Online Betting Contest

The tonight match between SA Spurs @ NO Hornets is the match where the coaches’ experience will have a bigger impact in the entire match.

Although almost all previews are talking only about players, I want to emphasize the coaches’ roles.

It is true that players play the game in the field, but the real “minds” behind this match are coaches.

The San Antonio’s coach Gregg Popovich is leading the team this year in the 12 consecutive seasons.

More statistical data can be found here http://www.nba.com/coachfile/gregg_popovich/

What I can tell you is that Gregg Popovich is one of the coach who learn from his mistakes and can use the opposite team strength into his advantage. This sounds strange but this is one of his abilities.

It is all right for Spurs that NBA review doesn’t find problem with Horry’s foul on Hornets’ West few days ago. I’m sure that this foul was one of the coach’s strategies. What does Robert Horry did for 5 years? Almost nothing in statistical table, but in reality he did a great job helping with a memorable 3 pointer 3 years ago when SA Spurs win the title, and now with a “magical” foul.

The whole SA Spurs is a UNITED team with players that played together since more than any other NBA team.

The NBA is a TEAM game not superstars players which are playing basketball.

The strongest mentally (team & coach) will go into NBA 2007 – 2008 semifinal and the winner takes it all!

I would take SA Spurs @ 2.74 (game of the year)

Pick: ATL Hawks +15.0

Odd: 1.95

Stake: 9/10

Sportbook: Mansion.com

Reasons:

I have to admit that I see Celtics in the PlayOff final, but the game of today will have more impact over Celtics’ players. Everybody sees Celtics in the NBA final (I meant every sportbook) few days ago (and also few weeks ago), and almost none sees Hawks join the playoff. This is sport. The Boston has to win this match but do they really prove that can beat the Atlanta with more than 15 points? The main reason is not the big revenge, instead is taking away the next step toward NBA final (or even the title). On the other hand for the Hawks, this match is more important than any other match from the past years. Statistically speaking in this PlayOff, in all three matches played at home by Celtics against the Hawks, the margin of victory was more than 19 (23, 19, 25 points) and the spread was set by sportsbook to 14. I’m sure that the bigger pressure is under the Celtics. If this match would took place in the regular season, I probably would say to take BOS -15.0 but being such an important for BOS, I suggest you to take ATL +15.0