NBA Playoff Preview

By Divol

Cleveland Cavaliers v Chicago Bulls



I really think this series will be closer than many people think. First of all, if we take a look at the year before, Cleveland swept the Pistons, but Pistons came to the playoffs losing three straight and 6 of the last 9 games. The writing was all over the wall in that series. Utah in the same year came to the playoffs losing 7 of the last 9 games and 4 of the last 5, so again, a 4 - 1 scoreline really shouldn't have surprised anyone. The Bulls remind me much more of Golden State of the 06 - 07 season that eliminated Dallas. GSW came to the series winning 9 of the last 10 games and 10 of the last 14 games. Bulls also come to the playoffs winning 10 of the last 14 games. GSW beat Dallas at home in the last week and Bulls did the same to Cleveland.

Am I saying we will see an upset? Of course not. Cleveland will get it done in 5 - 6 games. But, all I'm saying is that momentum is a huge issue when it comes to playoff and it's not something you can switch on and off and Bulls come with the momentum.

As for the games, Brown must think long term, not short term. Cleveland swept Hawks and Pistons, but were one miracle shot away by LeBron from being swept in the Conference Finals as well. Brown must work on the chemistry between Shaq and Jamison that have yet played together and try to work on all the little things. Shaq and LeBron have both had enough rest so it's not that important for them to wrap it up fast and I can see Bulls winning this series ATS and win at least one, if not both home games and the series will be won by Cleveland either in the 5th game at home or 6th game in Chicago. I can add that the regular season ended 2 - 2 and you shouldn't think it doesn't matter because it does.

Picks:

Cleveland to win 4 - 1 - 2.63 odds - 2 units play - Paddy Power

Cleveland to win 4 - 2 - 6.03 odds - 1.5 units play - Pinnacle


Orlando Magic v Charlotte Bobcats



This is the only series where I'm thinking of taking the dog winning the series before the series has started. I think it will be a battle that can be decided by who has the better coach and I have huge respect for both coaches and think they both have a shot at winning that battle.

Why Charlotte? First of all, look at all the bodies they have got to throw on Howard: Chandler, Mohammed, Ratliff and even Thomas and Diop. Brown will have enough minutes to find the best defenders on the "Superman". Second, Diaw is one of the best match ups to Lewis. He is smart, can easily run after Lewis and guard far from the basket. Felton, Wallace and Jackson can guard any trio that Magic will put on the backcourt. The third reason is that on offense, Cats are a team that don't get too many points from the paint playing set offense. They either get easy dunks from fast breaks and Howard can't help there or they usually shoot three pointers and mid range jumpers. Howard is the best defender in Orlando by far and he will hardly have a chance to use his abilities. I think that Magic are clear favourites, but not nearly as it presented. I think that 1.4 - 3.5 would have been the right odds.

Pick: Charlotte to win the series - 8.75 odds - 1.5 units - Expekt


Los Angeles Lakers v Oklahoma City Thunder



I'm a Lakers fan, but don't get me wrong, I'm betting this result because I think that the Lakers are having a bad season, not a good one. Kobe looks hurt right now. He has the second worst season from FT (percentage wise) and the worst in the last decade. He misses really easy shots do to his hand injury and he doesn't have his usual jump due to his leg injury. If we add the injury of Bynum that left them vulnerable in the paint and the lack of a decent PG and a good sub SF (Walton plays through pain) and you got Lakers that will have hard time making it to the finals, not to mention beating Orlando or Cleveland there without HCA.

Thunder got to the playoff limping. 2 wins in the last 6 games and 11 - 16 overall record against Western playoff teams. The lack of dominant Center can be a major issue if Bynum will be healthy. Gasol right now is the biggest star on the team and Odom is a major X - factor and Lakers can really dominate the paint, especially if Thunder will miss Krstic as well.

Lakers need a rest and some practice time with Bynum back in rotation. They can't mess around for 6 - 7 games with Thunder. They need to get it done in 4 - 5 games and enjoy the fact that Utah v Denver should be a long series.

Thunder have Durant, Westbrook, Green and Harden as their star players. With all the respect and there is lot of respect for this young core, they will pay the price of their lack of experience and will lose at least one game they could have won if they had a little more millage on them. Lakers gets it done in 4 or 5 games, though I can easily see Thunder win 4 - 1 the series ATS wise. Lakers 4 - 0 or 4 - 1 is my bet for the series.

Picks:

Lakers to win 4 - 1 - 3.22 odds - 2 units play - Pinnacle

Lakers to win 4 - 0 - 5.36 odds - 1.5 units play - Pinnacle


Cleveland Cavaliers v Chicago Bulls



20th April 01:05 GMT

As I said in the series preview, I do think Cleveland will win, but I don't think it will be that easy. Cleveland have got many things to work on with Shaq's first game back and it's more important to them than to blow out the Bulls. It's important to notice that first game if the series is the hardest to bet on, so small units only.



Pick: Bulls +11, 2.0 odds - 2.5 units play - Pinnacle


Atlanta Hawks v Milwaukee Bucks



21st April 00:05 GMT

The same as what I wrote in the preview of the series and in the Cleveland v Chicago play. Atlanta will win but they will struggle to cover. The Bucks are a very stubborn team that knows how to make life difficult. Add to that the fact that we will see low score and we have got a decent bet here.



Pick: Bucks +8.5, 1.95 odds - 2.5 units play - Pinnacle


Boston Celtics v Miami Heat



21st April 01:05 GMT

I fully believe that there will be many games in this series where at least one of the teams will fail to reach the 90 point mark. Both teams are really limited on offense and have faith in their defensive abilities. Playoff games always have the risk that the final minutes will push the bet Over with many FT's, but still, playoff is also the time when teams give 110% effort on defence, especially these two I believe.



Pick: Under 185 points, 1.92 - 4 units play - Expekt

Divol