NBA Betting Preview: Rockets fired-up for crucial contest

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 12 May 2009 / Leave a Comment

Cleveland sweep all before them as Boston put the pressure on Orlando while in the West, a big defensive effort makes it all square in Houston and Nick Shiambouros' patience with Mark Cuban finally runs out.

The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the poor Atlanta Hawks 84-74 on Monday to sweep the series 4-0 and move in to the Eastern Conference final. It wasn't pretty to watch but Cleveland are on a mission, having now won eight play-off games in a row, and can now put their feet up while Boston and Orlando fight for the right to play them in the next round.

Boston showed the world what "Celtic pride" means on Sunday with a dramatic 95-94 victory over a stunned Orlando Magic. The Celtics were down by one point when Glen Davis hit an amazing shot from 20 feet as time was expiring. The Magic defense along with myself were fooled as the ball ended up in the hands of this unlikely hero.

Davis is definitely not known for his jump shot but the big man took the shot like a veteran. The teams traded punches all night but a depleted Celtics refused to give up and the pressure is now on Orlando in game five on Tuesday. In truth, I did not think Boston could win this series without Kevin Garnett but I am not so sure now. I like the look of the Celtics with the handicap on Tuesday night as Orlando are now looking a little fragile. They looked physically and emotionally drained as they walked off on Sunday.

The Houston Rockets managed to even the series at two games apiece on Sunday at home against the Los Angeles Lakers 99-87 with a huge defensive effort. The Rockets were without the great Yao Ming due to a season ending injury so the victory was all the more meritorious. Houston came out firing and this game was effectively over at half-time after the Rockets led 54-36.

Aaron Brooks lit up the scoreboard with 34 points and this was the main reason Houston won. The Lakers now host Houston in a critical game five and have very little margin for error. This has not been an easy series for the Lakers and I think the market has overreacted a little by making them 12.5 favourites in the handicap. Many experts believe Houston cannot with without Ming on the floor but Luis Scola will give the Lakers plenty to think about inside. I will be backing the Rockets with the handicap.

The Denver Nuggets are poised to move in to the Western Conference final after beating the Dallas Mavericks 106-105 in a controversial ending. Carmelo Anthony made a game winning shot at the buzzer but was clearly fouled before the shot. Dallas had a foul to give but the officials did not call the foul and Denver now hold a 3-0 lead. Dallas team owner Mark Cuban was involved in a heated conversation on the floor and allegedly made an inappropriate comment to the mother of Denver player Kenyon Martin. I have had enough of this guy and it is high time the league took serious action against him.

On a final note former-NBA coach Chuck Daly lost his battle with cancer over the weekend and passed away at his home in Florida. He will be sorely missed.