Posted on
4/8/2008 3:28:47 PM
NBA Basketball Betting – Hawks Battle Pacers
By Eric Williams
The Atlanta Hawks, (36-41 SU, 36-40-1 ATS, 39-38 O/U), will play in what BetUS SportsBook considers their biggest game of the season tonight when they take on the Indiana Pacers, (33-44 SU, 36-40-1 ATS, 39-34-4 O/U), as they fight to keep the eighth and final playoff spot in the eastern conference from the ninth place Pacers, who are suddenly interested in a postseason berth after sleepwalking through most of the regular season in head coach Jim O’Brien’s first season.
The Hawks (36-41) have a three-game lead over the Pacers with five games remaining for both clubs. Sport bettors should know that Indiana and Atlanta split their two regular season meetings, giving the tiebreaker to the winner of tonight’s matchup. The New Jersey Nets also stand an outside chance to reach the playoffs if the Hawks lose all of their remaining games and the inconsistent Nets somehow find a way to win each of their five remaining contests.
Atlanta comes into tonight’s matchup having won six of its last seven and 10 of 13, including a 92-85 victory at Philadelphia on Saturday.
"These guys are growing up and they're playing for something," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "I'm so proud of the guys."
The Hawks haven't been to the postseason since the 1998-99 season, when they fell in the conference semifinals to the New York Knicks. However, today’s young Hawks don’t know – or care – about the past.
“We're a young team, but we play with poise,” said shooting guard Joe Johnson. "Mike (Bibby) and I are the only guys who have been to the playoffs, but the young guys are stepping up. I'm having a great time."
The Pacers have won two straight games against the mediocre Milwaukee Bucks, including a 105-97 win on Sunday. Indiana has won four of its last six and got a spectacular fourth quarter performance from backup point guard Travis Diener as he scored 15 points in the final quarter.
“We all knew that we had to win this game,” Diener said. “Everyone knows the circumstances.”
The Pacers missed the playoffs last season for the first time in 10 years and could make it consecutive seasons this year.
“I feel real lousy that we're not locked into the playoffs,” Coach Jim O’Brien told the Pacers’ official Web site. “Our resilience and attitude have been great all year. Our guys are clawing. They know they pretty much have to pitch a shutout and they're trying with everything they have.”
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Betting Picks.
The Hawks are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games following a S.U. win.
The Hawks are 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a ATS win.
The Pacers are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
The Pacers are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of less than .400.
The Over is 5-0 in Hawks last five games following a S.U. win.
The Under is 4-0 in Pacers last four overall.
The Home team is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings.
The Favorite is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
Analysis: The Atlanta Hawks may be young but hey have plenty of talent and hunger. The Pacers on the other hand, just don’t seem to want it as bad as the Hawks at this point. Take the Hawks to win outright and cover the spread on the road.
NBA Free Picks: Atlanta +2½ Points/Under 212 Total Points
07:05 PM EST NBA Odds
Atlanta Hawks +2½ -110
Indiana Pacers -2½ -110
Over 212 -110
Under 212 -110
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