Cleveland Cavaliers Atlanta Hawks Game 4 Predictions

Written May 11, 2009 by Jason Lowry

Cavaliers Hawks Basketball The Cleveland Cavaliers look to make it a perfect 8-0 start to the postseason, as they look to sweep the Atlanta Hawks in game 4 of this Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup. The Cavs took a 3-0 series lead with a convincing 97-82 to win on the road in game 3. LeBron James was outstanding in game 3, scoring 47 points with 12 rebounds and 8 assists. While James nearly outscored the rest of his team combined, the Cavs id get double digit scoring from three other players, as Zyndrunas Ilgauskas had 14, Delonte West had 12, and Mo Williams dropped in 11. For the Hawks Joe Johnson led the way with 21 points, and Josh Smith chipped in with 18, but they were the only two starters to score in double figures. The Hawks did get 17 points from Flip Murrary off the bench, but they don’t have a chance of beating the Cavs with only three players scoring in double figures. The Hawks don’t look like they have much of a chance in this series, but you know that they are going to come out and at least try to put a win up on the board. Game 4 stays in Atlanta, and here is a look at what I think each team needs to do to win, plus my prediction on who comes out on top against the spread.

What the Cavaliers have to do to win: Seeing how the Hawks don’t have an answer for James, I don’t see any reason why this guy shouldn’t dominate this game. James was lights out in game 3, shooting 15 of 25 from the field, including 5 of 10 from 3-point range. I do think that the Cavs need to try and get a few more players involved in game 4, as this will likely be the last game they play before they meet up with the Magic or Celtics in the Conference finals. I think the big key is getting Mo Williams on track in game 4, as the Cavs need this guy to score more than 11 points if they want to win an NBA Championship. I also think that they are going to need better bench play in the later rounds, as the only player that even scored of the bench was Joe Smith, who had 7 points and 8 rebounds. I look for another dominant performance from the Cavs in game 4, as they look like a team on a mission, knowing that every game means something regardless of what the series is at. Bet the Cavaliers -10 to win at Sportsbook.com.

What the Hawks have to do to win: I don’t really know if there is much this team can do to win this game. For one they are going to have to shoot lights out in game 4, if they want any chance at all at extending this series to a 5th game. I also think the Hawks need to attack the Cavs more, as they attempted just 11 free throws in game 3. Not only that but the Hawks were killed on the boards 46 to 23, and they have to find a way to lower that difference if they want to win. The Hawks really need Johnson to have a big game, and go for 30 points or more, and I also think they need to find more shots for Mike Bibby, as Bibby had just 8 points on 8 shots in game 3. I know Horford is coming back from an injury, but he has to be more of a factor if he is going to be on the floor for 36 minutes, as he had just 6 points and 4 rebounds in game 3. Hopefully this team comes out firing, and doesn’t just give up on the series. Bet the Hawks +10 to win at Sportsbook.com.

My Prediction: Cavaliers -10. The fact that this team has won every game by more than 10 points is reason enough to like this pick. The Hawks can’t stop James, and I think the Cavs understand how important it is to keep fresh legs for the rest of the playoffs, as there is no question the next two series will be much harder than the first two opponents they have faced. Look for another huge game from James, and I think the Cavs take this one by 15 points.

For those of you looking to do some NBA betting on the game this Monday, be sure to check out our expert NBA picks and grab the latest NBA odds at Betfirms.

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