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Sunday's NBA Tip Sheet
May 3, 2008
By Brad Young VegasInsider.com
T here are just two games on Sunday’s NBA playoff schedule, but the two matchups will be played under vastly different circumstances. Boston and Atlanta collide in a Game 7 to conclude their first-round series, while Utah and the Los Angeles Lakers begin their second-round series.
Many experts predicted that Boston, armed with the league’s best record, would steamroll through an Atlanta team that didn’t even play .500 ball during the regular season. This series has seen the home team win every game straight up and against the spread.
The last time Atlanta won a basketball game in Boston was January 24, 2007 as a four-point underdog, 82-76. The Hawks then went 0-3 SU and 1-2 ATS the next three road games against the Celtics before this series started.
Now let’s break down both of Sunday’s affairs in detail.
**Hawks (8) at Celtics (1)**
-The Las Vegas Hilton installed Boston as a 14 ½-point home ‘chalk’ over Atlanta, with the total set at 190. ABC Sports will provide coverage of Sunday’s Game 7 beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET.
-Atlanta extended this series by winning Friday’s Game 6 against Boston as a nine-point home underdog, 103-100. The combined 203 points toppled the 189-point closing total, helping the ‘over’ cash the fourth consecutive contest in this series.
-This series appeared over when the Celtics jumped out to a 32-20 lead after the first quarter. However, the Hawks outscored Boston in the second quarter, 29-18, and in the fourth quarter, 24-18, to prevail.
-Atlanta shot a blistering 48 percent (33-of-69) from the field, with all five starters reaching double digits in scoring. Forward Marvin Williams led the scoring charge with 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while point guard Mike Bibby contributed 17, six rebounds and seven assists.
-Boston shot 46 percent (38-of-82) from the field, but struggled behind the arc by converting just 21 percent (4-of-19). Power forward Kevin Garnett led all scorers with 22 points along with seven rebounds, while Ray Allen added 20 and six.
-Atlanta has struggled to a 12-32 SU and 17-26 ATS road record, with the ‘under’ going 24-20. The Hawks have been losing their road endeavors by an average score of 101-94.
-Boston maintains a 38-6 SU and 28-15 ATS home ledger, with the ‘under’ going 25-17. The Celtics have been winning those affairs by an average score of 101-87.
**Jazz (5) at Lakers (1)**
-The Las Vegas Hilton opened Los Angeles as a seven-point home favorite over Utah, with the total set at 213. ABC Sports starts its coverage of Game 1 at 3:30 p.m. ET.
-The Lakers are listed as a $4.00 series price ‘chalk’ to win this series, while the Jazz are $3.00 underdogs. This seven-game series will follow the 2-2-1-1-1 format.
-Utah eliminated Houston in six games after winning Friday night as a seven-point home ‘chalk,’ 113-91. The combined 204 points soared ‘over’ the 180-point closing total, ending back-to-back ‘under’ outings.
-The Jazz jumped out to a 10-point lead after the first-quarter (32-22), but really took control of the game by outscoring the Rockets in the third quarter, 27-11. Utah won the rebounding battle, 49-40, while shooting 47 percent (41-of-88) from the field and 46 percent (10-of-22) from behind the arc.
-All five starters netted double digits in points, along with two substitutes. Point guard Deron Williams led the charge with 25 points and nine assists, while center Mehmet Okur added 19 and 13 rebounds.
-Los Angeles wrapped up its four-game sweep of Denver Monday as a five-point road ‘chalk,’ 107-101. The combined 208 points never seriously threatened the 225 ½-point closing total, enabling the ‘under’ to cash the third consecutive contest.
-The Lakers never looked back after outscoring the Nuggets in the first quarter, 32-23, winning the game despite getting outrebounded (50-45). Guard Kobe Bryant led all scorers with 31 points on 12-of-24 shooting, while Pau Gasol added 21 and seven rebounds.
-Los Angeles went 3-1 SU and ATS versus Utah this season, with the ‘over’ also going 3-1. The Lakers won the last meeting March 20 as a six-point road underdog, 106-95, while the combined 201 points went ‘under’ the 217-point closing total.
Brad Young can be reached at byoung@vegasinsider.com.
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