NBA – Utah at Houston
There aren’t a whole lot of scenarios in sports that can match the tension and drama of a Game
2007-05-07
There aren’t a whole lot of scenarios in sports that can match the tension and drama of a Game 7 in a playoff series. Tonight, NBA fans are treated to such an occurrence, as Utah and Houston will wrap up their first round Western Conference clash with the winner moving on, the loser going home. The Rockets boast the home court advantage, and are a 5-1/2 point favorite. The total is set at 182.5.
Rockets star Tracy McGrady has never made it to the second round of the playoffs, and thus either has China’s legend Yao Ming. After Houston won the first two games of the series, the Rockets appeared on their way there, but have not been able to find their way out of Utah with a victory. In fact, they lost all three games on the road, half of the trend that shows the home team having won every game in the series. That should bode well for the Rockets.
What doesn’t bode well however is the fact that the Rockets are just 17-25 ATS on the home court this season. With that in mind, it would figure that this game should come down to the wire. Utah is only 20-23 ATS on the road, so bettors’ confidence in the Jazz isn’t exactly overflowing.
Perhaps the better angle to play on in this crucial game is the total. Both teams are fundamentally sound on defense and boast game altering players on that side of the court. For the Jazz, that is Andrei Kirilenko, for the hosts, it is Shane Battier and Ming. When you consider the expected pace of the game, and the importance each coach will put on each possession, an UNDER bet would seem to be the only way to go.
Keep in mind this trend: Jerry Sloan is 25-13 UNDER (+10.7 Units) in the first round of the playoffs as the coach of UTAH.
Enjoy this Game 7, part of an NBA playoff doubleheader Saturday night, and an otherwise huge day of sports in America!
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