Posted on 3/14/2008 1:28:26 PM

Basketball - Who’s Going to the NBA Playoffs?

By BetUS Staff

Bubble teams aren’t just for college. The NBA betting world has its own share – including nearly all the big kahunas in the Western Conference, where only seven games separated the No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers from the No. 9 Denver Nuggets at press time.

With so many clubs scrambling to make the playoffs, it was inevitable the futures market would step in and respond to the interest this Great Postseason Race has sparked. You can wager on the playoff hopes of the following six teams; as usual, check the NBA odds for the latest lines.

Denver Nuggets (YES +170, NO –220)

At 38-26 (33-31 ATS), Denver would be in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Instead, the Nuggets are ninth in the West, 2.5 games out of playoff position. They’re actually not in bad shape; noted NBA stathead John Hollinger gives them roughly an even chance of making the postseason. Having supremely talented players like Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony certainly helps.

Chicago Bulls (YES +115, NO –155)

Things are murkier for the bubble teams in the East, where the difference between eighth and 12th is also 2.5 games. Only one of those teams at most will make it; it could very well be the ninth-place Bulls (26-38 SU, 29-35 ATS). They were a preseason Eastern contender, and may yet do some damage with Larry Hughes in and Ben Wallace out.

New Jersey Nets (YES +120, NO –160)

The Nets are clinging to that last playoff spot in the East at 27-38 (24-39-2 ATS). Trading Jason Kidd to the Mavs for Devin Harris and others looked like a good deal on paper in the short term, but the Nets are 2-6 (2-5-1 ATS) since Harris came off the injured list. That was mostly during a tough West Coast road trip, although New Jersey won’t find the rest of the schedule much easier.

Atlanta Hawks (YES +100, NO –140)

The Hawks, for a change, had designs on the playoffs during the offseason. But it’s only the mediocrity of the East that has kept Atlanta in the hunt, tied with the Bulls at 26-38 (28-35-1 ATS). Going 1-6 SU and ATS in March won’t help the Hawks; this is not what they expected when they traded for Mike Bibby, whose Player Efficiency Rating for Atlanta is 13.1. The indexed league average is 15.

Charlotte Bobcats (YES +600, NO –1400)

The Bobcats are a mess at 24-40 (28-25-1 ATS). Like evaporated milk, Charlotte has a two-percent chance of making the playoffs according to Hollinger’s number crunching. But somebody from the East has to make it, and Charlotte’s point differential of minus-4.9 is better than New Jersey’s minus-5.2. Could be value here.

Golden State Warriors (YES –180, NO +140)

Wrapping things up in the West, the Warriors (40-23 SU, 28-35 ATS) are in eighth place, but have won seven of their last eight and have been more than worthy with Stephen Jackson in the lineup. Golden State started the year 1-6 SU and ATS while Jackson served his firearms-related suspension. Someone else might have to fall from grace for Denver to get in.

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