2009 NBA Playoffs Update

by Bodog Sportsbook | Apr 28 2009

The Denver Nuggets won by 58 points on Monday night. But did they beat the spread?

You betcha. The Nuggets went into the New Orleans Arena as two-point underdogs and de-pantsed the Hornets 121-63, tying an NBA record for the largest victory margin in a playoff game. The only other team to roll over an opponent like that? The 1955-56 Minneapolis Lakers, led by Hall of Famer Clyde Lovellette and featuring none other than George Mikan in his last NBA season. They beat Bob Pettit and the St. Louis Hawks 133-75.

One problem: The Lakers went on to lose their Western semifinal two games to one. The Nuggets are looking for a more favorable result on Wednesday as they take a 3-1 series lead back to the Pepsi Center. The No. 2 seed from the West is 4-0 ATS against the Hornets and far better equipped to win a title than Chris Paul and his dubious supporting cast, all of whom appeared ready to walk the plank on Monday.

Let's go around the NBA and see what handicappers can glean from the remaining five first-round series - the Cleveland Cavaliers having already swept the Detroit Pistons 4-0 SU and ATS, and the Los Angeles Lakers dusting off the Utah Jazz 3-1 SU (2-3 ATS).

Eastern Conference

No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Chicago Bulls

This is one hell of a series. The Celtics don't have Kevin Garnett (or Leon Powe) at power forward, enough of a handicap to leave this battle squared at two games apiece and Chicago up 2-1-1 at the pay window. But it hasn't been easy for the Bulls by any means. Both their victories were in overtime, and they face a Game 5 at the Garden with top scorer Ben Gordon (20.7 points per game) expected to play with a strained left hamstring.

No. 3 Orlando Magic vs. No. 6 Philadelphia 76ers

The Magic appear to be living and dying by Hedo Turkoglu. He and Rashard Lewis are both playing hurt, which again seems to be just enough to make this an even series. Turkoglu was a combined 7-of-30 from the floor during the first three games, and then came up with an 8-of-11 performance and the game-winning 3-pointer in Sunday’s Game 4 to knot the series at 2-2. Philadelphia is still 4-0 ATS in this series and continues to carry the betting value into the Magic Kingdom for Tuesday's Game 5.

No. 4 Atlanta Hawks vs. No. 5 Miami Heat

The Hawks have a deeper and more accomplished rotation. The Heat have Dwyane Wade. It's a saw-off so far, with Atlanta evening the series at 2-2 SU and ATS courtesy of Monday's 81-71 triumph as a 5-point road dog. Marvin Williams (wrist) was unable to play for Atlanta in Game 4, while Jamario Moon (groin) sat out for Miami. This is bad news for the Heat; Williams (13.9 points, 6.3 rebounds per game) is expected to return for Wednesday's Game 5, while Moon (7.1 points, 4.5 boards since moving south from Toronto) is expected to be unavailable for a very thin Miami lineup that could very much use his defensive skills.

Western Conference

No. 3 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 6 Dallas Mavericks

Have you figured out the theme of the first round yet? The Spurs are in a 1-3 hole (SU and ATS) without the highly valuable services of Manu Ginobili, one of the most underrated players in the game at 20.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.0 steals per 36 minutes. Two other factors have propelled Dallas to the pay window in this series: the exquisite play of the criminally underrated Josh Howard (19.3 points per game in the playoffs), and the decision to elevate Juan Jose Barea over the inferior Antoine Wright as the starting shooting guard.

No. 4 Portland Trail Blazers vs. No. 5 Houston Rockets

This is a closer series than you'd think judging by Houston's 3-1 lead. It's all even from a betting perspective at 2-2 ATS; Portland's two losses at the Toyota Center were by a combined four points. Tuesday's Game 5 at the Rose Garden figures to be favorable for Blazers supporters. The home team is being criticized for youth and inexperience, but the two-headed monster of Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden has done enough against Yao Ming to keep Portland competitive. Yao has 15.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game in this series compared to 19.7 points and 9.9 rebounds during the regular season.

There's still plenty of NBA Playoff action to be had - check out Bodog Sports today!