NBA Playoffs Betting Odds: Eastern Conference Playoff Matchups
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
by Bodog Sportsbook
Thanks to a very curious decision by Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers to rest his starters on Monday night in what should have been an easy win over the Washington Wizards, the Celtics instead lost in Washington and now will have to face a red-hot New York Knicks team to open the NBA playoffs.
Rivers said he was more concerned with his Big 4 of Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen being rested and none of the four got off the bench. Rivers said his mind was made up after the Celtics were blown out 100-77 by the Heat on Sunday, a loss that put Boston behind Miami in the race for second in the East. So then the Celtic reserves went out and fell 95-94 in overtime to the Wizards on Monday.
The result, along with Miami's 98-90 win over the Hawks, guaranteed that the Miami Heat will be the No. 2 seed in the East while the Celtics will be No. 3 and will face the Knicks. Incidentally, Boston and New York close the season against each other on Wednesday, but Rivers already said he won’t play his starters much if at all.
The New York Knicks will be a very dangerous opponent as they have won seven games in a row heading into Tuesday night’s game with the Bulls. Bet on the game with Bodog’s NBA odds. The Celtics and Knicks have a storied playoff history.
They've met in the East playoffs 12 times before, with each team winning six times. The rivalry began in 1951, with Bob Cousy and Harry Gallatin; it ended in 1990, with Larry Bird and Patrick Ewing. The Celtics are 3-0 against the Knicks this season, but all three meetings were tightly contested and Carmelo Anthony played in just one of those games.
The other first-round East matchups are: No. 1 Chicago vs. No. 8 Indiana, No. 2 Miami vs. No. 7 Philadelphia and No. 4 Orlando vs. No. 5 Atlanta.
NBA playoff odds are out this week at Bodog Sportsbook!
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bob cousy - boston celtics - carmelo anthony - doc rivers - harry gallatin - kevin garnett - larry bird - miami heat - nba playoffs - new york knicks
