NBA Trends May 4

NBA SHORT SHEET

Eastern Conference
Opening Round
Game Seven
Series Tied, 3-3
Atlanta at Boston, 1:05 ET

Atlanta:
12-25 ATS as road underdog
1-4 ATS at Boston

Boston:
26-15 ATS as home favorite
8-0 ATS after failing to cover 3 of last 4

Western Conference
Second Round
Game One
Series Tied, 0-0
Utah at LA Lakers, 3:35 ET

Utah:
15-32 ATS revenging DD home loss
16-28 ATS Away off home win

LA Lakers:
11-1 ATS playing 3 or less games in 10 days
21-10 ATS off BB ATS wins

Trend Sheet

1:00 PM ATLANTA vs. BOSTON
Atlanta is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
Atlanta is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
Boston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta

3:30 PM UTAH vs. LA LAKERS
Utah is 1-3-2 ATS in their last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
Utah is 2-12 SU in their last 14 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games

Tips and Trends

Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics

Hawks: The biggest advantage for #8 seed Atlanta in Game 7 is that there is virtually no pressure on a team that finished 37-45, winning 29 less games than top seed Boston during the regular season. "We have no pressure on us - just go down there, be loose, play basketball and have fun," Hawks leading scorer Joe Johnson said. "They were predicted to sweep us in this series. We've got nothing to lose. We've just got to go out there and fight."

Hawks are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games.
The OVER is 6-2 in Atlanta's last 8 games overall.

Key Injuries - F Marvin Williams(14.8 ppg; sprained knee) is listed as doubtful.

PROJECTED SCORE: 88

Celtics (-14, O/U 190): Boston looks to avoid blowing a 2-0 series lead back at home, where the team has dominated Atlanta in the first 3 games there. The Celtics have won those games by an average of 22.3 points, and they have covered 9 straight at home overall, winning by an average of more than 19. The hardest part for them will be forgetting that they have lost 3 games on the road, including a tough one in Game 6. "The sixth game is over with. Let it go. You had a chance to vent about it," Boston guard Ray Allen said. "Now it's all about Game 7."

Celtics are 9-0 ATS in their last 9 home games.
The UNDER is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings at Boston.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 102

Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers

Jazz: Utah's players are preparing to not only deal with Lakers star Kobe Bryant, but the team's supporting cast as well. "You tell me somebody in this league that is equipped to guard him," Jazz head coach Sloan said. "He's a great player, and you don't stop great players." Meanwhile, Utah defensive stopper Andrei Kirilenko realizes Bryant isn't the only player his team needs to worry about. "I don't think we need to pay attention on Kobe only," Kirilenko said. "It's all about team defense. It's all about helping each other defensively. We have succeeded in the past."

Jazz are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games overall.
The OVER is 20-6 in Utah's last 26 games vs. Pacific Division.
The OVER is 10-4 in the last 14 meetings.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 103

Lakers (-7, O/U 213): The LA crowd will most definitely be chanting "MVP, MVP" for star Kobe Bryant on Sunday, only this time it will be because he is expected to win the award later this week. Published reports leaked on Saturday that Bryant will indeed win the MVP, even though he will not believe it until he hears it from the commisioner himself. "The game (Sunday) is a beast sitting on my shoulders," Bryant said after practice Saturday. "I'm reserving judgment until I hear from David Stern." The Lakers will certainly be well-rested after eliminating Denver on Monday, and they are 6-2 ATS this season when playing on at least 3 days of rest.

Home team is 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
The OVER is 6-2 in LA's last 8 Sunday games.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 110