Up to NBA Betting Trends

posted May 5, 2008 at 17:47 in NBA Betting Trends

WHAT: Game 2 of the Western Conference semi-final playoff round

WHO: San Antonio Spurs (56-26 SU, 38-44 ATS) at New Orleans Hornets (56-26 SU, 50-31-1 ATS) (Regular season records)

WHERE: New Orleans Arena

WHEN: Monday, May 5 at 9:35 PM ET

BetUS NBA basketball betting odds: New Orleans -2.5, Total 182

Here are some of the NBA basketball betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

* SA is 4-8-1 ATS in its last 13 games

* SA has won 16 of its last 21 games SU

* SA has played seven of its last nine games OVER the total

* SA has covered one of its last seven road games

* SA has played four of its last five road games OVER the total

* NO has covered four of its last six games

* NO has won five of its last six games SU

* NO has covered 14 of its last 17 home games

* NO has won 17 of its last 18 home games SU

* NO has played four of its last five home games OVER the total

In the HEAD-to-HEAD NBA basketball betting trends:

* NO has covered five of the last seven meetings

* SA has won 13 of the last 17 meetings SU

* Four of the last six meetings have gone UNDER the total

* SA has covered 14 of the last 19 meetings as the road team

* SA has won nine of the last 12 meetings SU as the road team

* Six of the last nine meetings in New Orleans have gone UNDER the total

You can't call the San Antonio Spurs an NBA dynasty (unless of course, you are a younger fan and don't understand what the term "dynasty" means). But the fact is, they have won four titles in the last nine seasons, and in the way of success, style and organization stability, they are about the closest thing we get these days to the Boston Celtics of both the Bill Russell and Larry Bird eras. That is to say, there are no prima donnas, no guys needing to "get their numbers," no problems with sharing the ball and playing defense, nobody bitching about being the second or third option (Shawn Marion, are you listening?), and a complete understanding of roles.

New Orleans looks like the kind of organization that could well be headed in that direction, behind the unselfish leader, Chris Paul, and several other players who walk softly but carry a big stick. Is this the passing of the torch, if you will, in the wake of the Hornets' 101-82 romp in the series opener?

Maybe, but there are quite a few things that I don't think will repeat themselves in this, the second game.

Tony Parker shot well enough, hitting 9-of-17 from the field in Game 1. But it would be rather optimistic on the part of Hornet supporters to think that he is going to match five assists with five turnovers again, or that Tim Duncan will hit just one of nine shots again. We know that David West plays well against San Antonio, and he was potent in the opener, with 30 points on 13-for-23 shooting. But the Spurs' defense ought to do a better job on Peja Stojakovic, who scored 22 points. Furthermore, don't expect that Tyson Chandler and the New Orleans front line will spearhead a 50-34 rebounding edge once again in Game 2.

But there are some things that would alarm me if I were a San Antonio backer. New Orleans doesn't lose too many games at home, at least not lately; the Hornets have now won 17 of their last 18 home games and covered 14 of their last 17. And the Spurs' shooting has been disappointing - a shade under 41% in Game 1, coming on the heels of 39% in consecutive games against Phoenix, which is not known as a team of defensive stoppers. Plus, New Orleans has been rather remarkable with regard to its marksmanship and its ball control; in ten of the last 15 games they have shot 48% or better, and they have averaged just 7.3 turnovers over the last seven games.

I liked the Spurs to win this series, and that might yet happen. When this series shifts back to San Antonio perhaps the edge in post-season experience will start to show. And by no means do I think the Spurs are through competing for championships; that much was clear from the way they dusted off Phoenix. But New Orleans is showing great composure, with a lot of confidence on their home floor. Plus, they came back from eleven points down to own the game the rest of the way, especially the fourth quarter. Under the circumstances, we'll lay the point with the Hornets, the two-point favorites in the BetUS NBA playoff basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: NEW ORLEANS (-2.5)

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(Charles Jay of http://www.eBookies.com is a freelance writer and handicapper who not only can make his shots from the top of the key, but also contributes with gusto to the BetUS Locker Room)