Posted on
4/18/2008 2:58:41 PM
NBA Online Basketball Betting Preview – Playoff Fever
By Dave Golokhov
(8)Atlanta Hawks @ (1)Boston Celtics
Of all of the eight NBA Playoff series, no matchup is more one-sided. Online sports betting enthusiasts aren’t losing any sleep over this one.
The Atlanta Hawks have about a one percent chance of winning this series and would require serious injuries to key members of the Boston Celtics to have any hope.
The teams were separated by 29 games in the standings. While the Hawks barely clinged to the eighth and final seed, the Celtics locked up the best record in the NBA.
A telling tale of just how bad the Hawks are: they lost their final game of the regular season to the Miami Heat. You’re probably thinking that the Hawks rested all of their regulars but they actually didn’t.
Head Coach Mike Woodson vowed to shave his head if his team made the playoffs, which indicates just how happy the Hawks were to make it. For the Celtics, though, their goals are much bigger.
They plan on competing for an NBA Championship when – not if – they disposed of the Hawks.
Atlanta is still a very young, inexperienced team and most of their players will be getting their first taste of postseason action.
Boston will roll but if the Hawks could somehow win one game it would be a sign of growth.
(7)Philadelphia 76ers @ (2)Detroit Pistons
Although everyone is already looking ahead to a Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics Eastern Conference Finals matchup, the Pistons better not be looking ahead.
The 76ers are a dangerous team for the Pistons. They play to their pace, they rebound extremely well and they play solid defense.
Andre Miller has a lot of size for a point guard, which means that Chauncy Billups doesn’t have the size advantage he typically does.
These teams split the four regular season meetings and the average margin of victory was only 5.25.
But more importantly, the Sixers won the last two meetings including a win at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Sixers had a horrible start to the season but were one of the best teams in the East since the flip of the calendar.
Given the fact that they were essentially two different teams this year and grew into the legit playoff team that they are now, it’s a good sign that they beat the Pistons recently and not early in the season.
The Sixers have lost four straight games but expect them to be extremely confident against the Pistons. Pulling an upset will be difficult given their lack of playoff experience in comparison to Detroit, but don’t be surprised if the Sixers give them some trouble.
Free Pick: Detroit
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