Eastern Conference Central Division Action in the NBA Playoffs

The Central Division has seen some of the wildest results of the playoffs thus far. Let’s take a look at all the unlikely action from yesterday.

Chicago Bulls Defeat Brooklyn Nets 142-134 in Triple Overtime Thriller

The Chicago Bulls defeated the Brooklyn Nets in one of the wildest games in recent NBA history. It was a triple overtime thriller fueled largely by the sensational play of diminutive guard Nate Robinson, who scored 29 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.

“I always think I’m on fire, kind of like the old school game NBA Jam,” he said. “You make a couple in a row, the rim’s on fire. You shoot the ball, the ball’s on fire. I feel like that at times — all the time. Whenever I’m in the game, I just play with a lot of confidence. You kind of have to lie to yourself and feel like you can’t miss.”

The Bulls were three point favorites in this one, but I don’t think many bettors thought they’d cover the spread like this. Here were the rest of the betting trends for both squads heading into yesterday’s game, courtesy of OddsShark.com:

Brooklyn Nets Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Chicago are 5-5
After playing Chicago are 3-7
After a loss are 7-3

Chicago Bulls Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Brooklyn are 8-2
After playing Brooklyn are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

A few Nets at Bulls trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Brooklyn’s last 13 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Brooklyn’s last 8 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 16 of Brooklyn’s last 22 games
Brooklyn is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
Chicago is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
Chicago is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Brooklyn
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Brooklyn

 

Hawks Defeat Pacers 90-69

The Atlanta Hawks were two-point favorites against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, and they came out gunning from the beginning. “We wanted to show them we’re here to play,” Atlanta point guard Jeff Teague said. “We were not going to back down to them.”

It was a do-or-die game for the Hawks, who would have been eliminated from the playoffs had they lost. They raced out to a 54-30 lead at halftime and never looked back, led by Al Horford’s 26 point and 16 rebound performance.

“We were ready to go,” Atlanta coach Larry Drew said. “Before the game, I went in the locker room to give my speech and it was quiet in there. That told me they were focused.”

Here were some of the other betting trends for both teams heading into yesterday’s game, courtesy of OddsShark.com:

Indiana Pacers Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Atlanta are 5-5
After playing Atlanta are 6-4
After a win are 7-3

Atlanta Hawks Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
Before playing Indiana are 5-5
After playing Indiana are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5

A few Pacers at Hawks trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Indiana’s last 5 games when playing Atlanta
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Indiana’s last 7 games
Indiana is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Atlanta
Indiana is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Atlanta is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Atlanta’s last 5 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta’s last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Atlanta’s last 8 games at home