The top-seeded Atlanta Hawks (8-7 SU, 6-9 ATS) look to stave off elimination in the Eastern Conference final when they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (11-2, SU, 7-6 ATS) Tuesday. You can watch the game live on TNT.
The Eastern Conference’s only 60-win team is on the verge of elimination after a gut-wrenching 114-111 overtime loss on Sunday, falling into an 0-3 hole in the conference final. The Atlanta Hawks showed championship toughness and had a chance at the win that would have guaranteed another home game. Instead they dropped their fourth straight game to the Cavs.
The Cavaliers are within one win of reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 2007 and only the second time in franchise history following Sunday’s overtime win. The Cavs have been the better team in this series and LeBron James has been the best player. Cleveland won for the 25th time in its last 27 home games and has won four straight over the Hawks going 3-1 ATS in that stretch.
KEY INJURY
Hawks guard Kyle Korver is out for the remainder of the playoffs with a severely sprained right ankle. Korver sustained the injury in the third quarter of Game Two when Cavs guard Matthew Dellavedova rolled on his leg scrambling for a loose ball.
Cavs guard Kyrie Irving didn’t play Sunday, missing his second straight game with knee tendinitis. He was a game-time decision Sunday and was held out with the Cavs up 2-0 in the series. Cleveland might as well sit him again with a 3-0 series lead.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“I have never seen a stat line like that in a playoff game or any other game. He just wouldn’t let us lose. Just would not let us lose. Amazing.” – Cavs coach David Blatt after LeBron James had 37 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists in Sunday’s win
BETTING TRENDS
- Atlanta is 4-1 ATS in its last five road games.
- Cleveland is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 home games.
- The OVER is 6-2 in Cleveland’s last eight home games.
KEY STATS
12: Cavs forward LeBron James recorded his 12th postseason triple-double with 37 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists Sunday, second only to Magic Johnson’s 30 in league history. His point total came after missing his first 10 field goal attempts.
30: Hawks guard Jeff Teague scored a season-high 30 points on Sunday but missed a game-winning three-pointer at the end of regulation.
14: Kent Bazemore scored 14 points with seven rebounds in 43 minutes Sunday starting in place of injured Kyle Korver.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
No team in NBA history has recovered from a 3-0 deficit to win a series and that’s what the Hawks are now faced with after dropping Game Three 114-111 in overtime. The Hawks had chances at the end of regulation to win and at the end of overtime to tie but could never hit the dagger, secure the loose ball, never grab victory. Injuries, bad luck, no superstar, whatever you want to call it, the result has been the same in this series. They’ve had good games from their best players, but not all during the same game. They missed key guys during important stretches and things just haven’t gone their way. The Hawks will look back at this series with a lot of regret.
Matthew Dellavedova is quickly becoming the most hated man in the NBA. He’s also the Cavaliers playoff MVP for his actions flopping around the court. Dellavedova got Chicago’s Taj Gibson tossed in the pivotal Game Five of the previous series and the Cavs got the win. He took out Kyle Korver by rolling on his leg and ankle scrambling for a loose ball on Friday then got Al Horford ejected Sunday by eliciting a response after rolling into his knees. One time could be called an accident, but three times is a pattern. Come on. They guy should have been ejected for his actions instead he’ll be taking his team to the Finals.
The series isn’t over but the Hawks lost their chance to get back into it Sunday and the frustration continued. Cleveland’s just been better and LeBron James is what the Hawks don’t have. James again carried the Cavs Sunday with a triple-double despite missing his first 10 field goal attempts and the rest of the team jumped on his back. Atlanta’s team-oriented style of play worked well during the regular season, but in playoff crunch time they don’t have a guy to lean on, the guy that can carry the team. LeBron is that guy and he’s proven that over his entire career. It’s easy to cash it in down 3-0 but I don’t see the Hawks doing that. Playing for pride they extend the series for at least one more game.
Atlanta 97, Cleveland 89
The NBA odds for this game will first open at BookMaker sportsbook. Gamble on the game between every commercial break with BookMaker’s live betting feature. Along with an adjusted in-game moneyline, you can wager on what will happen on the next play or how many points will be scored in the next half. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The matchup between the Atlanta Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers will start at 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 26, 2015, at Quicken Loans Arena. The contest will be broadcast nationally on TNT.
