The Over is 17-6-1 in the Golden State Warriors last 24 playoff games and 2-0 in the first two games against the New Orleans Pelicans. Will it be another high-scoring affair in Game 3 on Friday night?

The Over is 17-6-1 in the Golden State Warriors last 24 playoff games and 2-0 in the first two games against the New Orleans Pelicans. Will it be another high-scoring affair in Game 3 on Friday night?

The best in the West are back on the attack for second-round games in the NBA playoffs. Covers checks in on the action and line movement for tonight’s two contests, along with a pair of NHL playoff games, with insights from Jacob Crossman, odds consultant for offshore sportsbook BetDSI.eu.

No. 2 Golden State Warriors at No. 6 New Orleans Pelicans – Open: +4; Move: +3.5; Move: +4; Move: +4.5

Golden State has lost just once in seven postseason games so far, as it looks for a fourth straight trip to the NBA Finals. The Warriors (64-25 SU, 38-50-1 ATS) had little trouble holding serve at home in Games 1 and 2 of this Western Conference semifinal series, including a 121-116 Game 2 victory as an 11-point favorite Tuesday.

After sitting out several weeks with a knee injury, Stephen Curry returned to action in that contest and scored 28 points off the bench. He’s expected to start for Golden State in this 8 p.m. ET tipoff.

New Orleans entered this series off a surprising first-round sweep of No. 3 seed Portland. The Pelicans (52-36 SU, 50-37-1 ATS) got run out of the gym in Game 1, trailing 76-48 at halftime of a 123-101 loss as a 7.5-point road dog. Anthony Davis and Co. were much more competitive in Game 2, leading by one after the first quarter and trailing just 88-86 after three quarters, but the Pelicans ran out of steam in the final quarter.

“At this point, 72 percent of the tickets are on Golden State, but the money has been relatively even on both sides,” Crossman said of pointspread betting. “Sharps and squares agree on the Over. Despite the enormous total, we’ve seen a steady amount of action come in on the Over since opening at 230.5.”

BetDSI moved the total up to 233.5 by this afternoon. Game 1 barely cleared the 223.5 total, while Game 2 more easily got past the closing total of 229.

No. 1 Houston Rockets at No. 5 Utah Jazz – Open: +3.5; Move: +4; Move: +3.5; Move: +4; Move: +4.5

Houston posted the best regular-season record in the league, then coasted by first-round foe Minnesota in five games and rolled over Utah in Game 1 of the Western Conference semis. But the Rockets (70-19 SU, 45-43-1 ATS) stumbled in Game 2 Wednesday, losing 116-108 as 11-point home favorites, despite erasing all of a 19-point second-quarter deficit and even leading by two with eight minutes remaining.

With the split of Games 1 and 2, Utah took home-court advantage for as long as it can hold it in this series. The Jazz (53-37 SU, 47-43 ATS) let that fat, first-half lead slip away in Game 2, but after trailing 94-92 in the fourth, they finished the game with a 24-14 run.

“Utah was a popular pick when the line opened, following an impressive Game 2,” Crossman said. “However, money has increasingly come in on Houston today, so we’ve bumped up to -4.5 and have around 70 percent of the handle on Houston.”

Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins – Open: -155; Move: -150; Move: -155; Move: -160; Move: -165; Move: -170; Move: -165; Move: -160

Tampa Bay, the No. 1 team in the East during the regular season, got out of the gate slowly in this conference semifinal, losing 6-2 on its home ice. However, the Lightning (60-25-5) rebounded with a pair of victories, retaining home-ice advantage with a 4-1 win as a +130 road underdog in Game 3 Wednesday.

After a lopsided Game 1 victory, Boston now finds itself looking to avoid a 3-1 hole in this series. The Bruins (55-25-12) got behind the eight-ball quickly in Game 3, allowing three first-period goals, including two within the first four minutes.

“There has been some action on Boston,” Crossman said of this 7 p.m. ET puck drop. “Tampa Bay has historically struggled in Beantown, and bettors don't seem to think that the Lightning will be able to take both road games.”

San Jose Sharks at Vegas Golden Knights – Open: -150; Move: -155; Move: -157; Move: -155; Move: -153; Move: -155

Vegas aims to keep its dream inaugural year moving in the right direction, with a huge Game 5 looming in a series tied at 2. The Golden Knights (57-26-7) lost home ice in a Game 2 overtime setback, regained that advantage with a Game 3 overtime victory, but got pelted 4-0 in Game 4 as a +131 pup Wednesday.

After losing Game 1 by a touchdown – 7-0 – San Jose dominated the last three games of this series and could easily be up 3-1. On Wednesday night, the Sharks (51-29-10) were up 2-0 at the end of the first period and added another goal early in the second – all at even strength – while cruising to victory.

“Vegas has seen a little bit of sharp money,” Crossman said. “It hasn't been enough to move the line a significant amount, but it's something we're watching.”

Patrick Everson is a Las Vegas-based senior writer for Covers. Follow him on Twitter: @Covers_Vegas.