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NBA Playoff Prediction: Boston Celtics vs Cleveland Cavaliers |
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Written by Scott Burgess
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Thursday, 08 May 2008
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 The Boston Celtics won Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-finals in non-dominating fashion over the Cleveland Cavaliers 76-72, at home. The Cavs had the Celtics Big Three all but shut down as they couldn’t get it done in the dying seconds. Game 2 tonight is going to be a totally different looking game. Oddsmakers at BetUS.com have the Celtics as 8-point favorites over the Cavs with the over/under set at 178. Get your NBA Playoff Prediction in now at BetUS.com
The Cavs LeBron James says he had a bad night, he made 2 of 18 from the field, including a missed layup in the final seconds to tie the game. To call it his worst game of his career, "No, It's not the worst. At the end of the day we still had a chance to win the ball game," James said. "I wasn't satisfied with the way I played but saying it's my worst game, nah." As a team they shot 30% from the field, 22% from beyond the arch, but they did well at the free throw line making 22 of 26. Still, even after LeBrons poor outing they were still on the Celtics heels going into the third quarter at 52-53. Their point in the paint and field goal shooting in the fourth was awful. Expect James to have a much stronger tougher game tonight. The Cavs are 2-2 SU on the road in the playoffs, 4-3 SU overall and 21-23 ATS on one day rest.
The Celtics Big Three were almost shut down, except for Kevin Garnett who finished with 28pts and eight rebounds, Paul Pierce was 2 for 14 for 4pts, Ray Allen was 0 for 4 for 0pts and one assist. Rajon Rondo was the next top producer with 15pts and six assists. "Offensively, we were a terrible-looking group," Pierce said. "We turned the ball over 23 times, shot 40 percent from the field. We did just about everything wrong you could do offensively, and what happens, the defense comes and saves the day." The Celtics Big Three are expected to come out in full force tonight, as well as LeBron James. They are 5-0 SU at home in the playoffs, 5-3 SU overall and 32-19 ATS on one day rest.
Recent Trends to Consider
- Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 playoff games as an underdog.
- Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. loss.
- Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Atlantic.
- Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games.
- Cavaliers are 5-1-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings in Boston.
- Cavaliers are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
- Celtics are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Conference Semifinals games.
- Celtics are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 playoff games as a favorite of 5.0-10.5.
- Underdog is 7-0-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
- Road team is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
GAME: Cleveland Cavaliers (4-3) at Boston Celtics (5-3)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, May 08 - 7:00 PM EST
LINE: BetUS.com TOTAL: 178
PICK: Cleveland +8
The Bottom Line: LeBron is going to go off tonight. He is not a greedy player who hogs the ball, but rather a player who likes to dish it out when he’s double teamed. If Atlanta can challenge the Celtics, then the Cavs can to. Get your NBA Playoff Prediction in now at BetUS.com and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit.
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