Atlanta & the lumber

[mickey]

Atlanta does a good job handling the ball with Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson in the backcourt and the Hawks are 10-2 ATS after a game committing eight or less turnovers this season.
Of course, this is also asking Al Horford to be Windex-man, Johnson and Bibby to shoot 60 percent and Josh Smith to act like mature veteran who has a number of years of service under his belt. Possible yes, likely no.
Atlanta has been a nemesis of sorts to Cleveland, playing the Cavs tight all three games this season, winning once and covering the trio of tilts. The Hawks have taken two of seven in northern Ohio and flown away spread winners five times.

Atlanta momentum from their 7 game series can work one of two ways. One way is that they come out strong catching Cleveland off-guard since they have been resting up over the last few days. Or Atlanta may come out on tired legs, and Cleveland could come out dominate with the fresh legs. Take a pick on what you think will happen, but keep in mind that the unexpected seems to always happen in the post-season before you write off the Hawks. Atlanta is the same teams that come on very strong last season taking the eventual NBA Champion Boston Celtics to 7 games. Joe Johnson averaged 21.4 points this season and knocked home 17 points on average through the opening series with Miami. Add to the fact that Josh Smith, Mike Bibby, and Marvin Williams all have the ability to make a difference in the series. Smith had one fairly poor performance in Game 6, but was solid throughout the series in general. Atlanta is a lot like Cleveland in their style of play. Both teams generally tend to score lower totals, and rely on defense to control the pace of game. The only difference is in this series is that they will be playing a much tougher team than Miami.


The Underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.

I personally think that Cleveland takes the game,but 11.5 is a lot of lumber to
lay to the Hawks,so i like Atlanta & the points in this match-up.................

Wiz's pick:Atlanta+11.5 & "OVER" 179.5

[skrilla]

gl, mickey! nice write-up.