Posted on 12/31/2007 3:25:01 PM

NBA Basketball - Washington Wizards Betting News

By Eric Williams

Say what you want about the Washington Wizards and their total lack of defense the past three or four seasons under head coach Eddie Jordan, the Wizards are winning with flat-out offense – and more importantly for NBA bettors – are covering the spreads in their contests like crazy recently.

Though Washington is only a slightly above average team with their straight up record, (15-14), the Wizards are fourth in the league in ATS wins at 18-14 having, covered the spread in seven of their last 10 contests, including their last three games.

Washington is averaging 100.2 points per game while allowing 98.4 points per game defensively. The Wizards are 9-6 ATS at home and a respectable 9-5 ATS on the road.

The Wizards are also 14-15 in O/U wagers this season, including an impressive 8-6 O/U mark on the road.

Washington is also succeeding without the services of high-scoring point guard Gilbert Arenas, who is out indefinitely with a knee injury.

In his absence, multi-talented combination forward Caron Butler has raised the level of his all-star game and is averaging a team-high 22.1 points per game, while frontcourt mate Antawn Jamison is averaging 21.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per contest.

Heck, the Wizards are even getting a consistently solid contribution from career underachieving center Brendan Haywood, (10.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg) and blossoming youngster Andray Blatche, (6.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg).

So, what does this all mean for BetUS.com NBA betting odds, and will the Wizards be able to sustain their ATS excellence?

I say, why not? Washington has been one of the highest scoring teams in the league the past three seasons and that fact has obviously not changed because of the loss of Arenas.

As a matter of fact, there are a lot of whispers that Washington is actually playing better basketball without Arenas who has never seen a shot he doesn’t like. I say those whispers are true and that the Wizards are a better balance team with Arenas on the sidelines.

Although it is almost guaranteed that the Wizards will cool off a bit at some point with some of their recent ATS wins, I suspect the Wizards will continue to surprise more often than not while ending up as one of the top 10 ATS teams in the league this season.

You’ll find the latest 2007-2008 NBA odds and lines in the best online sportsbook, BetUS.com. Betting on NBA player and game props makes every aspect of the game exciting. Join BetUS.com today to bet on the NBA and make online sports betting work for you!