The NBA Playoffs are about to jump into high gear with Round 2 action and there are some outstanding technical situations that apply in postseason action. The second round offers up a handful of great investment opportunities as well.
Here’s a look at some game-by-game trends to keep in mind for the second round.
Note: All numbers and trends are since 1991 unless otherwise stated.
ROUND 2 – Game 1
Game 1 hosts own a respectable 64-16 straight up (SU) and 46-31-3 against the spread (ATS) record. There are two specific areas where the home team tends to struggle.
Round 2 Game 1 hosts that enter off a straight up double-digit victory are dead even at 19-19-1 ATS. Also, Round 2 Game 1 home teams that are matched up against a stronger opponent that carries a won/loss percentage of .645 or better are a losing proposition at 13-18 ATS.
ROUND 2 – Game 2
Game 2 hosts are a mediocre 61-19 SU and 38-39-3 ATS. There are three specific areas where these home teams do a touch worse.
First, Game 2 hosts own a weak 12-16-1 ATS mark provided they are favored by seven or more points. Second, home teams are a dismal 12-16 ATS if they beat the pointspread by six points or more in their last outing. Finally, Game 2 hosts are just 6-14 ATS if they are matched up against an opponent that has a won/loss percentage of .670 or better.
ROUND 2 – Game 3
Game 3 road teams are a surprising 37-43 SU and 43-36-1 ATS. There are four specific areas that improve these numbers. Two are good and two are bad.
Be sure to play against a Round 2 Game 3 road team if they are off back-to-back SU and ATS wins (9-12-1 ATS) or off a 3-0 SU and ATS run (6-10-1 ATS).
Look to play on Round 2 Game 3 guests if they enter off a straight up loss (15-4 ATS) or find themselves matched up against an opponent that owns a won/loss percentage greater than .600 (29-14-1 ATS).
ROUND 2 – Game 4
Game 4 visitors are almost a break-even proposition at 39-41 SU and 38-40-2 ATS. There are two specific areas within this round where the guest plays a little worse.
Road teams that run without rest own a weak 7-12 ATS record. Also, Round 2 Game 4 guests are 2-5 ATS provided they enter off two or more straight up losses.
ROUND 2 – Game 5
Game 5 hosts are a noteworthy 52-16 SU and 31-35-2 ATS. It should be noted that teams in this role that enter off two or more straight up losses are just 8-12-1 ATS.
You certainly don’t want to lay a lot of lumber with these hosts either. Favorites priced at -6 or more at this stage of the dance are just 12-23 ATS.
ROUND 2 – Game 6
Game 6 visitors are a woeful 19-24 SU and ATS. How you invest your hard earned dollars here depends on what the road team did in Game 5.
If our guest enters off a SU and ATS victory, you’ll want to fade them here as road teams in this situation are a woeful 5-14 ATS. If the visitor arrives off a SU and ATS loss, then you’ll look to play on theses guests as they are a solid 8-5 ATS.
Finally, road teams that scoot in off a blowout victory of 10 points or more have fallen on hard times notching a 3-13 ATS mark.
ROUND 2 – Game 7
Game 7 home teams are a reliable 17-6 SU and 12-10-1 ATS. With such a small sample size, there were no significant tighteners that applied to these Game 7 hosts.
