Sunday's NBA action went pretty much according to oddsmakers’ plans, which was great news for Boston Celtics backers.
Boston avoided the biggest playoff upset in NBA history on Sunday, crushing the Atlanta Hawks 99-65 in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 22 points, while Kevin Garnett dropped 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Boston.
The Celtics easily covered as 14 ˝-point home favorites at BetJamaica.com in closing out the Hawks, finishing the series 4-3 against the number. Boston will take on LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Round 2, with Game 1 on Tuesday night.
The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off their Western Conference semifinal series with the Utah Jazz in style, cashing as 8-point faves in a 109-98 victory in Game 1 on Sunday.
Kobe Bryant scored 38 points, while going 21-of-23 from the line, as the teams played under the 217 ˝-point totals listed at BetJamaica.com. Kobe added seven assists and six boards for the Lakers, who got 18 points, 10 rebounds, and five dimes from Pau Gasol in the payday.
Mehmet Okur had 21 points and 19 boards to lead Utah, which is only 1-4 ATS this season against Los Angeles after Sunday’s defeat.
The betting action gets back underway on Monday night, when the Detroit Pistons (-6) host the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series.
Detroit rolled in Game 1 on Saturday, winning 91-72 as 6-point home favorites. Chauncey Billups had his way with the Orlando backcourt, going for 19 points and seven assists, as the Pistons held Dwight Howard 12 points and eight rebounds in the win.
Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu paced the Magic with 18 points each, with the game playing under the 189 ˝-point total set by oddsmakers at BetJamaica.
Monday night also features Game 2 between the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Hornets (- 2 ˝), as Spurs backers look make up for some lost money after the series opener.
New Orleans made quick work of San Antonio on Saturday night, handling the Spurs 101-82 as 3-point home favorites. San Antonio had no answer for David West, who led the Hornets with 30 points and nine rebounds, while Chris Paul had 17 points and 13 assists for New Orleans.
The key to the Hornets’ payday was their defense of Tim Duncan, who was held to only five points and three rebounds in Game 1. Spurs bettors will need a better performance from the Big Fundamental on Monday night if they’re to have any hope of banking a payday in the Big Easy.
Raji |