shai

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Las Vegas - Did some research and a couple of things popped off the page. Wanted to see how the Thunder performed in the first road game of a playoff series. Against Memphis, OKC won 114-108 but failed to cover the 9.5 point spread. Against Denver, the Thunder (-6) lost outright, 113-104, in the first road game of that series. And against Minnesota, the Thunder (-3) got SMOKED 143-101. So, three series and three losses in the first road game. Not saying that Indy is gonna win tonight, but the numbers say you gotta tickle the Pacers at +5.5 points. Of course, you gotta look at Tyrese Haliburton's leg before opening the wallet. After Game 2, Haliburton said, "It's really just a lower leg thing. I'll leave it at that. I don't think theres anything more to elaborate. So, just to elaborate, if you see Tyrese limping or looking a little uncomfortable in warmups, obviously, shut the wallet.

Then we looked at the best, or second best player on the planet, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Same deal. How did SGA perform in the first road game of a series? Against the Grizzlies, Shai put up 31 points. Against the Nuggets, he managed just 18 points and against the T'wolves, it was only 14 points. Indiana coach Rick Carlisle has to find a way to slow SGA, and while it might not be a full stop, my wallet is telling me to play Under 34.5 points this evening.

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