NBA Playoff Thread

[Destructor D]

Going to keep a running record for the entire playoffs. Let's get it started today:

New Jersey @ Toronto - I have seen many cappers giving the Raptors a lot of love. However, the Nets were playing better ball at the end of the season plus they have tons of playoff experience where Toronto is limited. Nets have also covered 4 straight and appear to be peaking right now. Toronto Sun's front page article disrespecting Vince Carter will only fuel his fire. Not sure the Nets win, but this game should be decided in the final minute. Going to avoid the ML and focus on point spreads for the playoffs.
Nets 96 Raptors 93

Nets +5 (-120) for 5.5*

Miami @ Chicago - Should be a great game, but the Heat come into the playoffs with 1 cover in their last 10 games:scared :com: The Bulls had been playing excellent ball until they stumbled against the Nets in the final game of the season. Today, I think you get excellent value with the Bulls at home and I expect Gordon and Deng to have big games as Chicago wins 96-87.

Bulls -4 for 6*

Orlando @ Detroit - The Magic were playing their best ball at the end of the season. Howard could provide some matchup problems for the Pistons. However, Detroit is superior at every single other position on the court. I still like the fact Orlando only lost by 5 @ Detroit recently and the fact the Pistons don't cover large spreads at home. Pistons win game #1 92-86 and allow the Magic to cover.

Orlando +10 (-120) for 5*

For now, laying off the Utah/Houston game. Very tough game to handicap as the line is very accurate IMO. Slight lean towards the Rockets due to the fact Utah hasn't impressed me in tough road games late in the season.

GLTA

 

[Destructor D]

Adding Utah +7 (-120) for 5* - Jazz just beat Rockets and are playing good ball coming into the playoffs. Rockets have been poor ATS @ home as well. Rockets 91 Jazz 88

GLTA

 

[Destructor D]

Probably need to work on my accuracy... predicted Nets 96-93 and it was 96-91.

Hopefully the Bulls can hang on for a cover and can get at least a split with the Underdogs tonight.
GLTA

 

[Destructor D]

Well, predicted 96-87 Bulls and it was 96-91... amazingly lucky to predict the amount of points for both winners:00hour

Upgrading late plays to the following:

Orlando +10 (-120) for 6*

Utah +7 (-120) for 6*

GLTA

 

[Destructor D]

Damn Jazz fell apart in the 2nd half... tough loss for Jazz backers as being up 9 at half and getting 7 you should cover unless your team forgets to score in the 2nd half.

Playoff Record 3-1 +10.3*

Hopefully I can sweep the board on Sunday.

 

[Destructor D]

Random Thoughts for 4/22... I would love to hear others input as these are thoughts only.

Washington +13 (-120) @ Cleveland... too many points is my initial reaction. Cleveland will win this game and I know there is a good chance the Cavs sweep the Wizards with Arenas and Butler injured (Butler might come back later in this series). However, don't you think the Wizards will give a solid effort in game #1? IMO, the Wizards have at least a 60% shot at covering this spread. Heck, the Cavs wer only laying 14.5 against the Bucks in a must win on Wednesday night.
Daniels appears healthy and Washington matches up okay in the 1, 2, and 3 positions (Jamison, Daniels, and Stevenson is a decent trio). Etan Thomas and Jarvis Hayes leave a ton to be desired in the post, but Ilgauskas and Gooden aren't the type to completely expose the mismatch in the paint IMO. If Lebron James has a great game, then yes, the Cavs can cover this number. However, I think the Wizards give a great effort and keep this game within single digits.

Lakers +11 (-120) @ Phoenix... Bell is one of the few players in the league that can slow down Kobe. Phoenix is also capable of lighting up this weak defensive Lakers squad. However, I still think this number is too big. Lakers have covered 3 of 4 vs. Phoenix this year and took them to seven games in last season's first round series. Phoenix hasn't looked sharp losing their final 2 regular season games. Odom will need to step up his game bigtime and LA will need key contributions from role players like Walton, Parker, and Bynum to hang tough with this much deeper Suns team.

Denver +9 (-120) @ San Antonio... Denver comes into the playoffs on fire while the Spurs have lost 3straight. The Nuggets don't have an answer for Duncan, but they have won at least 9 of 10 and have the offensive firepower to keep this game very tight IMO. I would expect Iverson and Anthony to have big games early in this series as well.

Warriors +10 @ Dallas... Everyone knows the Warriors have owned the Mavericks in recent encounters. I'm not one of the morons who think the Warriors will win this series. However, I like their chances of hanging within double digits if Jason Richardson plays well. He seems to be their key player in the fact they are very tough to beat when he's scoring. Baron Davis is a very tough matchup for the Mavericks as well. Biggest concern is Golden State's lack of inside presence which is the reason they can't win this series.

 

[Destructor D]

Wizards +13 for 7.5* - Stepping out a little bit as I expect the majority of cappers to pound Cleveland. Largest playoff spread I've seen in years. It might be warranted, but sometimes your worst enemy is an injured dog.
Prediction: Cleveland 97 Washington 90
GLTA

 

[Destructor D]

Geez, I thought Wizards would come out focused and they're seriously sleep walking... terrible start and probably a real dumb pick.

Adding:
Lakers +11 for 7.5* - Read thread above for write up. Too many points.

Denver +9 for 7.5* - Surprised this line is going up, but I'll grab 9 while it's available.

Golden State +10 for 7.5* - Hate going with all dogs, but these lines are large.

I know going against the 3 best teams in basketball is risky as they're all capable of 20 point wins, but I feel good about 2 of the 3 dogs covering in these late games and going to hope for the clean sweep!

 

[Destructor D]

Adding Phoenix 2nd half -8 (+1 for game) for 5*

I expect the Suns to rally and win if they pull their heads out of their ass. Nice middle opportunity so going for it.

GLTA

 

[Destructor D]

5-2 +14.55* for the playoffs.

Hoping for a sweep tonight with Denver +9 and Golden State +10.
Going to upgrade each play to 8.5* each.

Both teams come into the playoffs hotter than doughnut grease and have the ability to put a lot of points on the board. GO UNDERDOGS!:00hour

 

[Destructor D]

6-2 +23.05* after the Kind Nuggets win SU. Denver looked like the more talented team IMO tonight.

GO WARRIORS!:00hour

 

[Destructor D]

Adding Mavericks -6 (Pick'em for game) 4th quarter for 4*. Nice middle opportunity as I need Dallas to win by 1 to 9 points.

 

[Destructor D]

Updated Record 7-3 +27.15*... tough break trying for the late middle with the Mavericks in the 4th quarter. Mavs went ice cold and Dirk looked terrible tonight. Still very happy to be 6-2 in SU games and be up a nice chunk of money. Hopefully someone else is following my plays.

 

[Destructor D]

Monday Plays... well started off taking dogs in 7 of 8 games. Going with my gut instinct tonight which tells me the chalk is going to cover.

Detroit -8 for 6.5*... Pistons letup on the Magic in game #1... my gut tells me they make a statement tonight. Let's face it, Orlando has limited playoff experience and they're not going to win @ Detroit.
Prediction: Pistons 96 Magic 83

Houston -5 (-120) for 6*... Rockets have the two best players on the court and Utah has been a weak road team all season. I expect the Rockets to get off to a fast start after getting off to a horrid start on Saturday.
Prediction: Rockets 95 Jazz 86

GLTA

 

[Destructor D]

Updated Record 8-3-1 +33.15*

Back with 4/24 games later today. Still need to finish handicapping.

 

[fla]

Excellent start my friend. Good luck the rest of the way.

 

[Destructor D]

Fla, thanks for the nice comments. I appreciate it.

4/24 Plays:

Nets +6 (-120) for 5* - Sure Toronto needs this game, but do you think New Jersey is going to roll over for them? I look for Vince Carter to have another monster game and the Nets to keep this game close and possibly win SU.

Heat +4 (-120) for 5* - Heat should have covered game #1 and Chicago doesn't have an answer for Shaq. Wade looked fairly good IMO and Heat have a good shot at stealing game #2. I wouldn't expect another career game from Deng.

Lakers +9 for 5.5* - Only game I'll get to watch tonight as I'm very busy. Suns haven't impressed me lately and LA will be desparate for a win. Kobe had a terrible 4th quarter in game #1 and I expect a much better 2nd half from Kobe tonight.

Took the chalk last night and coming back with the doggies tonight.

GLTA

 

[Destructor D]

Finally got my head kicked in yesterday. Glad I was playing a little smaller, but 0-2-1 is terrible anyway you slice and dice it.

8-5-2 +21.1* Playoff Record

Denver +9 (-120) for 6* - I can't see the Nuggets winning again, but I can see them keeping this game close until the final minute.

Washington +12 for 6* - Wizards ran out of gas in game #1 after covering most of the game. Tough backing a wounded team, but I think they have far better value than hoping Cleveland wins by 13+ points.

Golden State +10 (-120) for 6* - The Warriors have the Mavericks number and I expect Nelson to have his team ready to play the role of David slaying Goliath. Baron Davis won't be as dominating as game #1, but I still like him far better than Terry or Harris.

GLTA

 

[Dr. Fade]

Good luck D. I like Wizards & G St as well.

 

[bej0101]

like den and gs but if james plays whole game cavs by 17