Posted on 4/22/2008 1:43:09 PM

NBA Online Basketball Betting – Classic Betting Opportunity

By BetUS Staff

One of the best things about the online NBA betting experience is when the playoffs bring a classic matchup like the Phoenix Suns versus the San Antonio Spurs. Game 1 was every bit as dramatic as last year’s Suns-Spurs clash; San Antonio won Saturday’s opener in double overtime, 117-115 as a 4.5-point home favorite.

The fact that the Spurs won by two points only plays a small role in their demotion to 2-point favorites for Game 2. This market correction has more to do with the quality of the first game; San Antonio escaped with a game-tying 3-pointer by Michael Finley in regulation, and another trey by Tim Duncan in the first overtime. Otherwise, Phoenix was in a winning position for most of the contest.

The Spurs also had to rely on the Hack-a-Shaq strategy; i.e., commit intentional fouls on Shaquille O’Neal and hope he would miss, which he did on Saturday with a 1-for-3 effort from the free-throw line. San Antonio also used the less-famous Hack-a-Skinner strategy, which paid off when Brian Skinner went 1-for-4 at the end of the first half. The Spurs needed each of those missed points to win Game 1.

Phoenix still beat the spread for the third time in a row against the Spurs – all three featuring the new-look Suns rotation with O’Neal at center and Amare Stoudemire at power forward. Stoudemire had a brilliant game on Saturday with 33 points; when he fouled out with 12 seconds left in the first overtime, the balance of power tilted to San Antonio.

Although Phoenix is expected to do better on Tuesday, there is also room for the Spurs to improve. Manu Ginobili, a 40-percent shooter from long range this year, is unlikely to repeat Saturday’s 0-for-6 performance. Ginobili still managed to score 24 points (including the game-winning lay-up) as San Antonio rallied in the second half. The Spurs only have four bona fide scorers: Ginobili, Duncan, Tony Parker and Michael Finley. If Ginobili isn’t finishing his threes as well as his slashes to the bucket, San Antonio isn’t cashing in.

The NBA odds at press time had the total for Game 2 pegged at 192 points. The latest line moves are available at the click of a mouse.

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