NBA Betting News and Notes Friday, May 3

Friday's NBA Playoff Action: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com

New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics (+2, 181)

New York leads series 3-2

The New York Knicks dressed for a funeral procession that never arrived and now face as many questions about their fashion sense as their overall play heading into Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first-round series at the Boston Celtics on Friday night. The Celtics staved off elimination for the second straight game Wednesday in New York and are trying to become the first team in NBA history to win a playoff series after dropping the first three games.

The Knicks were bubbling with so much confidence that they would close out the series on their home floor that the players dressed in "funeral black" prior to Wednesday's game to celebrate Boston's demise. Instead, the Celtics erased an 11-0 deficit and capitalized on the frigid shooting of Knicks star Carmelo Anthony and sixth man J.R. Smith to make the unthinkable - pushing the series to a deciding Game 7 - a real possibility. "I told you from Game 1 that this wasn't going to be a breeze," Anthony said after Game 5. "They threw a couple punches at us now and it's time for us to do the same."

ABOUT THE KNICKS: New York averaged a league-high 10.9 made 3-pointers during the regular season, but its inability to hit from long range has been pivotal in the past two defeats. Anthony has missed all 12 of his attempts and the Knicks have gone 12-of-52 from behind the arc in Games 4 and 5. Anthony was held to a series-low 22 points Wednesday and is shooting an abysmal 18-of-59 over the last two. Smith, typically the team's No. 2 scorer option, also was horrendous after returning from a one-game suspension, missing his first 10 shots and failing to register his first field goal until the final three minutes. Raymond Felton has been a rock for New York, scoring 48 points in the last two and averaging 18.4 points.

ABOUT THE CELTICS: Boston essentially beat the Knicks at their own game, connecting on 11-of-22 3-pointers after shooting only 30 percent from long range in the first four games. Equally important for the Celtics is the fact they put five players in double figures for the first time all series in Game 5. Brandon Bass, who has been assigned the unenviable task of guarding Anthony and was removed from the starting lineup in Game 3, delivered 17 points - as many as he scored in the first four games combined. Sixth man Jason Terry, held scoreless in the series opener, continued his revival by knocking down five 3-pointers en route to 17 points Wednesday. He's averaging 16.3 points in the last three games.

TRENDS

* Under is 5-1 in Knicks last six.
* Underdog is 4-1 ATS in last five meetings.
* Under is 7-1 in the last eight meetings.
* Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a SU win.
* Knicks are 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a SU loss.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Teams have come back to force a Game 7 after trailing 3-0 only three times in 103 attempts, and only 10 teams have extended the series to a Game 6 when facing such a deficit.

2. Anthony's teams have lost in the first round of the playoffs in eight of his nine seasons.

3. Celtics C Kevin Garnett has four straight double-doubles and is averaging 12.2 points and 14.4 rebounds.

Indiana Pacers vs. Atlanta Hawks (-1.5, 187.5)

Indiana leads series 3-2

The Atlanta Hawks have looked like a much better team at home in their first-round series with the Indiana Pacers. If they want to extend the series to a Game 7, they had better continue to show that form when the series shifts back to Atlanta for Game 6 on Friday. The Pacers have easily won their three home games but averaged 80 points in two losses on the road while getting manhandled defensively.

The Hawks ran into foul trouble and lost their composure in Game 5, drawing five technical fouls and letting the game slip away in the third quarter after Josh Smith picked up two quick personal fouls and a technical and had to sit. Indiana took advantage and spread a seven-point halftime lead out to 20 during the period before cruising to a 106-83 victory. The home team has taken each of the five games in the series by double figures, with the Pacers averaging 108.7 points at home and the Hawks stifling them in Atlanta.

ABOUT THE PACERS: Indiana got back to doing what it had done in the first two games in Game 5, going to the inside and leaning on Paul George when necessary. After getting knocked around in Atlanta, the Pacers were clearly the aggressors in their own building and knocked the Hawks out of the post and out of the game. David West had been struggling in the series but found a rhythm in Game 5 with some strong post moves and an 18-foot jumper that Atlanta struggled to defend. George only took eight shots but hit seven of them en route to 21 points and 10 rebounds. “We needed to re-establish our confidence,” Indiana coach Frank Vogel said after Game 5. “We’re still a young team. We needed to re-establish our ability to slow them down.” The Pacers did just that in Game 5 by keeping Al Horford and Smith out of the paint for the easy baskets that had helped even the series.

ABOUT THE HAWKS: Atlanta is on the brink of elimination but can point to a 13-game winning streak over the Pacers in its building as evidence that it is not yet out of the series. The Hawks totaled four field goals in the third quarter on Wednesday and both Smith and Horford, who scored 14 points apiece to lead the team, were non-factors on the inside. Atlanta had become the aggressors in the series by moving Johan Petro into the starting lineup to feature a bigger unit in Game 3 and 4. The Hawks kept that rotation in Game 5 but were outrebounded 51-28 and outscored in the paint 36-28. After shooting 43 percent or better in the first four games, Atlanta slumped to 33.3 percent in Game 5. As Horford and Smith struggled on the inside, Devin Harris and Jeff Teague could not pick up the slack on the perimeter and combined to go 6-for-25 from the field.

TRENDS

* Pacers are 0-4 ATS in their last four road games.
* Over is 5-1 in Pacers' last six.
* Over is 8-2 In Hawks' last 10.
* Over is 7-1 in the last eight meetings.
* The favorite is 21-5 in the last 26 meetings.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Pacers are shooting 47.4 percent in the series at home and 32.7 percent on the road.

2. Horford averaged 22 points and 10.5 rebounds in Games 3 and 4 at home.

3. George has at least 16 points and eight rebounds in every game of the series.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets (-1, 206.5)

Oklahoma City leads series 3-2.

The Houston Rockets were all but given up on when they lost the first three games of their Western Conference playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now Houston can even the best-of-7 series with a home win on Friday and put itself in position to become the first team to overcome a 0-3 deficit and win a playoff series. All the pressure is on the top-seeded Thunder, who are struggling without standout point guard Russell Westbrook.

Oklahoma City appeared headed to a four-game sweep of the Rockets. Westbrook was lost for the season with a knee injury in Game 2 and then the Rockets staved off elimination with an impressive Game 4 victory. Another Houston win in Oklahoma City on Wednesday has created a lot of anxious moments for the Thunder. “We have good players that have been through this before,” Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks said Thursday. “We know we have to play better. But we also know we’re up 3-2.” The eighth-seeded Rockets remain focused on making history after the back-to-back victories. “In our minds, still nobody’s giving us a shot,” forward Chandler Parsons said. “But it doesn’t really matter. It matters what we believe in that locker room and that we believe in ourselves.”

ABOUT THE THUNDER: Durant is averaging 38.3 points in three games since Westbrook was injured and Oklahoma City needs someone else to step up and help him carry the load. Durant tallied 36 points in Game 5 but was scoreless in the final quarter, a stanza in which Westbrook typically does a lot of the scoring. Durant is averaging 33.6 points but was just 1-for-8 from 3-point range in the Game 5 loss. “They don’t really care about anybody else on the team,” Durant said of Houston’s defensive strategy. “So when I have the ball, there’s like four guys guarding me sometimes and I’ve just got to make the pass. We didn’t make shots (in Game 5) but I trust that we’re going to make those wide-open ones.”

ABOUT THE ROCKETS: Houston standout James Harden scored 31 points and was 7-of-9 from 3-point range in Game 5 despite having a strep throat. The former Oklahoma City sixth man is averaging 26.4 points in the series. Forward Carlos Delfino and point guard Jeremy Lin are both questionable for Game 6. Delfino had his ailing left foot examined Thursday and his status will be firmed up in the hours before game time. “Carlos has got a lot of stuff going on in his foot,” Rockets coach Kevin McHale said. “He’s got bone spurs, he’s got a little fracture of a bone spur.” Lin has missed the previous two games with a chest injury.

TRENDS

* Thunder are 6-1 ATS in their last seven road games.
* Rockets are 5-1 ATS in their last six games playing on one day rest.
* Under is 5-1 in Rockets last six.
* Underdog is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Houston has made 26 3-pointers in the last two games.

2. Thunder G Kevin Martin, the key player Houston gave up in the deal for Harden, is shooting just 30.4 percent in the series after having just three points on 1-of-10 shooting in Game 5.

3. Rockets C Omer Asik averaged 19 points and 12.5 rebounds in the back-to-back victories.

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies (-6.5, 180)

Memphis leads series 3-2.

The Los Angeles Clippers won’t know until close to tipoff on Friday whether or not they will have All-Star forward Blake Griffin available for Game 6 of the Western Conference playoff series against the host Memphis Grizzlies. The Clippers need a victory to stay alive and the right ankle injury that forced Griffin to miss the final 17-plus minutes of Monday’s Game 5 could render him inactive for the pivotal tilt. Memphis has won the last three games.

The Grizzlies have climbed out of the hole prompted by losing the first two games. Each of their three consecutive victories have been by double digits and the inside combo of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol have dominated the Clippers. Griffin isn’t the only ailing Los Angeles star. Point guard Chris Paul bruised his left thumb in Game 5 but plans to play through the pain as another loss will end the Clippers’ season. “Playing there on the road has been tough, but we’ve shown the ability to win there in the regular season,” Paul said after Thursday’s practice. “And now we’ve got to do it. Our backs are against the wall.”

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS: Griffin was highly ineffective in Game 5 and had only four points in 19-plus minutes before leaving. He said after Thursday’s practice that the ankle was improving and remains hopeful he can play. “If I’m able to go and I’m able to help us, then it’s my job to go,” Griffin said. “I owe it to my teammates. If I make things a little worse and there’s no more season left, then it doesn’t really matter anyway because I’ll have a lot of time to rest and a lot of time to heal. As long as I can help my teammates and help us, then I’m going to play. That’s really the only way I’m looking at it.” Griffin is averaging 14 points and six rebounds in the series. Lamar Odom will move into the starting lineup if Griffin can’t play.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES: Randolph has been superb in the three consecutive victories by averaging 25.3 points and 10.3 rebounds. He averaged 13 points and six rebounds when Memphis lost the first two games. Gasol has averaged 22.5 points over the last two contests after failing to score more than 17 in any of the first three games. “I’ve been fortunate as a coach to have two premier post players,” Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins told reporters. “And we can go inside and they can play outside. Both of them can pass the ball and it’s a luxury not many coaches have and I’m thankful for that.” Point guard Mike Conley also is having a fine series with averages of 16.2 points and 8.6 assists.

TRENDS
* Clippers are 1-5 in their last six road games.
* Clippers are 0-4 in their last four games.
* Grizzlies are 4-1 in their last five home games.
* Under is 5-1 in the last six meetings in Memphis.
* Under is 5-1 in Grizzlies last six home games.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Los Angeles scored 112 points in its Game 1 victory and has averaged just 87.8 over the last four games.

2. Memphis F Tayshaun Prince has scored 15 points in each of the last two games after averaging just 3.3 over the first three outings.

3. Paul is averaging 21.8 points in the series after a 35-point effort in Game 5.

Friday's Early Tips
By Brian Edwards
VegasInsider.com

Knicks at Celtics

As of late Thursday afternoon, most books were listing New York (57-30 straight up, 48-37-2 against the spread) as a 1.5-point favorite with a total of 181.5. Bettors can take the Celtics on the money line for a +105 return (risk $100 to win $105). The Knicks are favored by a half-point for first-half wagers.

After losing the first three games of this best-of-seven series, Boston (43-43 SU, 39-44-3 ATS) has responded with back-to-back wins. The Celtics forced Game 6 by capturing a 92-86 win Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. They won outright as nine-point underdogs, hooking up money-line supporters with a payout in the +330 range (risk $100 to win $330). The 178 combined points stayed ‘under’ the 182-point total.

Kevin Garnett was the catalyst in Boston’s Game 5 win in NYC. Garnett scored 16 points, pulled down 18 rebounds, dished out five assists and blocked a pair of shots. Jeff Green scored a team-high 18 points, while Brandon Bass and Jason Terry finished with 17 points apiece. Paul Pierce added 16 points.

After being suspended for Game 4 and making moronic remarks about his absence in the overtime defeat at Boston, New York’s J.R. Smith was a non-factor in Game 5. The NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year made only 3-of-14 shots and had as many turnovers (two) as assists (two). Carmelo Anthony and Raymond Felton scored 22 and 21 points, respectively, in the Game 5 setback.

Anthony is averaging 30.8 points per game in the series, but he missed 16 of his 24 shots from the field in Game 5.

Boston has been a home underdog eight times this season, compiling a 5-3 spread record with four outright victories. The Celtics have taken the cash in four consecutive such spots.

New York reserve forward Steve Novak is listed as ‘doubtful’ for Game 6 due to back spasms. The Marquette product is one of the Association’s best 3-point shooters. Novak averaged 6.6 points per game and buried 149 treys during the regular season. He has made 3-of-6 from behind the line in this series.

These teams have faced each other four times this year in Boston. The Knicks are 3-1 both SU and ATS in those encounters.

The updated series price via Sportsbook.ag: New York -1000, Boston +700. The offshore website has the Knicks with the fourth-shortest odds to win the NBA title (15/1).

The ‘under’ is 7-1 in the last eight head-to-head meetings between these clubs, going 4-1 in this series. The lone ‘over’ came in Game 4 when the Celtics won a 97-90 decision in OT. The ‘under’ would’ve easily cashed if not for the extra session.

The ‘under’ is 45-40-2 overall for the Knicks, 21-20-2 in their road assignments.

The ‘over’ is 43-42-1 overall for Boston, 22-19-1 in its home games.

Tip-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

Pacers at Hawks

The home team has won all five games in this series both SU and ATS. Indiana (52-34 SU, 45-41 ATS) took a 3-2 series lead by spanking Atlanta 106-83 as a 7.5-point home favorite on Wednesday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The 189 combined points slithered ‘over’ the 187.5-point total.

Indiana power forward David West scored a game-high 24 points on 11-of-16 shooting from the field in Game 5. Paul George produced 21 points (7-8 FGs), 10 rebounds and five assists, while Roy Hibbert added 18 points and nine boards. The Pacers dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Hawks 51-28.

Atlanta (46-41 SU, 39-46-2 ATS) shot just 33.3 percent from the floor in the Game 5 defeat. Al Horford and Josh Smith tied for team-high scoring honors with 14 points apiece. Just like in Game 2 at Indiana, Smith was in foul trouble early and often in Game 5, finishing with just 25 minutes of playing time.

For Friday’s Game 6 at Philips Arena, most spots have the Hawks favored by two with a total of 188. The Pacers are +105 on the money line. Atlanta is a one-point ‘chalk’ and the total is 94 for first-half bets.

Smith scored a postseason career-high 29 points in leading Atlanta to a 102-91 win as a 1.5-point home favorite in Game 4. The loss was the 13th straight for Indiana in Atlanta. The Pacers haven’t tasted a victory at Philips since 2006.

The ‘over’ has cashed at a lucrative 4-1 clip in this series to date. In nine head-to-head meetings this year, the ‘over’ owns a 7-2 record.

The ‘over’ is 46-40-1 overall for the Hawks this year, 23-20 in their home games.

The ‘under’ is 43-42-1 overall for the Pacers, 23-19 in their road contests.

Sportsbook.ag’s updated series price is Indiana -800 (risk $800 to win $100) with Atlanta available for a monster +600 return (risk $100 to win $600).

ESPN2 will have the telecast at 7:05 p.m. Eastern.

Friday's Late Tips
By Brian Edwards
VegasInsider.com

Thunder at Rockets

As of early this morning, most books had Houston (47-40 straight up, 44-42-1 against the spread) installed as a one-point favorite for Game 6 vs. Oklahoma City. The total was 206.5 or 207.

Kevin McHale’s club has won back-to-back games after falling behind 3-0 in this best-of-seven series. The Rockets won a 107-100 decision Wednesday night at OKC as 8.5-point underdogs. Gamblers taking Houston on the money line cashed +300 tickets (risk $100 to win $300), while the 207 combined points dipped ‘under’ the 208-point total. No team in NBA history has come back from a 0-3 deficit.

James Harden shook off flu-like symptoms that forced him to leave the morning shoot-around and scored a team-high 31 points for the winners. Harden, who had made just 36 percent of his shots from the field in the first four games of the series, drained 10-of-16 shots from the floor and 7-of-9 from 3-point range in Game 5.

OKC started intentionally fouling Houston center Omer Asik for a 2 ½-minute stretch midway through the fourth quarter. Asik responded by making 9-of-14 from the charity stripe. He finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots. Francisco Garcia knocked down five treys en route to an 18-point effort.

Kevin Durant scored a game-high 36 points in Game 5, but he was held scoreless in the fourth quarter. He had an uncharacteristic look of frustration on his face and was clearly forcing tough shots down the stretch.

Oklahoma City (63-24 SU, 51-34-2 ATS) won Game 3 without All-Star guard Russell Westbrook, but it has struggled to replace his production in the last two games. The Thunder will need a better effort out of Kevin Martin, who was an atrocious 1-of-10 from the field in Game 5.

Houston owns a 30-13 SU record and a 25-18 ATS mark in its home games this season.

Westbrook tore his meniscus late in Game 2 and is out for the rest of the playoffs. Westbrook was averaging 24.0 points, 7.0 assists and 6.5 rebounds per game in the first two games.

Houston starting point guard Jeremy Lin is ‘questionable’ for Game 6 with a bruised chest. Lin has missed the last two games and was ineffective in the first two contests. He made only 5-of-20 shots and averaged just 4.3 PPG.

The ‘over’ hit in all four regular-season meetings between these teams, but the ‘under’ has cashed at a 4-1 clip in this series.

The ‘under’ is 45-42 overall for the Rockets, 22-21 in their home games.

The ‘under’ is 47-38-2 overall for OKC, 25-17-1 in its road assignments.

The updated series odds from Sportsbook.ag: Thunder -700, Rockets +500.

ESPN will have the telecast at 9:35 p.m. Eastern.

Clippers at Grizzlies

After dropping Games 1 and 2 at Staples Center, Memphis (59-28 SU, 50-35-2 ATS) has won three in a row over the Clippers to set up Friday’s potential close-out game at home. The Grizzlies won Game 5 by a 103-93 count as 5.5-point underdogs, hooking up money-line backers with a +195 return (risk $100 to win $195).

Zach Randolph was the catalyst for Lionel Hollins’s team in Game 5. The Michigan St. product scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Marc Gasol produced 21 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots. Mike Conley Jr. added 20 points and dished out six assists.

Los Angeles (58-29 SU, 46-41 ATS) failed to provide Chris Paul with much help in the Game 5 loss. Paul was sensational with 35 points, six boards, four dimes and three steals, but Jamal Crawford was only other teammate in double figures with 15 points. Blake Griffin tried to play on the ankle he sprained in practice the day before, but he had to leave in the third quarter and didn’t return. Griffin had four points, five rebounds and five assists in 19 minutes of playing time.

As of early this morning, Griffin was listed as ‘questionable.’ Most spots had the Grizzlies listed as six or 6.5-point home favorites with the total at 180.5 or 181. They are favored by 3.5 for first-half wagers, while the total is 91 or 91.5. Gamblers can take the Clippers to win outright and force a Game 7 back in Tinseltown for a +240 return (risk $100 to win $240).

Memphis won by double-digit margins in Games 3 and 4 at home. The Grizzlies won by scores of 94-82 and 104-83, respectively.

Memphis is 34-9 SU and 24-18-1 ATS at home this year.

The ‘over’ is 4-1 in this series so far. Since losing Game 1 by a 112-91 score, the Grizzlies have taken the cash in each of the last four games. Even in a 93-91 Game 2 loss, Memphis covered the number as a 5.5-point underdog.

The ‘over’ is 49-38 overall for the Clippers, but the ‘under’ is 22-21 in their road assignments.

The ‘under’ is 51-35-1 overall for Memphis, 28-15 in its home games.

The updated series odds from Sportsbook.ag: Grizzlies -400, Clippers +300.

Tip-off is scheduled for 9:35 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2.

B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets

Sportsbook.ag has the Miami Heat as the -300 favorite to win the NBA title.

Brooklyn forced a Game 7 in its best-of-seven series with Chicago thanks to Thursday’s 95-92 win over the Bulls in a pick ‘em affair. The 187 combined points jumped ‘over’ the 184-point total. Game 7 will be at Barclays Center on Saturday night at 8:05 p.m. Eastern. The Bulls were playing short-handed in Game 6 with Luol Deng (illness), Kirk Hinrich (calf) and Derrick Rose (knee) out of the lineup.

Golden St. advanced to the Western Conference semifinals with Thursday’s 92-88 win over Denver as a 2.5-point home ‘chalk.’ The Warriors hooked up their backers for the series as +400 underdogs. They got an inspiring performance from veteran center Andrew Bogut in the close-out game. Bogut finished with 14 points, 21 rebounds and four blocked shots. Steph Curry scored 22 points and passed out eight helpers, while Draymond Green came off the bench to provide 16 points and 10 boards.

Golden St. has lost 29 consecutive games at San Antonio. The Warriors haven’t won on the road against the Spurs since Valentine’s Day of 1997.

Sportsbook.ag has odds for the next team Dwight Howard will play for and the Lakers are -300 ‘chalk.’ These teams have the following odds: Rockets (+250), Mavs (+350), Field (+350), Hawks (10/1) and the Nets (15/1).

2013 NBA Playoffs

Immense pressure on New York, which lost last two games, after taking a 3-0 series lead; Anthony/Smith shot combined 11-38 in Game 5, after Smith came back from being suspended for Game 4. NY bench was -38 in Game 5; not sure why they kept Smith on floor when he was pretty much a liability. Three NY series wins stayed under total; two wins by Boston both went over; Knicks have had fewer turnovers in every game of series (+22). Anthony is now 18-59 last two games- Knicks shot better than 42.1% from floor once in this series (34.4/39.5% last two).

Home side won all nine Atlanta-Indiana games this season; Hawks lost all three road games in this series by 17-15-23 points, then won twice at home, by 21-11 points. Seven of nine series games this season went over total; eight of last ten Atlanta games also went over. George was 24-61 (39.3%) in series in first four series games, then went 7-8 last game, hard to figure; he is 22-30 on foul line last four games, after going 17-18 in Game 1. Pacers lost last four road games, including loss at Cleveland by 19; their last road win was April 1 at the Clippers.

Home side won four of five LA-Memphis games, but now Grizzlies are in driver's seat after winning Game 5 at Staples, and with Griffin's ankle an issue. Paul had 35 last game, but Crawford was only other Clipper to score more than seven; Griffin was 2-7 from floor in 20:00. Four of five series games went over total. LA is just 26-98 from arc in series; Clips have taken 40 less FTs than Griz so far in this series. Memphis won 16 of last 17 home games, with its only loss to Clippers April 13; they're getting more out of Prince than Thunder is from Martin, after two teams traded off huge pieces of their team (Gay/Harden).

Rockets staved off elimination by winning Games 4-5 without Lin; they made 26-63 from arc- in Game 5, Houston took 37 2-point shots, 37 on foul line, and 35 behind arc, very unusual. Houston FG% has gone from 36.3/39.6/43.4/48.7/47.2% in series- they're getting easier baskets with Westbrook not playing, which makes sense. Thunder is still struggling to find second option to Durant, who has 41-38-36 points last three tilts, but Sefolosha is 6-20 since Westbrook has been out. Martin was 1-10 on Game 5, not exactly the production OC paid for. Last four series games were decided by a total of 15 points, after Thunder won opener by 29.

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