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**TheGame** · 04-19-2016, 07:44 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/19

Tuesday's NBA playoffs betting preview and odds

A light NBA schedule Tuesday night will features a pair of Game 2's with the Atlanta Hawks hosting the Boston Celtics and the San Antonio Spurs welcoming the Memphis Grizzlies.

Boston Celtics at Atlanta Hawks (-6, 205.5)

Hawks lead series 1-0

The Atlanta Hawks squandered all of a 19-point lead in Game 1 but recovered late in the fourth quarter and managed to pull out a 102-101 victory. The fourth-seeded Hawks will try to make it two in a row on Tuesday over the fifth-seeded and visiting Boston Celtics, who will be without guard Avery Bradley due to a “significant” hamstring injury suffered late Saturday.

Boston completed its comeback and took an 83-80 lead with 6:48 remaining on Saturday but had Bradley go down seven seconds later on the way back up the court. "Avery has a pretty significant strained hamstring,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens told reporters on Sunday. “I would say he would be doubtful for any of the remainder of the series, certainly very unlikely Tuesday night. As of right now, I would say he's out Tuesday night, but obviously he'll continue to get treatment around the clock and go from there. But I would say very unlikely the rest of the series." The absence of Bradley as a lockdown defender could open the floor even more for Atlanta guard Jeff Teague, who collected 23 points and 12 assists in the opener. Teague sealed the Game 1 win at the free-throw line and formed a potent pick-and-roll combination with center Al Horford.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT, CSN New England (Boston), FSN Southeast (Atlanta)

LINE HISTORY: The Hawks opened as six-point favorites at most books and that number hasn't moved. The total began at 206.5 and has come down a full point to 205.5. View complete line history here.

ABOUT THE CELTICS (48-35, 43-39-1 ATS, 39-44 O/U): Boston is touting the fact that it doesn’t have a superstar, and the players were leaning on the “next man up” philosophy after learning the significance of Bradley’s injury. "No change with Avery being out," guard Marcus Smart, who figures to move into the starting lineup, told reporters of his role. "Just have to keep doing what I do. It's just going to be (that) I'm going to have more time to make more effort plays and intensity plays and help my team win. Our little slogan is '(We're) one superstar.' It's us as a team. So this isn't anything new. If Avery was here or not, my responsibilities would be the same." The Celtics could also turn to rookie guards Terry Rozier and R.J. Hunter to cover the extra minutes.

ABOUT THE HAWKS (49-34, 42-40-1 ATS, 38-45 O/U): Atlanta held the Celtics to 23.1 percent shooting in the first half of Game 1 and got the stops it needed down the stretch after squandering the lead. The Hawks were the more aggressive team throughout most of the contest and outscored Boston 52-36 in the paint and attempted 16 more free throws. "Another point of emphasis was physicality," Hawks forward Paul Millsap told reporters. "We weren't as physical last year (in the playoffs). (Saturday) was a good night to set that tone. I felt like, especially in the first half, we did that."

TRENDS:

* Celtics are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 2 days rest.
* Hawks are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
* Under is 9-1 in Celtics last 10 games following a ATS win.
* Under is 4-0 in Hawks last 4 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

Memphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs (-18.5, 187)

Spurs lead series 1-0

The San Antonio Spurs are supposed to make quick work of Memphis and it sure looked that the way in the series opener as the Grizzlies suffered their largest margin of defeat in franchise postseason history. San Antonio looks to follow up the impressive 106-74 victory with another solid effort when it hosts Memphis in Tuesday's Game 2.

The second-seeded Spurs had 13 steals and nine blocked shots - All-Star small forward Kawhi Leonard had four steals and three blocks - as they pulled away behind their suffocating defense. "Kawhi's a very good defender, and he takes great pride in it," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich told reporters after Game 1. "He did what he usually does for us. It's important. He sets the tone for us defensively, and (Sunday) was a good example of that." The beleaguered seventh-seeded Grizzlies have lost 11 of their last 12 games and their confidence surely took another hit due to the severe beat down. "We're going to forget it," power forward Zach Randolph said afterward. "Put this one in the backwash and get ready for Tuesday."

TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT, FSN Southeast (Memphis), FSN Southwest (San Antonio)

LINE HISTORY: The betting line for Tuesday's matchup between the Grizzlies and Spurs opened with San Antonio pegged as 18.5-point favorites and the initial total set at 187. View complete line history here.

ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (42-41, 42-40-1 ATS, 45-36-2 O/U): Memphis needs strong performances from Randolph to avoid being swept and that didn't occur in the opener as he scored just six points on 3-of-13 shooting. "I got some good looks. I just have to knock them down," Randolph told reporters. "They bring a bunch of people when I get the ball. I just have to stay positive. We know what we're dealing with. We've got a lot of young guys. We just have to be better, including myself." Veteran swingman Vince Carter was the Grizzlies' top offensive performer in Game 1 with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting in 19 minutes.

ABOUT THE SPURS (68-15, 45-38 ATS, 35-46-2 O/U): Leonard, who was named Defensive Player of the Year on Monday for the second straight season, also excelled on the offensive end with 20 points in Game 1 and veteran center Tim Duncan was strong on the board with 11 rebounds. "We got it going defensively," Duncan told reporters. "We were solid the whole way through and then some shots started falling. We kind of extended that lead - I think just giving ourselves a quarter or two to get ourselves rolling." The huge lead allowed power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (dislocated right pinky finger) to be rested - he had 17 points and 27 minutes - as San Antonio had 12 players see 10 or more minutes of action.

TRENDS:

* Grizzlies are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Spurs are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
* Over is 7-1-1 in Grizzlies last 9 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
* Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
* Grizzlies are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings.

**TheGame** · 04-19-2016, 07:44 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/19

Preview: Celtics (48-34) at Hawks (48-34)

Date: April 19, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

The Boston Celtics' roster epitomizes the idea that no one player is bigger than the team. Still, they appeared to suffer a crippling personnel loss over the weekend.

With Avery Bradley likely out for the rest of their first-round playoff series, the Celtics will have to find other ways to slow Jeff Teague and the host Atlanta Hawks in Game 2 on Tuesday night.

Bradley, Boston's second-leading scorer and best perimeter defender, exited Saturday's 102-101 loss with a severely sprained right hamstring. Coach Brad Stevens said his shooting guard will probably miss the rest of the series.

Bradley averaged 15.2 points this season - second on the team to Isaiah Thomas' 22.2 - and scored 18 before getting injured while trying to block a fourth-quarter layup attempt from Teague.

Bradley's absence was apparent in the remaining 6:42.

Teague scored or assisted on seven of Atlanta's final 12 baskets and finished with 23 points and 12 assists. He sealed the win with a pair of free throws with five seconds left.

The question for Stevens is whether he goes even smaller with his lineup to try and neutralize Teague or turns to a more traditional one. Marcus Smart and Evan Turner will likely be leaned on more heavily next to Thomas - who had 27 points and eight assists Saturday - while rookies R.J. Hunter and Terry Rozier or second-year guard James Young might see more time.

If Stevens goes big, it would likely be with 7-footer Kelly Olynyk - though he said he doesn't know if he will be ready for Game 2 after tweaking a shoulder injury in the opener.

The coach will rely on a deep roster, which features nine players that averaged more than seven points this season.

'We're going to have to just continue to throw different bodies at (Teague) and make it as difficult as possible," Stevens said after Sunday's practice. "We're playing small anyways, so you might have to go even deeper into that. We'll look at it and figure that out over the next 48 hours.'

Boston went 3-3 without Bradley this season, including a 106-93 victory over the Hawks on Nov. 13 before losing the final three games of the season series.

If the Celtics go small, they could have a tough time handling Paul Millsap. The 6-foot-8, 246-pound power forward averaged 25.3 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks in the final three meetings of the regular season. However, he was limited to 14 points and seven rebounds Saturday, adding three blocks.

Coach Mike Budenholzer said he might use a backcourt of Teague and backup point guard Dennis Schroder to try and exploit the absence of Bradley. Schroder missed all six of his shots in about 11 1/2 minutes Saturday but totaled 37 points and 12 assists the previous two games against the Celtics.

'We're always more focused on what we need to do, regardless of who we're playing,' Budenholzer said. 'All coaches are experienced with having guys in and out of the lineup. Guys step up and do more when given the opportunity.'

The Hawks have won 11 of 13 at home, with the last two of a four-game win streak coming against Boston - which has lost five straight in Atlanta.

**TheGame** · 04-19-2016, 07:45 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/19

Preview: Grizzlies (42-40) at Spurs (67-15)

Date: April 19, 2016 9:30 PM EDT

By now, it's obvious the media has come to admire - and opponents certainly respect - Kawhi Leonard's ability to take over a game on the defensive end.

After leaving his indelible mark in a lopsided Game 1, Leonard will try to continue tormenting what's left of the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night when the San Antonio Spurs look to take care of business on their home court.

Leonard not only led the way offensively with 20 points in Sunday's series opener, but he also finished with four of San Antonio's 13 steals and three of its nine blocks in a 106-74 rout.

'Kawhi's a very good defender, and he takes great pride in it,' coach Gregg Popovich said. 'He did what he usually does for us. It's important."

The All-Star forward helped hold Matt Barnes to two points on 1-of-7 shooting. Barnes has averaged five points on 23.1 percent shooting in his last three games after scoring 18.8 per game while hitting 13 3-pointers over his previous four.

Leonard even blocked Zach Randolph's shot in the first quarter as the Spurs ran a number of double teams at the only remaining player among the Grizzlies' top three scorers with Marc Gasol and Mike Conley out for the season.

Reserves Brandan Wright and Jordan Adams are also sidelined with injuries.

San Antonio held Randolph to six points on 3-for-13 shooting after the veteran power forward had averaged 18.6 over his last 11 regular-season contests.

It was something of a preview for the news Monday that Leonard was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. He was the catalyst of the league's best defense, becoming the first noncenter to win the award in consecutive seasons since Dennis Rodman in 1989-90 and 1990-91.

'He's in passing lanes, he has great on-ball instincts, great hands and he blocks shots very well at his position as well," Memphis swingman Vince Carter said. "He's just relentless, and he really gets their defense started.'

Carter finished with a team-high 16 points and Lance Stephenson added 14, but no other Memphis player scored more than seven. After shooting 39.2 percent in their worst-ever playoff defeat, the Grizzlies will have to find a way to get more going offensively if they hope to steal a victory at the AT&T Center.

"It don't matter if we would have won by one, lost by 30 or won by 15, we're just trying to get one game,' Randolph said.

San Antonio's starters should be well-rested after sitting out the fourth quarter in preparation for Game 2. LaMarcus Aldridge is dealing with a sore pinkie finger after dislocating it April 7, while Boris Diaw is nursing a sore right abductor.

'A couple of guys got a little banged up,' said Popovich, whose club is 41-1 at home. 'LaMarcus on his hand, and Boris' groin, so it was a little bit more than rest. But they're pros and they've all been in the league a long time.'

Aldridge had 17 points and Tony Parker and Patty Mills contributed 15 apiece for San Antonio, which shot 68 percent while breaking Game 1 open by outscoring Memphis 33-14 in the third quarter. The Spurs shot 51.9 percent overall, made 10 of 23 from 3-point range and owned a 44-35 advantage on the glass.

"We've got some young guys that are going to get better," Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger told the team's official website. "We will go back and watch the video and come back and try to get a little bit better and look for making a bigger dent."

Memphis has dropped six in a row and 21 of the past 25 meetings, including the postseason, and has lost 11 of 12 overall going back to the regular season.

**TheGame** · 04-19-2016, 07:45 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/19

NBA Odds: Tuesday, April 19 2016 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

If you were hoping for some drama in the openers of the NBA playoff series, you were pretty much out of luck other than perhaps the Hawks-Celtics result. The average margin of victory across the eight openers was 20.5 points. That's the most lopsided group of playoff openers in NBA history, passing 1995's 19.6. Sunday's action was almost unwatchable from a fan's standpoint but good viewing if you backed the favorites. The only close game -- and only underdog to cover -- was Detroit losing by just five to Cleveland. Otherwise, Miami crushed Charlotte (surprising), San Antonio embarrassed Memphis (not surprising) and the L.A. Clippers beat Portland by 20. It was only the fourth day in NBA playoff history where three games were decided by at least 20. It last happened May 8, 1999. Here's hoping Tuesday's Game 2s are a bit more interesting.

Game 2: No. 5 Celtics at No. 4 Hawks (-6, 205.5)

Boston was able to make Game 1 interesting after being down 19 points but lost 102-101. To make things much worse, starting guard Avery Bradley, one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA (he finished sixth in the Defensive Player of the Year voting), went down with a severe hamstring strain and it's not expected he will be back for this series. Bradley heard a pop after landing awkwardly while defending a layup attempt by Hawks guard Jeff Teague with seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. That's big. Bradley wasn't just the team's best defender but ranked first in minutes played during the regular season (33.4), and second in points (15.2) and 3-pointers made (1.9). Either Marcus Smart or Evan Turner is expected to move into the starting lineup but this also means one or both of rookies Terry Rozier and R.J. Hunter will get more minutes. Rozier and Hunter combined for just 626 minutes played during the season and both spent time in the D-League. In addition, Boston big man Kelly Olynyk played only 12 minutes in Game 1 due to a sore right shoulder. He missed a month earlier this season with a problem in that shoulder. Olynyk didn't practice Monday and might sit Game 2.

It's the second year in a row the Hawks caught an injury break in the playoffs. Washington's John Wall fractured his left wrist and hand in Game 1 of the second round against Atlanta in 2015. Wall wouldn't get back until Game 5. If he was healthy, I think the Wizards win that series but they went out in six. The Hawks got 24 points and 12 rebounds in Game 1 from Al Horford, 23 points and 12 assists from Jeff Teague and 23 points and eight rebounds from Kent Bazemore. The Hawks were just 5-for-27 from 3-point range (Kyle Korver was 0-for-7) but outscored the Celtics by 16 points in the paint and by 11 at the free-throw line.

Series line: Hawks -350, Celtics +290

Key trends: The Hawks are 12-5 against the spread in their past 17 after a win. They are 8-3 ATS in their past 11 as a favorite of 5.0-10.5 points. The Celtics are 3-9 ATS in their past 12 road games and 2-8 ATS in their past 10 as a dog. The "over/under" has gone under in 10 of Atlanta's past 14 at home. The under is 9-4 in Boston's past 13 overall.

Early lean: Hawks and under.

Game 2: No. 7 Grizzlies at No. 2 Spurs (-18.5, 187)

I don't think you will see a bigger spread the rest of the playoffs than this one because obviously the next two games of this mismatch are in Memphis and I'm quite confident the Spurs end it there in four. Memphis just doesn't belong here with its current injury-decimated roster and that was clear in a 106-74 loss in San Antonio in Game 1. Kawhi Leonard had 20 points, four steals and three blocks. No Spurs starter played more than his 29 minutes, and you have to think Coach Gregg Popovich already is looking past Memphis and toward getting his guys as much rest as possible ahead of a likely semifinal round matchup against Oklahoma City. Leonard, incidentally, beat out Golden State's Draymond Green to win his second straight Defensive Player of the Year Award on Monday. He's the first small forward to win it back-to-back and first non-center to do it since Dennis Rodman in 1990 & '91. The Spurs had a defensive rating of 94.9 when Leonard was on the court during the regular season and 99.2 when he wasn't. I thought Green would win it but certainly can't argue with Leonard.

Here's the best way to summarize this series. In Game 1, the Spurs started two future Hall of Fame locks in Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, two more who might be headed there as well in LaMarcus Aldridge and Leonard, and Danny Green. Memphis' starters were 95-year-old Vince Carter, Jordan Farmer, Matt Barnes, Chris Andersen and Zach Randolph, who is the only legit starter among that group but had just six points on 3-for-13 shooting. It was the biggest margin of defeat for the Grizzlies in a playoff game.

Series line: This is such a given that there is no series line.

Key trends: The Spurs are 2-7 ATS in their past nine after a win. They are 1-6 ATS in their past seven after scoring at least 100 points in the previous game. The Grizzlies are 10-4 ATS in their past 14 after an ATS loss. The under is 5-2 in Memphis' past seven vs. teams with a winning record. The under is 4-0 in San Antonio's past four.

Early lean: Love the under. But I'll take the points -- Spurs will probably get up huge again and pull guys, allowing Grizzlies to cover in garbage time.

**Satch** · 04-19-2016, 09:26 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/19

NBA Basketball Betting Trends – Tues – April, 19
Boston at Atlanta, 7:05 ET
Boston: 34-21 ATS as a road underdog
Atlanta: 48-72 ATS after a close win by 3 points or less
Memphis at San Antonio, 9:35 ET
Memphis: 3-0 ATS in the 2nd game of a playoff series
San Antonio: 4-9 ATS when playing 4 or less games in 10 days

**Satch** · 04-19-2016, 09:27 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/19

Memphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs (-18.5, 187)
Spurs lead series 1-0
The San Antonio Spurs are supposed to make quick work of Memphis and it sure looked that the way in the series opener as the Grizzlies suffered their largest margin of defeat in franchise postseason history. San Antonio looks to follow up the impressive 106-74 victory with another solid effort when it hosts Memphis in Tuesday’s Game 2.
The second-seeded Spurs had 13 steals and nine blocked shots – All-Star small forward Kawhi Leonard had four steals and three blocks – as they pulled away behind their suffocating defense. “Kawhi’s a very good defender, and he takes great pride in it,” San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich told reporters after Game 1. “He did what he usually does for us. It’s important. He sets the tone for us defensively, and (Sunday) was a good example of that.” The beleaguered seventh-seeded Grizzlies have lost 11 of their last 12 games and their confidence surely took another hit due to the severe beat down. “We’re going to forget it,” power forward Zach Randolph said afterward. “Put this one in the backwash and get ready for Tuesday.”
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT, FSN Southeast (Memphis), FSN Southwest (San Antonio)
LINE HISTORY:
The betting line for Tuesday’s matchup between the Grizzlies and Spurs opened with San Antonio pegged as 18.5-point favorites and the initial total set at 187. View complete line history here.
ABOUT THE GRIZZLIES (42-41, 42-40-1 ATS, 45-36-2 O/U):
Memphis needs strong performances from Randolph to avoid being swept and that didn’t occur in the opener as he scored just six points on 3-of-13 shooting. “I got some good looks. I just have to knock them down,” Randolph told reporters. “They bring a bunch of people when I get the ball. I just have to stay positive. We know what we’re dealing with. We’ve got a lot of young guys. We just have to be better, including myself.” Veteran swingman Vince Carter was the Grizzlies’ top offensive performer in Game 1 with 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting in 19 minutes.
ABOUT THE SPURS (68-15, 45-38 ATS, 35-46-2 O/U):
Leonard, who was named Defensive Player of the Year on Monday for the second straight season, also excelled on the offensive end with 20 points in Game 1 and veteran center Tim Duncan was strong on the board with 11 rebounds. “We got it going defensively,” Duncan told reporters. “We were solid the whole way through and then some shots started falling. We kind of extended that lead – I think just giving ourselves a quarter or two to get ourselves rolling.” The huge lead allowed power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (dislocated right pinky finger) to be rested – he had 17 points and 27 minutes – as San Antonio had 12 players see 10 or more minutes of action.
TRENDS:
* Grizzlies are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Spurs are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
* Over is 7-1-1 in Grizzlies last 9 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points.
* Under is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
* Grizzlies are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings.

**Satch** · 04-19-2016, 09:28 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/19

Boston-Atlanta (A 1-0)
Celtics rallied back from down 17 at half in Game 1, but lost by one to Atlanta, its fourth loss in row to the Hawks, with three of four going over total- Celtics are 2-3 vs spread in last five visits here. Atlanta lost four of its last six games; five of its last seven games stayed under total. Celtics won five of last eight games, but covered only two of last seven road games. Celtics shot 36% in Game 1; Hawks were only 5-26 on the arc.
Memphis-San Antonio (SAS 1-0)
Grizzlies lost 10 of last 11 games, covering one of last five road tilts; Memphis lost its last six games with Spurs (1-5 vs spread), going 2-4 vs spread in last six visits to Alamo. San Antonio is 3-8 vs spread in its last eleven games overall. Memphis used 28 players this season, most in the history of the NBA- are they too banged-up to compete? Spurs won by 32 in Game 1; six Memphis subs were a combined -75. No one on an aging Spurs roster played 30:00 Sunday.
Playoff tally: Favorites vs spread: 7-4, Over: 3-8

**Satch** · 04-19-2016, 09:29 AM

Re: NBA Betting Info. 4/19

Tuesday’s Tip Sheet
By Brian Edwards
**Celtics at Hawks**
(Atlanta leads 1-0)
— Atlanta (49-34 straight up, 42-40-1 against the spread) took a 1-0 series lead over Boston by capturing a 102-101 victory in Saturday’s Game 1 at Philips Arena. However, the Hawks missed crucial free throws in the final minute and a late Isaiah Thomas 3-pointer secured a backdoor cover for the Celtics, who closed as five-point road underdogs. Mike Budenholzer’s team easily covered the number for first-quarter wagers (-1.5, -120) and first-half bets (-3).
— Al Horford was the catalyst for the winners in Game 1, producing 24 points and 12 rebounds. I hit a pair of prop bets on Horford by taking the ‘over’ for his points (15) and rebounds (eight). I’m also off to a good start for a series prop bet for Horford’s points-per-game average to go ‘over’ 14.5 PPG.
— Atlanta raced out to a lead as big as 19 in the first half, leading 51-34 at halftime. Jeff Teague finished with 23 points, 12 assists, four rebounds, one steal and only two turnovers. Kent Bazemore added 23 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots, while Paul Millsap contributed 14 points, seven rebounds, three blocked shots and three assists without a turnover. Mike Scott also scored 14 points and pulled down five boards in 18-plus minutes of action from off the bench.
— Atlanta’s off-the-bench trio of Dennis Schroder, Thabo Sefolosha and Tim Hardaway Jr. combined for only two points and went 0-for-11 from the field.
— Thomas scored 27 points and dished out eight assists in the Game 1 defeat. Before pulling up lame with a hamstring injury, Avery Bradley scored 18 points for the C’s. Marcus Smart finished with 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Jae Crowder contributed 14 points, 10 boards and four assists.
— Despite 66 combined points in the fourth quarter of Game 1, the ‘under’ (206) was a winner.
— As of late Monday night, most betting shops had the Hawks listed as six-point favorites for Tuesday’s Game 2. The total was 205.5 points, while the Celtics were +210 on the money line (risk $100 to win $210). Atlanta was installed as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 99 for first-half wagers.
— Boston (48-35 SU, 43-39-1 ATS) will be without its second-leading scorer Bradley, who is ‘out’ for Game 2 after sustaining a significant hamstring strain in Game 1. Bradley, who averaged 15.2 points per game during the regular season, is ‘highly unlikely’ to return for the entire series, according to comments made by Brad Stevens on Sunday.
— Boston reserve center Kelly Olynyk is listed as ‘questionable’ for Game 2 with a shoulder injury. The Gonzaga product, who averaged 10.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game during the regular season, was limited to 11-plus minutes of playing time in Game 1. Olynyk had two points, one rebound and one assist.
— Atlanta has won four in a row over Boston since the Celtics won the first of four regular-season meetings. The Hawks are 3-2 ATS in this year’s five encounters, while the ‘over’ is also 3-2.
— Atlanta is 28-14 SU and 22-20 ATS at home this season. Meanwhile, Boston owns a 20-22 spread record on the road. The Celtics are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games as road underdogs. They have won outright in just one of those 10 games, but we should note that the lone victory came at Golden St.
— For the updated series price, 5Dimes has Atlanta as a -420 ‘chalk,’ while the Celtics are +335 to win the seven-game series (risk $100 to win $335).
— The ‘under’ has cashed at a 5-1 clip in Atlanta’s last six games. In their last 18 home contests, the Hawks have watched the ‘under’ post a remarkable 14-4 record. They have seen the ‘under’ go 45-38 overall, 23-19 in their home games.
— The ‘under’ is 44-39 overall for the Celtics, 23-19 in their road outings.
— Tip-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Eastern on TNT.
**Grizzlies at Spurs**
(San Antonio leads 1-0)
— San Antonio (68-15 SU, 45-38 ATS) cruised to a 106-74 win over a depleted Memphis team in Sunday’s series opener. Gregg Popovich’s club easily took the cash as an enormous 17-point favorite. The 180 combined points fell ‘under’ the 188.5-point total.
— Kawhi Leonard led five Spurs in double figures with 20 points, four steals and three blocked shots in Game 1. LaMarcus Aldridge added 17 points and a pair of rejections, while Tony Parker and Patty Mills scored 15 points apiece. Parker dished out a team-high six assists. Tim Duncan played only 21-plus minutes, but he produced seven points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots.
— Memphis trailed by 11 at intermission of Game 1, but it was quickly put away in the third quarter when San Antonio enjoyed a 33-14 advantage to go into the final stanza ahead by 30. Vince Carter logged only 19 minutes of playing time, but he made 6-of-7 shots and scored a team-best 16 points. Lance Stephenson was the only other Grizzly in double figures with 14 points. Zach Randolph finished with only six points, five rebounds and three assists that matched his three turnovers. Randolph was an abysmal 3-of-13 from the field and didn’t get to the charity stripe.
— As of late Monday night, most spots had San Antonio listed as an 18.5-point favorite for Tuesday’s Game 2 at home. The total was 187, while the Grizzlies had outrageous 25/1 odds to win outright at The Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas. For first-half bets, the Spurs are favored by 12 with a total of 93.5.
— Memphis is playing without stars Marc Gasol (foot) and Mike Conley (Achilles). Both franchise stalwarts are out with season-ending injuries along with Mario Chalmers, Brandan Wright and Jordan Adams. Gasol, a two-time All-Star who was a first-team All-NBA selection last season, was the Grizzlies’ leading scorer (16.6 PPG) through 52 games of the regular season. He was averaging 7.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 blocked shots and 1.0 steals per game. Conley was lost after 56 regular-season games in which he averaged 15.3 points and 6.1 assists per game.
— San Antonio has lost at home just once in 42 games this year. The Spurs are 24-18 versus the number.
— The Spurs have seen the ‘under’ cash in four consecutive games to improve to 46-35-2 overall and 22-19-1 in their home contests.
— The ‘over’ is 45-36-2 overall for the Grizzlies, but they have seen the ‘under’ go 22-20 in their road assignments.
— The updated series price at 5Dimes has San Antonio as a -37500 favorite. The Grizzlies own 125/1 odds to pull the first-round shocker.
— TNT will have the broadcast at 9:35 p.m. Eastern.

Announcement

NBA Betting Info. 4/19

NBA Betting Info. 4/19

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