LeBron Claims MVP, Ready to Shoot Down Some Hawks

LeBron was anointed as the third-youngest MVP in NBA history, but now he has to stay focused on what’s important – battling the rowdy Atlanta Hawks. Joe Johnson iced one of the mother MVP candidates, Dwyane Wade, in a fantastic seven-game series. Now Atlanta will be looking to take down another superstar in the 2009 Playoffs.

This challenge, however, will be considerably more difficult. Wade was a lone wolf, and as I wrote earlier this week, you can’t hack it in the NBA by yourself. You need canons to the left and right of you, Lord Alfred Tennyson styles. And LeBron has some big guns with him.

#4 Atlanta Hawks vs. #1 Cleveland Cavaliers

Tuesday, May 5th — Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland — 8:00pm EST

NBA Betting Line: Cleveland -11.5 (179.5)

With Mo Williams, Delonte West, Big Z and Joe Johnson backing LeBron, there is no way I can see this game staying in the UNDER. Atlanta is an iffy and confused team on the road, as their record shows. This team is predicated on Josh Smith’s energy. If he’s playing well, they’re a threat. If he’s off kilter, like he usually is on the road, the team suffers with him. Joe Johnson or not, this series is pivotal for Smith. If he can raise his game to become the threat he was supposed to be by now, then this game is going seven. But if he continues to play at the erratic and stupefying pace that he has on the road then this series is a wash.

NBA Betting Trends

-Atlanta is 8-4 SU in their last 12 games

-Atlanta is 4-11 SU in their last 15 road games

-Atlanta is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games in Cleveland

-Cleveland is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games

-Cleveland is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games

-Cleveland is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 against Atlanta

-the total has gone OVER in 4 of 5 when Atlanta visits Cleveland

The oddsmakers aren’t giving the road weary Hawks any credit in this game. And with LeBron in “take no prisoners” mode, averaging 28.4 points per game in a sweep of the Detroit Pistons, there is no way in hell he’s going to let the upstart Hawks come in to HIS house and push him, his team or his fans around. Take Cleveland in a mud-stomping as Joe Johnson helps push this game in to the OVER.

NBA Furious Free Pick: Cleveland -11.5 (OVER)