NBA Playoff Odds: Easter Sunday Hoops Action in the Sportsbook
Sunday, April 24, 2011
by BetUS.com
The NBA Betting won’t take the day off on Easter Sunday meaning that online NBA Playoff odds handicappers will be working.
Four games are scheduled for Sunday, April 24. I’m going to key in on only three of those games: Miami versus Philadelphia, Boston versus New York and the Los Angeles Lakers versus the New Orleans Hornets. Check out previews for those games below.
NBA Playoffs – April 24 Games
- Miami Heat at Philadelphia 76ers
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
When: 1:00 pm EST
BetUS Sportsbook NBA Odds: Philadelphia +4 ½
Analysis: I still believe that Philadelphia is a good enough team to at least keep their games with the Heat close. Philly should be around a 4 ½ point NBA spread betting underdog in Game 4 of this series. The two teams hook up in Game 3 on Thursday night. If Miami blows Philly out again, like they did in Game 2 with the 94 to 73 victory, then there’s probably no way that I can back the 76’ers on Sunday.
There will be no rising of Philly on Easter Sunday if they lose on Thursday by a margin like that again. My gut tells me that the 76’ers either win on Thursday night or at least are competitive. That might be enough for Elton Brand and Andre Iguodala to play with immense pride in Game 4. I’ll take the points on Sunday if Philly shows me something on Thursday.
- Boston Celtics at New York Knicks
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
When: 3:30 pm EST
BetUS Sportsbook NBA Odds: New York -3
Analysis: My gut tells me that in this game the New York Knicks could be looking to even the series against the Boston Celtics. NYK could as easily be up 2 and 0 instead of down 2 and 0 going into their Friday night contest against the Celtics. The Knicks are -2 point NBA Playoff odds favorites versus Boston on Friday night.
They should cover that spread considering that they’ve lost games one and two by the combined score of a measly 5 points. NYK just needs some luck to go their way in order to shock the Celtics by winning this series. But before they can do that, they’ll need to even the series on Sunday. I like NYK to cover the spread and send this series back to Boston at 2 and 0 apiece on April 24.
- Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Hornets
Where: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana
When: 9:30 pm EST
BetUS Sportsbook NBA Odds: New Orleans +3 ½
Analysis: Depending on how the Hornets fair on Friday night, as +4 ½ point dogs, will determine which way I go in this game. The Hornets have played exceptionally well in both Game 1 and Game 2. They have to be kicking themselves for not taking advantage in Game 2 when Pau Gasol for the Lake Show put up only 8 points and the Kobester dropped only 11. I like New Orleans to possibly win on Friday night and possibly on Sunday to take a commanding 3 to 1 lead in this series.
The difference, so far, from what I’ve seen is that Chris Paul and the New Orleans frontline can actually beat up the Lakers. If Emeka Okafor, New Orleans’ best inside player, can get back into a strong groove, he was horrible in Game 2, then the Hornets could win two in a row down in the bayou. Sunday’s contest is going to be interesting no matter what happens on Friday night. I’ll more than likely back the New Orleans Hornets to cover the spread in the online sports betting book on Easter Sunday.
Sources: espn.com, covers.com
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andre iguodala - boston celtics - elton brand - emeka okafor - los angeles lakers - madison square garden - miami heat - nba betting - new orleans arena - new orleans hornets
