunder

Live on Sky Sports 3, Sunday 17.00

 

This is, without a doubt, the game of the week and thoroughly deserves national coverage in America. The Celtics lost point-guard Rajon Rondo for the remainder of the  season after he tore his ACL in a game against Atlanta in January. Despite losing Rondo, Boston has improved to a record of 34-27 and is on course to make the  postseason.

 

Coach Doc Rivers has done a magnificent job with the current rotation. He has galvanized this veteran team into action, and they are poised to make plenty of noise in  the play-offs. Led by Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, they will not go down easily against a stellar Thunder rotation.

 

The Oklahoma City Thunder come into this game with a record of 46-16, in second place in the Western conference and just 1.5 games behind the leader, San Antonio.  Forward Kevin Durant is having another outstanding year, averaging 28.7 points per game. This mild-mannered young man has the ability to take over a game and is  fearless when it comes to taking a clutch shot. He is well on course to win his fourth straight scoring title.

 

The Thunder are confident they can win the championship after losing to the Miami Heat in last year's finals. They have not missed a beat all year and should overcome  the resurgent Celtics.

 

 

Chicago Bulls @ Los Angeles Lakers

Live on Sky Sports 3, Sunday 19.30

 

The injury-hit Bulls are 35-27. In addition to Derrick Rose, who has not played a game this season, Taj Gibson and Kirk Hinrich are both hurt and may not start.

 

Chicago's goal at this stage of the season is to start the postseason with a healthy rotation. Coach Tom Thibodeau will not risk further injury to his players by  starting them when they are not fully fit. This is a far more important game for Los Angeles, who are in danger of not making the play-offs.

 

The Lakers are 32-31, currently in ninth position in the Western conference. Los Angeles put in a huge effort on Wednesday night while on a 20-0 run in the final 6.22  to overcome New Orleans 108-102.

 

Los Angeles is no doubt playing better these days, but this is not a vintage team, to say the least. Veteran guard Kobe Bryant is still the go-to guy into the  rotation, but they still look out of sorts.

 

The Lakers are proof positive that picking up every free agent on the market during the off-season does not guarantee success.

 

This is a tricky fixture to assess, but I give the edge to Los Angeles. They appear hungry to secure a place in the postseason and can take advantage of an injury-hit  Chicago team.

 

Recommended Bets

3 pts back Oklahoma City Thunder with advertised handicap at around 1.9

1 pt back Los Angeles Lakers with advertised handicap at around 1.9

 

Bet HERE

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