Diesel dominance: Bettors expect big Finals from Shaq

Diesel dominance: Bettors expect big Finals from Shaq   

 

By Brian Covert
Sat, Jun 3, 2006  

 

It was sometime during the Miami Heat-Detroit Pistons Game 4 when bettors realized they were witnessing a rebirth of Shaquille O’Neal.

 

In the second half with the Heat comfortably in front but not yet assured of victory, the 34-year-old O’Neal saw a chance to put an exclamation point on the game.

 

Reacting to Rip Hamilton`s move off a pick, the big man stepped out and swatted Hamilton’s shot attempt. Then picking up the ball at his own 3-point line, O’Neal went coast to coast, finishing the play with a Jordan-esqe, hesitation layup.

 

Game, set, match. Heat win 89-78 as 2-point favorites.

 

“It may have been the best play of these playoffs,” says Covers Expert Dave Malinsky.

 

It was a defining play in a series that evoked memories of a younger O’Neal. All told, the big man averaged 21.6 points and 10.5 rebounds, capped by a huge 28-point, 16-rebound effort in a 95-78 series-clinching win.

 

But bettors should think twice before taking Miami at +138 to win the NBA title based solely on O’Neal’s play.

 

“You have to think it was somewhat of an easy series for O’Neal,” says Malinksy. “In playing Ben Wallace, he didn’t have to contend with a true center and he wasn’t forced to play much defense because as we all know that’s not Wallace’s strength.”

 

That doesn’t mean bettors should expect a poor performance from O’Neal in the NBA Finals. Quite the contrary, especially considering the Mavs and Suns went six games to afford the Heat plenty of rest.

 

With Dallas advancing, Shaq now has to contend with more traditional centers that he did with Detroit. DeSagana Diop and Erick Dampier are both of tough on the defensive end, although neither brings much in terms of offense.

 

But that’s not necessarily what should concern you if you’re a Heat fan looking to back your team. Miami has other problems that could hurt them in the Finals.

 

"It could get real ugly if you ask Antoine Walker to guard Dirk Nowitzki,” says Malinsky. “It’s (that) question that would concern me most if I’m (Heat coach) Pat Riley. Shaq will have a big series. I just don’t know what that will mean for the outcome.”