LA Lakers at Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets upset the Los Angeles Lakers inside the Staples Center to open up the series in a strong defensive performance 100-92. However, the hot hand of Kobe Bryant and the rest of the Lakers have responded strongly with two straight wins to grab the lead in the series. Bryant exploded in the victories dropping 73 combined points over those two games. The two teams have had some heated moments throughout the hard fought series. Derek Fisher was thrown out of Game 2 and suspended for Game 3 after throwing an intentional elbow to Rockets forward Louis Scola. Also, Kobe Bryant and Ron Artest have had their moments throughout the series as we move towards another expected physical Game 4 in Houston. For the Rockets, this has to be a must win scenario before they travel back to the Staples Centers where chances of winning diminish despite capturing a victory there in Game 1.
Related Sports Betting Articles
Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic
The Boston Celtics were apart of perhaps the greatest opening round series of all time when they overcame the Chicago Bulls in 7 games that had plenty of overtime sessions as well. The Celtics could be on the verge of another back and forth battle in the Conference Semi-Finals match-up with Orlando. The Magic came out looking strong beating the Celtics at TD Northbank Garden in Game 1 95-90. However, things were much different in Game 2 as Boston completely dominated all aspects of the game blowing the Magic out 112-94. However, the series will take another turn as these teams will battle the next two meetings in Orlando. The Magic have played very well all season at home and they will need to take advantage of the home court over the next two games. Orlando really needs to win both games to avoid having to rely on more wins in Boston. However, the Celtics won the only previous meeting earlier this season in Orlando and they will be looking for similar results this Friday night.
Related Sports Betting Articles
Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers swept the Detroit Pistons in 4 games putting just another notch on their impeccable resume this season. Cleveland remained extremely dominant at home winning the two games over the Pistons by a combined 30 points. The Cavaliers will put their home court advantage to the test once again this Tuesday night when they host the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 of the Conference Semi-Finals. Atlanta is fresh off a hard fought 7 games series with the Miami Heat. The opening round series was back and forth the entire way. Joe Johnson led the Hawks with 27 points in Game 7 to lift them to a strong 91-78 victory over the Heat and into a meeting with the heavy favored Cleveland Cavaliers. Atlanta has lost 3 out of 4 games to the Cavaliers already this season, but they did win one game in Atlanta and only lost by one point the 2nd meeting at home. The Hawks lost a 6 point battle in the most recent trip to Cleveland on back in late March and will be fairly sizeable underdogs when they take the floor on Tuesday night.
Related Sports Betting Articles
Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics have put together possibly one of the best opening round playoff series in history. Tuesday night’s game was just another example of how exciting the last 5 games have been. The Celtics and the Bulls went into overtime for the 3rd time in 5 games and it was the 4th game that the margin of victory has been 3 points or less. The basketball slugfest has become the first series in postseason history to have 3 overtimes. Late in the 4th quarter in Tuesday night’s game the Bulls were faced with an inbounds play with less than 10 seconds remaining. Chicago Coach Vinny Del Negro drew up a perfect play which allowed Brad Miller to roll towards the basket wide open and seemed to have an easy two point lay-up. However, Miller was fouled rather hard by Boston guard Rajon Rondo. After review of the play, the foul could have easily been called intentional as Rondo’s hand came across Miller’s face leaving him with a mouth full of blood. Miller went on to miss both free throws even though the 2nd miss was on purpose and Boston got the rebound which gave them a 3-2 lead in the series. The Bulls now have their back against the wall, but judging how well they have played it would be surprising if this series does not see a Game 7.
Related Sports Betting Articles
Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers
The Eastern Conference side of the playoffs has definitely had their share of exciting games. One exciting series that is in full swing and on the verge of resulting with an unexpected victor is the Philadelphia and Orlando battle. The Magic were heavy favorites to win this series considering the amount of success the have endured all season long. However, Philadelphia came out the gates firing when they made the 18 point comeback in game 1 to capture the 2 point win. The 76ers opening win in Orlando was big momentum changes to kick start the series. Orlando responded in game 2 like most people thought they would by dominating most of the entire game and winning by 9 points in the end. The Magic appeared to be back on track to grab control of the series when they moved to Philadelphia in Game 3. However, the 76ers had more plans to be the spoiler once again pulling out yet another close victory 96-94. The win grabbed control of the series once again from the Orlando favorites who have played as good as anyone on the road this season. If Philadelphia could grab another exciting win this Sunday, they could put a firm grip on the series and make the first round upset much more of a reality.
Related Sports Betting Articles
Boston Celtics at Chicago Bulls
The NBA Playoffs got off to a great start when the Chicago Bulls took down the defending World Champions the Boston Celtics in dramatic fashion in the opening game of the series. The Bulls were lifted by the play of rookie Derrick Rose who knocked down 36 points in the over-time victory. Rose 36 points tied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record for the most points in a playoff debut. Game 1 was a big storyline because of the hard fought back and forth action. However, the following game last Monday was very similar and just as exciting as the first. The game was another back and forth slugfest, but this time the outcome was slightly different. Ray Allen for the Boston Celtics got the hot hand in the 2nd half scoring 28 points and delivering the nail in the coffin when he drained a 3 pointer with less than two seconds to play. The exciting win evened up the series as game 3 heads to Chicago as everyone anticipates another exciting contest as this series has the making to possibly make it to 7 games.
Related Sports Betting Articles
Philadelphia at Orlando
The Philadelphia 76ers overcame a 18 point deficit in the opening game of their postseason playoff appearance against the Orlando Magic to score a dramatic upset victory. The 76ers were 10 point underdogs heading into the event and it quickly looked like Orlando may have been a bit too powerful. However, Andre Iguodala and company led a fierce comeback in the 4th quarter with Iguodala draining the game winning bucket with just less than 3 seconds to play in the game. The victory was the first for the 76ers over the Magic this season considering Orlando won the previous 3 regular season match-ups. Orlando will look to rebound on Wednesday night as they get Game 2 at home as well as they seek to even up the series. Similar to the first game Orlando will be again 10 point favorites in the contest, but hopefully it will be another hard fought exciting grudge match.
Related Sports Betting Articles
NBA Playoff Outlook
The Utah Jazz will step up to the plate to give their best effort at taking down the huge favorites in the Los Angeles Lakers in game 1 this Sunday. The Lakers handled the Jazz fairly convincingly in their 125-112 victory in the last game of the regular season. Andrew Bynum scored 22 points in his biggest game back since the knee injury. The Lakers have been more than dominant all season against Western Conference Teams and it will be interesting to see if the trend continues. Utah has been anything but stellar down the stretch losing 7 of their last 9 games to carry them into the post season. The Jazz did beat the Lakers back in February and will attempt to find a way to get the job done again. Deron Williams has carried the team all season with 20 points per game while star Carlos Boozer has been unexpectedly inconsistent in recent weeks.
Related Sports Betting Articles
San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Lakers Game 5 Pick
The Los Angeles Lakers will try and advance to the NBA Finals by eliminating the defending champion San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. The Lakers are a perfect 7-0 at home in the playoffs this season and in their last 21 home playoff games are 18-3.
Related Sports Betting Articles
Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics Game 5 Pick
The Detroit Pistons got their must-win game on Monday as they won at home against the Boston Celtics to even the best of seven Eastern Conference Finals at two games each. Now the Boston Celtics are facing their must-win game on Wednesday in Game Five as they don’t want to go back to Detroit having to win a Game Six.
Related Sports Betting Articles