NBA Picks Monday 4/17/2017 – IND vs. CLE

Pick #1 – Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers​

Its one of the most exciting times for sports during the year as the NBA basketball playoffs are finally here and tonight we target the Indiana Pacers (42-41) versus the Cleveland Cavaliers (52-31) and after watching the first game this series might be a little more competitive then people were expecting. This bet draws our attention from the start as some books OVER/UNDER line opened at 212 and we are now seeing it fluctuate in a falling direction all the way down to a 208.5 over / under giving us a nice hint as to where the smart money is shifting and the UNDER is starting to reveal itself as the stronger possible outcome. The season offensive and defensive performance statistics give us averages of 215.47 and 212.53 and a real key here is the playoff atmosphere and closeness of last game that will be depressing the score for this one. Both teams OVER/UNDER combined record for the year is 90–74-2 and the lines at this point almost have no choice this late in the season but to start drawing back to a middle average. When it comes to pace of play Indiana is 18 and Cleveland is 16 and giving us two in the bottom half of the league which always bodes well and especially on a total this high. We also note that the Pacers are 17 in possessions per game (dropping drastically) and the Cavaliers (slowing down as well) the number 16 team in the league and here again we get slow teams playing slower then usual in a high intensity game which has all the makings for a low scoring affair. The public consensus for this game is 67% in favor of the over so we get the nice general consensus and public fade that we always like to have on our side in this one as well. The computer predicted scoring outcome of this game is 211.8 so a 208.8 UNDER play given all the above looks like it should get us where we need to go despite the AI predictor brain seeing it slightly off from us.

Game Time:
Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers - Eastern Conference Playoffs First Round - Game 2 - Monday, April 17, 2017 7:00 PM

Spread:
517 Indiana Pacers +8½ -110 +325
518 Cleveland Cavaliers -8½ -110 -400

Total:
517 Indiana Pacers Over 208½ -110
518 Cleveland Cavaliers Under 208½ -110

Betting odds provided by 5Dimes

The Pick:
UNDER 208.5 (2 Units)

As always bet within your means and bankroll. Enjoy the games and be responsible when betting!

Picks By TexasMatt