Tommy Gold NBA 2009/2010 Playoffs Picks

[TommyGold]

NBA PLAYOFFS (43-24-2, +16.21u) 2010.05.08 last pick: *

Los Angeles Lakers @ Utah Jazz: Utah Jazz -4.5 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker

* One unit each always.

[TommyGold]

NBA PLAYOFFS (45-25-2, +17.11u) 2010.05.08 results recap:

Orlando Magic @ Atlanta Hawks: Orlando Magic -2.5 -105 (1.95) The Greek (75-105: WIN)
Orlando Magic @ Atlanta Hawks: Under 194.5 -105 (1.95) BetPhoenix (75-105: WIN)
Los Angeles Lakers @ Utah Jazz: Utah Jazz -4.5 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker (110-111: LOSS)

NBA 2010.05.08 finished 2-1 and +0.9 units won/3 units risked on HDP & OU.
NBA 2009/2010 HDP & OU Record: 395-289-9, +72.6 units won (684 units risked)

NBA 2009/2010 Moneylines Record: 44-74, -0.69 units lost (118 units risked)



NBA PLAYOFFS (45-25-2, +17.11u) 2010.05.09 first 2 picks: *

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics: Under 197 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker

Phoenix Suns @ San Antonio Spurs: San Antonio Spurs -3.5 -105 (1.95) BetPhoenix, -110 (1.91) Bookmaker

* One unit each always. Dunno if will have anything else on NBA for today.



Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics

In the last game, the Boston were crushed at home. That crush started really early, making no sense for any under bet as both teams were just scoring and without any defense implementation. With a win by 29 points, where most of the difference was gain during the first quarter, the Cavs ended with a superb accuracy, and didn't had even to force any defense, as it wasn't necessary for the win. The key was aggressiveness from the Cavs, with a big entrance in the game, where they finish the first quarter with a 19 point lead.

Even without a high pace, both team were able to easily score, as the Cavs only wanted to increase the gap, taking the edge due to a bad defense and moral from the Celtics that seemed to accept the defeat only with a few minutes in the game. Even the Celtics had enough space to score their points, as they never had a big run and weren't able to stop the Cavs. With this, the Cavs didn't tried to stop the Celtics, as they never had their win at risk.

Today, it's unlikely to have another game like the last one. Big speeches have been heard by the Celtics, as they played the game with no ambition, like a regular season game, where they accepted the defeat to early. No champion can have this kind of mind. They can't allow the Cavs to play as they want, and need to be cohesive in defense, as they were in the first games in Cleveland.

The Celtics need to use their edge in the paint and even more, need to be aggressive in the defense. They can stop the Cavs team, unless LeBron, but if they shutdown the rest of the team they can fight for the win. The Cavs finally had a game that can give them a great boost and the return for their best shape. They were with a lack of mental confidence and chemistry lately, had big problems at home against the Celtics, winning one game with a bounce back and having a defeat in the another.

Today, the Cavs will probably enter the game less aggressive than the last game, as they already recover the lead in the series. A typical playoff game seems probable, with both teams with lots of cautions, weighted attacks, and big attentions in defense. It's unlikely to see one team gain early a big lead, so both team will play with defense.

Pick: Under 197 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker

[TommyGold]

NBA PLAYOFFS (46-26-2, +17.02u) 2010.05.10 final 2 picks: *

Orlando Magic @ Atlanta Hawks: Under 192 -105 (1.95) BetPhoenix, -110 (1.91) Bookmaker

Los Angeles Lakers @ Utah Jazz: Utah Jazz -3 -110 (1.91) The Greek

* One unit each always.



NBA PLAYOFFS (46-26-2, +17.02u) 2010.05.09 results recap:

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics: Under 197 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker (97-87: WIN)
Phoenix Suns @ San Antonio Spurs: San Antonio Spurs -3.5 -105 (1.95) BetPhoenix (101-107: LOSS)

NBA 2010.05.09 finished 1-1 and -0.09 units lost/2 units risked on HDP & OU.
NBA 2009/2010 HDP & OU Record: 396-290-9, +72.51 units won (686 units risked)

NBA 2009/2010 Moneylines Record: 44-74, -0.69 units lost (118 units risked)

[TommyGold]

NBA PLAYOFFS (47-27-2, +16.97u) 2010.05.11 first pick: *


Boston Celtics @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Today we will have match 5 between the Celtics and the Cavaliers. In the previous 4 matches, we had 2 overs and 2 unders. It seems balanced?

No, only the unders were the kind of games as we should expect and easy bets. The first over, was due to a bounce back, and was lost by few points. In that game, the Cavs had a great third quarter with lots of points in their bounce back, in order to grant the win.

The other over was an abnormal game. There is no chance to see another game as that one, even thinking that the bookies are giving a big spread for the Cavs.

What happened in that game, was that since the first quarter, the Cavs were winning by 20 points, giving them an early win, where they just had to manage the game, with a good offense and without bother with defense. The Celtics were always behind the game, even scoring almost 100 points, had a big loss. It wasn't the typical playoff game, and between these 2 teams in playoffs, probably just happen once in a 100 games.

With the series tie, the Celtics will try to make an early lead as they did in the first two games in Cleveland. They were able to surprise the Cavs with a strong power in the paint. As they saw in the last game, their biggest chances is with a big defense, and the Celtics are the kind of team that can easily defend, due to big and experience players. At the road, they always try to use it, and in the playoffs, the defense have a special role. They will have to give the game a low pace, try to hold LeBron somehow, even with free throws, as he is the only player that the Celtics aren't able to stop.

The rest of the team, Doc Rivers can mount the team in the best way to stop the Cavs, holding them without spaces to shot. At Cleveland, there isn't much space to errors for the Celtics, if they want to win. They already won one game at Cleveland, knowing that a good defense is the key. In both games they won this series, they hold the Cavs for 86 and 87 points in each game, curiously both unders in this series.

The Cavs needed a great LeBron to win first game, and an absolutely aggressive mode to win the first game at Boston. However, the team can keep the same performance twice in a row, as the Celtics rapidly adjust to the Cavs game. The Cavs need to be smarter, find more faster a way to overcome Boston Celtics. At home, their defense is strong, and knowing that they will have big problems with the Celtics defense, it's vital to have a good defense as well.

This series is arriving to a determination part, where a mistake can ruin everything. At this point, Rondo it's a huge problem to the Cavaliers, and they will have to adjust a better defense, as they have to stop win without removing any defense to any other player of the Big Three. This game will be very tactical, where a bad read of the game, a late timeout or a bad 2 minutes for one player can throw all the season away.

Pick: Under 194.5 -110 (1.91) The Greek


* One unit each always.



NBA PLAYOFFS (47-27-2, +16.97u) 2010.05.10 results recap:

Orlando Magic @ Atlanta Hawks: Under 192 -105 (1.95) BetPhoenix (84-98: WIN)
Los Angeles Lakers @ Utah Jazz: Utah Jazz -3 -110 (1.91) The Greek (96-111: LOSS)

NBA 2010.05.10 finished 1-1 and -0.05 units lost/2 units risked on HDP & OU.
NBA 2009/2010 HDP & OU Record: 397-291-9, +72.46 units won (688 units risked)

NBA 2009/2010 Moneylines Record: 44-74, -0.69 units lost (118 units risked)

[TommyGold]

NBA PLAYOFFS (47-28-2, +15.97u) 2010.05.11 results recap:

Boston Celtics @ Cleveland Cavaliers: Under 194.5 -110 (1.91) The Greek (88-120: LOSS)

NBA 2010.05.11 finished 0-1 and -1 unit lost/1 units risked on HDP & OU.
NBA 2009/2010 HDP & OU Record: 397-292-9, +71.46 units won (689 units risked)

NBA 2009/2010 Moneylines Record: 44-74, -0.69 units lost (118 units risked)

[TommyGold]

NBA PLAYOFFS (47-28-2, +15.97u) 2010.05.13 first pick: *

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics

Boston will host today the Cavs thinking that today they have a gold opportunity to end this series and go through it. If they won tonight, they will play the conference finals against the Orlando Magics. However, if they lose today, they will have to play a game 7 on the road, This series are being extremely balanced, with both teams alternating wins until the last 2 games, where the Celtics were able to snap 2 wins in a row. In 3 home games, the Cavs lost 2, mostly due to a bad defense and low power in the paint. However, they were able to win 1 of 2 road games, having tonight the chance to won the 2 in 3 games and make the tie.

Boston Celtics didn't made a good regular season, at least, not as good as every one expected. However, they easily passed the Heats in 5 games, and are in the eminence of knock out the contenders to the title Cleveland Cavaliers. In their 3 wins, they were able to hold the Cavs to less than 70 shots, and overcame the Cavs in the rebounds as well. In the middle of their wins, that had a blow out loss at home, just the same that happened in he last game, where they were dogs by +7.5 points but won by almost 40 points. Once again, they had a terrific defense and hold the Cavs for less than 70 shots.

In that games we can also highlight their offense, that is able to score with a great accuracy, including the six 3 points made by Allen last game. In their last home game, they were able to win by 10 points, with a low pace game, holding the Cavs for even less shots than the last game at Cleveland. This hard defense started after the Cavs gave them a blowout loss in the first game at Boston. Tonight, the Celtics are aware that they will meet the Cavs they faced in that first game at Boston, aggressive, and will have to make their best defensive performance in this season to hold the Cavs and try to finish this series tonight.

The Cavs have the talent to do a better figure. With a 3 shots made in 14 attempts, Lebron had made one of their worst playoff games ever, leaving his team "to death". Even with a poor performance, several of the Cavs players had a barely decent performances, such as Shaq that ended with 21 points. After their won in the first game in this series, where they were able to end the game with the same rebound of the Celtics, the lost the second game at home. It was in that point, with a 1-1 tie in the series, that they went to Boston. They knew that only one win in any of those two games can give them the home advantage again, and so, they entered the first game with "fire in their ass".

They had made the right approach to the game, being extremely aggressive, overcoming the Celtics defense and being better in the rebounds for the only time in this series. They have a great offensive power, after all, they got LeBron James in their roster. They just have to be aggressive, facing the game with their angry as they did in the last time they went to Boston needing to win. Their apathy in their last game at home, that cost them the game and left the team in disadvantage, can only be fixed with a win today. Today, the Cavs or win or will end the season.

Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers ML +105 (2.05) Bookmaker


* One unit each always. I'll look later on the total, because I'm leaning right now on the Under, but I want to handicap it thoroughly before taking a position on this market.

[TommyGold]

NBA PLAYOFFS (47-28-2, +15.97u) 2010.05.13 last pick: *

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics: Under 194.5 -110 (1.91) The Greek

* One unit each always.

[TommyGold]

NBA PLAYOFFS (48-28-2, +16.88u) 2010.05.13 results recap:

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics: Under 194.5 -110 (1.91) The Greek (94-85: WIN)

NBA 2010.05.13 finished 1-0 and +0.91 units won/1 unit risked on HDP & OU.
NBA 2009/2010 HDP & OU Record: 398-292-9, +72.37 units won (690 units risked)

NBA 2009/2010 Moneylines Record: 44-75, -1.69 units lost (119 units risked)
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Boston Celtics: Cleveland Cavaliers ML +105 (2.05) Bookmaker (94-85: LOSS)

NBA 2010 EASTERN & WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS HDP & OU RECORD: 36-18-1, +15.68 units won (54 units risked)

NBA 2010 EASTERN & WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS HDP & OU RECORD: 12-10, +1.52u (22 units risked)

[TommyGold]

NBA PLAYOFFS (48-28-2, +16.88u) 2010.05.16 only pick:

Boston Celtics @ Orlando Magic: Orlando Magic -6.5 -109 (1.92) BetPhoenix, -110 (1.91) Bookmaker, -111 (1.90) Goalwin

* One unit each always.



Boston Celtics @ Orlando Magic

We will have tonight the first final in 2010 NBA season. The Magic will host in Orlando the "not so much surprising" Celtics, for the first game in the Western Conference final. Could Orlando finally lose a game in this playoffs? Since the start of the playoffs, Orlando were able to shutdown their opponents by 4-0. They didn't allowed yet any game, being invincible in this playoffs when they start the conference final.

In the 8 playoffs games they already had, they didn't had any lucky win, as they win all of them convincingly. Since the last games of the regular season, when Orlando's coach, Gundy, said that there would be no rest for the team when they already had granted the playoffs, the team is increasing and getting stronger. Even without any rest in the last games, where they were all required to play, to improve their game and chemistry, the team didn't seemed tired in any playoff game.

And due to easy qualifications, they only had to play 8 games since the end of regular season, giving them much more days to rest than the opponent. At home, they won all their games by 9 or much more points, with a great offense and defense. They just seem to be unstoppable on this playoffs.

The Celtics, arrive here with lots of work. They benefited of a bad coaching from the Miami Heats side to snap a 4-1 win. They won one game at Miami, with an INCREDIBLE bad play from the Heats in the last seconds, and were able to hold their home games, ending the series early. Then, they started a series against the supposedly almighty Cavaliers. However, we all saw that the Cavaliers were far from their best.

The Celtics were able to manage a good defense, having the edge in the paint, and snapped 2 games at Cleveland. Their frontcourt was their only theorical edge, but they also had the big help from the unexpected (for some) Rondo, that have made some great games. However, they will host today a frontcourt that have Howard on it. If they had problems at Miami against Miami frontcourt, today we will see much bigger problems to the Celtics. They are not playing this year as they should.

They have a good roster, with the young Rondo helping the old Big Three, but had lucky in this playoffs. We have to discredit the previous opponents that the Celtics had, but today, they will face the team that is in better shape and have the higher moral in the NBA. They will have big problems in the paint, and probably will not be able to impose their defense, the key of their wins. Their offense will also have big problems, as at Orlando, it isn't easy to pass the Magic big men.

Pick: Orlando Magic -6.5 -109 (1.92) BetPhoenix, -110 (1.91) Bookmaker, -111 (1.90) Goalwin

[TommyGold]

NBA PLAYOFFS (48-29-2, +15.88u) 2010.05.17 final 3 picks:

Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers: Phoenix Suns +6.5 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker, 5Dimes

Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers: Phoenix Suns ML +260 (3.60) Bookmaker, The Greek

Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers: Over 210 -110 (1.91) JazzSports

* One unit each always.

[TommyGold]

NBA PLAYOFFS (49-30-2, +15.79u) 2010.05.18 only pick:

Boston Celtics @ Orlando Magic

Finally we saw the Magics tasting a defeat. After 8 games in this playoffs, they started in the worst way their Eastern conference final. Even they were almost able to bounce back from a really bad start, the truth is that their loss by 4 points is the same than a loss by 30 points. They are down 1-0 in this series, and have to win the rest of their home games and go to Boston snap at least one game.

The Celtics have already reached their goal for the first two games. Try to go home with a tie in the series to be able to take their edge at home, and finish the series without game 7. For now, they will be able to at least get a tie when they start their 2 home games, and they have to focus there. Their main and important players are veterans, that already have the weight of a long regular season.

Even with the big entrance, where the Celtics gave all they have, they will not be able to face todays game in the same way. They can't play like there is no tomorrow, they will have to manage their roster, and give more minutes to their bench players. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce were by far the best scorers for the Celtics in game 1, but it's unlikely to see them to make another big performances.

They will be saving up for the home games a little bit, as the Magics will force a better defense in them. Garnett was another of the keys with his rebounds. But like we saw, the Magics can adjust to defend better. They were able to stop the most dangerous Celtics player lately, Rondo, and today will have to adjust a little bit to stop also the big three.

The Magics tasted a defeat in this playoffs, and that will put some angry in the field today for them. They can't lose today, as if it happens, they will be to close to the elimination. They can play a better game, and as a contenders, can't have two poor performances in a row, particularly at home. They already showed in the last quarter of game one that they are more than capable to shutdown this Celtics.

Howard dominance in the paint is unquestionable, they just have to allow less fast break points from the Celtics and play a solid game. Their defense can be much better than the last game, where he already saw some sparks of it. Magics players should, and can, make a better performance than the last game, and there is no way to see them miss this opportunity to tie the game.

Pick: Orlando Magic -7 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker

* One unit each always.



NBA PLAYOFFS (49-30-2, +15.79u) 2010.05.17 results recap:

Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers: Phoenix Suns +6.5 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker (128-107: LOSS)
Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers: Over 210 -110 (1.91) JazzSports (128-107: WIN)

NBA 2010.05.17 finished 1-1 and -0.09 units lost/2 units risked on HDP & OU.
NBA 2009/2010 HDP & OU Record: 399-294-9, +71.28 units won (693 units risked)

NBA 2009/2010 Moneylines Record: 44-76, -2.69 units lost (120 units risked)
Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers: Phoenix Suns ML +260 (3.60) Bookmaker (128-107: LOSS)

[TommyGold]

NBA PLAYOFFS (49-31-2, +14.79u) 2010.05.19 final 2 picks:


Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers

As we have seen in game 1, the Lakers are finally reaching their best shape, as they did somewhere in the middle of the regular season. They were able to shutdown the Jazz's by 4-0, a really good result, as the arena at Salt Lake City is never an easy spot to win a game, but they managed to win 2 in a row. Their offense is playing really good, with an average of 51% in the series against the Jazz and game 1 against the Suns. At home, they are the kind of them that never refuses a run and gun pace, they have good players for it, including their bench. Against the Suns is even easier, as they have all the edge in the paint, they just have to worry about Stoudemire, while they got Gasol, Bynum and Odom to help like we saw in the last game.

The Suns can't try to defend, Specially at Los Angeles, their only hope to win a game is to score more than the the Lakers, and not try to hold the Lakers. Like we saw in the previous series, where the Suns faced supposedly the best home defending teams, the Suns only once scored below the 99 points. They had the edge in that games, and the opponents game were based in defense, something that the Lakers doesn't need to do. The Suns will have to learn the best way to overcame the Lakers in the paint, to try to tie the series at Phoenix. At Lakers, like we saw, the Lakers are playing at their best. That means that at home, they are able to score many points and are really hard to beat.

Picks: Los Angeles Lakers -7 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker, The Greek, 2BetDSI & Over 215.5 -105 (1.95) BetPhoenix, -110 (1.91) The Greek

* One unit each always.


P.S.: I'm also on Minnesota Lynx @ Seattle Storm: Seattle Storm -10 -105 (1.95) BetPhoenix (WNBA).




NBA PLAYOFFS (49-31-2, +14.79u) 2010.05.18 results recap:

Boston Celtics @ Orlando Magic: Orlando Magic -7 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker (92-95: LOSS)

NBA 2010.05.18 finished 0-1 and -1 unit lost/1 unit risked on HDP & OU.
NBA 2009/2010 HDP & OU Record: 399-295-9, +70.28 units won (694 units risked)

NBA 2009/2010 Moneylines Record: 44-76, -2.69 units lost (120 units risked)

[TommyGold]

NBA PLAYOFFS (51-31-2, +16.65u) 2010.05.19 results recap:

Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers: Los Angeles Lakers -7 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker (124-112: WIN)
Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers: Over 215.5 -105 (1.95) BetPhoenix (124-112: WIN)

NBA 2010.05.19 finished 2-0 and +1.86 units won/2 units risked on HDP & OU.
NBA 2009/2010 HDP & OU Record: 401-295-9, +72.14 units won (696 units risked)

NBA 2009/2010 Moneylines Record: 44-76, -2.69 units lost (120 units risked)

[TommyGold]

NBA PLAYOFFS (51-31-2, +16.65u) 2010.05.22 final 3 picks:

Orlando Magic @ Boston Celtics: Orlando Magic +4 -107 (1.93) BetPhoenix, -110 (1.91) JazzSports

Orlando Magic @ Boston Celtics: Orlando Magic ML +160 (2.60) JazzSports

Orlando Magic @ Boston Celtics: Over 189.5 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker

* One unit each always.



Orlando Magic @ Boston Celtics

The Celtics are showing in this playoffs what they were unable to show during the regular season. They are playing much better, and after dispatch Lebron and his Cavaliers team, were able to won the 2 first games in the Eastern Final. That is particularly good, because has Doc Rivers says, the Magic's were the team playing better in this playoffs, as it shows their results of 8-0 until this eastern final. However, and as dogs, the Celtics were able to snap not one game, but two, at Orlando.

The Celtics will prepare their game based on what the Magics will have to do. The Celtics are being bombarded by their coach to not forget that nothing is already won, and a 2-0 is nothing against the Magics that can easily bounce back if the Celtics let, and its probably that the Magics could bounce back even if the Celtics try to stop them. Pierce is having great performances, and probably will have today Barnes and not Carter to defend him. The Magics will adjust their defense in Ray Allen and Paul Pierce in order to stop them.

The Magics will have to play better in their offense, as they are at the brink. Carter, Nelson, Lewis, will have to produce much better, and they are able to do so. Howard is making his job, but can't do it alone. He can shutdown Perkins, but still have Garnett to fight to, and he is not able to stop all. With a little help, they will easily control in the paint, and just need to hold the fast break points that the Celtics are making. Their offense, if it could shot just a little better, will make the difference, as that has been the big edge for the Celtics so far, being able to decrease the Magics accuracy.

Picks: Orlando Magic +4 -107 (1.93) BetPhoenix, -110 (1.91) JazzSports; Orlando Magic ML +160 (2.60) JazzSports; Over 189.5 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker

[TommyGold]

NBA PLAYOFFS (51-33-2, +14.65u) 2010.05.23 final 2 picks:

Los Angeles Lakers @ Phoenix Suns: Phoenix Suns -1 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker

Los Angeles Lakers @ Phoenix Suns: Over 218.5 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker

* One unit each always.



NBA PLAYOFFS 2010.05.22 results recap:

Orlando Magic @ Boston Celtics: Orlando Magic +4 -107 (1.93) BetPhoenix (94-71: LOSS)
Orlando Magic @ Boston Celtics: Over 189.5 -110 (1.91) Bookmaker (94-71: LOSS)

NBA 2010.05.22 finished 0-2 and -2 units lost/2 units risked on HDP & OU.
NBA 2009/2010 HDP & OU Record: 401-297-9, +70.14 units won (698 units risked)

NBA 2009/2010 Moneylines Record: 44-76, -3.69 units lost (121 units risked)
Orlando Magic @ Boston Celtics: Orlando Magic ML +160 (2.60) JazzSports (94-71: LOSS)