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Betting Blog: NBA Playoffs heating up

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Exum 'stepping up' role for Jazz (2:25)

Utah Jazz point guard and Melbourne-native Dante Exum talks about the steps he and the team have made to improve on the previous season. (2:25)

The NBA playoffs are a fantastic time, when fans of teams will panic irrationally after a loss before proclaiming their team to be "unstoppable" after a win. The emotional journey that you can go through during the playoffs is remarkable, and we're all in the midst of it.

Teams are adjusting to the more rigorous pace and physicality that comes with playing in the playoffs, while some are just trying to figure out exactly where there game plan has gone.

With every series now heading towards game 3, the results of some are becoming slightly clearer as to who looks more likely to advance to the second round. Others, however, are still completely up in the air and could go either way.

So, which games this weekend should you cleare a hole in your calendar for?

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers - Friday live on ESPN @ 9am (AEST)

After a scare in Game 1, the Cavaliers seemed to get their act together in Game 2 and completely overwhelmed the Pacers. Then, with a large lead, they simply took their foot off the gas and allowed the Pacers back into the contest. Going into Indiana, the Cavs can't afford any mental lapses.

Indiana fell apart during the third quarter of Game 2 and couldn't dig themselves out of that giant hole; if they're to ensure a sweep isn't on the cards, they'll have to take the fight up to the Cavs for the full 48 minutes.

ESPN Pick: Pacers will bounce out to an early lead before Cavs come home strong. 118-113

Odds: Cavs $1.77; Pacers $2.05

Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks - Friday @ 10am (AEST)

Kyle Lowry turned in one of his worst playoffs performances during the Game 1 loss on home soil before turning things around and knocking down the clutch jumper at the end of Game 2. Can he continue that form or will the Bucks get the better of him?

Giannis Antetokounmpo has well and truly led from the front through the opening two games, and will need to produce along the same lines if the Bucks are to take the 2-1 series lead when the teams take the floor in Milwaukee.

ESPN Pick: Bucks at home to get it done in another tight affair. 107-105

Odds: Raptors $2.00; Bucks $1.82

Boston Celtics vs. Chicago Bulls - Saturday live on ESPN @ 9am (AEST)

Not many, if any, people saw the results of the opening two games coming, with Chicago returning home and welcoming the Celtics onto their floor with the 2-0 series lead. Completely outplaying the Celtics on both ends, the Bulls look set to take an insurmountable 3-0 lead.

Boston have struggled to do anything really well through the first two games, being outworked on the rebounds and unable to get any rhythm on offence. Can Brad Stevens rally his troops or will Isaiah Thomas produce an epic game to drag the Celtics home?

ESPN Pick: Bulls full of confidence, but Celtics with nothing to lose will steal one. 111-104

Odds: Celtics $2.05; Bulls $1.78

Houston Rockets v Oklahoma City Thunder - Saturday live on ESPN @ 11.30am (AEST)

Houston seem to have worked out the Thunder: Let Russell Westbrook go to work and get whatever he wants while knowing the players around him won't be able to inflict any damage. Westbrook in Game 2 delivered an all-time classic performance but the Thunder were overrun. Can his teammates step up to the plate and provide any help?

The scary prospect here - for the Thunder and their fans -- is that the Rockets hold the 2-0 series lead without having been anywhere near their best. They've made well below their regular season averages from beyond the arc and, yet, they're still winning games.

ESPN Pick: Rockets will find their groove from deep and demolish the Thunder. 121-111

Odds: Rockets $2.20; Thunder $1.68