Nearly all of the 1st contests of the 1st round of the playoffs in the NBA Eastern Conference ended up as we all anticipated.
The sole real upset was the Magic gambling loss to the Hawks by 10 points. But whilst the other 3 1st round competitions went to the faves, there are still lots of questions about each team in the East, according to their performances over the weekend in NBA gambling.
The Magic’s loss was the huge one, so let’s talk about that first. The Hawks were in control for the majority of the game following both teams came out to a slow beginning in the first quarter. But starting in the 2nd, the Hawks starting putting distance between the teams, making it a 14 point game by the fourth quarter. By then, the Magic might not rally to triumph over the deficit, and dropped the game 103-93.
The top seeded Bulls also came out flat in the 1st match, and were down by 4 at the half and by 8 starting the fourth quarter. It was just a 16-1 run in the final minutes of the fourth quarter that turned the match around and competition the Bulls the 104-99 win over the Indiana Pacers. But Chicago will need to begin playing better in the 1st three quarters, or the Pacers will shut the deal down the stretch at the sportsbook.
The Boston Celtics had defense difficulties in the first half of their match versus the Knicks, and were down by 12 entering halftime. But then their defense turned around, placed the Knicks to 13 in the 3rd quarter, and Ray Allen put in a three-pointer in the final seconds to grant the Celtics the 87-85 win. The Knicks experienced a huge loss with Chauncey Billups leaving the match with a strained knee, and he is sketchy for Game 2 in Boston.
Finally, the Heat escaped the 76ers with a score of 97-89. The 2 squads traded good and poor quarters, but Miami was able to outscore the Sixers by 23 points in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. The 12 point lead that Philadelphia built in the first quarter quickly evaporated, and the squad could not put the game back together against the Heat offense.
Strangely enough, the majority of the top squads in the East came out somewhat flat this weekend and most were in considerable danger of losing their first competitions. The Magic were the just team to go all the way up and decline the competition, however the others were exhibiting some doubtful competing in the first quarters and 1st halves. With the eventual wins, though, it is still improbable any of the longshot teams will take down the leading three teams in the East.