Figured I would stop cluttering the NBA section with a couple posts each day and just go with one thread. Feel free to add your own props, discuss, etc. Remember, we're all in this to win! So let's be constructive.
Play #1: Ray Allen OVER 18.5 Points (-115)
The first and foremost reason to like this, JJ Redick is going to draw the starting assignment likely as the Magic shooting guard again. Redick just is not athletic enough to stay with Allen and should also offer Allen post-up opportunities if he wants.
Here's Allen's numbers against the Magic in the regular season.
G1: 21 pts, 8/13 FGs, 3/6 3s, 2/2 FTs
G2: 12 pts, 6/12 FGs, 0/2 3s, 0/0 FTs
G3: 32 pts, 12/25 FGs, 1/5 3s, 7/7 FTs
G4: 16 pts, 6/14 FGs, 2/7 3s, 2/2 FGs
While the point totals weren't always impressive, the shooting percentage obviously was. 32/64 for 50%. His 3 pt. shooting was not great, 6/20 for 30%. I think you have to take into consideration though that all these performances were pre-KG being done for the year. The 32 point game came without KG & Rondo. And the last game was one of the ones right before KG shut it down, so the flow was still not as it is now offensively for Boston.
To me, Boston has become a much more loose and free firing offense without KG there for that dump down post presence. That should mean a continuation of the form we saw in Round 1 vs. Chicago where the 3 ball was a weapon after Game 1. Orlando is a better defensive squad than Chicago, but the match-up here is a good one to start. Pietrus will probably get some looks on D vs. Allen as well, but even so, I think it favors Allen. So long as Redick starts, I expect the Cs to go to Allen early and even if it's Pietrus playing more, I wouldn't be surprised if they make a concerted effort to get their outside game going to perhaps loosen it up inside against Howard as much as they can (probably not much).
Since this is Game 1 and you don't have a specific road map to follow, I go with one unit plays on anything for Game 1s.
Play #1: Ray Allen OVER 18.5 Points (-115)
The first and foremost reason to like this, JJ Redick is going to draw the starting assignment likely as the Magic shooting guard again. Redick just is not athletic enough to stay with Allen and should also offer Allen post-up opportunities if he wants.
Here's Allen's numbers against the Magic in the regular season.
G1: 21 pts, 8/13 FGs, 3/6 3s, 2/2 FTs
G2: 12 pts, 6/12 FGs, 0/2 3s, 0/0 FTs
G3: 32 pts, 12/25 FGs, 1/5 3s, 7/7 FTs
G4: 16 pts, 6/14 FGs, 2/7 3s, 2/2 FGs
While the point totals weren't always impressive, the shooting percentage obviously was. 32/64 for 50%. His 3 pt. shooting was not great, 6/20 for 30%. I think you have to take into consideration though that all these performances were pre-KG being done for the year. The 32 point game came without KG & Rondo. And the last game was one of the ones right before KG shut it down, so the flow was still not as it is now offensively for Boston.
To me, Boston has become a much more loose and free firing offense without KG there for that dump down post presence. That should mean a continuation of the form we saw in Round 1 vs. Chicago where the 3 ball was a weapon after Game 1. Orlando is a better defensive squad than Chicago, but the match-up here is a good one to start. Pietrus will probably get some looks on D vs. Allen as well, but even so, I think it favors Allen. So long as Redick starts, I expect the Cs to go to Allen early and even if it's Pietrus playing more, I wouldn't be surprised if they make a concerted effort to get their outside game going to perhaps loosen it up inside against Howard as much as they can (probably not much).
Since this is Game 1 and you don't have a specific road map to follow, I go with one unit plays on anything for Game 1s.
-- Im ready to eat this one up
