Posted on
4/29/2008 3:34:51 PM
NBA Basketball Betting Action – Spurs Try to Finish Off Suns
By Eric Williams
Alright BetUS NBA Basketball Betting Community, I won’t waste anyone’s time mincing words with a long-winded explanation on tonight’s Game 5 matchup between the visiting Phoenix Suns, (56-30 SU, 41-42-3 ATS, 48-38 O/U) and defending champion San Antonio Spurs, (59-27 SU, 39-45-2 ATS, 38-48 O/U).
To make a long story short, the Suns are entering this contest with the very real possibility of seeing their season come to an abrupt halt after making a roster-altering trade to acquire former perennial all-star center Shaquille O’Neal in an attempt to add some size when facing their western conference opponents in the postseason, namely the San Antonio Spurs and low post force Tim Duncan.
After four games in the BetUS Sportsbook, the Spurs enter this close-out matchup with one thing in mind – ending this series tonight.
"We know that winning a Game 6 there is going to be really tough. If we don't, then Game 7 we know is a lottery," Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said. "We don't even have to think that there's a Game 6 or Game 7. We have to take (Game 5) as a Game 7. We know we have a great opportunity at home."
The Suns managed to stop the Spurs from completing a quick four-game sweep, winning Game 4 105-86 at home on Sunday and say they are focused, simply on winning Game 5.
"We're down 3-1, we know we've got a long road to go, but we don't think about the series, we think about Tuesday," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "We can win Tuesday. That's the only thing we're thinking about. That's definitely a possibility and that's what we want to make a reality."
The Spurs had won five consecutive games dating back to the regular season until losing to the Suns on Sunday but are just 3-3 against the spread over the same span.
The Suns are an identical 3-3 both, straight up and against the spread in their last six games dating back to the regular season.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Betting Picks.
The Suns are 13-6-1 ATS in their last 20 vs. Western Conference.
The Suns are 2-5 ATS in their last seven road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600.
The Spurs are 7-0 ATS in their last seven playoff games as a favorite of 5.0-10.5.
The Spurs are 14-3-1 ATS in their last 18 playoff games as a favorite.
The Over is 5-1 in Suns last six games as an underdog.
The Over is 5-1 in Suns last six Conference Quarterfinals games.
The Over is 4-0 in Spurs last four when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Over is 4-0 in Spurs last four games as a favorite.
The Underdog is 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings.
Analysis: Once again bettors, I won’t mince words. I like the Spurs to win this game by at least eight to ten points. The Spurs realize the golden opportunity they have to end this series surprisingly earlier than expected. Take the Spurs to lay an emphatic whipping on the Suns while covering the spread in this close-out contest.
NBA Free Picks: Spurs -5 Points/Under 197½ Total Points
09:30 PM EST NBA Odds
Phoenix Suns +5 -110
San Antonio Spurs -5 -110
Over 197½ -110
Under 197½ -110
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