The Bum's NBA Championship Best Bets !

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NBA

Monday, May 21

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Philadelphia - 7:00 PM ET Boston -5.5 500

Boston - Under 173.5 500

L.A. Lakers - 9:30 PM ET Oklahoma City -8 500

Oklahoma City - Under 192 500

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NBA

Tuesday, May 22

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Indiana - 8:00 PM ET Indiana +6.5 500

Miami - Under 180.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

Celtics Back In Philadelphia To Finish 76ers

May 23, 2012

The Boston Celtics are still having nightmares about their last visit to Philadelphia. They return to the City of Brotherly Love to close out the 76ers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Wednesday.
in five games, while San Antonio previously swept the Clippers over the weekend.

Let’s first do some updates with the Western Conference semis ending Monday after Oklahoma City beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 106-90 as 7½-point home favorites. That ended the series
The Spurs overtook the Thunder for top seed in the conference in April and have now won an incredible 18-straight games (15-2-1 ATS). Game 1 will be held Sunday night and San Antonio is a 5-point home favorite and -175 for the series.

Tuesday night has the most dramatic series of the playoffs with Miami hosting the Indiana Pacers and tied 2-2. This spread opened at Miami -6½ before going to -7. It has now moved back down to -6½.

Heat big man Chris Bosh (abdominal) has already been ruled out the next two games, but could come back for a potential Game 7. Dwyane Wade had his knee drained before Game 3’s 94-75 loss when he scored just five points, but it could have started taking effect in Game 4’s 101-93 win when he scored 30.

The Pacers have proven they can win on the road in the series, 78-75 as 6 ½-point underdogs in Game 2. However, the Heat have the momentum after tying up the series with the crucial road win on Sunday.

The total tonight is 181½. The ‘under’ went 2-0 in the first two games in South Beach and is 24-7 in Miami’s last 31 home games overall.

Switching back to the Celtics and 76ers, the pointspread for Wednesday has just been released and Philly is a 2-point home favorite with a total of 175½.

This series has alternated winners each game. The latest was a 101-85 Boston win as 5 ½-point home favorites on Monday. The 76ers led by three points at halftime (50-47), but the unheralded Brandon Bass scored 18 of his game-high 27 points in the third quarter as the Celtics pulled away.

Boston was playing without injured guard Avery Bradley (shoulder). His defense was missed despite the win and also forced Ray Allen to start and play over 33 minutes. Allen is dealing with an ankle injury and rust, scoring just 13 total points over the last three games. Bradley is questionable for Game 6 and will be needed.

Coach Doc Rivers’ team can advance to the Eastern Conference Finals with a win, plus get some much needed rest, but it won’t be easy. His guys had an 18-point third-quarter lead in Game 4 on Friday, only to eventually lose 92-83. Boston’s veterans likely won’t let another big lead slip away if they can get up.

The 76ers are having a nice playoff run as a No. 8 seed and aren’t ready for it to end. Turnovers have plagued them the last four games at 13.8 per game, compared to just 11.2 in the regular season (ranked first). Part of that is young player jitters in the playoffs, and they need to have a fast start or the crowd will get antsy.

Note the ‘over’ is 3-0 in the last three games, including the only two played in Philly

[StarDust Bum]

Inside the Paint - Wednesday

May 23, 2012


Before we get into tonight’s playoff action, let us congratulate all the ‘chalk’ bettors! Not only have you been on fire, but you’re winning rather easily too. Since last Friday, the favorites have gone 9-0 straight up and 7-1-1 against the spread.
The lone ATS loss came Sunday when the Spurs beat the Clippers 102-99 but failed to cover as 7 ½-point road favorites. Ironically, San Antonio has been the biggest enemy to the sports books and the damage could get worse if it stays hot.

Despite the barrage of favorites, most books have reported a good May, which is a little surprising but gamblers do tend to back teams with more sizzle than substance, in particular the Los Angeles Lakers. The “Purple and Gold” went 5-8 SU and 4-8-1 ATS in the playoffs, and once again were eliminated in blowout fashion on Monday to Oklahoma City (90-106).

The total results haven’t been kind to the books either in the second round. During the aforementioned nine-game span from last Friday, bettors have watched the ‘over’ go 8-1. Anytime you have the favorite-over combination cash on a consistent basis, it’s golden for gamblers and trouble for the guys behind the counter.

Speaking of trouble, the books have also taken some early hits in the WNBA too. Those following the women’s game have seen the favorites start the season 9-1 SU and 8-2 ATS. It’s not as much fun to watch as the NBA but the line movement is nuts and you can set yourself up for some crazy middles.

And we’d be remiss not to mention the game played on the frozen pond. Bettors watched Los Angeles eliminate Phoenix last night on the road. After watching the underdogs play well in the early rounds (31-36), it’s been all about the favorites (7-2) in the conference finals. In case you’re wondering, the Kings were listed at a 25/1 price to win the Stanley Cup prior to the playoffs. The club has gone 12-2 in the postseason, which has produced a return of $1,100 (based on $100-unit plays).

Do the chalky returns continue on Wednesday when Philadelphia and Boston tangle in a possible elimination game?

Let’s break it down!

Boston at Philadelphia (ESPN, 8:00 p.m. ET) - Winners

After collapsing in Philadelphia last weekend, the Celtics answered the bell on Monday and captured a 101-85 victory over the 76ers in Game 5. Boston trailed 50-47 at the break and outscored the 76ers by 19 points (54-35) in the second-half, which has become a common theme in this series. Whoever has jumped out early and taken the first quarter lead has lost each of the first five games.

The hero for Boston in Game 5 was Brandon Bass, who scored a career playoff high of 27 points, 18 coming in the third quarter. Kevin Garnett bounced back from a poor effort in Game 4 with 20 points on Monday and Rajon Rondo filled up the stat sheet with 13 points and 14 assists. Elton Brand led the 76ers with 19 points in the loss.

Philadelphia opened as a 1 ½-point home favorite for Game 6 and the number jumped up to 2 but has come back down to the opener.

The 76ers might not have as much talent as the Celtics but according to VegasInsider.com handicapper Kevin Rogers, the trends lean toward the host. He explained, “The 76ers have been very solid at home in the playoffs, winning four of five times at the Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics enter the game just 3-7 SU this season as a road underdog off a win. The Celtics dominated two games this series, but the other three games have been toss-ups towards the end.”

Boston has posted three double-digit victories in the postseason, the most recent coming on Monday. After the two previous comfortable wins by the Celtics, they wound up losing each of the next games. Another factor that makes you lean Philadelphia is its record off a loss, which stands at 4-0 in the postseason.

Even though we’ve seen some totals posted between 171 and 175 points, the ‘over’ has gone 4-1 in the first five games and four of the five results were never in doubt. The opener on Game 6 has been spiked from 174 to 175 ½ at most shops. If the shots fall, these low numbers are very attainable.

The Celtics could be without rookie Avery Bradley (shoulder) again tonight. He sat out Game 5 and is ‘questionable’ for Game 6. While Bradley doesn’t have great numbers (7.6 PPG), he’s the second best athlete on the Celtics after Rajon Rondo.

The adjusted series price has the 76ers listed at 9/2 odds (Bet $100 to win $450), while Boston backers can lay 1/6 (Bet $600 to $100) on the Celtics to close out the best-of-seven battle.

If necessary, Game 7 will be on Saturday from TD Garden in Boston

[StarDust Bum]

76ers try to prolong season on Wednesday

NBA PLAYOFF GAME PREVIEW

No. 4 BOSTON CELTICS

at No. 8 PHILADELPHIA 76ERS


Eastern Conference Semifinals
Game 6 – Boston leads series 3-2
Tip-off: Wednesday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Philadelphia -2, Total: 175½

The Celtics blew out the 76ers in Game 5, but they’ll be hard-pressed to post another lopsided win as they try to end Philly’s season Wednesday on its home floor.

After trailing by three points at halftime on Monday, Boston exploded in the second half, outscoring the visiting Sixers 54-35 en route to a comfortable 101-85 win. But this time it wasn’t one of the four Celtics stars that led the way on offense, instead it was PF Brandon Bass who scored a whopping 27 points on 9-of-13 FG and 9-of-10 FT. But it wasn’t all Bass, as the usual suspects, PG Rajon Rondo (13 points, 14 assists) and PF Kevin Garnett (20 points, six rebounds) also had big games. Now the series goes back to Philly where Boston lost 92-83 in Game 4, marking its fourth defeat in the past five trips to Wells Fargo Center. The Celtics have averaged a dreadful 81.5 PPG in these four losses, but they did pour in 107 points there in Game 3. Can the Celtics close out the series on Philly’s home court? For the answer, connect to NBA Playoffs Best Bets for all the Expert picks for every playoff game during the 2012 postseason. The ******* staff is 24-12 ATS (67%) over the past four nights, while ******* Dave is on a 6-1-1 ATS run in his Best Bets since May 16.

Although the 76ers were held to 85 points in Game 5, they still shot 47% FG and held the slight edge in both rebounding (37-31) and points in the paint (46-44). The 76ers are a perfect 4-0 when coming off an SU loss in the 2012 playoffs though, holding these teams to just 83.5 PPG. But Boston, despite being a veteran club, is 28-16 SU (26-18 ATS) on one day’s rest this season, holding these opponents to 89.2 PPG. Philadelphia has also held strong with just one off-day in between games, going 26-19 (24-21 ATS).

Although Bass, Garnett and Rondo all played outstanding in Game 5, SF Paul Pierce and SG Ray Allen didn’t do a whole lot. Pierce finished with 16 points (3-of-7 FG, 9-of-9 FT), but had just four rebounds and three assists in 39 minutes of action. Pierce has been a road warrior in the playoffs though with 25.0 PPG (45% FG, 8-of-18 threes) and 9.5 RPG in his past four road games. Allen started off this series with two solid games (14.5 PPG on 46% FG), but has scored a total of 13 points on 5-of-14 FG (2-of-9 threes) in his past three contests combined. With starting SG Avery Bradley expected to miss his second straight game with a shoulder injury, Allen will have to provide more offense with his increased minutes as a starter. Two reserves that both shined in Monday’s win were C Greg Stiemsma who scored 10 points on 5-of-5 FG, and added three blocks in just 14 minutes of action, and SF Mickael Pietrus who posted a +14 rating in his 20 minutes.

There was an Elton Brand sighting in Game 5, as the high-priced power forward finally showed up to play this series. After totaling 17 points (38.9% FG) in Games 1-4, Brand exploded for 19 points (8-of-13 FG) in 30 minutes in Monday’s loss. But none of his teammates had more than dozen points on the night. SF Andre Iguodala scored a mere eight points (3-of-10 FG) with a weak minus-13 rating for the game. Iguodala has been more efficient on his home floor though, averaging 15.0 PPG on 49% FG (8-of-14 threes), 6.8 RPG and 3.8 APG in his past four games at Wells Fargo Center. SG Evan Turner is coming off a double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds), but he has gone ice-cold in the past three games, making a pathetic 24% FG (11-of-45). PG Jrue Holiday has been outplayed by Rondo this series, as evidenced by his minus-42 rating (Rondo is +22). But Holiday has been the 76ers’ most consistent scorer with 13.5 PPG on 50% FG (9-of-15 threes) in the past four games, tallying double-figure points in all four contests. PG Lou Williams (10.8 PPG, 3.4 APG in series) and SF Thaddeus Young (9.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG in series) have made big contributions off the bench, but the duo connected on just 6-of-18 shots with four turnovers and a minus-23 rating in Game 5. PF Lavoy Allen scored 12 points off the bench on Monday, making all six of his shots, but finished with a game-worst minus-15 rating.

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Long Sheet

Wednesday, May 23

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BOSTON (46 - 31) at PHILADELPHIA (41 - 36) - 5/23/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOSTON is 19-35 ATS (-19.5 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 89-74 ATS (+7.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 49-35 ATS (+10.5 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in road games after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 12-3 ATS (+8.7 Units) in road games after allowing 85 points or less this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 16-27 ATS (-13.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 10-6 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 10-6 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Short Sheet

Wednesday, May 23

EC Semifinals, Game Six (Boston Leads, 3-2)
Boston at Philadelphia, 8:05 ET ESPN
Boston: 8-20 ATS off win by 15+ points
Philadelphia: 16-33 ATS as home favorite of 6 pts or less




NBA
Armadillo's Write-Up

Wednesday, May 23

Celtics (3-2) @ 76ers-- Celtics are +62 in series with Garnett on floor, -39 with him on bench, but it was sub Bass who scored 22 points in the second half to spur Boston to Game 5 win. Home side won six of eight series games this year. Celtics scored 81-83 points in two series losses, 92-107-101 in wins. Losing team led four of the five games at halftime. 76ers have been down 10+ points in seven of their 11 postseason games, but rallied to win three of seven; they're 4-1 at home in playoffs, losing only Game 3 in this series. Celtics are 2-3 on road in playoffs.




NBA

Wednesday, May 23

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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
BOSTON vs. PHILADELPHIA
Boston is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Boston is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 7 games when playing Boston
Philadelphia is 7-17 SU in its last 24 games when playing Boston


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NBA

Wednesday, May 23

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What bettors need to know: Wednesday's NBA playoff action
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Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers (-2, 175.5)

THE STORY: The Boston Celtics are one win away from reaching the Eastern Conference finals and the 76ers are attempting to stay alive when the conference semifinals return to Philadelphia for Wednesday’s Game 6. Boston took a 3-2 series lead with a strong second-half performance on Monday en route to a 101-85 victory. Neither team has won consecutive games in the series. The 76ers rebounded impressively after losing by 16 points earlier in the series.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN

ABOUT THE CELTICS: Forward Brandon Bass produced the best showing of his seven-year career when he scored a career playoff-best 27 points in Game 5. The output matched Bass’ regular-season career high and included 18 points in the pivotal third quarter as Boston turned a three-point halftime deficit into a nine-point advantage. “It was one of those games we needed something to ignite us together,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “I thought the biggest difference was his energy. He played with a force. I thought he just let himself go.” Bass averaged 11.8 points in the first four games of the series before making nine of 13 shots on Monday.

ABOUT THE 76ERS: Veteran forward Elton Brand had his best game of the series with 19 points in Game 5 after totaling just 17 points over the first four games. Brand has been bothered by a neck injury and had been a non-factor before hitting eight of 13 shots Monday. His play was one of the few bright spots for Philadelphia, which committed 15 turnovers and scored just 35 second-half points. “You can’t play like that, you can’t play one-handed against this team,” 76ers coach Doug Collins said. “You can’t make careless, one-handed passes against this team. They’re too good. We did not meet the tenacity that they played with from the middle of the third quarter on.”

TRENDS:

*Over is 6-1 in the last seven meetings.
*Philly is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 home games.
*Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last five games following an ATS win.
*Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last five games playing on one day's rest.
*Sixers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games as favorites.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Boston point guard Rajon Rondo has four double-doubles in the series and is averaging 14.6 assists.

2. Sixers guard Lou Williams is averaging just 10.8 points in the series and has reached 20 points just once this postseason (11 games).

3. Celtics guard Avery Bradley (shoulder) could miss his second straight game at a time when veteran Ray Allen (13 total points the last three games) is struggling.

[StarDust Bum]

Wednesday, May 23

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Boston - 8:00 PM ET Boston +1.5 500

Philadelphia - Over 175.5 500

[StarDust Bum]

Thursday, May 24

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Miami - 8:00 PM ET Miami -2.5 500

Indiana - Over 182 500

[StarDust Bum]

NBA
Dunkel

Philadelphia at Boston
The Celtics look to build on their 9-4 ATS record in their last 13 games as a favorite of 5 to 10 1/2 points. Boston is the pick (-5 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Celtics favored by 7 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Boston (-5 1/2). Here are all of today's picks

SATURDAY, MAY 26

Game 549-550: Philadelphia at Boston (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 122.422; Boston 130.125
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 7 1/2; 176
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 5 1/2; 170
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-5 1/2); Over




NBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, May 26

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PHILADELPHIA (42 - 36) at BOSTON (46 - 32) - 5/26/2012, 8:05 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 11-20 ATS (-11.0 Units) after allowing 85 points or less this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 17-27 ATS (-12.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 90-74 ATS (+8.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 83-105 ATS (-32.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
BOSTON is 151-192 ATS (-60.2 Units) in home games revenging a loss vs opponent since 1996.
BOSTON is 44-73 ATS (-36.3 Units) in home games versus good defensive teams - allowing <=91 points/game since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 11-6 against the spread versus BOSTON over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 10-7 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NBA
Short Sheet

Saturday, May 26

EC Semifinals, Game Seven (Series Tied, 3-3)
Philadelphia at Boston, 8:00 ET ABC
Philadelphia: 11-20 ATS after allowing 85 points or less
Boston: 10-1 ATS off a division loss




NBA

Saturday, May 26

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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
PHILADELPHIA vs. BOSTON
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 8 games when playing Boston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Boston's last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
Boston is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games when playing Philadelphia


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NBA

Saturday, May 26

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What bettors need to know: Saturday's NBA playoff action
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Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics (-5.5, 170)

THE STORY: A berth in the Eastern Conference finals is on the line when the Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers in Saturday’s Game 7 of the second-round series. The longtime rivals are meeting in a Game 7 for the first time since 1982 when the 76ers prevailed in Boston in the Eastern Conference finals. The home team has won 79.6 percent of the 108 Game 7s in NBA history.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ABC

ABOUT THE 76ERS: Philadelphia forced a seventh game with a gutty 82-75 home victory on Wednesday. Point guard Jrue Holiday had his highest-scoring game of the series with 20 points, and forward Elton Brand had 13 points and 10 rebounds for his second consecutive solid outing. Brand scored 19 points in Game 5. Sixers reserves Lou Williams (10.8 average) and Thaddeus Young (8.5) have had minimal effect in the series. Coach Doug Collins is happy Philadelphia’s season has a chance to continue, but isn’t satisfied. “I want more,” Collins said. “We’re going to get greedy and we want more. We’ve fought, we’ve worked, and we’ve gone through a lot as a team.”

ABOUT THE CELTICS: Veteran post Kevin Garnett has been Boston’s best player in the series and the Celtics are hoping he’ll be fresh after playing 40-plus minutes in two of the past three games. Garnett is averaging 20 points and 10.7 rebounds in the series and coach Doc Rivers is mindful that he needs Garnett to be strong in the final minutes. “We know he has to get rest,” Rivers said. “To have to take him out in the fourth quarter is hard, but we have no choice. He’s doing everything for us. But at the end of the day, he can’t play 48 minutes.” Point guard Rajon Rondo had a subpar Game 6 with six assists and four turnovers after averaging 14.6 assists over the first five games.

TRENDS:

*Home team is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
*Celtics are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a SU loss.
*76ers are 9-4 ATS in the last 13 meetings.
*Over is 6-2 in the last eight meetings.
*Favorite is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Celtics guard Avery Bradley (shoulder) has been shut down for the playoffs and veteran Ray Allen, shooting 33 percent over the last three games, will start.

2. Philadelphia’s most-recent Game 7 was in 2001 when Allen Iverson scored 44 points against the Milwaukee Bucks to move the 76ers into the NBA Finals.

3. Boston forward Paul Pierce has averaged 22 points over the last four games after scoring just 21 total points in the first two contests.

[StarDust Bum]

Celtics host 76ers in Game 7 on Saturday

NBA PLAYOFF GAME PREVIEW

No. 8 PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

at No. 4 BOSTON CELTICS


Eastern Conference Semifinals
Game 7 – Series tied 3-3
Tip-off: Saturday, 3:00 p.m. ET
Line: Boston -5½, Total: 170½

After a see-saw series where neither team has won two in a row, the 76ers and Celtics will play a decisive Game 7 Saturday afternoon with the winner getting a trip to Miami for the Eastern Conference Finals.

Wednesday’s Game 6 was not an offensive showcase for either team as Philadelphia won 82-75. Boston shot 33% FG and 21% threes (3-for-14), while committing more turnovers (17) than assists (14). The Sixers shot a strong 46% FG, but made just 1-of-9 threes and 61% free throws (17-for-28). 76ers PG Jrue Holiday was his team’s best player with 20 points and six assists, and PF Elton Brand had a second straight tremendous game with 13 points and 10 rebounds. But winning a Game 7 in Boston will not be an easy task. The Celtics have been a great home team this season (29-10, 20-19 ATS), limiting visitors to just 84.3 PPG on 40.6% FG. Which team will prevail in Game 7? For the answer, connect to NBA Playoffs Best Bets for all the Expert picks for every playoff game during the 2012 postseason. The ******* staff is 28-17 ATS (62%) over the past six nights, while ******* Dave is on a 6-1-1 ATS run in his Best Bets since May 16.

Despite the two off-days, neither team has been great with a long layoff, as the Celtics are 6-6 SU, 5-7 ATS, while the 76ers are 5-7 SU, 7-5 ATS in this well-rested scenario. Philly is a mediocre 20-21 (SU and ATS) coming off an SU win, but Boston is just 18-13 (15-16 ATS) after an SU loss. In terms of Game 7 history, the Celtics are 20-7 SU all-time while the 76ers are 6-8 SU, but haven’t played a Game 7 since 2002. Boston has played in five Game 7’s since 2001, winning the first three at home by 34, 5 and 10 points. But the team has dropped its past two Game 7’s, losing at home to Orlando in 2009 and coming up short in the 2010 NBA Finals in Los Angeles.

PF Kevin Garnett continues to be the most valuable player of this series, pouring in another double-double (20 pts, 11 reb) in Game 6. He’s now averaging 20.0 PPG (52% FG) and 10.7 RPG, while posting a +55 rating through six games. PG Rajon Rondo had his worst game of the series on Wednesday, scoring just nine points with six assists and four turnovers. However, Rondo is averaging 14.7 APG in three home games this series, including 27 assists and just four turnovers in his past two games at TD Garden. SF Paul Pierce posted 24 points and 10 rebounds on Wednesday, but he has struggled at home in this series (12.3 PPG on 29.6% FG, 5.0 RPG), especially compared to how well he’s performed in Philadelphia (24.0 PPG on 46.3% FG, 9.3 RPG). PF Brandon Bass was held to just eight points on 2-of-12 shooting on Wednesday, but had his breakout game in Game 5 at home (27 points on 9-of-13 FG). With SG Avery Bradley likely out for Game 7 (shoulder), SG Ray Allen will have to provide more consistent outside shooting. The man with the most three-pointers in NBA history is just 7-for-27 from downtown in the series, including 3-of-14 in the past four contests. But he did score 14.5 PPG on 11-of-24 FG in Games 1-2 at TD Garden, and has certainly hit a number of big shots in his career.

Brand is showing no ill effects from the shoulder/neck injury that has limited him throughout the playoffs. After totaling 17 points (38.9% FG) in Games 1-4, Brand has averaged 16.0 PPG (59% FG) and 6.5 RPG in the past two contests. Holiday has now scored in double figures in each of his past five games, averaging 13.7 PPG, 5.0 APG and 4.5 RPG for the series. He has made 11-of-21 FG (6-of-9 threes) in his past two games in Boston, but is still saddled with a minus-37 rating for the series. SF Andre Iguodala has been mostly strong throughout the series with 13.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 4.0 APG. Curiously, he’s made just 35.6% FG of his two-point tries, but a hefty 52.4% (11-for-21) of his threes for the series. SG Evan Turner has two double-doubles on the road in this series, averaging 12.3 PPG and 8.7 RPG at TD Garden. But he has just not shot the ball well against Boston, making just 33.8% FG and 62.5% FT in these conference semifinals. PG Lou Williams (10.8 PPG, 3.8 APG in series) and SF Thaddeus Young (8.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG in series) continue to provide valuable minutes off the bench, but the duo has connected on just 12-of-34 shots (35%) over the past two contests.

[StarDust Bum]

Celtics, minus G Bradley, set for Game 7

May 25, 2012


WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) - Kevin Garnett won't be posting any comments from the 76ers owners on his mental bulletin board. The Philadelphia fans won't be getting all riled up over comments deriding their loyalty.

``It's Game 7. There's no tomorrow,'' Celtics captain Paul Pierce said before practice on Friday. ``If this is not the most important thing to you right now, there is no way to motivate you as a basketball player.''

The Celtics and Sixers will play Saturday night for a spot in the Eastern Conference finals, where one of them will face the Miami Heat for the right to play for the NBA title. The 76ers forced the series to a decisive game by beating Boston 82-75 on Wednesday, keeping alive a surprising run that started when they knocked out top-seeded Chicago in the first round.

``I think they're excited about the chance to go in there and have this Game 7 and see what we can do,'' Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said. ``I don't think we have any fear. I haven't felt that in our guys at all. When we have played poorly, it's not out of being fearful. I think sometimes we don't execute well. That to me has nothing to do with whether or not the guys believe they can do it.''

The Sixers have not been to a Game 7 since 2001, and Collins said he was relying on the energy of a young team that has just one 30-year-old, Elton Brand, getting significant playing time. The Celtics, who have three in the starting lineup alone, are 3-2 in seventh games since the new Big Three was assembled in 2007.

Brand said his younger teammates are ready. Philadelphia point guard Jrue Holiday, who called Game 6 the ``end of the world,'' said this would be ``The End of the World II.''

``They're not scared of the moment at all, which is really good for our team,'' Brand said. ``Some of the older guys are saying, `Hey, we don't get this opportunity too many times. So let's try to win this game.'''

That's also the mood in Boston, where they are gearing up for the last run of the new Big Three. Pierce is under contract, but Garnett and Ray Allen are free agents at the end of the season.

Still, Garnett wasn't manufacturing anything to motivate himself for the game, like he did for the finale against Atlanta when he fixated on comments by a Hawks owner calling him a dirty player. (He then fed the Sixers bulletin board material this week when he said they had fair-weather fans.)

Allen said he wasn't thinking - yet - about the possibility it could be his last game in a Boston uniform.

``We've been so fortunate to do what we've done here,'' he said. ``It seems like we've been ruled out so many times before, so many years before. It's just another opportunity to go out and be who we are, so we're not worried about what's beyond tomorrow. We're worried about more about what we have in the present day.''

The Celtics will be without guard Avery Bradley, who also missed Games 5 and 6. Rivers said Friday that Bradley will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on a left shoulder that frequently popped out of its socket during the regular season and playoffs.

Bradley has been a key part of the Celtics' defense. Without him, Allen moves back into the starting lineup and Rajon Rondo will be expected to cover the best Sixers' backcourt player in the game.

``It's disappointing when a player goes down. Especially what Avery has given us this year,'' Rivers said. ``He's a very valuable part of our team. Not having him makes Rondo have to go back to that role - and run the team. Rondo doesn't have a lot of breaks.''

Rondo, who had an off-night in Game 6 with nine points, six assists and nine rebounds - the first time these playoffs he has failed to reach double-digits in any of them - laughed at the suggestion that the added responsibility will be too much for him.

``Oh man, it's a lot of pressure,'' he said with a chuckle. ``We're a team. We're one of the few teams in the NBA where all five guys contribute. We're not a one- or a two-man show. We play great as a team.''

It's not the first injury for the Celtics, who lost Jeff Green to an aortic aneurism before the season began and got just 25 games out of starting center Jermaine O'Neal. During the playoffs, Allen has struggled with bone spurs in his ankle and Paul Pierce has a sprained MCL in his left knee.

``We need everything from everybody,'' Pierce said. ``Whoever steps out on that court has to understand: This is it. This is our team.''

Before practice, Rivers was presented with the Rudy Tomjonavich Award from the Professional Basketball Writers Association for excelling at his job while also helping the media do theirs.

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NBA Playoffs - Game 7 Facts

May 24, 2012

Game 7 Quick Facts

The NBA has had 108 Game 7’s in playoff history

The home team is 86-22 (79.6%) in those games

Seven of the last 10 Game 7 outcomes have been decided by double digits

Five of the last six road winners in Game 7 were from the Western Conference


Game 7 Notes - Boston vs. Philadelphia


Boston has played in the most Game 7's, going 20-7 in the decisive game

The Celtics have dropped their last two Game 7 battles, most recently a 101-82 blowout loss at home to Orlando in the 2008 Conference Seminfinals

Philadelphia has gone 14-6 in Game 7's
The 76ers' last Game 7 came in the 2001 Conference Finals at home against Milwaukee, which they won 108-91 during the Allen Iverson era

All-Time Game Seven Road Winners

Year Road Team Home Team Round

2012 L.A. Clippers 82 Memphis 72 First round
2008 Orlando 101 Boston 82 Conference semifinals
2007 San Antonio 91 New Orleans 82 Conference semifinals
2007 Utah 103 Houston 99 First round
2006 *Dallas 119 San Antonio 111 Conference semifinals
2005 Detroit 88 Miami 82 Conference finals
2005 Indiana 97 Boston 70 First round
2002 *L.A. Lakers 112 Sacramento 106 Conference finals
2000 New York 83 Miami 82 Conference semifinals
1995 Indiana 97 New York 95 Conference semifinals
1995 Houston 115 Phoenix 114 Conference semifinals
1982 Philadelphia 120 Boston 106 Conference finals
1981 Kansas City 95 Phoenix 88 Conference semifinals
1981 Houston 105 San Antonio 100 Conference semifinals
1978 Washington 105 Seattle 99 NBA Finals
1976 Phoenix 94 Golden State 86 Conference finals
1974 Boston 102 Milwaukee 87 NBA Finals
1973 New York 94 Boston 78 Conference finals
1971 Baltimore 93 New York 91 Conference finals
1969 Boston 108 L.A. Lakers 106 NBA Finals
1968 Boston 100 Philadelphia 96 Division finals
1948 Philadelphia 85 St Louis 46 Semifinals
(*) Asterisk denotes overtime

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Sixers And Celtics Back In Boston For Game 7

Game 6 of this year's Eastern Conference semifinals may have been the worst basketball game I’ve watched in years, playoffs or otherwise. The Philadelphia 76ers were bad in their Game 6 victory and against the spread cover, but the Boston Celtics were even more pathetic.

Let me start by saying this is definitely not the same Boston team many picked to challenge the mighty Miami Heat for the Eastern Conference crown after punking Miami in South Beach back in April, 115-107. Back-up big man Greg Stiemsma, a key player in the Celtics' late-season rotation, has been hobbled by a bad foot. Paul Pierce is playing on a bum knee. Ray Allen is playing on a sore ankle, and Avery Bradley has now been officially ruled out for the rest of the playoffs because of a left shoulder that will need to be surgically repaired.

The Bradley loss especially hurts the Celtics on defense because Allen has not been able to guard anyone in this series. Philadelphia has run isolation plays the entire series for whoever Allen is guarding. Allen gets broke down off the dribble, bigs rotate to help and someone wearing a Sixers uniform is dunking or shooting a layup. Philadelphia surely will continue to attack Allen, primarily off the bounce, Saturday night in Boston.

Another area of weakness Doug Collins will attempt to exploit in Game 7 will be Boston's inability to contain Jrue Holliday. The former UCLA standout lit up Rajon Rondo and Mickael Pietrus for 20 points and six assists in Game 6, mostly via penetration.

Ok, let’s not get too crazy with all this Philadelphia 76ers talk. Game 7 will be played in Boston, under the banners and in the building where history has shown us Boston is very hard to beat.

The Celtics will ride Kevin Garnett and Pierce as far and as long as they can. If they want to advance, these two future hall-of-famers must deliver big in Game 7. Garnett played over 41 minutes in Game 6 and did appear to tire at towards the end of the game. Doc Rivers must find a way to get Garnett his rest because this game will be decided in the last five minutes of regulation.

Pierce has delivered 24 points in three of the last four games and count of Rivers to get “The Captain” going early in Game 7.

The wild card for sure would have to be the play of Rondo, who at times in Game 6 looked erratic and out of focus. If Rondo can attack the rim and be efficient on offense while dishing out double-figure dimes, I like the Celtics to advance and once again return to the Eastern Conference Finals to face the Miami Heat.

Boston is favored on the Don Best odds screen by 5½ points with a total of 170½. Philadelphia is 4-2 against the spread in the series and the 'over' has cashed in four of the six games

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Saturday, May 26

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Philadelphia - 8:00 PM ET Philadelphia +5.5 500

Boston - Over 170.5 500

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Thunder And Spurs Set For Western Finals

The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are two small market teams making big noise in the NBA’s Western Conference Finals.

The first game will be Sunday at 8:30 p.m. (ET) on TNT. The home Spurs are listed as 5½-point favorites with a total of 204½. They’re also the very solid series favorite at -205.

The Thunder looked like the best team in the conference for most of the season. They had a 40-12 mark after playing on April 1, which was a 3-game cushion on their closest competitor in the Spurs (36-14).

San Antonio started warming up in March and never looked back. The current winning streak is 18 games, including playoff sweeps over Utah and the Los Angeles Clippers. The record in the last 31 games overall is an amazing 29-2.

The Spurs’ against the spread mark is almost equally mind-boggling at 15-2-1 in the last 18. They did fail to cover the final game against the Clippers last Sunday, 102-99 as 7½-point road favorites.

Coach Scott Brooks’ Thunder have also played very well this postseason with a sweep over defending champ Dallas and then a tough, 5-game win over the Lakers. The team is 5-1-1 ATS in its last seven games after failing to cover its first two in the postseason.

The matchups in this series are extremely interesting as they present a direct contrast in styles. Oklahoma City got a little less than 2/3rd of its scoring in the regular season from the trio of Kevin Durant (28 PPG), Russell Westbrook (23.6 PPG) and James Harden (16.8 PPG). That number is at 67.8 percent in the playoffs.

The Spurs have had incredible depth all year with a double-digit rotation. Gregg Popovich has tightened it up some in the playoffs, but still plays plenty of guys. The 4-time champion coach has settled in with a starting lineup of Tim Duncan, Boris Diaw and rookie Kawhi Leonard up front, plus Tony Parker and Danny Green in the backcourt.

Note there are total trends for each team. The ‘under’ is 6-2 for the Spurs in the playoffs despite scoring a league-high 102.5 PPG. The ‘over’ finished 14-4-1 in their last 19 regular season games, scoring a whopping 110.8 PPG.

The ‘over’ is 7-2 for the Thunder in the postseason, scoring an even 100 PPG. They’ve only allowed 100 points in a game once, but have been dealing with some low totals that dropped into the high 180s in the Lakers series.

Oklahoma City won the first meeting between the teams this year (108-96 as 6-point home favorites) before San Antonio won and covered the last two. The only one in Texas was on February 4, a 107-96 Spurs win as 2½-point chalk. Parker absolutely exploded for 42 points.

The ‘over’ was 3-0 in those contests with an average total points scored of 208.7.

The big question for this series is how do the Spurs contain Durant? The NBA’s regular season leading scorer was the clutch performer in the Lakers series, a title that used to belong to Kobe Bryant. Durant will have Leonard starting on him defensively, but that will be switched up a lot.

Watch for Parker to keep attacking Westbrook on the offensive end, forcing the Thunder point guard to work both ends of the court.

The red-hot Spurs have a great mix of youth and veterans, with everyone extremely rested. Those factors, plus the Hall-of-Fame coaching of Popovich, should bring a series win in seven.