Newly crowned league MVP LeBron James and the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers play Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-finals tonight, May 5, against the Atlanta Hawks, who ended the Cavs 11 game home streak. NBA oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Cavaliers as -11.5 point home favs over the Hawks with the over/under listed at 179 points. Get your 2009 NBA Playoffs Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta HawksSportsbook.com
The Hawks only thing on their minds is trying to stop, or even slowdown, LeBron James. "I've been in this league 27 years, and I've never seen a player – I think Michael Jordan is probably the best player to ever play this game – but I've never seen a player like LeBron with the strength, the athletic ability, the speed and just the know-how to play the game," Woodson said. "It's scary because he's so young. So it's going to be a challenge for our team, and that's a good thing because our guys will step up. I'd like to think our guys can beat him." In the four meetings against the Hawks this season LeBron has averaged 26.2 ppg. He’s currently averaged 32 ppg, 11.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists in their four wins against Detroit. Though the Hawks were 1-3 this season against Cleveland, Atlanta guard Joe Johnson believes his team drew confidence from ending the Cavs' 11-game winning streak five months ago at Philips Arena. Then again, the Hawks are essentially two different teams at home and on the road. During the regular season the Hawks were 17-27 on the road where they averaged 96.2 ppg and gave up an average 99.6 ppg.
The Cavs are going to do what they’ve been doing all season long, give the ball to LeBron and let him do his thing. LeBron is a complete package of smarts, power, finesse and speed, and that's just offensively. As a defender, James' ferocity impresses. "He does amazing things, not just for himself, but for his teammates in getting everybody involved," Smith said. "He's very unselfish, and he plays with great energy every time he steps out on the floor." The Cavs ended their regular season with the best home record where they went 41-2 and averaged 102.1 ppg and gave up an average 87.7 ppg. LeBron leads his teammates averaging 32 ppg, while Mo Williams is good for 14.8 ppg and Delonte West averages 11.5 ppg.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Cleveland.
- Hawks are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Cleveland.
- Hawks are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
- Underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
- Cavaliers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
- Cavaliers are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games following a S.U. win.
- Cavaliers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU win of more than 10 points.
- Cavaliers are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite.
- Cavaliers are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
2009 NBA Playoffs Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks
When: Tues, May 5, 2009 8:00 PM ET
Line: Sportsbook.com
Pick: Cavs -11.5
Point-Spreads.com 2009 NBA Playoffs Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks
The Bottom Line: You aren’t going to stop, or even slowdown, LeBron in the playoffs. He’s hungry for a title. Go Cavs! Get your 2009 NBA Playoffs Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks Pick in now at Sportsbook.com and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit
