While there is still a lot to be determined in the first round of the NBA
Playoffs, it’s never too early to look ahead to Round 2, and some potential
basketball bets that can be made there.
Game 1: Saturday, May 1: TBD, TNT
With just one second matchup set, let’s look at it, as the No. 1 seed Cleveland
Cavaliers host the No. 4 Boston Celtics this Saturday, May 1 in Cleveland.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What Cleveland Needs To Do To Win The Series: For Cleveland, what this
series ultimately comes down to, is the health of superstar LeBron James.
Surprise, surprise.
James averaged 31.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 8.2 assists over an average of 40
minutes against the Bulls, but appeared to have a major elbow injury at the end
of Game 5 Tuesday night. With the Cavaliers up by four, James even elected to
shoot a foul shot left handed, rather than risk further injury, with under 10
seconds left. He claims that the elbow has bothered him for weeks, but Tuesday
was the first time he showed noticeable discomfort. This will be maybe the most
important issues in this series going forward.
As for the rest of Cleveland, the Cavaliers got strong and balanced scoring from
the remainder of their team, as Antawn Jamison averaged over 19 points a game in
their series with Chicago, and guard Mo Williams 15. It is important to note
though that Williams was just 2 of 13 from the field in the Cavaliers Game 5
win.
Finally, how much will center Shaquille O’Neal be able to provide down low for
Cleveland will be key. The Cavaliers were exposed last postseason as being a bit
soft down low, and brought in O’Neal to provide that bulk. He averaged just 9.2
points against Chicago in 20 minutes of play a game. He’ll need to stay on the
floor for longer stretches of time against Boston.
What Boston Needs To Do To Win The Series: Essentially, Boston needs to
simply what they did all series long against Miami, get balanced scoring and
play great defense.
In their five game series win over the Heat, the Celtics had four players- Rajon
Rondo, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett average between 14 and 20 points
per game, giving them much more balance than Cleveland has coming into this
series.
Defensively, the Celtics were even better defensively, as they held the Heat to
a meager 86 points per game. That won’t be easy to do against Cleveland.
Cleveland Will Win This Series If: James is healthy, and if Jamison,
Williams and Delonte West are making perimeter jump shots.
Boston Will Win This Series If: They continue to get balanced scoring
from four positions on the court, and they keep up their defensive intensity.
Also, with Cleveland having the home court advantage, it’s absolutely imperative
that Boston doesn’t lose when they’re at home.
Betting Odds: Cleveland -7 ½, Total Points 192 ½
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