Posted on
4/30/2008 2:53:51 PM
NBA Playoff Betting Free Pick – Can Cavaliers Close Door on Wizards
By Eric Williams
The hard-court heats up in an online betting matchup this evening. Maybe next season, the Washington Wizards, (44-42 SU, 47-39 ATS, 46-40 O/U) will be careful what they ask for after getting their rear ends unceremoniously kicked in this series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, (48-38 SU, 40-46 ATS, 39-45-2 O/U) after publicly bragging about how they wanted to face the Cavaliers and superstar LeBron James, the same team that had knocked them out of the playoffs in two consecutive postseasons.
Now, after four antagonistic matchups in the BetUS Sportsbook, featuring more trash-talking and several flagrant fouls, the Wizards are at the end of the line, facing elimination in this ‘close-out’ game for the Cavaliers, who say they are going to finish off their foes tonight.
"They ain't got no choice but to be desperate," said James. "They're down 3-1. We need to put them away."
While James, who led the Cavs to a 100-97 win in Washington in Game 4 on Sunday, didn’t bad-mouth the Wizards, he did indicate the series is all but in the bag.
"I just have confidence in our team," he said. "It has nothing to do with the Wizards. They're a very good team, but they've got to beat us three straight games and I can't see that happening."
Cavaliers’ veteran power forward Joe Smith said the Wizards can talk all they want because words don’t help the ball go in the basket and the Cavaliers are too mature to fall for psychological ploys.
"You'd think after a while it would kind of calm down a little bit," Smith said. "It's real surprising that they're still vocal. They're still kind of trying, I guess, to get in our heads a little bit. But it hasn't worked thus far in this series and I don't think it will work at all."
The Wizards have covered the spread in just one game in this series, Game 3.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Wagering Free Picks:
The Wizards are 4-1 ATS in their last five when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Wizards are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games playing on two days rest.
The Cavaliers are 5-0 ATS in their last five playoff games as a favorite of 0.5-4.5.
The Cavaliers are 4-0 ATS in their last four playoff games as a favorite.
The Under is 4-1 in Wizards last five games as a road underdog.
The Under is 4-1 in Wizards last five playoff games as an underdog of 0.5-4.5.
The Under is 5-1 in Cavaliers last six games as a favorite.
The Under is 13-3 in Cavaliers last 16 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
The Favorite is 7-3 ATS in the last ten meetings.
The Under is 15-7 in the last 22 meetings in Cleveland.
Analysis: Maybe it’s me, but I see the Wizards haven’t learned a thing under Eddie Jordan in four years. While the Wizards can score the ball - and talk trash - with the best of them – this team still hasn’t learned how to play defense very well and will emphatically get sent home packing tonight. Take the Cavaliers to cover the spread, led behind another other-worldly performance from James.
NBA Free Picks: Cavaliers -5½ Points/Over 192 Total Points
03:00 PM EST NBA Odds
Washington Wizards +5½ -110
Cleveland Cavaliers -5½ -110
Over 192 -110
Under 192 -110
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