NBA Playoffs Betting – First-Round Winding Down
The first round of the NBA playoffs is winding down and, although some series have been easy knockouts, like the Pacquiao odds in his upcoming bout with Ricky Hatton, and there are others that have been a race down the wire, like the Kentucky Derby odds will be this Saturday.
Here’s a look at the upcoming games as well as some NBA playoff picks:
Miami Heat @ Atlanta Hawks – Series tied 2-2
Line: Hawks -5.5
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The Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks are deadlocked in a tight series but, as the home court advantage shifts back to Atlanta’s favor, it heads into Game 5 with all the momentum.
The difference between the two Hawks wins in the series versus their two losses is how they have protected the three-point line.
The Heat were 27-of-49 from the land beyond in their wins in Games 2 and 3, but in their two losses in Games 1 and 4, the Heat were just 8-of-30.
Now that the Hawks have made that adjustment, basketball betting fans can trust that they will protect the arc, contest the Heat’s three-point opportunities and use their balance to take control of this series.
Pick: Hawks -5.5
New Orleans Hornets @ Denver Nuggets – DEN leads series 3-1
Line: Nuggets -10.5
The New Orleans Hornets are still wheezy from the record beat down they took in Game 4 of their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets and the odds are that they won’t recover from it.
On their home court with the potential to tie the series 2-2, the Hornets folded like a cheap tent and then fell into the campfire, losing by an NBA record-tying 58 points.
The problem for the Hornets is not only that they now have to win three straight games to advance to the second round, but that they have to win two of them on the road. The Hornets have been smacked around in Denver so far in this series, losing by an average of 22 points per game.
The Nuggets are streaking right now and they smell blood. Those who are examining the Hornets on the NBA odds should think otherwise. The Nuggets should advance to the second round tonight.
Pick: Nuggets -10.5
Boston Celtics @ Chicago Bulls – BOS lead series 3-2
Line: Bulls -3
The Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls have played the tightest series of the first round of the playoffs with three of their games going to overtime. In Game 4, the Chicago Bulls blew an 11-point fourth quarter lead only to fall short of the Celtics once again in overtime.
One has to wonder what the young Bulls have left in the tank. Their young stars like Tyrus Thomas and Derrick Rose have faded as the series has worn on. But the Bulls seem to manage any form of adversity and are not intimidated.
On the flip side, the Celtics seem to be wearing down themselves as their bench isn’t contributing much and their starters like Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo have played more than 49 minutes in each of their last two games.
The Celtics are fading amongst NBA finals picks but they should be able to get by in the first round. The Bulls should protect their home court, though, and force the Celtics to do it back home in Game 7.
Pick: Bulls
Orlando Magic @ Philadelphia 76ers – ORL leads series 3-2
Line: NO LINE
The Orlando Magic did take a 3-2 series lead in Game 5 of their first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers but it might come at the cost of Game 6.
There is a good chance that All-Star center Dwight Howard will not play in Game 6 due to a flagrant elbow that he threw at Samuel Dalembert just three minutes into Game 5.
If the Magic are without their center, the pick is an easy one. Philadelphia should have a much easier time of things without Howard dominating the paint. Furthermore, the Magic also lost rookie Courtney Lee to injury, which also shortens their depth.
If both Howard and Lee don’t play, basketball wagering sharps will be all over Philadelphia in Game 6.
Pick: 76ers
Portland Trail Blazers @ Houston Rockets – HOU leads series 3-2
Line: Rockets -4.5
As the Portland Trail Blazers-Houston Rockets series wears on, one thing is evident: the Trail Blazers will have to steal one game on the road. They’ll get their last chance to do so on Thursday night in Game 6.
The Rockets haven’t been past the first round in a long time and, while they’ll be focused to do so, they’ll also have the idea of choking instilled in the back of their minds.
The difference that basketball wagering fans have noticed is that the Rockets have more depth and more reliable sources for points. The Blazers rely too heavily on Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge and without a third source for points, the Blazers really need them to have outstanding games.
Look for the Rockets defense at home to slow down the Trail Blazers as Houston finally gets over that first-round hump.
Pick: Rockets
