NBA Playoff Journal (May 6)
by Larry Ness

The Spurs have 'owned' the Suns since 2003, winning playoff series in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2008 against Phoenix. Suns PG Steve Nash owns an even worse history, as not only was he part of the previously mentioned Phoenix teams, he was also 0-2 vs the Spurs in two playoff meetings while with the Mavs. Nash 'torched' the Spurs for 33 points on 13-for-19 shooting while adding 10 assists in Game 1 and then last night had 19 points and six assists in a near identical 110-102 Phoenix win in Game 2 (Game 1 final was 111-103).
Stoudemire led the Suns with 23 points and 11 rebounds with Hill and Richardson both scoring 18, while off the bench, Frye had 15 points (5-of-6 on threes) and Dudley 11 points and six rebounds. The Spurs made 50.6 percent from the floor but now find themselves down 0-2. As I pointed out yesterday, teams taking 2-0 leads in a best-of-seven series are 214-14 all-time in those series, an almost 95 percent win rate (94.9). The Suns are now 18-3 SU and 16-4-1 ATS at home since the All Star break. Home teams continue to dominate this postseason, as last night's win by the Suns gives them a 6-1 SU and and 5-2 ATS mark in the second round.
Home teams are 38-14 (.731) and 34-18 ATS (65.4 percent) since the beginning of the playoffs. There have been five overs and two unders after seven games of the second round, with totals now at 25 overs, 25 unders and two pushes since the start of play (April 17). Those following the Zig Zag theory lost last night with the Spurs and are 1-2 in the second round, 20-20 ATS in the postseason to-date.
ESPN gets the coverage tonight (8:05 ET), as the Magic look to go up 2-0 vs the Hawks, after an easy 114-71 Game 1 win. The Hawks have a well-documented 2-11 SU and ATS mark on the playoff road the last three postseasons while the Magic remain the NBA's only unbeaten team this postseason at 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS. Orlando owns an 11-game winning streak going back to the latter part of the regular season (10-1 ATS) and has won 25 of its last 28 games going back to February 28. Are the Magic the NBA's best team? Orlando is favored by 9 1/2-points tonight with a total of 189.
Good luck...Larry
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