NBA Basketball
2013-05-03 - Indiana Pacers at Atlanta Hawks
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball Play Offs
Friday 3 May 2013 - Tip Off 7pm
Midnight (British Time)
Preview
The Jekyll and Hyde nature of this First Round series continued in Game 5 as the Indiana Pacers held on to home court advantage and get their first chance to close the series as they travel to the Atlanta Hawks. Both teams have been guilty of being a different kettle of fish on their home court than on the road in the series so far and that will at least give the Hawks some belief they can force a Game 7.
It was once again the Pacers that imposed their physicality in Game 5 to ease to victory and move up 3-2 in the series. It got to the point when Atlanta were feeling hard done by as they were called for three different technicals for arguing with the officials about lack of calls going their way.
Indiana also once again found their offensive groove in Game 5 and reached triple digits as a team for the third straight time in their home games in this series. That is a far cry to the sub-90 points they are winning in their two games in Atlanta as they look to snap a 13 game losing run in this Arena.
Despite the Pacers winning their 3 home games by an average of 18 points per game, there is no doubt that they would like to move through to the Semi Final without having another home game on Sunday. Many teams say that the Play Offs don't get started until you win a road game and that is a theory that Indiana clearly believe in as they head south for this game.
There is no doubt that Atlanta struggled in Game 5 as they only hit 33% from the field after Indiana made some adjustments from the two games in Atlanta. Larry Drew is demanding his team begins to play smarter as he was concerned with the amount the Hawks focused on badgering the officials than getting the job done on the court.
Head to Head
These two teams have now played each other 9 times this season and the home team has won every contest which gives the Pacers a 5-4 season series lead.
Atlanta have won 13 in a row at home against Indiana.
Prediction
This has been a tough series to get a hold of simply because both Indiana and Atlanta have been so different at home and on the road.
The only consistency so far is that the teams have been combining for the over total points and that looks the call again.
The Pick :
Atlanta Hawks 96-95 Indiana Pacers
