NBA- (9:05 ET, ESPN) Utah at Golden State
Emotion is a funny thing the Golden State Warriors are finding out
2007-05-11
Emotion is a funny thing the Golden State Warriors are finding out. You can get out the surf board and ride the wave for long periods of time, even upsetting teams nobody ever expected to happen. It is a great tool to utilize for a NBA playoff push late in the NBA Betting season also, one problem, it doesn’t last forever. When you reach unforeseen heights, it tends to level off. What happens then is execution has to be blended with it and if it is not, then problems and losses occur.
The finality of the NBA Basketball Betting post-season is winning or losing, no gray area for playing well. Golden State went toe to toe with Utah for 48 minutes twice and came away empty each time. Bettors trying to catch the wave were also left unfulfilled with a late push in the opener and overtime loss in Game Two. Coach Don Nelson knows both games hinged on two elements that ended up being the deciding factors. First, late game execution, which as it turns out is another that lacks grayish tones. You can set all the right screens, place a shooter in his favorite spot on the floor, deliver the ball to allow his plenty of time to take a quality shot and “clank” off the rim it goes. This is what has happened to Golden State in contests in Salt Lake City. The second part of the losing puzzle is rebounding. If this were a kid’s baseball or soccer game, the mercy rule would be invoked. Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur have nearly as many rebounds in the two games as the entire Golden State franchise. (68-62) Playing zone defense a good portion of the time and be undersized really enhances a bad situation against glass-eaters like Utah.
The Jazz end being the opposite for Golden State compared to Dallas. Utah is a bad match-up for them for a number of reasons. The lack of any boxing out techniques for rebounding assures Utah will crash the offensive boards, which they have averaged 19.5 in the two tilts. Boozer and Okur have pounded it inside and then stepped out for wide open jump shots against shoddy defense. No question Utah could have lost either or both contests due to the Warriors dialing up long distance shots that kept falling, until the most crucial of times. This is why the Jazz will have a chance to take an overwhelming lead in the series and cover with a 74-33 ATS mark after three straight games out-rebounding opponent by five or more.
In order for Utah to increase their margin, they will have to overcome many negative trends as 6.5-point underdogs at Sportsbook.com. Golden State’s 13-year absence from the playoffs has led to fanatical fan support and an intimidating edge. The Warriors have won last eight games on the home hardwood, compiling 6-2 ATS record. Nellie’s club is 13-4 ATS after playing two consecutive games as a road underdog and 11-3 ATS in home games after a loss by 10 points or more this season. The Jazz got the monster Game 7 win in Houston, but is still just 3-7 SU and ATS in last 10 road games. That win doubled the amount of road wins they have had in the NBA playoffs, now with 2-18 mark in the visitor’s role. Plus they are just 5-15 ATS off two or more consecutive home wins.
For each team in this West semifinal, it is time to stand up and be counted. Speaking of numbers, oddmakers have jumped the total an astounding eight points to 217 for Game Three, after series opener of 209. The Warriors are 18-8 OVER after 2 or more consecutive Overs and Utah is 21-10 OVER as an underdog.
ESPN will again have the coverage, with Game 3 starting at 9:05 Eastern. It would be no surprise if this contest takes on a stock market like betting appearance, thus check the NBA Betting Trends page to stay abreast of the happenings.
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