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This has been a brilliant series for intelligent bettors, no doubt about that, there was value in the odds all over the place. Now Atlanta leads 3-2 and will hope to complete the job at home in Game 6, but they will face an experienced Indiana side which will fight for its live.
Not much to say about Atlanta here, they are a decent side, even with their best player Horford missing. The Hawks took great advantage of Indiana`s struggles of late and are now one game away from one of the biggest upsets in NBA history, knocking over the no1. seed in the first round of the playoffs. However, the Hawks will need to keep up their solid play from the backcourt if they are to get a result here in Game 6.
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Bet with the best odds and highest limits at Pinnacle. |
Indiana lost two close Eastern Conference finals against Miami in the last two years and made this season all about getting the no. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, to have home court advantage, which they did. However the Pacers started to suddenly play bad a couple of months ago and are struggling big-time since than. Indiana has lost 8 of the last 13 games in the regular season and are now facing a 3-2 deficit against the Hawks. Maybe the Pacers’ most important player (alongside George), center Roy Hibbert, is struggling big time, averaging something close to 4 points and 1 rebounds over the last few weeks, simply incredible. Clearly coach Vogel’s system does not work anymore after trading Granger mid-season and the issues for Indiana do not seem to be on the verge of resolving.
Nevertheless, Indiana did turn out when it most mattered to get the 1st seed late in the season and to tie the series 2-2 against the Hawks on the road. They had a hiccup in Game 5 but will surely turn up for this Game 6 in Atlanta.
My input here is that Indiana will make use of its experience to force a 7th game at home and that the Hawks will melt under pressure. By no means am I overrating the Pacers, they are clearly in trouble, and I am not underestimating these resilient Hawks. But all these games between the two were close, and now with the playoff series on the line, my pick is that the Pacers will get on top. They proved they won`t play 2 bad games in a row in the series, and the Hawks couldn’t play 2 solid matches in a row. Atlanta already crumbled under pressure with 6 turnovers in the 4th quarter in game 4 and now with all eyes on them at home, I doubt they can make it. My tip is Indiana to win, this time the odds value lies on the Pacers, I have no doubt about that – and it should be a winning bet. Prediction: Indiana Pacers @ Atlanta Hawks 90-85.
Pick: Indiana Pacers
Odds: 1.91 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.28
Event date: 1 May
