NBA playoffs: Game 6 and 7 analysis

By Tom Stryker
Don Best Handicapper
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It's crunch time in the NBA Playoffs. Three series in the second round are heading to game six and the pressure is at its peak. Will the seasoned and experienced survive? Or will the new kids on the block bust a move?

Handicapping post-season action at this stage of the game can be tricky. With elimination on the line, teams play with a sense of urgency. Every shot will be contested. The home town fans will be louder than ever. The pressure to succeed will be intense. As an investor, you ask yourself repeatedly, "Is the smart play to lay the juice or take the points?" Thankfully, my NBA database has effectively kept me on the winning path in this difficult situation.

With all records dating back to the 1991 NBA Playoffs, here's what I discovered.

Any Round - Game 6 Host
Home Team Record Overall - 50-43 SU and 43-50 ATS with 43 overs and 50 unders
1. If our host is matched up against an opponent with a won/loss percentage greater than .670, this situation has recorded 23 'unders' and 36 'overs'!
2. Home teams in the NBA Finals are a dismal 2-8 ATS in this situation.
3. Provided our host enters off a double-digit loss and is matched up against a foe that carries a won/loss percentage of .670 or better, this angle jumps to 15-6 ATS!
4. If our "play on" home team fell to the line by 10 points or more last, this system zips to a nifty 8-3 ATS!

Any Round - Game 7 Host
Home Team Record Overall - 31-8 SU and 23-14-2 ATS
1. If the posted total is 189 or less, the 'under' holds a profitable 14-7-1 ATS record.
2. If our host scored 98 points or more in game six, the 'over' hold a respectable 8-2 ATS mark.
3. Provided our home team is matched up against an opponent that enters off a SU and ATS victory, the game seven host is a sweet 15-8-1 ATS.
4. Home teams that did NOT beat the pointspread by three points or more last are a sizzling 18-8-2 ATS.

San Antonio versus New Orleans on Thursday night. Boston versus Cleveland and Los Angeles versus Utah on Friday night. Those teams will be battling in game six of their respective series and tensions will be high. Are you going to be on the right side? Be sure to check the technical information listed above to ensure that you make it to window to cash your ticket!

A professional handicapper since 1984, Tom Stryker offers you 23 years of experience. Tom is known for his strong work ethic and his commitment to delivering the best analysis available. See Tom's
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