NBA Playoff Betting Odds and Preview Capsules: April 20
Atssportsline.com
The NBA Playoffs get underway on Saturday with four big games. This is a marathon, not a sprint as the playoffs go for nearly two months. Make sure you bet wisely with smart money management, while using NBA injury reports and trends. Check out a 2013 NBA Playoffs betting preview for Saturday's games and get ready to make a score!
5)Chicago Bulls (45-37 SU, 36-46 ATS) vs. 4)Brooklyn Nets (49-33 SU, 39-40-3 ATS)
Intangibles:
Chicago won three of four games in the series this year.
Chicago center Joakim Noah (foot) is not likely to play.
Brooklyn hasn't won a playoff game since 2007.
Keys to Success: The Bulls beat Brooklyn without Noah in their last matchup. They win with defense as they allow just 92.9 points per game. They don't have a star without Noah and Derrick Rose though Luol Deng is one of the most underrated players in basketball. New Jersey needs a big series from guard Joe Johnson who has averaged just 13 points against Chicago this year. The Nets may want to push the tempo some and let point guard Deron Williams control the tempo against Kirk Hinrich and Nate Robinson. Chicago is 0-5 ATS last 5 following a SU win.. Pro Basketball Odds: Brooklyn is a 4.5-point betting odds favorite. Total: 182.0.
6)Golden State Warriors (47-35 SU, 42-39-1 ATS) vs. 3)Denver Nuggets (57-25 SU, 49-32-1 ATS)
Intangibles:
The Nuggets are playing without Danilo Gallinari (knee) and probably Kenneth Faried
Golden State is in the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
David Lee led the league with 56 double-doubles.
Keys to Success: Golden State is fortunate that Denver will without Gallinari, one of Denver's top players. But they can replace him with Wilson Chandler not miss a beat. However, Faried is a beast on the boards and he might have sit this one with an ankle injury that cost him the last two games. They need him to keep David Lee off the boards. Kosta Koufos and Andrew Bogut will likely cancel each other out. Golden State needs a huge series from Stephen Curry, who set the record for most three's in a season with 272. He can light it up but defensively the Warriors are lacking. Golden State is 1-4 ATS last 5 in Denver. Pro Hoops Odds:The Denver Nuggets are a 7.5-point betting odds favorite. Total: 210.0.
7)Boston Celtics (41-40 SU, 36-42-3 ATS) vs. 2)New York Knicks (54-28 SU, 46-34-2 ATS)
Intangibles:
New York won the season series 3-1
Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce rested most of the last few weeks and should be near 100%
Carmelo Anthony shot just 34.9 percent in four games against Boston
Keys to Success: Boston has to try and keep up with the speed of the Knicks. New York will run Carmelo Anthony at power forward, which means Brandon Bass or Garnett have to defend him on the perimeter. If they put Paul Pierce on Anthony, he can post him up. Doc Rivers will find a way to make the a tough series but the Celtics appear to be on their last legs. The Knicks get a boost from Tyson Chandler, who is finally healthy after missing 16 of the last 20 games due to neck issue. The key for the Celtics will be controlling the tempo with guard Avery Bradley, who is an outstanding defender but he's not Rajon Rondo, who is out for the season with a torn ACL. The road team is 9-3 ATS last 12 in this series. Pro Basketball Odds:The New York Knicks are a 6.5-point betting odds favorite. Total: 189.5..
5)Memphis Grizzlies (56-26 SU, 46-34-2 ATS) vs. 4)Los Angeles Clippers (56-26 SU, 45-37 ATS)
Intangibles:
The Clippers won this series 3-1
The Clippers have won seven straight games coming into the playoffs
The Grizzlies allow just 89.3 points per game
Keys to Success: This game should be about pace. The Clippers want to run and dunk and the Grizzlies want to play halfcourt. But with Chauncey Billiups now in the lineup. the Clippers can play halfcourt as well. They showed that in their win over Memphis on the road on April 13 to win the tiebreaker over the Grizzlies. Memphis really needs Zach Randolph to step it up as he's struggled the last month or so. This will be a very physical battle with the key matchup being defensive whiz Tony Allen trying to stop All-Star Chris Paul. The Clippers are 4-0 ATS last 4 at home. NBA Odds:The Los Angeles Clippers are a 5-point betting odds favorite. Total: 179.0.