Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 03 November 2009 / Leave a comment

Nick Shiambouros hails the Boston Celtics perfect start to the season and urges you to make a season long bet on the men in green immediately. Meanwhile, big names could miss out in a competitive Western Conference...

"Boston are a generous [5.4] to win the NBA Championship and I have taken this price. I can see this price evaporating in the next few weeks if they continue playing at this level."

The Boston Celtics continued their sparkling early season form with a 97-87 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday. The Celtics are unbeaten at 4-0 and it would be foolish to oppose them at the moment.

It has not been all plain sailing for Boston as forward Glen Davis will miss at least six weeks due to a broken right thumb sustained in a fight with a friend. Director of basketball operations Danny Ainge announced that Davis has been suspended indefinitely pending an investigation.

Davis is a solid bench player and his absence will mean that Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace will have to play extra minutes.

Boston are a generous [5.4] to win the NBA championship and I have taken this price. I can see this price evaporating in the next few weeks if they continue playing at this level.
　
The Miami Heat , led by Dwayne Wade, are also unbeaten at 3-0 after a 95-87 defeat of the Chicago Bulls. I thought that Wade was a legitimate candidate for MVP last year and he has started this season in irresistible form. I think he can lead this Miami team to the Eastern Conference play-offs.

The Western Conference looks very competitive this season and I am sure there will be some big teams missing the play-offs.

The Phoenix Suns missed the play-offs last year but have started the season with a perfect 3-0 record. The Suns have returned to their high energy style of play and are scoring heavily. Head coach Alvin Gentry has worked very hard with his players during the summer and it shows. The Suns face the acid test over the next week as they embark on a five game road trip. Phoenix will have to play Miami,Orlando and Boston - all currently undefeated.　
　
The Los Angeles Lakers are 2-1 for the season and have looked a little rusty in the early going. I surprised by their performance against Dallas on Friday when they were beaten 94-80 at home. The Lakers were dreadful in the third quarter when they could only score 15 points.

Los Angeles look like a team that is trying to play themselves in to the season. That's very dangerous at this level. I am not rushing to back them at the current price of 3.65 for the championship.
　
The Lakers travel to Houston on Wednesday to face a Rocket team that has started the season well.

Trevor Ariza who was traded from Los Angeles to Houston in exchange for Ron Artest will be keen to teach his old team a lesson. Ariza has been in outstanding form and I am expecting a big performance from Houston.

I really like the look of the Rockets with the handicap in this game especially as the Lakers have yet to find their form. In addition Ron Artest is certain to receive a hostile reception from the crowd who feel he abandoned the Houston faithful to join the Lakers.

The Miami Heat face the Washington Wizards in DC on Wednesday evening.
The match-up of huge talent Gilbert Arenas and Dwayne Wade is worth the price of admission and this should be a very entertaining affair. I will be backing Miami to continue its fine start to the year.

Recommended Bets:

NBA Championship back Boston at [5.4]
Wednesday back Houston with advertised handicap, back Miami in the outright market

Tags: Basketball betting odds, basketball betting tips, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, NBA Championship Betting Preview, Phoenix Suns, Rasheed Wallace, Washington Wizards