NBA Picks Wednesday 5/4/2016 – ATL vs. CLE

NBA Picks Wednesday 5/4/2016 – ATL vs. CLE​

Pick #1 – Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers

While playoff game one was an 11 point blowout we have to think Atlanta will put on a much better showing in game 2. While the Hawks are playing mediocre 5-5 basketball over there last 10 games not only is Cleveland playing 7-3 over there last 10 but they have the Hawks number going 8-2 over the last 10 head to head meetings. The Atlanta Hawks (52-37) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (62-25) both will be giving it there all tonight and if recent history is any indication of what's to come then the sparks should be flying. There are really no injuries of note for this contest as only the Atlanta Hawks report Tiago Splitter missing in action but that should be a non factor and all offensive weapons will be on deck and locked and loaded. The last 5 meetings between these two teams have all gone OVER the total being presented to us today so its seems highly plausible we see a repeat of this history. When we start to review stats like a Home Team Overall Scoring vs Away Team Overall Defense of 104.29 and and Away Team Overall Scoring vs Home Team Overall Defense of 102.57 we really start to get an inside look on how this game can easily go over. In addition to all of this Cleveland has an overall 23-21 over/under record on the season at home so this is a nice situational play where the odds may not have adjusted correctly due to some recent slower play between each team. Offensive and defensive combined numbers for the last 10 games for these two teams average up to 206.3 and 197.9 so we are really getting a nice current platform that is going OVER in most instances. The total over/under spread for this NBA contest opened at 199 and has dropped as far as 196.5 so while the smart money has punded the UNDER so far the 2.5 points seem to be too much here and now we are picking up lots of value going the other way. The Cavs need to win by -7.5 and have covered against the spread versus the Hawks over the past 5 matchups so there should be plenty of points flying tonight. The consensus for this game puts the OVER at 56% so the public is very much on our side in this one which is always a good sign. The last time these two teams met the final outcome was a 104-93 Cleveland home win so it hit exactly at where the point total is tonight but we have never seen it go under this in 5 previous meetings so we have to like the OVER benchmark we are getting here. The OVER is almost a must in this game at this number as we have never seen these two teams produce a combined score otherwise in the last year .

Game Time:
Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavaliers - Eastern Conference Playoffs Semi-Finals - Game 2 - Wednesday, May 04, 2016 8:05 PM

Spread:
513 Atlanta Hawks +7½
514 Cleveland Cavaliers -7½

Total:
513 Atlanta Hawks Over 196.5
514 Cleveland Cavaliers Under 196.5

Betting odds provided by 5Dimes

The Pick:
Over 196.5 (2 Units)

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

Picks By TexasMatt