NBA Playoffs: Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks, Game 7

NBA Playoffs: Boston Celtics vs. Atlanta Hawks, Game 7 The excitement in Atlanta surrounding the NBA Playoffs Game 7 between the Hawks and the Boston Celtics is unmatched. The Atlanta Hawks stand the chance to deliver the biggest upset in the NBA this season with a victory over the Celtics in the Game 7, even though the bookies remain quite sceptical, but then again, they truly hope the Hawks lose the Game 7 today. Why? Because the Atlanta Hawks were listed as the underdog to win the NBA Finals this season, for example at the online sportsbook BodogSports the Hawks held odds 150/1.

But today the odds on the NBA Playoffs Game 7 are showing the Boston Celtics -14.5 points against the spread with 189 points total expected in the game. The Hawks are trying to become just the second eighth seed to knock off a No. 1 seed in a best-of-seven series. It happened last year when the Golden State Warriors upset the Dallas Mavericks in six games, 4-2, in the first round of the postseason. Atlanta's Marvin Williams says he is ready to go for the Game 7, but remains listed as a game-day decision, while Speedy Claxton is out for the season. Meanwhile in Boston only Scot Pollard in on the injury report as out for the season with an ankle injury.

Boston will enter the final NBA Playoffs game against the Hawks with the second stingiest defence in the league at 90.3 points per game, the best field goal percentage against in the league allowing 41.9 and second in rebounds allowed in the league at 39.1. Meanwhile Atlanta is 3-6 against the spread in its last 9 games and just 1-5 against the spread in its last 6 games on the road. Boston has won 5 of its last 5 games when playing at home against Atlanta and is 5-0 against the spread in its last 5 games at home. Overall, the Boston Celtics have the ultimate advantage entering Game 7, but upsets are known to happen, three times so far, so bet with caution.

Published on 05/04/2008