Wednesday NBA Playoff Selection & Analysis
Opinion Selection (1% of Bankroll)
CLEVELAND -5’ over Washington
The Wizards and Cavaliers have alternated wins in their first-round series that resumes on Wednesday when Cleveland hosts Washington in Game 5. The first 4 games have been dominated by the All-Star on each team.
LeBron James scored 41 points in the Cavaliers' 97-96 win in Game 3 on Friday night, causing Wiz coach Eddie Jordan to say after the game the star forward received the benefit of the doubt from the referees. The calls seemed to turn the other way in Game 4, as James was whistled for four offensive fouls in the Wizards' 106-96 win on Sunday. Gilbert Arenas, averaging 31 points in the series, scored 34 on Sunday with most of the points coming late in the game.
Cleveland shot 50 percent in Game 4, but was called for 34 fouls and committed 23 turnovers, its highest totals of the season. “Out of our turnovers, I'd probably say 10 to 12 were offensive fouls,†commented James. “Questionable calls, but we have to live with it.â€
So now it’s the Cavs’ turn to make some adjustments and catch a few breaks. They will certainly be playing with more desperation than Washington, knowing they don’t want to back on the road for Game 6, down 3-2. The Wizards, meanwhile, are a team that waits until their backs are against the wall, which they won’t be now until Game 6 at home. “We can't stand prosperity," Coach Eddie Jordan said, "but we are resilient enough. I don't want us to get into that mind-set that we have to fall behind in order to attack."
But it's too late, of course. The Wizards are already in that mind-set. Gilbert Arenas said as much, how it's "easier to play from behind," because this group of players is better in a "nothing-to-lose" mind-set. "We play our best when the situation has been like that," added Jeffries. "We've done it all year -- come out and played like a caged animal. We come out swinging. We're a resilient team."
Look for Lebron to respond with a big game here. "They say I'm getting away with this or that," an unhappy James said regarding the referees. "I've got to use it as motivation."
Favorites of 2+ points off a SU loss in which they led at half in the last game and got a SU win despite trailing at the half in the game before that, are perfect since at least 1989, going 3-0 SU & ATS in this rare situation. The Cavaliers should be focused here, intent on going to back the nation’s capital up 3-2 in the series. We expect them to grab an early lead and refuse to let this one slip away.
PROJECTED FINAL SCORE: CLEVELAND 100 WASHINGTON 92