It’s always interesting when you get a re-match of a playoff series that took place in the previous season, as it gives you a chance to see how each of the teams involved have changed. Last year, we got to see the surprising Atlanta Hawks face the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Final, but that ended up being a one-sided affair that saw the Cavs win in a 4-game sweep. The Hawks appeared to take a little step back this season, so it seemed as though this season’s playoff match-up with Cleveland might be even tougher than the last. It has certainly played out that way, as the Cavaliers took the opening two games of the series in stunningly comfortable fashion. The series now switches to Atlanta for Game 3, and you get the real sense that if Cleveland win this one, the sweep will happen once again. Look for the Hawks to come out fighting on their home court, though, as they probably don’t plan on going away that easily. You can follow all the NBA odds for this one at MyBookie.ag.
How To Bet The Cavaliers vs Hawks NBA Playoffs Odds, TV & Game Info
When: Friday, May 6 at 7 PM EST
Where: Phillips Arena, Atlanta
TV: ESPN
NBA Odds: TBA
Why bet on the Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers are starting to look like a very confident bunch, rolling to their 6th consecutive playoff win with a 123-98 rout of the Hawks in Game 2 of this series. The winning margin was impressive enough, but how they got there was even more amazing. The Cavs drained a total of 25 3-point shots in the win, which has to leave the Hawks feeling as though there is very little they can do to stop Cleveland. LeBron led the way with 27 points, and Kevin Love was totally dominant in the rebounding game. It always looked as though there was a talent gap between these two teams, but Game 2 showed just how large that gap may actually be.
Why bet on the Atlanta Hawks
Let’s make no mistake about it, the Hawks are now officially in a must win situation. They have to get the trauma of Game 2 out of their heads as they head home, but that is something that is likely to be easier said than done. Atlanta hung with the Cavaliers in Game 1 without ever really threatening them, but they looked like a beaten team in the second game. The Hawks are better on their home court, and they will try to get an early jump in Game 3, as they need a win to keep this series alive. You definitely feel that a loss in this one would mean the end of the road, and since the Hawks have now lost 6 straight to the Cavs going back to the regular season, you wonder how they are going to get the job done.
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
I liked the Cavs to win this one in 5, but the sweep looks to be very much on right now. I initially thought that this would be the game that the Hawks would win, but I am going to have to change that after seeing what happened in Game 2.
Cleveland Cavaliers 104 Atlanta Hawks 98
