Tommy Gold's NBA PLAYOFFS 2010.05.26 Picks (54-33-2, +17.38u)

NBA 2009/2010 HDP & OU Record: 404-297-9, +72.87 units won (701 units risked)
NBA 2009/2010 Moneylines Record: 45-77, -2.54 units lost (122 units risked)

NBA PLAYOFFS (54-33-2, +17.38u) 2010.05.26 final 2 picks: *

Boston Celtics @ Orlando Magic

Orlando was able to delay a little lit more this eastern finals. They started as favorites, but were shutdown in their first 2 home games. In that point, some people still believing that the Magics could bounce back. But when the game 3 took place at Boston, the final hopes that people had for Magics were gone. The Magics are already a defeated team, they are without any will and confidence. But then, they were able to win the fourth game, delaying the decision. Knowing that it could be probably be their last game, the team were able to win in OT against a team that gave too much spaces, thinking that the series were over.

For the Magic, only Howard is a reliable player in this series. His edge is the only edge that the Magic are showing, but unfortunately for him, he can't fight against Perkins and Garnett at the same time. He needs help from his mates. The rest of the players, are with lack of confidence, and making their shots without confidence is almost granted that they will miss, even if the play starts with great moves. But their biggest problem at home, his their defense, that can't have the same impact that Celtics have. To bounce back, the team would need to help a lot Howard, giving him a little help in the paint, getting more solid in their defense, and more confident in their shots. However, in a team that is one game away of their holidays, asking them for another win is something hard.

The Celtics will have to end this series as soon as possible. They rested a little bit more in the last game, and lost it. If they let this series goes 3-2, the Magics will become confident and moralized, and this eastern final will get complicated for the Celtics. They just need to play cohesive and give all they can. In the first two games of this final at Orlando, the Celtics won both. Today, they are legitimate contenders to the win, as they have a better defense, and a good performance of Howard will not giving them extra-troubles. After all, Howard have done 4 good performances so far, but he his the only one on his team reliable. Instead, the Celtics have Paul Pierce in their best moment of the season, as long as Rondo and Allen. Garnett is also making the difference, as he can take some edge when Perkins get between him and Howard.

Picks: Boston Celtics +4 -110 (1.91) BetOnline & Boston Celtics ML +150 (2.50) 5Dimes, BetOnline, The Greek

* One unit each always.