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 Time 2008-05-09 21:05:00 |
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I pick "
over
".
These two emerged from the box a little on the sluggish side in Game 1, but game 2 saw a substantial increase in offense. The Lakers are notoriously weaker defensively on the road, while the Utah are more potent on their home court. I am looking for a higher scoring affair here as the Jazz post between 112-116 points which is enough to get this one over the top.
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Time 2008-05-06 20:05:00 |
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I pick "
(798) BOS Celtics
".
The Celtics have proved their mettle at home. The feeling here is that the Celtics realize that they can ill afford another 7 game series before going on to the conference finals and ultimately a showdown with the Lakers, Jazz, Spurs or Hornets. Look for Boston to rout the Cavaliers who are a couple of notches below Boston in terms of talent. 102-85 Celtics
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| Visitor vs Home |
Score |
Spread |
Total |
Money |
705 UTH Jazz
706 LA Lakers
|
98
109
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Time 2008-05-04 15:35:00 |
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I pick "
over
".
These teams hooked up 4 times during the regular season in scoring 214, 232, 228, and 201. Andrew Bynum played in all but the last game, a contest that took place in Salt Lake and in which Pau Gasol sat out with his ankle injury. Bynum's absence lifts the scoring as the Lakers lose a defensive presence and gain more offensive game with Gasol. The Jazz have consistently played poor on the road this year and while I am reluctant to lay the wood, I can see the Lakers continuing their scoring onslaught as they win this one 117-106. OVER
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| Visitor vs Home |
Score |
Spread |
Total |
Money |
519 HOU Rockets
520 UTH Jazz
|
91
113
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Time 2008-05-02 22:30:00 |
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I pick "
(519) HOU Rockets
".
Since Rafer Alston rejoined the Rockets lineup, Houston has outscored the Jazz in 9 of 12 quarters in winning 2 of 3 games. I think the Jazz get the close out win here at home in the friendly confines of Salt Lake, but it won't be easy. The Jazz get the 3 point nod as they head to LA.
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Time 2008-04-30 18:00:00 |
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I pick "
over
".
The O/U is split at two games a piece in this series. Game 1 saw both teams shoot 40% in combining for 179 while Game 3 was the Wizard blow out in which the Cavs just did not come to play. I believe the Cavs will get to the century mark at home, particularly given their edge on the offensive glass, which makes the Wizards task very reasonable to get this one over the top. 103-98 OVER
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Time 2008-04-29 21:30:00 |
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I pick "
(888) HOU Rockets
".
The Rockets have been anything but pushovers and if not for the absence of Rafer Alston in games 1 and 2, they might be leading this series, or at the very least tied. Utah has struggled on the road the entire year going under .500, while the Rockets have managed to remain compettive despite the injury to Yao. This one figures to be a tightly fought struggle but in the end the Rockets will get the best of it and send this back to Utah for a Game 6 while the Lakers lay in wait.
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Time 2008-04-28 19:30:00 |
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I pick "
over
".
The Magic have broken the century mark in 3 of 4 in this series, the lone exception a 94 point effort in which they went 6 of 27 from beyond the arc. In their 104-103 nailbiter, they were 9 of 31. The Magic will live and die by the 3, but they do have the shooters to walk the walk. I expect the Magic to put up 115 points in this spot, though Toronto is certainly capable of lighting up the scoreboard. A 115-106 final as the Magic close it out makes the OVER the best play here.
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Time 2008-04-27 15:30:00 |
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I pick "
(884) SAN Spurs
".
Phoenix surely is not as bad as they looked last game, for this is a team that had multiple opportunities to close out Game 1 and followed that up with a collapse in the second half of Game 2. The line is more reasonable here as it is down from 7 to 7.5 in Game 3. These two teams were perceived to be evenly matched prior to last game. I have to feel that Phoenix will put forht a maximum effort to stave off the sweep and send this back to San Antonio. Suns get this. 103-97
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Time 2008-04-26 17:30:00 |
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I pick "
over
".
In this series, 6 of 8 quarters have exceeded 60 points. The 2 that failed to hit that number did not even make 50, and thus caused over backers to watch their wager come up a point short in Game 2. Game 1 saw the teams score 194 points over the last 3 periods. The Nuggets should be more reliable scoring wise at home and they will make every attempt to run the Lakers out of their building in the rarified air of the Mile High City. LA's interior defense has been awful at times, particularly on the road, making a 120 point Denver outburst a distinct possibility in this spot. Unfortunately the Denver defense is also wretched so the play here is the over as this one gets to 246.
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Time 2008-04-25 22:30:00 |
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I pick "
(527) SAN Spurs
".
Conventional wisdom would have the Suns getting back into the series and I believe they will, but the line is just a little too fat against a Spurs team that is time tested and battle worn. San Antonio cannot afford a 7 game affair here with New Orleans, LA, and then the Celtics waiting in the wings. The team that prsopers in the west may be the one that plays the least. Look for the Spurs to stay within striking distance to the end, while the Suns come away with a 4 point win.
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