NBA Playoff Mythical Matchups for April 18: Nets vs Spurs, 76ers vs Clippers & Warriors vs Nuggets
By Robert Duff in NBA Basketball
Updated: April 5, 2020 at 5:59 pm EDTPublished:
- Sportsbooks are offering odds on mythical NBA playoff matchups
- The San Antonio Spurs and Brooklyn Nets actually met in the 1975-76 ABA playoffs
- In a previous life as the Buffalo Braves, the Clippers and 76ers clashed in the 1975-76 NBA playoffs
The beauty of living in a mythical world is that none of it ever has to come true in order for you to gain enjoyment from the experience. And the wonderment of sportsbooks’ mythical NBA playoff matchups is that your can make real money while wagering in this pretend place.
Sportsbooks are offering the usual spread, moneyline and total wagers on three made-up NBA playoff games. Though all six of these teams are in postseason action on Thursday, they are only playing against each other in these mythical matchups.
Brooklyn Nets vs San Antonio Spurs
| Teams | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Nets | -375 | -6.5 (-115) | O 219 (-115) |
| San Antonio Spurs | +260 | +6.5 (-115) | U 219 (-115) |
*All odds taken 04/18/19
In the 1975-76 ABA semifinals, Dr J led the Nets to victory over the Spurs en route to winning the farewell title in league history.
That’s ancient history, though, and irrelevant in today’s mythical meeting.
The Spurs are home for Game 3 against the Denver Nuggets. San Antonio is an impressive 32-9 at home this season. The Spurs average 112.8 points per game at home. The Nuggets have lost 13 straight at San Antonio.
After their 114-105 loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 2, the San Antonio Spurs are tied 1-1 in their first-round series. Here's how all #GoSpursGo players stack up in our career playoff scores: pic.twitter.com/J8gy6MLlDg
— NBA Math (@NBA_Math) April 17, 2019
The Nets, who play host to the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of their series, score 113.8 points per game at the Barclays Center. The Nets averaged 123.5 points per game in two home contests against the Sixers this season.
Pick: Spurs +260, +6.5, Over 219
Philadelphia 76ers vs Los Angeles Clippers
| Teams | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia 76ers | -140 | -2.0 (-115) | O 229 (-115) |
| Los Angeles Clippers | +100 | +2.0 (-115) | U 229 (-115) |
In the 1975-76 NBA playoffs, the Buffalo Braves knocked off the Sixers.
The 1976 Buffalo Braves return home victorious in their best of 3 playoff series versus Philadelphia 76ers. Bob McAdoo's free throws w/ 1sec left sent game into overtime where the Braves won 124-123. John Shumate was brilliant when he should have been hospitalized w/ concussion. pic.twitter.com/JZSruMQb8a
— ThisDateInBuffaloSportsHistory (@BuffSportsHstry) April 20, 2018
In 1978 the Braves moved to San Diego and in 1985, became the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Sixers put up 145 points against the Nets in Game 2 and poured in 127 the last time they played at Brooklyn.
The Clippers rallied for a 135-131 win at Golden State in Game 2 of their series, ending a four-game losing streak against the Warriors. A 121-116 victory earlier this season halted a seven-game home-court losing streak for the Clippers against Golden State.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDqj3VI1AH8
They are 1-8 in their last nine at home against the Warriors, but have scored at least 105 points in seven of those games.
Pick: 76ers -140, -2.0, Over 229
Golden State Warriors vs Denver Nuggets
| Teams | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | N/A | -19.0 (-115) | O 224.5 (-115) |
| Denver Nuggets | N/A | +19.0 (-115) | U 224.5 (-115) |
The Warriors and Nuggets are the 1-2 seeds in the West, so if the form charts hold, they would clash in the conference final.
The trek to San Antonio will be the first road game for many of Denver’s young players and the jitters figure to be on high.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCxbT-Nyp3w
Denver averaged 107.2 points per game on the road this season, while Golden State scored an NBA-high 117.2 points per game away from home.
Still, 19 points is a lot to give.
Pick: Nuggets +19.0 Under 224.5
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
