NBA Betting: Play-offs loom as business end begins

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 17 February 2009 / 1 Comments

The All-Star weekend was, as ever, a terrific spectacle but now that the fun is over, the game is really beginning. Nick Shiambouros reports on the NBA at the half-way stage...

The All-Star break ended on Sunday with smiles from Kobe Bryant as his Western Conference team beat the Eastern Conference 146-119 in Pheonix. The end of the All-Star Game signals the start of the second half of the season and a great deal is on the line from now on as the play-offs loom.

In the Western Conference the Los Angeles Lakers lead the way with a 6.5 game advantage over San Antonio and Denver. The Lakers are currently trading at [1.72] to win the Conference and I think that price is just about right. Los Angeles have raised their intensity level and are clearly playing the best ball in the west. Even in the All-Star Game on Sunday Kobe Bryant played extremely hard for such an event and is very focused at the moment. In addition, the Lakers desperately want to have home court advantage in the play-offs so I can't see them letting up.

I advised backing the San Antonio Spurs at [18.5] for the NBA championship back in December when they had some injury issues but they are now trading at [11.5]. The Spurs will coast into the play-offs and already have one eye on meeting the Lakers in the Conference final. Coach Povovich will ensure that the Spurs do not lose sight of the winning post in the second half of the season.

The Denver Nuggets are the surprise package in the West and amazingly they are still trading at [55.0] to win the championship. The addition of Chauncey Billups to the line up has made all the difference defensively and, believe me, this team is for real. This price is simply too big to pass up and I will be backing them.

Over in the Eastern Conference the Boston Celtics are trading at [2.04] to win the Conference but the Cleveland Cavaliers are snapping at their heels and are only two games behind Boston. I think Boston will probably win the Conference but this price is a little thin.

The Celtics have recovered very well from their mini crisis and are firing on all cylinders at the moment. They came from behind to beat Dallas just before the All-Star break once again proving how focused they are. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are in irresistible form at the moment and they remain the team to beat for the NBA title. Boston are currently trading at [3.6] to win the championship which is about right.

I must admit to being a little surprised that Cleveland have kept it close in the East but a certain LeBron James is the reason why. He has spurred on his players to play beyond their ability and they will chase Boston all the way.

I advised backing the Orlando Magic at [38.0] to win the championship in November and they are currently trading at [14.0]. The Magic are in third place in the East but I would advise trading out of the position now. They will make the play-offs but injuries have hurt them recently and they could be vulnerable down the stretch.

The second half of the season promises to be very exciting as the battle for the post-season intensifies. Most experts are predicting a Los Angeles versus Boston final but there are a number of teams that would take issue with that view. It may well happen but I have seen too many teams come up short in this situation so I will wait and see.

Recommendations: Back Denver to win the NBA championship at [55.0].

Comments (1)

1. leon | 26 February 2009

   hi sir/madam
   i am coming over from england to visit on holiday to kissimee in june...is there any basketball football baseball etc games that may still be in season and near by i can watch.there will be 5 other people.thanks leon