Rust only detriment for Cavaliers in opener

Basketball coaches despise too many days off. The occasional two or three after a tough stretch of games is welcome now and again, but idly sitting by and practicing tends to have negative affect. This can happen in the playoffs, where one team is superior over another and sweeps them in four, while upcoming opponent had to go the distance and play seven games to advance to next round.

This is what Cleveland coach Mike Anderson has to deal with after his Cavaliers strolled thru Detroit, winning four games by 13 points a game and covering the spread four times. The Cavs have won nine of last 10 and backers have profited enormously with same 9-1 ATS record.

LeBron James and the coach made sure the team stayed focused, unlike the Lakers in the first round and oddsmakers like those at DiamondSportsbook.com are expecting similar outcome, at least in the series. Cleveland is a -2450 to win the series, meaning somebody would want to layout serious “dinero” just to show a modest profit.

Atlanta’s only hope in the series is to catch Cleveland taking a catnap in the first game. LeBron won’t be asleep, but the timing of his shots or the crispness of passes might be off a trifle, giving the Hawks a chance for easier than expected baskets. The eight day layoff might affect the marksmanship of sharp shooters like Delonte West, Mo Williams, Daniel Gibson and Wally Szczerbiak.

Atlanta does a good job handling the ball with Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson in the backcourt and the Hawks are 10-2 ATS after a game committing eight or less turnovers this season. Cleveland is 28-19 ATS against teams that commit 14 or less turnovers like Atlanta, bettors should at least be aware the average margin of victory is 7.3 points per game, well the below 11.5 in which the Cavs are favored.

Of course, this is also asking Al Horford to be Windex-man, Johnson and Bibby to shoot 60 percent and Josh Smith to act like mature veteran who has a number of years of service under his belt. Possible yes, likely no.

Cleveland is pretty much everything Miami wasn’t. They have even a better superstar play in James, plenty of veteran players who know the playoff drill and have hunger and desire to win championship, not satisfied by posting a single victory. The Cavaliers take great pride in 41-2 record in Quicken Loans Arena, in which they covered the spread 29 times. About the only fault one can find is pedestrian 9-10 ATS mark in last 19 games as double digit home favorite.

They like to set a first half tempo that allows them to play at whatever pace they desire. Cleveland is 7-0 ATS after four victories in a row and 16-1 ATS after leading their last three games by five or more points at the half this season.

Atlanta has been a nemesis of sorts to Cleveland, playing the Cavs tight all three games this season, winning once and covering the trio of tilts. The Hawks have taken two of seven in northern Ohio and flown away spread winners five times.

TNT will have the first contest of the last conference semi-final to start at 8:05 Eastern, with the Cavs 14-3 ATS as playoff chalk.