Friday NBA Playoff Betting – Cavs onslaught will continue
Friday night’s NBA playoff betting card presents an interesting trio of games. One team is looking to continue its dominance, one team is looking to regain its swagger and one team is looking to regain its home court advantage. Meanwhile, three underdogs will be hoping to play things out their way.
The sportsbook odds are posted so let’s take a look at Friday’s games.
NBA playoff odds: Friday night games
- Detroit Pistons will try to derail the L-Train at home
- Orlando Magic look to find their three-point shot in Philadelphia
- Rockets aim to protect home court advantage
Cavaliers vs Pistons odds: Friday, 7:05 PM ET at The Palace of Auburn Hills
Line: Cavs -4.5
The Detroit Pistons haven’t been able to accomplish much in their series with the Cleveland Cavaliers, which is why they find themselves down 0-2 and nearly on the brink of elimination. Friday’s game will be exactly that, though, as the Pistons can ill-afford to go into a three-game hole against the team that finished with the best record in the regular season.
The Pistons don’t seem to have any answers and they might not have the will to win. They can’t figure out a defensive strategy to slow down LeBron James and as he imposes his will, he is simultaneously breaking down the will of the Pistons.
Detroit has looked lackadaisical throughout this series and their veterans are playing sluggishly. They know the end is near. Bet on the Cavaliers to take a 3-0 chokehold.
Magic vs 76ers odds: Friday, 8:05 PM ET at the Wachovia Center
Line: Magic -3.5
The Orlando Magic have been in control of their first-round series with the Philadelphia 76ers despite the fact that they haven’t put their best foot forward. They led a monstrous lead slip away in Game 1 but an optimist would say they know what it takes to dominate their opponent. The Magic tied up the series with a win on Wednesday and will look to regain home court advantage on Friday.
The 76ers should be somewhat concerned, though, as the Magic are winning without the help of their best weapon: the three-point shot. The Magic were one of the best three-point teams in the NBA this season but are shooting just 26.8 percent from beyond the arc so far this series. They averaged 10 three-pointers per game in the regular season but have totaled just 11 so far in this series. If they wake out of their slumber, the 76ers could be out of the running very quickly. Bet on the Magic to regain their swagger on Friday night.
Trail Blazers vs Rockets odds: Friday, 9:35 PM ET at the Toyota Center
Line: -5.5
The Portland Trail Blazers shook off their playoff nerves in Game 2 and managed to tie the series with the Houston Rockets. Even so, there is reason for concern. Even though the Trail Blazers managed to slow down Yao Ming and finally got production from Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, the Rockets were still in the game all the way until the end, trailing by one point with four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
At home, where the Rockets were 33-8 this season, look for them to be able to get the ball to Yao Ming in better positions on the floor and look for their defenders, like Ron Artest and Shane Battier, to do a better job on Roy as the Rockets protect their home court. Bet on Houston.
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Craig Parsons is an avid sports fan, but his true love has always been basketball. Too short to realize his dream of playing in the NBA, he did the next best thing: sports betting and covering basketball for a living. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
