Posted on
4/30/2008 2:05:01 PM
NBA Betting Odds – Celtics Looking To Ground High-Flying Hawks
By Eric Williams
Okay BetUS NBA Betting Community, I’ll admit that I never saw the Atlanta Hawks, (39-47 SU, 39-46-1 ATS, 44-42 O/U) winning two games in the BetUS Sportsbook this series against the Boston Celtics, (68-18 SU, 54-30-2 ATS, 38-47-1 O/U), but what I will say is that tonight’s online betting Game 5 matchup at Boston’s TD BankNorth Garden is an excellent opportunity to increase the NBA Postseason bankroll, particularly after Atlanta’s two surprising victories, which have probably cost bettors worldwide quite a few dollars.
After dropping Monday’s Game 4 matchup 97-94 after twice owning double-digit leads, the Celtics will look to break the Hawks early in this contest in order to stem any feelings that the young Hawks may get that they can actually win this contest.
“There’s a serious nature of business now that we have to tend to,” Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen said. “We’ve got to make sure that we start building toward what we hope to do in the future.”
After allowing a combined 199 points, (97.8 per game) on 45.3 percent shooting from the field in their two losses in Atlanta, the Celtics will need to get back to the league-leading field goal defense they displayed the entire regular season as they allowed just 90.3 points per game while limiting their opponents to just 42.0 percent shooting from the field.
Atlanta’s athletic young players say they are going to let it all hang out against the Celtics now, as no one expected them to even be in this position, with most fans and experts expecting a sweep at the hands of the league-leading Celtics.
"The biggest thing is guys are just playing, playing freely," Williams said. "No one expected us to win any games. But we came to Atlanta and got two games. Hopefully we can get one in Boston."
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Gambling Free Picks:
The Hawks are 3-7 ATS in their last ten games following a S.U. win.
The Hawks are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 Wednesday games.
The Celtics are 6-0 ATS in their last six home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
The Celtics are 8-0 ATS in their last eight home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of less than .400.
The Over is 8-0 in Hawks last eight games playing on one days rest.
The Under is 5-0 in Hawks last five games as a road underdog.
The Under is 8-1 in Celtics last nine home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
The Under is 6-1 in Celtics last seven home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of less than .400.
The Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings in Boston.
The Home team is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.
Analysis: I’ll keep this pick short and to the point. The home team has covered the spread in each contest in this series and I fully expect the Celtics to bounce back with an emphatic rout of the Hawks that they will remember for quite some time. Take the Celtics to rock and roll all over the young Hawks en route to a huge cover against the spread.
NBA Free Picks: Celtics -13½ Points/ Over 187 ½ Total Points
03:00 PM EST Basketball Point Spreads
Atlanta Hawks +13½ -110
Boston Celtics -13½ -110
Over 187½ -110
Under 187½ -110
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