NBA Conference Finals Predictions & Picks

We are down to the final four teams in the chase for the 2010 NBA World Title and after two games in each series; two clear cut favorites are starting to emerge. Here is a brief look at both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals along with each team’s current odds to win it all.

Eastern Conference Finals

#4 Boston Celtics (19-10) vs. #2 Orlando Magic (9-1)

After struggling down the stretch of the regular season, Boston has turned things around in the postseason and is currently on a role that will most likely take them all the way to the NBA Finals. In game one of their conference final match-up with Orlando, they used a stifling defense to shutdown the Magic’s main man, Dwight Howard. Howard pulled down 12 rebounds but was held to just 6 points from the floor and was seven of 12 from the free throw line. After building a 20 point lead at the end of the third, the Celtics withstood a furious comeback attempt by Orlando to hold onto win 92-88. Ray Allen ended the night with a game high 25 points for Boston and Vince Carter led the Magic with 23 points.

Looking to sweep the first two games of this series on the road, Boston once again put the clamps on Orlando by holding them to shooting just 39% from the floor. Howard did end up with 30 points in this one but it was not enough as the Celtics grinded out a 95-92 victory to take a 2-0 lead in this best-of-seven series. Game three, in Boston is scheduled for Saturday night.  Paul Pierce (28 points) and Rajon Rondo (25 points) led the way for the Celtics while Carter and J.J. Redick each added 16 points for the Magic.

Boston Celtics Betting Trends:

• Boston is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
• Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston’s last 5 games
• Boston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home

Orlando Magic Betting Trends:

• Orlando is 13-3 ATS in its last 16 games
• Orlando is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Orlando’s last 6 games
• Orlando is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road

Western Conference Finals

#3 Phoenix Suns (10-1) vs. #1 Los Angeles Lakers (5-7)

Los Angeles won three out of four from Phoenix in the regular season and is 7-4 lifetime against them in the playoffs. After wins in the first two games of this series, their dominance continues. In game one, the Lakers jumped out to a quick start by opening up a nine point lead in the first. The Suns battled back but could never regain control, eventually losing 128-107. If there were any questions about the health of Kobe Bryant’s knee, they were certainly answered after he lit Phoenix up for a game high 40 points. LA’s bench added 44 points in a total team effort. Six Sun players scored in double figures led by Amar’e Stoudemire’s 23.

Game two was pretty much more of the same as the Lakers once again opened up an early lead and continued to shoot lights out the whole game going almost 58% from the field. Trailing by nine at the half, the Suns battled back to tie the game at 90 at the end of the third but that was as close as it got. The Lakers pulled away by outscoring Phoenix 34-22 in the fourth to take game two 124-112 and take a 2-0 series lead into Phoenix for game three on Sunday night. Bryant ended the night with 21 points and 13 assists while Pau Gasol led the team with a game high 29 points and nine rebounds. Jason Richardson led the Suns with 27 points.

Los Angeles Lakers Betting Trends:

• LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
• LA Lakers are 2-3-1 ATS in their last 6 games on the road
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 6 games on the road
• LA Lakers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Phoenix

Phoenix Suns Betting Trends:

• Phoenix is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
• Phoenix is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games at home
• Phoenix is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games at home
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Phoenix’s last 6 games at home