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Free NBA Playoff Picks - 5/16/08

May 16, 2008

basketball

Boston Celtics @ Cleveland Cavs
First up on Friday we have the Boston Celtics as three point underdogs playing in Cleveland against Lebron James and some other players on the Cleveland Cavs.  Home teams have been absolutely sick in the playoffs so far this year, notching a 10-1 record with the Spurs off to a nice start to the first half of their home playoff game tonight (Thursday).  It’s about time for that trend to be broken.  Boston has a chance to end this series and there’s no real reason they can’t do it.  They had one of the best records on the road in the NBA during the regular season, and though they haven’t grabbed a win on the road in the playoffs, they certainly have the ability to.  Boston is clearly the better team.  They have better all-around talent, they’ve won more games, and they beat the Cavs on paper in nearly every major statistical category.  It’s not a stretch to think that Boston comes away with victory in Friday’s game, the line tells me that there is a manufactured expectation for the home team to win.  I don’t buy it.  I’m on Boston to finish up this series in game six.
Pick:  Boston Celtics +3

LA Lakers @ Utah Jazz
For all that I’ve already said about home teams in the playoffs this year, I do think this is a case where the home team can get it done.  It’s a very different situation, don’t you think?  The Lakers have been very impressive this season, but Utah has been just as impressive, if not more so because of their lack of star-power.  I also do know that Utah is a legitimately better team at home, so I expect this series to go the distance.  I’d really like this line to be a pick ‘em or 2 points, but I’ll bit on the 4, though my expectation is that the Lakers will finish out the series in LA in game seven.
Pick:  Utah Jazz -4

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