Game of the day: Cavaliers at Celtics
By Lee Kostroski
Rivalry renewed
After stealing home-court advantage with a big win in Game 2, the Celtics return home on for Game 3 Friday night. This will be the seventh meeting between these two this season (including playoffs) with both teams having won three games apiece.
The Celtics are 27-17 (15-28-1 ATS) at home this season while the Cavs are 27-16 (23-19-1 ATS) on the road. Boston is 1-1 at home against the Cavs this season, losing by 20 points in February and winning by four points in early April. The Celtics have been home dogs just three times this year and are 0-3 SU and ATS.
Cleveland is 11-4 ATS in the last 15 meetings and 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings in Boston.
Star power
While Boston’s Big Three of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett gets most of the recognition, it has been Rajon Rondo stealing the show in the first two games of this series. Playing against the Cavs seems to bring out the best in Rondo.
Rondo averaged 14.8 points and 10.3 assists in four regular season games against the Cavs. In the first two games of this series, he's averaging 20 points, 15.5 assists and shooting 60 percent. The Cavs have tried five different defenders on him to no avail.
In addition to his 40 combined points in Games 1 and 2, Rondo has 31 assists. Ten of those have been assisted 3-pointers. Rondo has had a direct hand in 112 of the 197 points the Celtics have scored in this series.
Rondo isn’t alone in having a beneficial contribution to the Big Three. Rasheed Wallace came off the bench to finish with 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting in Game 2. Supporting cast members Rondo, Wallace, Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis finished Game 2 with 46 points on 19-of-26 shooting, along with 17 rebounds and 21 assists.
“That’s pretty much the game plan for how we’re going to have to beat this team,’’ Garnett told reporters. “We’re going to have to do it together and collectively.’’
Team president Danny Ainge added, “That’s how our team is right now. Not any one person has to carry the load, and we don’t rely on one person to have a great performance. Every night it can be a different person, and that’s the strength of our team.’’
It’s no secret that as the starters go, the Celtics go, but there’s a limit on how much of the load they can be expected to carry. If they can get a similar contribution from their supporting cast Friday, it will be hard to defeat the Celtics at home.
Cavs’ supporting cast
Completely contrary to Boston, the Cavs didn’t have much of a supporting cast to LeBron James in Game 2.
Mo Williams, after contributing 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting in Game 1, made just 1-of-9 shots and totaled only four points in Game 2. Williams wasn’t the only one that struggled. While James scored 24 points on 7-of-15 shooting in the 104-86 loss, his teammates combined to shoot 38 percent from the floor. It was the Cavaliers’ first home loss with LeBron James in the lineup since February 18.
Shaquille O’Neal has managed just 20 points and eight rebounds on 8-of-22 shooting in this series. And most of those makes were within three feet of the basket. When Shaq isn’t an offensive threat in the paint, it allows Boston to shift their defense and focus on stopping James.
With most of the team struggling in game two, coach Mike Brown isn’t pointing any fingers at individuals, rather implying that the whole team needs to produce a better effort.
“Tonight it was real simple,’’ Brown told the media. “For 48 minutes, we did not play with a sense of urgency. We tried the last few minutes of the game. They kicked our behind from the beginning. They got every 50/50 ball, they converted every offensive rebound into points, and we did not fight back until late.
Defense is the name of the game in the playoffs. Cleveland has allowed 48.2 percent shooting and 105.3 points per game in three losses to the Celtics this year. In its three wins, it’s allowed just 41.7 percent shooting and 91.3 point per game.
From the infirmary
LeBron James had another MRI on his bothersome right elbow, according to team officials. It was the second MRI James has had on the elbow after being diagnosed with a strain and a bone bruise after their first round series. James insists that it’s not a factor, but it’s no secret that we’re seeing a less aggressive LeBron in this series.
For the second time in the past month, Anderson Varejao is on the injury report with back spasms and is questionable for Game 3. Varejao is averaging just 5.7 rebounds and shooting 32 percent in the past four games. Varejao is an important player for the Cavs against Boston. In the two wins over the Celtics, in the regular season, Varejao averaged 15.5 points and 10 rebounds
Trends
Cleveland is just 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games following a SU loss, but it is 18-8-1 ATS in its last 27 playoff games as a favorite.
Boston is 10-4-1 ATS in its last 15 playoff games as an underdog, but is just 12-26-1 ATS in its last 39 home games.
NBA PLAYOFFS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Boston (5-2 SU and ATS) at Cleveland (5-2, 3-4 ATS)
The fourth-seeded Celtics, fresh off a Game 2 road upset, look to protect their home court when they face the top-seeded Cavaliers at TD Garden in Game 3 of the best-of-7 Eastern Conference semifinals.
Boston led by double digits most of the night Monday, holding off a late Cleveland surge in a 104-86 blowout as a six-point road underdog. Six Celtics scored in double figures, led by Ray Allen (22 points) and Kevin Garnett (18 points, 10 rebounds), while Rajon Rondo had 13 points and an eye-popping 19 assists. Doc Rivers’ troops also had a sizable advantage on the boards, outrebounding the Cavaliers, 43-32.
Cleveland got 24 points from LeBron James, but only two others reached double figures as the Cavs shot just 40 percent from the field (28 of 70), including a meager 4-for-21 effort from three-point range (19 percent). Boston, meanwhile, shot a stout 51.3 percent (40 of 78), hitting 9 of 19 from long distance (47.4 percent). Cleveland tumbled despite a huge discrepancy at the free-throw line, as it toed the stripe 38 times and made 26, while Boston was 15 of 18.
Cleveland is 27-16 SU (23-19-1 ATS) on the road this year (1-1 SU and ATS in the playoffs), averaging 101.5 ppg on 47.4 percent shooting while allowing 97.0 ppg (44.6 percent). Boston is 27-17 SU at home, winning and cashing in three first-round contests against the Heat, but the Celtics are just 15-28-1 ATS in Beantown, where they average 100.0 ppg (48.8 percent shooting) and give up 95.8 (45.6 percent).
Despite the Game 2 setback, Cleveland has owned this rivalry lately, going 19-8-2 ATS in the last 29 meetings (3-3 this season), including 7-3 ATS in the last 10 contests at the Garden. The home team and the chalk are 6-3 ATS in the last nine matchups, and Cleveland is on a 7-2 ATS run in playoff games against Boston (6-1 ATS last seven), having covered in six of seven during a second-round meeting two seasons ago.
Also, the SU winner has cashed in nine straight series clashes, including all six this season.
The Celtics are on pointspread upswings of 5-2 overall, 8-2-1 as a home underdog and 10-4-1 as a postseason pup, though they also shoulder ATS slides of 12-26-1 at home, 5-14 in second-round play,1-6 after three or more days off, 2-8 following a SU win and 2-7 coming off a spread-cover.
The Cavaliers are on ATS purges of 5-12 overall, 1-7 against winning teams, 4-10 as a favorite, 0-6 on Friday and 3-9 after a SU loss. However, they carry positive pointspread streaks of 18-7-1 in second-round playoff games and 18-8-1 as a playoff chalk, and they are on an 8-2 ATS run as a playoff favorite of less than five points.
The under is 18-6 in Cleveland’s last 24 conference semifinal contests, but the Cavs are otherwise on a bundle of “over” surges, including 11-2 against Atlantic Division foes, 8-3 as a playoff favorite, 5-1 on the highway, 4-0 as a road chalk and 27-5-3 laying less than five on the road. Likewise, Boston is on “over” sprees of 11-5 overall, 6-2 at the Garden, 4-0 after either a SU or an ATS win, 7-2 as an underdog, 5-1 as a home ‘dog and 7-2 against the Central Division.
Finally, in this rivalry, the total barely stayed low in Game 2, ending a 5-0 “over” surge between these two this year. Still, the over has been the play in five of the last six meetings in Boston, including a 117-113 Celtics win as a 1½-point pup on April 4.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
WESTERN CONFERENCE
San Antonio (4-4 SU, 3-4-1 ATS) at Phoenix (6-2 SU and ATS)
The surging Suns, coming off victories in the first two games of this series, now hit the road for Game 3 against the seventh-seeded Spurs at the AT&T Center.
Phoenix got nearly identical results in Games 1 and 2 at home, taking the opener 111-102 as a four-point chalk Monday and the second game 110-102 giving 2½ points on Wednesday. In Game 2, six players scored in double figures, with Amare Stoudemire notching a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds, and Steve Nash and Jason Richardson each scoring 19. Channing Frye may have been the key, though, going 5 of 6 from three-point range to help the third-seeded to Suns pull away.
San Antonio had a 30-21 lead after the first quarter Wednesday and lost despite outshooting Phoenix 50.6 percent to 42.4 percent. However, the Spurs got outrebounded 49-37 and committed 31 fouls that sent the Suns to the charity stripe 37 times, translating to 29 points. The Spurs were 15 of 22 from the line. Tim Duncan had 29 points and 10 boards despite being plagued by foul trouble in the second half, and Tony Parker added 20 points, but Manu Ginobili (five fouls) was held to 11 points, though he had 11 assists.
Phoenix is 24-20 SU (25-19 ATS) on the highway this season (2-1 SU and ATS in the postseason), averaging 107.2 ppg on 48.5 percent shooting and allowing 106.4 ppg (45.6 percent). San Antonio is 32-12 SU (26-16-2 ATS) at the AT&T Center this year (3-0 SU, 2-0-1 ATS in the playoffs), putting up 104.7 ppg (49.0 percent shooting) and yielding 96.5 ppg (45.9 percent shooting).
Phoenix has cashed in all five meetings this season in this rivalry (4-1 SU), but only one of those contests was in San Antonio, where the Suns lost 113-110 on Feb. 28 as a four-point pup. Phoenix is 5-2-1 ATS on its last eight trips to the Alamo, the favorite and the home team are both 5-1 ATS in the last six clashes, and the SU winner is 15-1-1 ATS in the last 17 Spurs-Suns matchups.
These two teams met in the first round two seasons ago, with the Spurs advancing 4-1 (2-2-1 ATS), and in the second round three years ago, with San Antonio winning in six games (3-2-1 ATS).
The Suns are on a boatload of spread-covering sprees, including 31-11-1 overall, 14-6 on the road, 9-3 as a road pup, 18-5 against the Southwest Division, 17-6-1 after a spread-cover and 35-16-1 after a day off.
The Spurs are 1-3-1 ATS in their last five starts, but are otherwise on pointspread upswings of 21-11-1 overall, 3-0-1 at home, 8-3 after either a SU or an ATS setback, 9-4-1 after a day off, 12-3-1 as a favorite and 21-6-3 as a playoff chalk.
In this rivalry, the total has gone high in six of the last seven meetings overall, including all five this season, with Wednesday’s game clearing the 205-point price. In addition, Phoenix is on “over” stretches of 11-4 against the Southwest Division (5-1 last six) and 12-4 in second-round playoff games.
On the flip side, the Suns also sport “under” streaks of 6-0-1 on the highway, 5-0-1 as a pup and 9-2 on Friday, and San Antonio is on “under” rolls of 6-2-1 overall, 5-1 after a day off, 6-1 laying five to 10½ points and 7-3 as a playoff favorite.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
NBA Playoff RoundUp For 5/7
By Dan Bebe
Cavaliers @ Celtics - Boston by 1 with a total of 191. I know I've been out of town for a week, but if there's one series that can't be dodged, it's this one. Everyone saw the Celtics get out to a quick start in game one, then blow it late, then, when I think most folks thought the Cavs had taken Boston's best shot, Boston came right back with another powerhouse effort in game two, and won in blowout fashion on the road. Very impressive performance from those old goats. Now, tied at 1 game apiece, this series heads to Boston, with Lebron nursing a sore elbow, and the veteran Celts playing the vastly superior series so far. No surprise, then, that this line is basically a Pick situation. We've seen the Celtics shoot the ball very well at home, so that makes this team extremely dangerous. I think most folks are going to gravitate to the Cavaliers, since Lebron is always going to get the attention, and the expectation is that Cleveland will bounce back quickly, but I happen to think Boston is decidedly in "Playoff Mode", and they'll bring the heat again in this one. I don't know if that means they win, and I also don't know if this line is a ton of value on either side, but I just feel like this game is less obvious than folks think. No huge lean on the side, though gun to my head, I think Lebron pulls off the miracle with a final-minute win on the road. On the total of 191, we've seen games hovering right around this number, above and below. The last game featured a pretty high turnover count for both clubs, and a terrible shooting night for Cleveland, but as we've seen before, the longer a series goes, the tougher and scrappier the defense becomes. I think Cleveland knows they need to open things up a little bit, and I think this one squeezes Over, but on the whole, I'm inclined to watch this game and make a move on game four.
Suns @ Spurs - San Antonio by 5.5 with a total of 206. This line is just bellowing "Spurs" at the top of its little line-lungs. After the Spurs played a pretty flawless first 3 quarters in game two in Phoenix, they proceeded to get crushed in the 4th, and are now behind 2-0 in the series. The Suns are playing with a different vigor than in years past, and it's showing in the box scores. Phoenix got outplayed, but found a way to win. I suppose the question is whether the Suns can continue to claw out wins on the road, or if the Spurs can bounce back and get this series to 2-1. It will be interesting to see how the betting world reacts to this line. This isn't a "do-or-die" spot for the Spurs, but it's certainly a line that has been jacked up a tiny bit because of the importance of the game. On top of that, the Suns, who have been able to beat the Spurs handily in each of the first two games, are now catching points on the road. It just doesn't add up right. We saw the Spurs beat the Mavericks in all 3 games in San Antonio, and I happen to think we'll get a better game from George Hill, and maybe some bonus contribution from Richard Jefferson. Tony Parker has been doing his job, and looking back, it's tough to see how the Spurs lost game two, but this veteran club won't go down without a fight, and the Suns seem ripe for a one-game letdown before they come back with a vengeance in game four. Slight lean to San Antonio. On the total, the 206 is the same as the last couple games, despite both contests in Phoenix going over the mark. Both games in Phoenix were pretty clean, both had decent shooting from the field, and both had 44 points at the foul line. The Spurs key to success is clear - they need to keep the game slower, and I think they find a way to change the tempo at least a little, and this one should come in right around 200 combined points. Lean to the Under.
Friday's NBA Tips
By Brian Edwards
The NBA Playoffs continue tonight with a tasty doubleheader on ESPN. The action starts in Beantown, where a 1-1 series will get unknotted in Game 3. In the feel-good contest, the Spurs will look for their first win of the Western Conference semifinals at home for Game 3 vs. Phoenix.
**Cleveland at Boston**
Boston (55-34 straight up, 38-49-2 against the spread) evened the series Monday night at QuickenLoans Arena, capturing a 104-86 win at Cleveland as a six-point underdog. Rajon Rondo led the Celtics with 13 points and 19 assists, while Kevin Garnett also produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Ray Allen finished with a team-high 22 points and seven rebounds. Finally, Rasheed Wallace hit 7-of-8 shots for 17 points in just 18 minutes of playing time.
LeBron James has clearly been bothered by his ailing right elbow in the first two games of this series. He had 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and five turnovers. For the league’s MVP, that’s a somewhat pedestrian effort although his shooting percentage from the field (7-of-15) was ok.
Cleveland got beat on the boards in Game 2, as the Celtics enjoyed a 43-32 advantage. The Cavs more than doubled Boston’s attempts at the charity stripe, with 38 compared to just 18. However, they made just 26 to Boston’s 15 for only an 11-point swing. The C’s shot 51-percent from the field, while the Cavs made only 40 percent of their attempts from the floor.
For Game 3, most betting shops are listing the Cavs as one-point favorites with a total of 191.
Kendrick Perkins (knee) and Kevin Garnett (foot) missed Wednesday’s practice but were both on the court for Thursday’s practice.
The ‘over’ had hit in five consecutive Boston-Cleveland games before Game 2 went ‘under’ the 192 ½-point total.
The ‘over’ is on a 6-2 run in Boston’s last eight games and has cashed at an 11-5 clip in its last 16 games regardless of the venue. Also, the ‘over’ is 23-20-1 in the C’s 44 home games.
Doc Rivers’ team has struggled at home all season, going 27-17 SU and 15-28-1 ATS. With that said, we should note three straight spread covers at home in the previous series against the Heat.
The ‘over’ is 21-20-2 for the Cavs in their road assignments.
ESPN will have television coverage at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.
**Phoenix at San Antonio**
Most spots have San Antonio (54-36 SU, 47-41-2 ATS) listed as a 6 ½-point favorite for Game 3 of its seven-game series against the Suns in the Western Conference semifinals. The total is in the 205-206 range. Bettors can take Alvin Gentry’s team to win outright for a plus-270 return (risk $100 to win $270).
Phoenix (60-30 SU, 54-35-1 ATS) took a 2-0 series lead by beating the Spurs 110-102 Wednesday as a three-point home favorite. Amare Stoudemire led six Phoenix scorers in double figures with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Channing Frye and Jared Dudley came off the bench to score 15 and 11 points, respectively. Steve Nash and Jason Richardson had 19 points apiece, while Grant Hill finished with 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field and 6-of-6 shooting from the charity stripe.
San Antonio jumped out to a 30-21 lead at the end of the first quarter of Game 2, only to see the Suns pull even at 51-51 by halftime. In the losing effort, Tim Duncan had 29 points and 10 rebounds, while Richard Jefferson produced 18 points and 10 boards after a dismal Game 1 performance. Tony Parker scored 20 points and dished out seven assists.
Gregg Popovich’s club has won 12 of its last 15 home games, compiling a 10-4-1 spread record in the process. For the season, the Spurs have cashed tickets at a 26-16-2 ATS clip in their home games.
The ‘over’ has hit in five consecutive head-to-head meetings between these teams.
The ‘under’ is on a 6-2-1 run in San Antonio’s last nine games. The ‘under’ is 48-39-3 overall for the Spurs this year. However, they have seen the ‘over’ go 23-20-1 in their home outings.
Phoenix owns a 25-19 spread record in its 44 road games this year. The ‘under’ is 25-17-2 in those road contests.
Tip-off is slated for 9:35 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
After last night’s 112-98 loss in Game 2 at Orlando, Atlanta head coach Mike Woodson told the Associated Press, "Go home and win. We've been pretty good on our floor. They took care of their business on their home floor. We're going to see what we're made of."
Vince Carter’s 24 points compared to Joe Johnson’s 19 gave Carter backers a winner in a head-to-head prop bet for points scored. Johnson was favored by one points for a plus-110 return, as Carter had a minus-140 price (30-cent line).
ESPN color analyst Hubie Brown was sensational in last night’s call of the Magic-Hawks game. He correctly ripped Josh Smith for a lack of hustle on several plays, in addition to correctly scolding Johnson will he got dribble-happy and took bad shots.
vegasinsider.com
Big 3s are not what used to be on NBA Friday
By Doug Upstone
The world moves along at warp speed and todays My Space is quickly replaced by Facebook in what seems like no time at all. The same is true in the NBA; bring up the term -Big Three- and who doesnt think of NBA championships with San Antonio and Boston. But like boxer Shane Mosley found out recently, father times waits for no one and you can be discarded rather quickly when the latest thing comes around the corner. Watch for this in the NBA playoff tilts tonight.
Cleveland at Boston
It was just two years ago; General Manager Danny Ainge formed his version of VH1s super group, bringing together Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to play with Paul Pierce. This was immediate success as the trio matched skills perfectly and did ESPN commercials on the way to NBA championship.
But that was then. Now KG cannot play a full season as his once youthful legs are betraying him. Allen can still run an opponent crazy going thru a maze of screens, but the quick-triggered jumper is not as reliable as the old days. Pierce was main force in the championship season and he was the man whenever Boston needed a clutch basket. Today he is more of a role player, an additional scorer, not someone who can be counted on regularly.
Its new era in Bean-Town and Rajon Rondo is the new leader. The Celtics now go where Rondo takes them.
After a disappointing regular season that left Boston as the fourth seed, The Three Amigos are trying to keep up with the speedy Rondo and are 5-2 SU and ATS in the postseason. The Celtics have been playing tremendous basketball, really only having the equivalent of four less than desirable quarters of hoops among its seven games that accounted for both losses.
Rondo is not about numbers, hes about results. His outside shooting is below average, he still goes Road Runner fast and commits more turnovers than necessary, but hes smarter player today.
Rondo finds the open man sooner, he will make a steal and be gone two steps before his opponent even reacts and runs down a rebound like he knew the angle of the miss just as the shooter released the ball.
After earning split in Cleveland, Rondo and his teammates truly believe they are better than the Cavaliers and he will to abuse more Cavs defenders.
Sportbet.com has Boston as single point home underdogs and the Celtics are 8-2-1 ATS when catching 4.5-point or fewer points at TD Garden and will try to keep lethargic Cleveland squad playing the same way.
When Cleveland fans here about elbow problems, baseball is what usually comes to mind. Its quite evident LeBron James is laboring with this issue, but this doesnt mean the rest of the team cant make shoot and play defense. The Cavs have been outplayed for 6 quarters in this series and everyone will find out a lot in Game 3 about a team that is 7-3 ATS off a double digit home loss.
Phoenix at San Antonio
The Spurs have to win four of their next five games to advance to West Finals and even having its three stars might not be enough to make that occur.
Basketball is five on five with every player having a job to do. Though Tony Parker is coming off the bench, hes playing starter minutes. (36:05 in Game 2) And even if you take bench scoring in the literal sense, San Antonio was outscored 31-24 by players that came off the Phoenix chairs, which was essentially the difference in 110-102 final.
Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili have been carrying this franchise for years, unfortunately they cant do it alone and need more help. This helps explain 11-25 ATS record revenging a road loss over the last two seasons. Richard Jefferson was more effective in last contest, but Antonio McDyess and Matt Bonner were non-factors.
Phoenix on the other hand showed the depth of the Chinese Red Army. The Suns starters were a step slow, out of rhythm and playing mediocre basketball as they trailed 30-21 after the first quarter.
Coach Alvin Gentry had just pleaded with his team to give more effort and in came Jared Dudley, Channing Frye and Louis Amundson and instead of folding like a burrito on Cinco de Mayo, Phoenix exploded with increased energy, scoring, rebounding and playing tighter defense. The starters watched as their teammates led the surge on San Antonio and by halftime the game was knotted up at 51.
Dudley in particular was the star of stars. "He was my player of the game -- he made some huge plays for us," Steve Nash said. "He did a bunch of things that more than anything gave us energy and confidence and changed the game and enabled us to come back and tie at halftime just because of his energy and spirit."
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich seconded that notion: "Jared Dudley changed the whole game. He came in and was a monster. He was committed to the boards, and it was infectious."
The Spurs need this type of player to help the power trio against Suns team that is shining bright with 20-4 and 17-6-1 ATS record since Mar.14. San Antonio is six-point favorite with total of 205.5 and is 8-3 ATS off a straight up and spread loss. This is a conflict they need to take control of throughout and are 10-3-1 UNDER at home vs. teams with a winning road record.
Phoenix has covered eight of last 11 contests as road underdogs and is 17-6 OVER away from Arizona after consecutive games as a home favorite.
NBA News and Notes
Cavaliers won four of last five home games, but they're 1-1 in this series and they were down 11 at the half in game they won. Williams was 1-9 from floor in Game 2, after being +23 in Game 1. Garnett has still taken just two FTs in series despite taking 41 shots from floor. Rondo had 19 assists in Game 2 and also scored 13 points and Wallace was 7-8 off the bench, a surprisingly strong effort. Starting Gs and Shaq combined to go 7-26 for Cavaliers. Lebron needs some help, or else.........
Spurs lost lost first two series games by 9-8 points, with Suns scoring 111 points in both games. Hill was -34 in first two games, meaning San Antonio is +17 in 32:25 he was off floor. Parker scored 46 off bench for Spurs in two games. San Antonio is 3-0 at home in playoffs, winning by 4-3-10 points, allowing just 88.7 ppg. Suns won two of three games in Portland in their first round series.
Tips and Trends
Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics
Cavaliers (-1, O/U 191): For the first time in a long time, there is serious worries that Cleveland might not make it to the Finals this year. Cleveland has lost home court advantage against Boston after working so hard all year to have the best overall record in the NBA. F LeBron James has a banged up elbow, and they are playing their bitter rival who is very experienced. The Cavaliers are going to have to fight and play with more passion to win not only tonight, but the entire series. PG Mo Williams is coming off a poor performance in Game 2, where he only scored 4 PTS on 1 of 9 shooting. Besides James and F Antawn Jamison, no one else showed up offensively for Cleveland. Making matters worse, the Cavaliers were outrebounded by double digits in Game 2. Cleveland is 66-23 SU and 41-47-1 ATS overall this season. The Cavaliers are 27-16 SU and 23-19 ATS in road contests this season. Cleveland is 1-1 ATS as a road favorite of 3 PTS or fewer this season. The Cavaliers are 22-17 ATS this season when playing against a team with a winning SU record.
Cavs are 7-3 ATS last 10 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Over is 4-0 last 4 games as a road favorite.
Key Injuries - F LeBron James (elbow) is probable.
C Anderson Varejao (back) is probable.
PROJECTED SCORE: 92
Celtics: Boston stole home court advantage away from Cleveland, and will look to take the series lead with a SU win tonight. The Celtics outscored the Cavaliers 31-12 in the decisive 3rd Quarter. Boston had great scoring balance in Game 2, as 6 different players scored double figures. The Celtics shot 51% from the field while limiting Cleveland to only 40%. PG Rajon Rondo continues to mature right before our eeys, as he's having a breakout post-season. Rondo had 13 PTS and 19 assists in Game 2. Rondo is averaging 16.3 PPG and nearly 12 APG during the playoffs this year. G Ray Allen is leading the Celtics in scoring this post-season, averaging 19 PPG while making nearly 50% of his 3 point attempts. F Kevin Garnett is also playing well, averaging 16.5 PPG and nearly 10 RPG during the playoffs. Boston is 55-34 SU and 38-49-2 ATS overall this season. Boston is 27-17 SU and 15-28-1 ATS in home games this season. The Celtics are 2-6 ATS after a SU win as the listed underdog.
Celtics are 8-2-1 ATS last 11 games as a home underdog.
Over is 5-1 last 6 games as a home underdog.
Key Injuries - F Kevin Garnett (foot) is probable.
C Kendrick Perkins (knee) is probable.
PROJECTED SCORE: 98 (Side of the Day)
Phoenix Suns at San Antonio Spurs
Suns: It was perceived that San Antonio was playing the best basketball of the teams entering the 2nd Round. Phoenix has proved that statement to be a resounding false, as the Suns are up 2-0 on the Spurs. Phoenix has scored 110 and 11 PTS against the Spurs so far in this playoff series. Phoenix is dominating the Spurs at the 3 point line and with their vaunted pick and roll. PG Steve Nash and F Amar'e Stoudemire are the main reasons the Suns pick and roll is so good. The duo combined for 42 PTS in Game 2, after an impressive 56 PTS in Game 1. Besides the dynamic duo, Phoenix has had an enormous offensive contribution from G Jason Richardson. Richardson is averaging 23.4 PPG during the playoffs, and is shooting better than 50% from the 3 point line this post-season. C Channing Frye and F Jared Dudley have contributed 26 three pointers so far in the playoffs. Phoenix is 60-30 SU and 54-35-1 ATS overall this season. The Suns are 24-20 SU and 25-19 ATS in road games this season. The Suns are a profitable 8-2 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 PTS this season. Phoenix is now 16-4 ATS against Southwest Division opponents this year.
Suns are 9-3 ATS last 12 games as a road underdog.
Over is 12-4 last 16 Conference Semifinals games.
Key Injuries - C Robin Lopez (back) is questionable.
PROJECTED SCORE: 96
Spurs (-6.5, O/U 205.5): San Antonio is a bit perplexed, as they aren't facing the Phoenix Suns of old. The Spurs are used to dominating the Suns in the playoffs, but the Suns are tougher mentally than they've been in the past. San Antonio was up by 9 PTS after the 1st Quarter, but that was the only bright spot for them. The Spurs are demoralized a bit, because they shot better than 50% from the field in Game 2 and still lost. San Antonio allowed too many 3 pointers and too many free throws by the Suns. Phoenix shot 37 free throws to the Spurs 22. 5 different Spurs players scored in double figures in Game 2, led by F Tim Duncan and his 29 PTS. F Richard Jefferson also had a big game, scoring 18 PTS and grabbing 10 rebounds. Unfortunately, the Spurs only had 4 bench PTS besides PG Tony Parker. San Antonio is 54-36 SU and 47-41-2 ATS overall this season. The Spurs are 32-12 SU and 26-16-2 ATS in home games this season. San Antonio is only 6-7 ATS as a home favorite between 3.5 and 6 PTS this season.
Spurs are 8-3 ATS last 11 games following a SU loss.
Over is 5-0 last 5 vs. a team with a winning SU record.
Key Injuries - None.
PROJECTED SCORE: 102 (UNDER - Total of the Day)