NBA Playoffs Preview: Miami Heat at Atlanta Hawks Game 5
Written April 29, 2009 by Black Widow
Zaza Pachulia is known as a backup center for Atlanta, playing a few minutes here and there. He’s rugged and far from graceful, handling the dirty work while letting others claim the glory. But in the playoffs he has been anything but a role player. For two years running, this native from Georgia had taken a lead role. Just last postseason, Pachulia fired up Atlanta by going forehead-to-forehead with Celtics’ All-Star Kevin Garnett. That move sent a message, showing that his underdog team had no intentions of backing down to eventual Champion Boston in a series that went the full seven games. On Monday, you could say Pachulia saved the season for Atlanta with his performance in Game 4 against the Miami Heat. Sporting a black eye for extra effect, he scored 12 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in a game the Hawks had to have to even the series at two games apiece. Teammate Marvin Williams acknowledged his effort, saying there was no way the Hawks would have won that game without Pachulia. Wednesday’s NBA odds for Game 5 show the Hawks -6 against the Heat and the Over/Under set at 179 points.
This has been a series of blowouts, with the winning team dominating by at least 10 points in all 4 games. Pachulia could play another huge role for the Hawks, especially if Marvin Williams remains sidelined by injury. Coach Mike Woodson used only a 7-man rotation for Game 4, with Pachulia playing the crucial minutes down the stretch instead of starting center Al Horford. It was a pretty easy call considering Horford was only 1-for-5 shooting on the night. Meanwhile, Pachulia went 5-for-8 and led his team to the franchise’s first road playoff victory since 1997.
Pachulia took a shot in the right eye of Atlanta’s Game 3 blowout loss to the Heat by 29 points, so he not only plays the part of a tough guy, he looks it. The Heat know they will have to match Pachulia’s intensity if they are to steal another one in Atlanta tonight. Miami has injury woes of their own. Though Dwyane Wade is still bothered by back spasms, the stud guard says he’ll definitely be ready for Game 5. Jamario Moon isn’t as fortunate. Miami stated that Moon is done for the season after suffering a sports hernia which will require surgery.
It’s pretty clear that the key to this series is the performance of Dwyane Wade. Miami’s leader and floor general scored only 19 points on 8-of-21 shooting in a 64-90 Game 1 loss, committing 8 turnovers. In a Game 2 win, 108-93, Wade poured in 33 points on 11-of-20 shooting, connecting with 6-of-10 from distance. In a Game 3 blowout win, 107-78, Wade scored 29 points on 10-for-21 from the field with four 3-pointers. Then in Game 4, Wade only scored 22 points on his worst shooting performance, 9-for-26 from the field and only 1-for-8 from distance. So it’s pretty crucial for Wade to come back with a strong effort tonight and at least 30 points if the Heat are going to steal Game 5. I’m sure Zaza Pachulia will have something to say about it for Atlanta as well.
Be sure to check back throughout the playoffs for NBA picks from the Black Widow, as well as our other expert handicappers. There’s no better source than Betfirms for increasing your winnings when you bet on the NBA playoffs.
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