NBA Betting Preview: Take a Maverick bet on the NBA winners

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 15 January 2010 / Leave a Comment

Dirk Nowitzki

"Dallas are playing some excellent basketball and have a road record of 13-6. As previously reported, I think the Mavericks are set for a big year and I have backed them at [30.0] to win the NBA championship. Incredibly this price is still available and represents a great trading opportunity for later on in the year."

Dallas are live outsiders in the NBA this year, says Nick Shiambouros, who cannot believe odds of [30.0] are still available on Dirk Nowitzki's boys

　
The Cleveland Cavaliers were sensationally beaten 97-96 by the Utah Jazz late on Thursday night. A last second three point shot made by rookie Sundiata Gaines stunned the Cavaliers who had led for most of the game. Gaines was signed from the D league on a 10 day contract because of an injury hit Jazz rotation. The Jazz faithful gave this young man a standing ovation at the end of this great game in Salt Lake City. This was an important win for Utah who are in eighth place in the Western Conference

As for Cleveland they are still playing at a very high level and coach Mike Brown was magnanimous in defeat. The Cavs are leading the East ahead of the injury hit Boston Celtics, who tasted defeat at home and the hands of Chicago on Thursday 96-83. Boston were without Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace but the Bulls thoroughly deserved this one. I think Boston need to strengthen their bench before the play-offs in case of injuries to the starting rotation.
　
The Los Angeles Lakers still lead the West despite not playing at their best in the last few games. The Lakers are 4.5 games ahead of Dallas but there is a very long was to go in this competitive Conference.

There are plenty of extra games on this Martin Luther King weekend as America celebrates the life of this civil rights leader.
　
On Sunday the Dallas Mavericks travel to Chris Bosh and the Toronto Raptors in a fascinating affair. Dallas are playing some excellent basketball and have a road record of 13-6. As previously reported, I think the Mavericks are set for a big year and I have backed them at [30.0] to win the NBA championship. Incredibly this price is still available and represents a great trading opportunity for later on in the year.

Dirk Nowitzki is having a great year for Dallas and his contribution will be a deciding factor on Sunday. He is a very difficult player to defend and has a lethal mid-range jump shot.

The Raptors are firmly in the play-off picture and are in sixth place in the East. With Chris Bosh in the team Toronto will be formidable opponents, but I think Dallas could overpower them inside the paint and gain the victory.

On Monday, the New York Knicks host the Detroit Pistons in an afternoon game at Madison Square Garden. This fixture used to feature one of the great rivalries in sport but things are very different now. The Pistons are in a terrible state and have only won game out of the last ten .

The Knicks are showing a little more spark these days and are playing much better thanearlier in the season. This is a very important year for the Knicks as they are desperate to sign LeBron James at the end of the season. Whether they make the play-offs or not will play a significant part in James' decision to join this high profile team.

David Lee has been in great form for New York and will be a big factor on Monday with Wilson Chandler. Guard Nate Robinson appears to have patched up his differences with coach Mike D'Antoni and is back in the rotation.

My cash is firmly on the Knicks in this one as they continue to fight for a playoff spot.

Recommended Bets:
Sunday back Dallas with advertised handicap
Monday back New York with advertised handicap