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If watching Game Six between Boston and Cleveland brought back flashbacks to 1994, when the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks played in the NBA Finals, with some of the most boring basketball known to man, you are not alone. Within the context of those flashbacks, comes to mind a certain Ford Bronco, but that’s another story for another day. How this series goes to a Game Seven is flabbergasting, considering Cleveland made less than one in three shots (32.9 percent). For Cavaliers backers, the sound of loud clanging resulted in sweet music, giving the 2.5-points. Can anyone figure out what is up with Boston? Take away Kevin Garnett 25 points and that means eight other players dressed in green uniforms managed to score 44 total points in 48 minutes of basketball. This is professional basketball? If you take away KG’s made baskets, that means the other Celtics put a ball through the basket in regulation play 16 times or roughly every three minutes. A person with average basketball skills could walk into any gym in this country and make 16 half-court shots in an two hours. Those looking to back Boston, are you really comfortable knowing the Celtics are 22-7 ATS after scoring 75 points or less?
"We're right where we want to be: We've got an opportunity to advance to the Eastern Conference finals," forward Paul Pierce said Saturday after the Celtics held a short walkthrough. "This is the reason we got the best record in the NBA for," Pierce said. "We've got to play one more great game in order to advance." Presumably, Pierce, after another feeble performance (5-15 shooting) must like the fact home teams are 21-2 in the conference semifinal round, with bettors likely less secure at 15-6-2 ATS.
No arguing with Doc Rivers team at home, with perfect 7-0 playoff record and five covers. He’s banking on the fact his club is 42-6 on the parquet (30-17-1 ATS) and 10-2 ATS after game where they allowed a shooting pct. of 35 percent or less this season.
This LeBron James fellow is starting to be a nuisance for Boston. After heaving more bricks than your average Cleveland home builder, James has found a way to create better penetration and get to the line. His movement without the ball has been Rip Hamilton-like in last two contests and his explosiveness to the basket is breath-taking.
What saved Cleveland in last game, making 21 made free throws in 25 attempts (84 percent), a far cry from Game Five’s 28-of-41 effort from the charity stripe. The Cavs defense has been stifling and they are 6-2 ATS after allowing less than 75 points. Coach Mike Brown believes his team is ready for the challenge. "We're looking forward to going to Boston and having the opportunity to play there again and get a win on the road," coach Brown said.
Sportsbook.com has Boston listed eight point home favorites with Total of 174. Game Seven’s are typically low scoring affairs and with Cleveland 14-4 UNDER after a combined score of 160 points or less and the Celtics 15-4 UNDER in home games in the same trend, expect the number to fall that way.
ABC will have the coverage of all important Game Seven at 3:30 Eastern, with winner having little time for rest, playing Detroit on Tuesday. The Cavs are 19-14 ATS as road underdog this season and are 6-2-1 ATS in visits to Beantown the last three seasons.
StatFox Power Line – Boston by 4
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