Posted on
4/18/2008 6:38:05 PM
NBA Playoff Betting – 2-for-1 Pistons Get Serious, Cavs Get Angry
By Eric Williams
The Philadelphia 76ers, (40-42 SU, 43-36-3 ATS, 39-42-1 O/U) had an absolutely fine second half of the regular season, going 22-12 after getting off to a dismal 18-30 start that helped get former general manager Billy King fired and the franchise back on track under new GM Ed Stefanski.
While the Sixers are pleased to be in the postseason and even spilt four games with the mighty Detroit Pistons during regular season, they come into tonight’s opening game of their Eastern Conference playoff series against the mighty Detroit Pistons, (59-23 SU, 45-36-1 ATS, 36-45-1 O/U) as clear-cut underdogs for an early postseason exit.
The Sixers dropped their final four games of the regular season in the BetUS Sportsbook and seven of ten while covering the spread in just four games during that span.
The Pistons on the other hand, won their final four regular season games and eight of their last ten while getting their younger reserve players plenty of meaningful minutes as they rested their veteran starters. The Pistons also went an excellent 7-3 against the spread during that span.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Wagering Free Picks:
The 76ers are 5-1 ATS in their last six road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600.
The 76ers are 7-2 ATS in their last nine vs. NBA Central.
The Pistons are 4-0 ATS in their last four games as a favorite.
The Pistons are 4-0 ATS in their last four games overall.
The Under is 4-0 in 76ers last four after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Over is 7-1 in Pistons last eight Conference Quarterfinals games.
The 76ers are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
The Under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings in Detroit.
Analysis: The Pistons will win this game and could sweep the series, but they didn’t manage to beat the Sixers by more than eight points in either of their two wins during the regular season. I say take the young and feisty Sixers to barely cover the spread in a loss.
NBA Free Picks: Sixers +9½ Points/Under 179½ Total Points
06:05 PM EST NBA Odds
Philadelphia 76ers +9½ -110
Detroit Pistons -9½ -110
Over 179½ -110
Under 179½ -110
Bad Blood Exists Between Cavs and Visiting Wizards
Just prior to the end of the regular season, the Washington Wizards, (43-39 SU, 46-36 ATS, 44-38 O/U), started talking a lot of ‘smack’ about wanting to face the Cleveland Cavaliers, (45-37 SU, 37-45 ATS, 37-43-2 O/U) and superstar LeBron James in the playoffs, prompting NBA Hall of Famer and now, outspoken television analyst Charles Barkley, to state, “the Wizards are the stupidest team ever” for unnecessarily get James’ anger stoked.
The Wizards will get their wish beginning tonight when they play Game 1 in Cleveland looking to extract some major revenge after two consecutive postseason ousters at the hands of the already Hall of Fame bound James and his generally lackluster teammates.
The Cavaliers however, weren’t playing their best basketball of the season heading into the postseason, losing five of their last ten games, including an 94-84 loss to the Detroit Pistons, to close out the regular season. More importantly for the BetUS NBA Betting Community, the Pistons went just 3-7 against the spread during that time.
The Washington Wizards also lost their last regular season contest, falling to the Orlando Magic 103-83 on Wednesday, though they had also won five of six prior to that contest.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Gambling Free Picks:
The Wizards are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games playing on two days rest.
The Wizards are 8-3 ATS in their last eleven games as a road underdog of 0.5-4.5.
The Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in their last five Conference Quarterfinals games.
The Cavaliers are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games following a double-digit loss at home.
The Over is 5-1 in Wizards last six after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Under is 5-0 in Cavaliers last five games following a S.U. loss.
The Over is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.
The Wizards are 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings in Cleveland.
Analysis: While the Wizards will have to win at least one game in Cleveland to win the series – and I believe it could happen – I just don’t see it coming tonight. The Cavaliers should be more than fired up as will their fans and James. I say take the Cavaliers tonight – along with the cover - but Game 2 could be a different story.
NBA Free Picks: Cavaliers -3½ Points/Over 187 ½ Total Points
12:35 PM EST NBA Odds
Washington Wizards +3½ -110
Cleveland Cavaliers -3½ -110
Over 187½ -110
Under 187½ -110
Broadcast on ESPN
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