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National Basketball Association - Tips & Trends
NBA
Wednesday, May 14
Updated
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Tips and Trends
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Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics [TNT | 8 PM ET]
Cavs: LeBron James went off against the Pistons in Game 5 of last year's Eastern Conference Finals, knowing a win would give Cleveland the opportunity to clinch the series back home in Game 6. That's the identical situation here, and Boston head coach Doc Rivers believes the criticism of James' play so far in this series is not deserved. “You think LeBron is struggling?” Rivers said. “We don’t think he’s struggling. He’s still making a lot of plays. We are forcing him to take tough shots. Other than Game 1, I think he’s having a terrific series.”
Cavs are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
Underdog is 7-3-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
The UNDER is 7-1 in Cleveland's last 8 games vs. Atlantic Division.
The UNDER is 7-2 in Cleveland's last 9 games as an underdog.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 83
Celtics (-9, O/U 176): Boston's frustrations on the road could eventually catch up to them at home, where the team has been absolutely dominant in the playoffs outside of Game 1 of this series. Ironically, that was also the worst game for James, who made just 2-of-18 shots from the field. “We’re disappointed right now, but that’s to be expected," Celtics forward Paul Pierce said. "That’s what the playoffs are all about.” Insiders believe this kind of attitude could hurt them despite beating opponents by more than 20 points per game in the playoffs so far.
Celtics are 11-1 ATS in their last 12 home games.
Celtics are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 Wednesday games.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 92
Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers [TNT | 10:30 PM ET]
Jazz: Utah's overtime victory in Game 4 seems to have given this team new life, and the players know they can't fall behind big early in Game 5. Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan also acknowledged that they will be very cautious in dealing with LA's Kobe Bryant and his back injury. "You should sit there and have to worry about that," Sloan said. "That’s not a pleasant feeling." Insiders believe Sloan will not be fooled by Bryant "playing injured" and knows to take him seriously as long as he's on the court after dealing with Michael Jordan in the past.
The OVER is 22-8 in Utah's last 30 games vs. Pacific Division.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 102
Lakers (-8.5, O/U 213): LA did not pass the ball nearly as well on the road in Games 3 & 4, and it resulted in 2 losses. The Jazz had 53 assists to 34 for the Lakers in those games, and Bryant's ability to dish the ball to open teammates could be the difference in Game 5. A back injury has limited Bryant's scoring - he scored a series-low 33 points in Game 4 - but he still was able to tally 10 assists. If his back continues to bother him, he will need to trust his teammates to hit open shots, which should be much easier on their home court.
Lakers are 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Lakers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite.
Key Injuries - G Kobe Bryant (28.3 ppg; back spasms) is expected to play.
PROJECTED SCORE: 111
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NBA
Wednesday, May 14
Updated
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tips and Trends
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics [TNT | 8 PM ET]
Cavs: LeBron James went off against the Pistons in Game 5 of last year's Eastern Conference Finals, knowing a win would give Cleveland the opportunity to clinch the series back home in Game 6. That's the identical situation here, and Boston head coach Doc Rivers believes the criticism of James' play so far in this series is not deserved. “You think LeBron is struggling?” Rivers said. “We don’t think he’s struggling. He’s still making a lot of plays. We are forcing him to take tough shots. Other than Game 1, I think he’s having a terrific series.”
Cavs are 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
Underdog is 7-3-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
The UNDER is 7-1 in Cleveland's last 8 games vs. Atlantic Division.
The UNDER is 7-2 in Cleveland's last 9 games as an underdog.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 83
Celtics (-9, O/U 176): Boston's frustrations on the road could eventually catch up to them at home, where the team has been absolutely dominant in the playoffs outside of Game 1 of this series. Ironically, that was also the worst game for James, who made just 2-of-18 shots from the field. “We’re disappointed right now, but that’s to be expected," Celtics forward Paul Pierce said. "That’s what the playoffs are all about.” Insiders believe this kind of attitude could hurt them despite beating opponents by more than 20 points per game in the playoffs so far.
Celtics are 11-1 ATS in their last 12 home games.
Celtics are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 Wednesday games.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 92
Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers [TNT | 10:30 PM ET]
Jazz: Utah's overtime victory in Game 4 seems to have given this team new life, and the players know they can't fall behind big early in Game 5. Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan also acknowledged that they will be very cautious in dealing with LA's Kobe Bryant and his back injury. "You should sit there and have to worry about that," Sloan said. "That’s not a pleasant feeling." Insiders believe Sloan will not be fooled by Bryant "playing injured" and knows to take him seriously as long as he's on the court after dealing with Michael Jordan in the past.
The OVER is 22-8 in Utah's last 30 games vs. Pacific Division.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 102
Lakers (-8.5, O/U 213): LA did not pass the ball nearly as well on the road in Games 3 & 4, and it resulted in 2 losses. The Jazz had 53 assists to 34 for the Lakers in those games, and Bryant's ability to dish the ball to open teammates could be the difference in Game 5. A back injury has limited Bryant's scoring - he scored a series-low 33 points in Game 4 - but he still was able to tally 10 assists. If his back continues to bother him, he will need to trust his teammates to hit open shots, which should be much easier on their home court.
Lakers are 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Lakers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite.
Key Injuries - G Kobe Bryant (28.3 ppg; back spasms) is expected to play.
PROJECTED SCORE: 111
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