Boston, LA Clippers Win Home Blowouts, Hosts Start 6-0
Zig-Zag Theory Will be a Virtual Dog Park Starting Monday
Not a great weekend to be the courageous bettor bucking home court advantage in the NBA playoffs.
*Home Favorites went 4-0 straight up and ATS Saturday
*Hosts went 2-0 straight up and ATS early Sunday, though LAC was a home underdog
At least a dog covered. Though, it was a dog hardly anyone bet because Kawhi Leonard couldn’t play for the Clips. Had to be a lifesaver for sports books because the whole world seemed to be betting Dallas. And, anyone who loves sticking favorites into money line parlays was likely to include Dallas on their ticket.
As I write this, Milwaukee looks well on its way to continuing home dominance through three quarters of the Indiana game. I’ll write up that one and New Orleans/Oklahoma City for you by lunchtime Monday.
Boston (-14) 114, Miami 94
2-point Pct: Miami 59%, Boston 52%
3-pointers: Miami 12/37, Boston 22/49
Free Throws: Miami 6/6, Boston 14/16
Rebounds: Miami 34, Boston 44
Turnovers: Miami 9, Boston 10
Estimated Pace: 88 possessions
Pretty much any NBA team that makes 22 treys in a game is going to win comfortably. Tough to overcome THAT! But, when the best team in the league makes 22 treys, there’s never any doubt about who’s going to finish on top straight up and against the spread. Boston build a huge lead over Miami before coasting to a win/cover.
Probably the most important thing to realize here is that Boston put up 114 points in a VERY slow game. We talked about that with the Nuggets and Lakers in our prior report. Denver scoring 114 in 94 possessions was more like scoring 120 in a normal game. This was more like scoring 130. Only 88 possessions, but 114 points for the Celtics as they looked like champions in all facets of play. Well, okay, the defense was soft inside because there’s no reason to risk serious injuries in the first game of a long trek. Boston’s thinking about winning 16 games the next several weeks…not just four of these first seven.