Day 2 of NBA Playoff Hoops

The second day of the postseason gets underway with another four-pack of first round games. If you thought yesterday’s games were difficult to pick, todays might even be worse with teams like Utah, Philadelphia and New Orleans limping worse coming into the playoffs than Martin Crane, “Frasier’s” dad. The Lakers are reportedly on a mission and Orlando and Denver has something to prove besides the fact they had an exceptional regular season record.

Utah at L.A. Lakers 3:05 E ABC

On March 23, the Utah Jazz had just won their third game in a row against Houston and was playing their best defense of the season, looking primed for playoff push. Since that game, Jazz has hit mostly flat notes with 4-8 record (2-10 ATS) and the defense vanished. On the season, Utah capitulated 100.9 points per game, in their last dozen, a whopping 110 PPG. With this kind of effort, having to face the highest scoring team that made the postseason, is like the Guns and Roses album, “Appetite for Destruction”. The Lakers are 11.5-point favorites and Utah is 7-16 ATS as road underdogs. Coach Phil Jackson has to find ways to get Lamar Odom, Jordan Farmar and Sasha Vujacic back in groove physically and mentally, before the competition picks up. Los Angeles has won nine in a row at the Staples Center with 7-1-1 spread record over Utah.

Philadelphia at Orlando 5:35 E TNT

On paper, this doesn’t look like much of a series. Orlando swept Philadelphia 3-0 (though only one game was by double digits) this season and the Magic have won last four games at Amway Arena by 11.5 points per game. The Sixers’ offer little help from the perimeter and could use binoculars, ranked dead last in the NBA in three-point shooting at 31.8 percent. Orlando has crushed teams that shoot below 33 percent from behind the arc with 10-1 ATS record, with average margin of victory 15.6 points per game. For Philly, at least they made it. The 76ers have a dramatic edge in quickness and speed and must play at faster pace and create turnovers for easy baskets. Betjamaica.com has Philadelphia as 9.5-point underdogs with total of 190.5 and they are 6-2 ATS in 5-10-point range receiving points.

Miami at Atlanta 8:05 E TNT

Many of the other series have aspects that point to very specific things occurring one way or the other. This series is absolutely up for grabs, with the team that can play under control and harness emotions your winner. Atlanta has better players who are wilder and can act crazier than Hulk Hogan daydreaming about O.J. The Hawks Josh Smith is either really good or no-show and that is from quarter to quarter. Mike Bibby can make three’s and turn the ball over six times. Atlanta won 31 of 41 home games and was 10-4 ATS in most recent home chalk showings. No worries about Dwayne Wade, the dude is rock solid. Jermaine O’Neal used to be force within 15-feet of the basket, but injury and age have deteriorated his skills to the point of just serviceable. Michael Beasley really came on late in the year, but he plays defense like the man he is guarding has a rash. Miami is catching five-points and is 10-20 ATS versus teams who jack-up 18 or more three-point shots a game this season.

New Orleans at Denver 10:35 E TNT

Denver had a special regular season tying the franchise record for wins at 54. Though the Nuggets are merely average defensively at 100.9 points per game conceded, they make plays and have the offensive capabilities of laying out an opponent that has problems scoring like New Orleans. Denver is favored by six-points and that is as unsettling as Joaquin Phoenix as a rap singer. The Nuggets have crumbled come playoff time with wretched 2-16 and 3-15 ATS playoff record. New Orleans had a chance for fourth seed, but 2-6 (3-5 ATS) record in last eight contests lowered them to seventh slot. Chris Paul and David West must have Peja Stojakovic find the range against a mercurial Nuggets perimeter defense. The Hornets can sting Denver by creating turnovers and protecting the ball themselves. New Orleans has covered seven of last nine in the Mile High City.