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NBA Playoff Odds: Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 2

Written by Jimmy Boyd

hawks-cavs-game-2-5609 The Cleveland Cavaliers showed no signs of rust after a long layoff, crushing the Atlanta Hawks and the 11.5-point spread with a 27-point blowout victory in Game 1. Game 2 tips at 8:00 pm EST on ESPN May 7th. NBA odds makers are expecting Cleveland to run away with Game 2 as well, installing the Cavaliers as 12.5-point favorites with the total set at 177.5.

Atlanta seemingly had its best chance to steal a win on the road in Game 1. The Lakers proved to be rusty after a long layoff the previous night and Houston took advantage, but the Hawks were not able to do the same. Besides the long layoff, the Cavs also had to deal with the distraction of LeBron James receiving his MVP award. Events like that so often disrupt the focus of teams across all sports, but the Cavaliers were not fazed as they improved to 42-2 straight up and 30-14 against the spread at home on the season. James received his MVP trophy in style by scoring 34 points and adding 10 rebounds. Besides James, the story was Cavalier guards Delonte West and Mo Williams, who combined for 34 points. While Cleveland clearly has the better team in this series, it was able to pull away and win by a double digit margin because of its defense. The Cavs held the Hawks to just 72 points, which kept the score under the total. The Cleveland defense ranks No. 1 in the NBA in points allowed (91.4), second in field goal percentage defense (43.1 percent), and No. 1 in three point field goal percentage defense (33.3 percent). The key for Cleveland in Game 2 is to not take its foot off the gas pedal. If you think Cleveland can crush the point spread again, bet the Cavaliers at -12.5 at BetUS and receive up to 145 percent in sign up bonuses.

The Hawks certainly have their work cut out for themselves against the team with the best overall record in the NBA, but Atlanta took the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics to a Game 7 in the 2008 NBA Playoffs and it certainly won’t back down from this challenge. You don’t really expect the Hawks, who finished just 16-25 on the road during the regular season to beat Cleveland on its home floor, but you do expect them to be more competitive. After all, Atlanta played the Cavs to 14 and 6 points games in Cleveland during the regular season. Mike Bibby and Josh Smith showed up for the Hawks in Game 1, but All-Star guard Joe Johnson did not. Bibby was 7 of 10 from the field, including 5 of 7 from beyond the arc, for 19 points, and he added 8 assists. For as hot as he was from deep, the Hawks needed him to shoot even more. Smith finished 8 of 15 from the field for 22 points and was the only Hawk to take the ball to the rim aggressively. Atlanta cannot afford off nights from Johnson, who just didn’t really assert himself offensively. Johnson was 5 of 10 from the field for 11 points and committed 5 costly turnovers. I expect a much better performance from him in Game 2. If you think Atlanta can be a lot more competitive in Game 2, bet the Hawks at +12.5 at BetUS.

Bet on the NBA Playoffs with the help of Jimmy Boyd’s NBA picks for guaranteed results through the Finals.

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