The New Jersey Nets look to make it 11 straight play-off wins when they take on the San Antonio Spurs tonight in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
The Nets will go in as underdogs despite their hot streak which has included sweeps of the Celtics and Pistons. They return to the Finals for the second straight year following a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of the Lakers last season.
The Spurs won 60 games during the regular season to earn top spot in the powerful Western Conference and have taken care of the Suns, Lakers and Mavs to get to the Finals for the first time since their 1999 Championship.
It's the total that we believe offers value tonight...
San Antonio have the best combination of rebounding and defense in the league and will do a much better job of containing the Nets on the break. There are some marquee match-ups in store tonight including the much talked about Jason Kidd vs Tony Parker and Kenyon Martin vs. Tim Duncan battles.
Two-time MVP Duncan feels Martin is among the best defenders he has faced. "Kenyon is right up there with them. He's got quick feet, his hands are active. If there was to be one guy who defends me best, he would be right up them with them."
New Jersey have the luxury of having former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dikembe Mutumbo available to come off the bench and help out against the Twin Towers of Duncan and the soon-to-retire David Robinson.
The Nets are 3-1 Under on their last four road games while the Spurs are 8-4 Under their last twelve home games. Plus four of the last five meetings between these teams have played Under in averaging less than 180 points. Factor in the pressure of the Finals and the likelihood of some rusty offensive play following extended lay-offs for both teams and we consider the Under a strong play.
Recommended Play: Under 186.5
The Nets will go in as underdogs despite their hot streak which has included sweeps of the Celtics and Pistons. They return to the Finals for the second straight year following a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of the Lakers last season.
The Spurs won 60 games during the regular season to earn top spot in the powerful Western Conference and have taken care of the Suns, Lakers and Mavs to get to the Finals for the first time since their 1999 Championship.
It's the total that we believe offers value tonight...
San Antonio have the best combination of rebounding and defense in the league and will do a much better job of containing the Nets on the break. There are some marquee match-ups in store tonight including the much talked about Jason Kidd vs Tony Parker and Kenyon Martin vs. Tim Duncan battles.
Two-time MVP Duncan feels Martin is among the best defenders he has faced. "Kenyon is right up there with them. He's got quick feet, his hands are active. If there was to be one guy who defends me best, he would be right up them with them."
New Jersey have the luxury of having former NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dikembe Mutumbo available to come off the bench and help out against the Twin Towers of Duncan and the soon-to-retire David Robinson.
The Nets are 3-1 Under on their last four road games while the Spurs are 8-4 Under their last twelve home games. Plus four of the last five meetings between these teams have played Under in averaging less than 180 points. Factor in the pressure of the Finals and the likelihood of some rusty offensive play following extended lay-offs for both teams and we consider the Under a strong play.
Recommended Play: Under 186.5