Game 3’s and The Pursuit of Perfection
They told me I was crazy. They told me it couldn’t be done. They told me I needed an algorithm! They told me they couldn’t trust my picks if I had no analytics behind them. I have much respect for our fearless, data-driven leadership here at The Orb, but The Vibe Navigator must do just that. All I can do is lead you to water, and hope that you will start to drink it. For those of you who aren’t caught up, we are a staggering 5 for 5 on our NBA picks this postseason. With one series bet still pending (I’ll admit that the Magic at +1.5 games is not looking GREAT, but we are alive for now), we are up 4.58 units on a 100% hit rate, yes 100% hit rate.
My vibe calibrator has been working overtime and I am happy to provide some more WINNERS for you good folks. We will be focusing on the upcoming game 3’s in this post as we strive to stay perfect.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic U 201 (-110) - YUCK, I know. Not only am I picking the least interesting series of the playoffs, but the vibes are telling me to take an under at 201 total points. But as gross as it feels, I stand by it. After watching the first two games of this series, one thing is clear, the Orlando Magic have the worst offense out of every team in the playoffs. It’s borderline offensive to watch them in a halfcourt set. If it’s not Paolo Banchero shooting over two people or driving into a congested paint, it’s Franz Wagner driving into nowhere, spinning, and hoisting a prayer of a mid range jumpshot. Other than the occasional offensive rebound or transition lay-up, they simply have no other scoring outside of those two guys. The Magic will be lucky to score 90 points in this game. And while the Cavs are a better offense, they’re not THAT much better. They have a dynamic weapon in Donovan Mitchell, but they feel similarly congested at times with their two bigs who can’t shoot and questionable schematics from their coach, J.B. Bickerstaff. I know taking an under this low in 2024 seems counterintuitive, but both of their first two games have been well below the 201 total. And frankly, I don’t see either team taking significant strides on the offensive end in game 3. If anything, I see it grinding to even more of a halt with this Cleveland team heading out on the road. Lock it in, enjoy the horror of this offensive ineptitude, and brace for the lowest game total you’ll see on this NBA slate.
Tyrese Maxey O 26.5 points (-120) - I stared at this game long hard. I talked myself into every possible angle on each side. Do the 76ers pull it together at home after a devastating collapse in game 2? Do the Knicks continue to take advantage of a hobbled Embiid and take a commanding 2-1 lead on the road? To be honest, I could see it going either way. But I believe there’s one constant in this game, Tyrese Maxey. With 30+ points in each of the first two games, Maxey has been on a tear leading the team, while their MVP limps up and down the floor. The main reason I couldn’t bring myself to pick Philly here is the unknown of Embiid’s status. Will he even make it through the game? Will he break the NBA record for most times falling down in one quarter? There are far too many variables, so I’ve decided to avoid picking the side altogether and ride their most reliable player all season. Big night for Maxey coming up, enjoy the show.
Phoenix Suns -4 (-110) - This was a tough pick, but I am merely a vessel through which vibes travel. Who in their right mind feels good about the Phoenix Suns right now? Based on these first two games of the series, no one. And that is exactly the point. Phoenix, in all likelihood, is going to lose this series. However, I believe in their talent enough to win this game at home and cover. AND, I believe in the youth of Minnesota to show up eventually. Is Kevin Durant really going to keep letting Anthony Edwards punk him with no response? The Suns need all-time performances from their all-time players to win games against this Timberwolves team, and I believe we get those performances in game 3. Remember, this Suns team won two games against the Denver Nuggets last year in the playoffs led by huge nights from Durant and Devin Booker. I sense some lackadaisical effort from Minnesota early in this next game coming in up 2-0 on the series. Along with an energized and embarrassed Phoenix team pulling together to resemble what they looked like heading into the playoffs. Best of 7 series tend to take multiple twists and turns, Suns come out firing in game 3 and make it a series.
That’s all for this post, these picks should get you through the week as we continue our pursuit of perfection.
Happy Betting (Responsibly),
Vibe Navigator
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