NBA Playoff Parlay – East and West Game 7 Picks

NBA Playoff Parlay:  Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics

Game-day:  5/17/2009

Tip-offs:  3:30 pm est for Houston vs. L.A. and 8:00 pm est. for Orlando vs. Boston

Both the Houston vs. Lakers and Orlando vs. Boston series are going to a game 7.  The Celtics weren’t terrible in their 8 point loss to the Magic on Thursday night, even though they didn’t beat the spread, and should have a good shot of beating Orlando on Sunday.

The Lakers will be heavily favored to take down Houston Sunday but a lot of bettors have to question the heart of this L.A. team.  They were favored by 9 points, on the road to beat the Yao-less Rockets.  What did they do?  They lost by 15 points.

Let’s take a look at the parlay.

Parlay #1:  Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Spread:  Lakers -12

BetOnline Total:  195

Analysis:  The Lakers were favored by 12 the last time these two teams faced each other in Game 5.  They ended up winning by 40.  Now, they are favored by 12 again, at home, against a Yao-less team.  I’m done trying to figure out this Laker team.  Instead, I’m going to concentrate on the BetOnline Total of 195 points.  The under has gone 4 and 2 in this series so far, but in both of those overs Yao had 12 and 19 points respectively.  L.A. figures to want to run up and down the court, like they did in Game 5 but this Game 7 projects to be another take your time and look for the right shot type game.  Aaron Brooks will be the key again as when he’s on, the Rockets are on.  When he’s off, they can’t even get to 85.  That makes me believe that the game is going to go under again.  It’s a trend that I just won’t try to fight.

Pick:  Under the BetOnline Total of 195

Parlay #2:  Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics

Spread:  Magic +2

BetOnline Total:  187

Analysis:  After squandering a nice lead in Game 5, the Magic responded in Game 6 and beat Boston by 8 points at home.  Boston needed 33 points in the fourth quarter in Game 5 in order to beat the Magic on their home court.  The Magic outscored the Celtics by 9 in the fourth quarter of Game 6 in order to secure an 8 point victory.  The bottom line is that both of these teams are very strong and both play excellent defense which is why I’m not going to try and find the winner ATS.  The under, like the Lakers vs. Houston series, has gone 4 and 2 in this series as well with the last three games all going under by 5, 12 ½, and 32 ½.  Notice the trend there?  The trend makes me believe that this is going to be another under game as neither Boston nor Orlando can survive in a shoot-out.  The Celtics in particular will be trying to keep things under control. They’re the home team.  So, that should be doable.

Pick:  Under the BetOnline Total of 187