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NBA Picks: Who Should Be Your Monday Night NBA Playoff Picks?

Monday, April 18, 2011

by BetUS.com

NBA Picks: Who Should Be Your Monday Night NBA Playoff Picks?

It was a wild weekend of postseason NBA Basketball Betting, and with every series now underway, who should be your Monday NBA Playoff Picks?

Let’s take a look, as both the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls are back in action after Game 1 wins.

Eastern Conference Playoffs First Round

- Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat
Miami Leads Series 1-0 (Miami 0-1 ATS)
Monday, April 18: 7:00 p.m. TNT
Live from American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL

NBA Betting Odds:
Philadelphia: +9 ½
Miami: -9 ½
Total: 189 ½

Let’s start in Miami, where things are definitely sunny after the Heat beat the 76ers 97-89 in Game 1 Saturday. It was a back-and-forth affair that wasn’t decided until the final minutes, and when it comes to the NBA Playoff Picks, we expect much the same Monday.

In Game 1, the star of the show was Dwyane Wade. While simply looking at the box score would reveal that Chris Bosh led Miami with 25 points, and LeBron James was again fantastic with 21 points and 14 rebounds, it was Wade who came up with the big buckets late. The veteran guard had just 17 points, but five of them came in the final two minutes of play.

But with a close first game in the books, we actually the 76ers to keep Monday’s affair close as well. Therefore, it’s Philadelphia who’ll be our Monday NBA Playoff Picks.

The truth is, this 76ers team was excellent against the spread throughout the year, going 46-35-1, and is the exact kind of team that will give Miami trouble. With athletes like Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young and others, they can defend James, Wade and company, and did Saturday, allowing the Heat to shoot just 41.9 percent from the field. Plus, it’s not like the final score of Game 1 was a fluke. Philadelphia led by 12 after one quarter, and were outscored by just three in the second half. They will keep things close.

Ultimately, Miami may win Game 2, but 9 ½ points is entirely too many for them to be giving. Instead, take Philadelphia with another NBA Playoffs Picks cover.

BetUS Sportsbook NBA Playoff Picks: Philadelphia +9 ½

- Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls
Chicago Leads Series 1-0 (Chicago 0-1 ATS)
Monday, April 18: 9:30 p.m. TNT
Live from United Center, Chicago, IL

Betting Odds:
Indiana: +12
Chicago: -12
Total: 192

Next up, we travel to Chicago, where after surviving an epic Game 1, the Bulls will look to take a 2-0 series lead against Indiana.

In that Game 1, it looked like for all intents and purposes, the Bulls were done for. They trailed by four at the half, and eight after three quarters, before making a wild fourth quarter comeback. Of course it was all highlighted by All-Star Derrick Rose, this team’s best player. He had a staggering stat-line of 39 points, and even when he didn’t score, was a focal point. His pass to Kyle Korver for a corner three-pointer broke a late tie, and gave Chicago a lead which they wouldn’t relinquish.

So can the Bulls make it 2 for 2 against Indiana? We think so.

When it comes to Monday’s NBA Playoff Picks, it just seems like the Pacers won’t be able to keep up. They left everything out on the court Saturday, and with all due respect to their club, we find it hard to believe they’ll shoot better than the 46 percent they did in Game 1. Especially considering that the Bulls had the No. 1 field goal percentage defense in the league this year, allowing just 43 percent. Remember also that Chicago outrebounded Indiana by a +15 margin (49 to 34).

In Chicago, with a game under their belts, look for the Bulls to cruise to victory. They’re our NBA Playoff Picks Monday night.

BetUS Sportsbook NBA Playoff Picks: Chicago -12

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andre iguodala - basketball betting - chicago bulls - chris bosh - derrick rose - dwyane wade - indiana pacers - kyle korver - lebron james - miami heat

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