| 2009 NBA Playoffs: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks Game 2 |
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| Written by Scott Burgess | |||||||
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Thursday, 07 May 2009
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 The Cleveland Cavaliers used their strong defense to beat the Atlanta Hawks, 99-72 at home, in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-finals. Tonight, May 7, the Hawks will try to figure out a way to get past the Cavs impenetrable defense. NBA oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Cavs as whopping -13.5 point home favs over the Hawks with the over/under set at 178 points. Be sure to get your 2009 NBA Playoffs Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction in now at Sportsbook.comThe Hawks held their own against the Cavs until the third quarter, at half time the score was 44-49 Cavs. High-flying forward Josh Smith dominated down low for 17pts and Mike Bibby knocked down four 3-pointers and had 14pts, they shot 56% with 14 assists in the opening 24 minutes. After that, it was all Cleveland. They got physical with Smith holding him to five second-half points. Bibby also was held to five and Joe Johnson, who averaged 21.4 during the regular season, scored just 11 as Delonte West and James took turns on Atlanta's top scorer. Their top scorers in the playoffs are Josh Smith averaging 17 ppg, while Joe Johnson averages 16.4 ppg. The answer for the Hawks might be the return of Al Horford who’s sat out with a sore ankle; he’s listed as a game time decision. Horford averaged 11 ppg and 9 rebounds a game. The Hawks averaged 77 ppg on the road during their seven game series against Miami. The Cavs defense held the Hawks to 28pts and 30% percent shooting in the second half and gave up a low 11pts in the fourth quarter. This was the Cavs fifth straight double digit win. They are averaging 94.6 ppg in their last five playoff games and they’re giving up a low 74.6 ppg, 11pts fewer than second place Houston (87.9). During the regular season, the Cavs were ranked No. 1 in points allowed, the only team to hold opponents to fewer than 92 per game. They also finished second in defensive field-goal percentage and first in defensive 3-point percentage. LeBron has averaged 32.4 ppg in his last five playoff games after shooting 52.6%. Coach Brown loves the fact that LeBron is willing to sacrifice his body diving and taking charges on the floor and when he doesn’t see other teammates doing the same he freaks. "When he does it, everybody else has to do it," Brown said. "They gotta do it. I don't even have to say anything. All I have to do is put it up on the film and let people see that. And when somebody doesn't do it, man, I can go off because my best player is doing it." Recent Trends to Consider:
2009 NBA Playoffs Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks When: Thurs, May 7, 2009 8:00 PM ET Line: Sportsbook.com Pick: Cavs -13.5 Point-Spreads.com 2009 NBA Playoffs Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks The Bottom Line: What can you say about the Cavs besides they are good. Go Cavs! Be sure to get your 2009 NBA Playoffs Cleveland Cavaliers vs Atlanta Hawks Prediction in now at Sportsbook.com and recieve a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit                        |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 07 May 2009 ) | |||||||