Fade The Public's System: (46-31)

[FadeThePublic]

Atlanta Hawks @ Chicago Bulls
Game 2: Atlanta Leads Series 1-0
Public Money
Bulls -8.5 25% ML 8%
Hawks +8.5 75% ML 92%

The Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks were supposed to give us the least competitive, least compelling match-up of the quarterfinals. Joe Johnson and the rest of the Hawks changed that in just one night.
Johnson caught fire for 34 points on 67% shooting as Atlanta toppled Chicago in game one. The Hawks came out roaring with a 9-0 run out of the gates, and kept both feet firmly on the petal much to the surprise of the United Center crowd. Though the Bulls made a few runs throughout the game, their normally stingy defense had no answers for the onslaught of jumpers from Johnson and Jamaal Crawford.
As expected, Larry Drew used just three guards in the opening game- Jeff Teague (who was more than serviceable as Kirk Hinrich’s replacement, and overall just shocked me), Johnson and Crawford off the bench. Derrick Rose could not take advantage of the supposedly weakened perimeter defense. The newly crowned MVP shot just 11-27 from the field, and did not shoot a single free throw in the loss. To make matters worse, he tweaked his ankle with just seconds remaining and the game out of reach. Rose says he is fine, but the outlook for this Bulls team will be anything but fine if he has not able to attack with his usual ferocity and get to the line.
Conventional wisdom says Chicago charges back tonight for an easy win. Rose is too good a scorer and driver not to bounce back; the Bulls defense is too dominant to allow a mediocre Hawks offense to top 51% shooting again, and Atlanta cannot expect another white-hot performance from the outside. This is a MUST win game for Chicago and I see them getting it done tonight.

Play: Bulls -8.5

[FadeThePublic]

Dallas Mavericks @ Los Angeles Lakers
Game 2: Mavs Leads Series 1-0
Public Money
Lakers -7 42% ML 73%
Mavericks +7 58% ML 27%

I just can't see the Lakers falling behind 0-2 in this series and in the previous series vs. the Hornets, they rebounded from outright losses with wins by 11 and 16 points. The Mavs have lost 24 of 29 straight up vs. the Lakers in Staples Center. Home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points, off a SU loss, are hitting 61% the last 5 seasons if both they and their opponent have a win percentage between .600 and .750.
This may be a risky move but I actually think the Lakers come out with a point to prove on Wednesday and win quite comfortably to even up the series and cover the spread.
Going down 0-2 would be devastating and I just don't see a Kobe Bryant-led team falling into such a big hole.
The Lakers were up by 16 at one point in Game 1 and I see them building up a similar lead – however this time expect them not to collapse down the stretch.
In the stats L.A. actually had the edge in a majority of categories, including rebounds, second-chance points and points in the paint. On Wednesday, if they play well again, that should translate into a big Game 2 win.

Play: Lakers -7

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[FadeThePublic]

Adding Bulls/Hawks under 181

[FadeThePublic]

adding Fakers/Mavs under 188

[FadeThePublic]

3-1 baby let's go. The Fakers are out of it.. Happy LeBron is finally going to win his first ring