NBA Today
SCOREBOARD
Tuesday, April 28
Dallas at San Antonio (9:30 p.m. EDT). Trailing 3-1, the Spurs will try to avoid their first opening-round elimination since 2000. Dallas is looking to advance after consecutive first-round exits.
STARS
Monday
— Kobe Bryant, Lakers, scored 31 points to lead Los Angeles into the second round of the playoffs with a 107-96 win over Utah.
— Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol, Lakers. Odom had 26 points and 15 rebounds, while Gasol added 17 points and 11 boards against Utah in Game 5.
— Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets, scored all of his 26 points in three quarters as Denver took a 3-1 series lead with a 121-63 rout of New Orleans.
— Zaza Pachulia, Hawks, had 12 points and 18 rebounds as Atlanta evened its first-round series with Miami at two games apiece with an 81-71 victory.
RECORD ROMP
The Denver Nuggets matched the biggest victory in playoff history with their 121-63 rout of New Orleans in Game 4 of their first-round series. The Minneapolis Lakers had the other 58-point postseason victory, beating the St. Louis Hawks 133-75 in 1956. The Hornets recorded playoff lows in points, field goals made (17), field goals attempted (54), assists (10) and second-half points (24). Denver’s 121 points set a Hornets opponent playoff high.
WOUNDED WADE
Slowed by back pain, Dwyane Wade was limited to 22 points on 9-for-26 shooting in Miami’s 81-71 loss to Atlanta in Game 4 of their series. The All-Star guard and NBA’s scoring leader was wincing from back spasms that started at the morning shootaround, flared in the first quarter and continued from there.
PAIR OF 4s
Miami’s James Jones converted two four-point plays in an 11-second span of the Heat’s 81-71 loss to Atlanta in Game 4 of their series. He made a 3-pointer with 2:26 remaining in the second quarter, got fouled by Solomon Jones and swished the free throw. And with 2:15 left, James Jones did it again, connecting on another 3-pointer, getting fouled by Mike Bibby and making that free throw as well.
ROD RETIRES
Jazz broadcaster “Hot” Rod Hundley retired after his long career following Utah’s 107-96 loss to the Lakers in Game 5 of their first-round series. Hundley has been broadcasting Jazz games since they were an expansion team playing in New Orleans in 1974. He made the move to Utah with the rest of the club in 1979. A former star at West Virginia, the 74-year-old Hundley played six NBA seasons for the Lakers before he retired in 1963. Hundley was acknowledged by the PA announcer during a timeout in the fourth quarter and received a nice ovation from the crowd.
SPEAKING
“I wouldn’t have thought that we would win by 58 points. I never thought anyone could win by 58 points in the playoffs.”—Carmelo Anthony after his Denver Nuggets matched the most lopsided victory in NBA playoff history by beating New Orleans 121-63 in Game 4.
Western Conf. Update
By Josh Jacobs
The party will get started on the East Coast, but it’s out West where two teams are facing elimination and an end to the season.
Projected to be a serious player down the postseason stretch yet again, San Antonio has come up limp. The timing couldn’t have been worse when team steals leader and bench spark plug, Manu Ginobili was ruled out for the season. Down 3-1 and facing an early exit, can the Spurs find extended life? Are we looking at any value with Dallas listed as a 5 ½-point visiting favorite?
If Game 1 was any indication of things to come then the 105-97 victory in favor of Dallas could be considered “the message”. Despite dropping Game 2, 105-84, the Mavericks found their grove back home. Games 3 and 4 have seen Dallas bombing San Antonio out of the building, beating its opponent by 21 and nine points respectively.
Given the fact that books have listed the Spurs at the 5 ½-point mark, it’s easy to say that bettors on the right side of the counter haven’t seen their blood pressure skyrocket. In the four games played thus far an average difference of 14.8 PPG has gone well beyond the set point spreads.
And with these games becoming blowouts for the most part (exception given to Game 1) the total has been extra insensitive to capitalize on. The ‘over’ in this series is at a strong 3-1 despite the overall totals trend favoring the ‘under’ at 12-2 in the last 14 round one games overall. Could we be looking at another high scoring contest? The ‘over’ at 7-3 in San Antonio’s last 10 games when books have installed them as the favorite sure helps support this totals argument.
Rewinding the tape back to Game 4 for a moment is proof that despite Tony Parker slicing and dicing his way to the hoop for an exhausting 43 points and Tim Duncan adding 25 points to the board, the Spurs still couldn’t stop the Mavs in the second-half. The real damage was done in the third quarter as Dallas outscored its competition, 29-16.
The reoccurring theme is the Mavs dominating all but one game in the second-half (Mavs are averaging 24.8 PPG in the second-half versus the Spurs’ 20.1 PPG during round 1). While elementary by design, Dallas has found success by spreading the ball around. In the three wins, the Mavericks have had five or more players scoring double-digit figures.
"I'm very curious to see if the Spurs do indeed show up being down 3-1," said Vegasinsider.com handicapper Jamie Tursini. "They seem like an old team all of a sudden, and Dallas just seems to be a step ahead."
Although Dallas has executed team effort to perfection it’s still impressive that Josh Howard is averaging 19.3 PPG on 48.1 percent shooting. In Saturday’s home victory, Howard hit 50 percent of his shots (scoring 28 points) on top of going 11-for-13 from the charity strip.
San Antonio enters this 9:30 p.m. EST with a 3-9 ATS slide in its last 12 home stands. The ‘under’ is 12-4 in the Mavericks last 16 games as an underdog. An installed total of 190 ½ is close to topping Game 3’s 191 high total of the series (which happened to be the lone ‘under’ contest in this round 1 matchup).
TNT will provide full coverage.
Houston at Portland (-5 ½, 182) – 10:00 p.m. EST on NBATV
Despite being down 3-1 in the series, Portland has attempted to keep its games as close as possible. Minus Game 1’s 108-81 blitz by the Rockets, the Trail Blazers haven’t allowed the point difference, whether plus or minus, from reaching higher then four.
And so Portland will attempt to string out its duel against Houston as long as possible. The problem standing in the way is the Rockets' 8-2 straight up and 6-4 ATS record in the last 10 head-to-head meetings. Combine that with Houston’s 4-1 ATS streak in the last five played in Portland and the road team going 4-0 ATS in the last four road games and there’s some trendy obstacles to maneuver around.
The real backbreaker came on Sunday. Up 70-64 heading into the fourth quarter, the Blazers found themselves ultimately losing the lead and the game when they were outscored, 25-18 in the fourth. Despite Brandon Roy laying down 31 points and LaMarcus Aldridge and Travis Outlaw combining for 33, Houston’s 56.2 percent rate from three range proved to be just one of many deciding factors. The final result was the Rockets snapping a six-game losing streak in Game 4’s, hanging its success up on the 89-88 final score.
A pattern that appeared to be strong entering Game 3, but one that has been interrupted in the last two games, was the ‘over’ record sitting at 6-2 in the last eight head-to-head meetings. In the three meetings held between both clubs during the regular season the ‘over’ clocked in at a perfect 3-0. Having books install totals at an average 186.2 PPG in those four meetings was surely underrated as both clubs came together to average 194 PPG.
It’s tough to envision Portland coming back home to take Game 4 from the Rockets on Tuesday. After the disappointing letdown in Game 3 every indication points to the Trail Blazers entering this tip-off in demoralized fashion. Some things must change for the better if Portland wants a fighting chance.
The Blazers’ Roy must stop his one-man offensive band as 28.3 PPG in the four playoff appearances and just five assists in the last three demonstrate. Roy is coming off a regular season which had him dishing the ball 5.1 times per game. Ultimately, it comes down to getting around a Houston defense which has allowed Portland to score just 85.5 PPG in the last two games and 90.2 PPG in the last six meetings.
“As far as Portland and Houston are concerned, the Blazers had a great chance to win Sunday and they let it get away,” said Tursini. Will the young Portland team react like a young team after losing, now down 3-1 and fold”?
When the Trail Blazers have been installed as a 3 ½ to six-point home favorite, a perfect 8-0 record on the ‘over’ has been crafted. Then again, when set at the aforementioned point spreads, Portland is also a disappointing 6-16 ATS in the last 22.
vegasinsider.com
Eastern Conf. Update
By Brian Edwards
We have an epic series developing between the Bulls and Celtics as a Game 5 showdown looms in Beantown tonight. Also, the Magic and 76ers have settled nothing after four games. Let’s take a closer look at tonight’s crucial Game 5’s in the Eastern Conference.
**Bulls at Celtics**
--Chicago (43-43 straight up, 44-40-2 against the spread) evened this best-of-seven first-round series at 2-2 by capturing a 121-118 victory Sunday in double overtime. The Bulls closed as three-point favorites to give their backers a push. Ben Gordon was the hero with 22 points, including a game-tying 3-pointer that forced the second extra session. Derrick Rose went for a team-high 23 points and also had 11 rebounds and nine assists. John Salmons had 20 points, while Kirk Hinrich finished with 18 points from off the bench.
--Boston (64-22 SU, 44-41-1 ATS) has now lost a pair of games in overtime during this series. The Celtics lost a 105-103 decision in overtime in Game 1 back at home. They answered with a Game 2 win on Ray Allen’s game-winning 3-pointer and then dealt out woodshed treatment in Game 3. The C’s cruised to a 107-86 triumph over the Bulls on Friday as 3 ½-point underdogs.
--In the Game 4 losing effort, Paul Pierce scored a team-high 29 points. Rajon Rondo produced another triple-double with 25 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals and just one turnover in 55 minutes of play. Allen finished with 28 points, draining 5-of-11 attempts from beyond the arc.
--Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Boston as a 6 ½-point favorite with a total of 199. As of early this morning, most books had the Celtics as 7 ½-point ‘chalk’ with a total of 200. The Bulls are plus-300 on the money line (risk $100 to win $300).
--Doc Rivers’ team has a 36-7 SU record and a 21-22 ATS mark at home this year.
--Chicago took the cash in both previous games of this series in Boston. For the season, the Bulls are 14-29 SU on the road. However, they are 22-20-1 ATS when leaving the Windy City.
--Gordon is “questionable” with a strained hamstring that was confirmed by an MRI on Monday. He is expected to be a game-time decision.
--The ‘over’ is 46-38-2 overall for the Bulls, 22-20-1 in their road assignments.
--The ‘over’ is 44-41-1 overall for the Celtics, 28-14-1 in their home games. The ‘over’ is on an incredible 22-6 run in Boston’s last 28 home outings.
--The ‘over’ is 5-1 in the last six head-to-head meetings between these Eastern Conference rivals.
--TNT will have the telecast at 7:05 p.m. Eastern.
**76ers at Magic**
--LVSC opened Orlando (61-25 SU, 49-36-1 ATS) as a nine-point favorite with a total of 189 ½. As of early this morning, most spots had the Magic at 8 ½ with the total lowered to 188 ½. Bettors can back the 76ers to win outright for a plus-350 return (risk $100 to win $350).
--Stan Van Gundy’s squad was in danger of falling down 3-1 to the 76ers, but veteran forward Hedo Turkoglu had other ideas in Game 4 Sunday night at Wachovia Center in the City of Brotherly Love. With the game knotted at 81-81 on the final possession, Turkoglu killed the clock off the dribble on the right wing before pulling up and burying a 3-pointer over Thaddeus Young with 1.1 ticks left. And just like that, the series shifted back into Orlando’s favor with two of three remaining games left at its place. Dwight Howard was the catalyst with 18 points, 18 rebounds and three blocked shots.
--Although Turkoglu’s game winner lifted the Magic to victory, Philadelphia still cashed tickets for its backers as a 4 ½-point underdog. In fact, the 76ers have taken the cash in all four games of this series. Andre Miller had 17 points, five rebounds and four assists in the losing effort.
--Orlando owns a 33-10 SU record and a 23-20 ATS mark at home this season.
--The ‘under’ is 49-37 overall for the Magic, 27-16 in their home assignments. The ‘under’ is on a 16-5 run in Orlando’s last 21 games regardless of venue.
--The ‘over’ is 24-17-2 for the 76ers in their road games. They are 18-25 SU and 20-23 ATS on the road.
--Tip-off is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. Eastern on NBA-TV.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
--The zig-zag theory was in full effect last night with Atlanta and Denver both winning on the road. The Hawks won an 81-71 decision at Miami to even up their best-of-seven series at 2-2. Meanwhile, the Nuggets dropped the hammer on New Orleans in the form of a 121-63 clubbing as 2 ½-point underdogs. They hooked up money-line backers with a plus-105 payout.
--All of the talk on sports radio in Atlanta on Monday centered around the potential dismissal of head coach Mike Woodson if the Hawks lost their first-round showdown with the Heat. How about that for local optimism, huh? Whatever the case, the momentum in this series took a dramatic turn back in Atlanta’s favor. Credit the determined play of back-up center Zaza Pachulia, who scored 12 points and pulled down a game-high 18 rebounds. Say what you want about Pachulia, but he was a bad boy last night. Without a doubt, he wanted it more than any player on the court and Jermaine O’Neal wanted nothing to do with him. Sporting a black eye from Saturday’s Game 3 loss, Pachulia dealt out the eye dots in Game 4.
--The Lakers closed out Utah last night with a 107-96 victory in Game 5 at Staples Center. The Jazz took the money, however, as they covered the number as 12 ½-point underdogs after a wild finish for our purposes. Utah reserve guard Ronnie Price was the catalyst in the backdoor cover, but he put the winner in jeopardy by getting a technical foul with just six seconds left. Derek Fisher made the free throw to momentarily put L.A. ahead (of the number...) by a 107-94 count. But Price hit back-to-back free throws to give Utah the cover. The Lakers will wait on the Portland-Houston winner, while the Jazz go into an interesting off-season that’ll probably lead to the exit of Carlos Boozer.
--All three games went ‘under’ and all three underdogs cashed tickets last night.
vegasinsider.com
Game of the day: Bulls at Celtics
By The Prez
Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics (-7.5, 200)
The Series
Chicago and Boston are putting on one of the best first-round matchups in NBA playoff history. Nail-biting finishes and unbelievable baskets from this series are stealing SportsCenter highlight reel every other night.
Boston is a sizable 7.5-point favorite for Game 5 back in Beantown and is 2-9 ATS in its past 11 games as a favorite of 5-10.5.
Other than the Celtics’ 21-point Game 3 victory, every game has come down to the final possession. Both of the Bulls’ victories have come in overtime, whereas Chicago was just 2-7 in overtime games during the regular season. Sunday’s double-overtime win was the Bulls’ first multiple-OT win in their postseason history.
Two other great stats from Chicago’s Game 4 victory: Every Chicago player who got on the floor scored in double figures. That hasn’t happened since May 2006, when the Suns did it. And Boston had three players with at least 25 points, and still lost. The C’s had lost just once in their postseason history (since the 1976 merger) when three of their players reached 25 points in a game.
Pierce to blame
As close as this series has been, Boston could just as easily have swept Chicago by now.
Bulls fans won’t want to hear that, but a missed Paul Pierce free throw cost the Celtics a Game 1 win. Pierce did accept the blame for Game 4 after he allowed Ben Gordon to get off a tying 3-point shot at the end of the first overtime instead of fouling Gordon and not allowing the attempt. Pierce was the help defender after Rajon Rondo got screened.
“We always foul," Boston coach Doc Rivers said of that situation. "We didn't foul, we didn't switch, we pretty much broke every rule we have. … But, even when you screw it up, they've still got to hit the shot, and Ben Gordon made a hell of a play.”
Pierce also had six turnovers (two in the first overtime) and missed another key free throw with 18.9 seconds left in the first extra period.
“I’m having ups and downs, but it’s up to me to fight through it,” he said. “If I get out a little sooner on Ben we're up [in the series, 3-1] - we're not, so it's 2-2. Now we've got to move forward.”
Ailing Gordon
No other series has been impacted as much by injuries as this one. Of course Boston remains without Kevin Garnett and Leon Powe was lost for the season after tearing a ligament in his knee in Game 2.
The Bulls aren’t immune to the injury bug. Gordon is dealing with a strained hamstring he hurt the second quarter Sunday. He needed an anti-inflammatory shot at halftime to play through it. An MRI on Monday confirmed it was a strain and nothing worse.
Gordon, who is averaging 24.8 points in the series, is officially day-to-day, but he said multiple times following Game 4 that nothing would keep him out of the lineup on Tuesday: “I'm going to do what I need to do (to play)."
In addition, Bulls swingman John Salmons is playing through a groin injury. He missed his first six shots on Sunday and is struggling from the field in the series, shooting just 5-for-14 in Game 4. But he stepped up big in the extra sessions, blocking Pierce’s potential tying 3-point at the end of double overtime and leading the Bulls with 11 points in the overtimes.
"I haven't been shooting the ball well (38 percent in the series)," Salmons said. "My teammates were just keeping me up, telling me to shoot them naturally and that's when they go in.”
Sour grapes?
Just had to pass this nugget along from the Boston Globe’s Celtics notebook: “An NBA source pointed out before (Game 4) that two of the referees were Chicago natives (Bill Kennedy and Dan Crawford). Kennedy also was involved in an incident with Rivers during the Bulls' St. Patrick's Day win in which both were fined by the league for jawing. The source also said that after the game family members of both referees departed wearing Bulls gear.”
Yes, the Bulls did catch a break that a flagrant foul on Brad Miller in Game 4 was then overturned when the refs looked at the replay of Miller’s dust-up with Glen Davis. If that hadn’t been overturned, Miller would have been ejected from the game and suspended for Game 5.
But to point out that two of the refs are from the Windy City and that their families might be Bulls fans? That’s ridiculous.
CHICAGO (43 - 43) at BOSTON (64 - 22)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 13-25 ATS (-14.5 Units) against Atlantic division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 111-81 ATS (+21.9 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 85-69 ATS (+9.1 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 55-42 ATS (+8.8 Units) in home games over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 39-26 ATS (+10.4 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
BOSTON is 57-37 ATS (+16.3 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season.
CHICAGO is 20-11 ATS (+7.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game this season.
BOSTON is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in home games second half of the season this season.
BOSTON is 60-88 ATS (-36.8 Units) in home games after allowing 105 points or more since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 8-5 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 8-6 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
7 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
PHILADELPHIA (43 - 43) at ORLANDO (61 - 25)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 8-6 against the spread versus ORLANDO over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 10-4 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
7 of 13 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS (53 - 33) at SAN ANTONIO (55 - 31)
Top Trends for this game.
SAN ANTONIO is 106-72 ATS (+26.8 Units) on Tuesday nights since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 105-77 ATS (+20.3 Units) when playing with 2 days rest since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 112-83 ATS (+20.7 Units) in home games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 27-18 ATS (+7.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game this season.
DALLAS is 215-172 ATS (+25.8 Units) as an underdog since 1996.
DALLAS is 170-130 ATS (+27.0 Units) vs. division opponents since 1996.
SAN ANTONIO is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) after a division game this season.
Head-to-Head Series History
DALLAS is 10-6 against the spread versus SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
DALLAS is 9-7 straight up against SAN ANTONIO over the last 3 seasons
8 of 16 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON (56 - 30) at PORTLAND (55 - 31)
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.
Head-to-Head Series History
PORTLAND is 8-7 against the spread versus HOUSTON over the last 3 seasons
HOUSTON is 11-4 straight up against PORTLAND over the last 3 seasons
8 of 15 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO vs. BOSTON
Chicago is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Chicago is 4-10 SU in its last 14 games on the road
Boston is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games
PHILADELPHIA vs. ORLANDO
Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Orlando
Philadelphia is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing Orlando
Orlando is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
Orlando is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
DALLAS vs. SAN ANTONIO
Dallas is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Dallas is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
San Antonio is 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games at home
San Antonio is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games at home
HOUSTON vs. PORTLAND
Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Portland
Houston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Portland
Portland is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games
Portland is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games
Chicago at Boston
Chicago:
11-3 ATS after allowing 105+ points BB games
40-24 Over as road underdog
Boston:
0-8 ATS at home revenging loss where opp scored 100+ pts
7-0 Over at home in April
Philadelphia at Orlando
Philadelphia:
21-9 Over Away off BB Unders
25-13 Over off SU loss
Orlando:
3-10 ATS in April 20-7 Over after allowing 85 points or less
Dallas at San Antonio
Dallas:
26-14 Under off an Over
39-21 Under off BB home games
San Antonio:
5-13 ATS off a division game
3-11 ATS revenging a road loss
Houston at Portland
Houston:
82-40 ATS off BB ATS losses
19-10 ATS if the total is between 180 and 189.5
Portland:
8-0 Over as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points
40-65 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points
NBA Playoffs
Three of four Boston-Chicago games were decided by three or less pts, with both Chicago wins coming in OT; Celtics were up five in first OT in Game 4, but Gordon (hamstring strain, questionable) hit a huge trey to get game to second OT. Bulls blocked 9+ shots in three of four in series, they got thumped in game they only blocked four shots. Road team has led at halftime in all four series games.
Turkoglu hit huge trey to give Orlando Game 4 win; three of four series games were decided by three or less points. 76ers shot 52.1% from floor in Game 3 win, 51.2% in a Game 1 win, 46.7%/38.8% in their two series losses, so that seems like a key indicator. By this point in these series, the teams know each other so well, its up to individuals to make plays. 76ers are 24-57 from arc for series, Orlando is 15-81.
Dallas won ten of its last thirteen games, can wipe Spurs out here; they won last two games 88-67/99-90, winning Game 4 despite shooting just 38.4% from floor. Spurs, who are 15-58 from the arc in last three games (11-14 in Game 1), are relying heavily on Parker's scoring (had 41 pts in Game 4 loss). There were 73 foul shots in Game 4, after 40 foul shots was the most in first three contests.
Rockets won seven of last eight games; last three series games were won by total of eight points, with Blazers losing by 1-3 points in Houston. Blazers took 52 foul shots in Games 1-2 at home- they were 9-10 from line on road in Game 3, 17-17 in Game 4. Rockets were 14-22 from the charity stripe, 9-16 from arc in last game. Team that led at the half won all four series games.
Tips and Trends
Dallas Mavericks at San Antonio Spurs
Mavericks: "We should know the importance of closing a team out when you get the chance," Mavs forward Dirk Nowitizki said. "But they're a great team with a lot of pride that plays well at home." The Mavs have been here before: Up 3-1 against the Spurs in the 2006 conference semifinals, San Antonio rallied to even the series and forced Dallas to wrest the series in overtime of Game 7. "They're missing a big part of what has been the nucleus of their team," Mavericks guard Jason Terry said. "Manu Ginobili is 35-40 percent of their offense. When you're missing that, it's a big hole."
The Mavericks are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 playoff games as an underdog.
The Mavericks are 10-3 ATS in the last 13 meetings in San Antonio.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 94 (Side Play of the Day)
Spurs (-5, O/U 189.5): Tony Parker said, "Right now, Dallas is just playing better than us... So that's the motivation right now, to take care of Game 5." Role players, always essential to San Antonio, have fizzled this series. Duncan and Parker combined for 25 of 42 from the field in Game 4, and it still wasn't enough. Everyone else was 6 of 28. Tim Duncan said, "Losing Manu ... obviously takes a lot from our team. We came into this series not saying 'poor us' or whatever, we came into this series thinking we have a chance and we can win it. We're still of that mindset. We'll see what happens."
The Over is 7-0 in the Spurs' last 7 games following a SU loss.
The Spurs are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 home games.
Key Injuries - G Manu Ginobili (ankle) is OUT for the season.
PROJECTED SCORE: 95