Posted on
4/23/2008 1:54:18 PM
NBA Basketball Betting - Eastern Conference Playoffs
By Tim Furious
No team in the Eastern Conference can legitimately touch Boston. Until we online betting faithful get beyond the first-round, and see which three hopefuls can challenge Boston at the top of the mountain, we here at BetUS Sportsbook are eager to break down the Eastern Conference Playoffs and offer the best betting advice we can in regards to our futures, and daily lines.
Is the iron-fist rule of Detroit coming to an end? Can Atlanta win one game? Is LeBron going one-army again? And is it enough? Is Orlando really that good, or is Toronto really that bad? Questions abound in the Eastern Conference. Let’s make sense of this mess.
#8 Atlanta Hawks (37-43) vs. #1 Boston Celtics (64-16)
Series: Bos 2-0
Things were nice while they lasted, but things do not look pretty for the Atlanta Hawks. It’s not that they’re not necessarily a bad team, but they have zero players that are ready for the veteran, killer instinct of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen. And with the way “Raging” Rondo and Sam Cassell are playing in the clutch, Mike Bibby is going to be less of a savior and more of a sucker.
It’s not entirely Bibby’s fault, obviously. Josh Smith can’t realistically defend the Big Ticket, and the depth on Boston is unbelievable all things considered. But from a betting standpoint, I wouldn’t give up on the Hawks just yet. They did average 98.2 points per game, and were very good at covering double-digit spreads. With a 21-20 ATS record at home, and with Atlanta’s fans burning for a playoff game, these huge spreads will be difficult for even Boston to cover if and when Atlanta gets hot.
Boston is still the heavy favorite in our futures to win the Eastern Conference. At this point, do you really see anyone giving them a challenge? Hop on board this betting bandwagon. If you feel sheepish about doing so, don’t be foolish. You’ll feel a lot better once that cold, hard cash is lining your pockets.
Betus.com Furious Projection: Boston in 4
#7 Philadelphia 76ers (40-40) vs. #2 Detroit Pistons (57-23)
Series: Phi 1-0
When I wrote back in January that Detroit was riding the coattails of their own success, this is what I was talking about. Detroit has gone from a ferocious favorite, to a lapdog in a matter of one season. The team has a great system, decent coaching and solid veteran playmakers. Yet, ever since they let Ben Wallace wander to Chicago, this team has lost a certain amount of swagger.
Somehow, someway, that “swagger” found it’s way to Philadelphia. Is there a more dangerous betting underdog in the East than Philadelphia? While Igoudala and Andre Miller are dominating the backcourt, the source of that swagger is emanating from Samuel Dalembert, the shot-blocking Canadian import who has dominated the paint.
I’ve said it time and again, but in case you missed it, Detroit should not be considered a favorite in the sportsbook with Antonio McDyess and Jamiel Maxwell roaming the interior. And Samuel Dalembert is showing them exactly why. Ignore his stats (5.0 points and 4.0 blocks in Game 1), because his presence under the rim is making life a living hell for the Pistons.
The rebels are rallying outside the walls, and they bear the black and gold. This is the year the empire at the Palace of Auburn Hills falls. Just don’t let your betting dollars be the ones that suffer when the Sixers break the walls down.
BetUS.com Furious Projection: Philadelphia in 6
#6 Toronto Raptors (41-41) vs. #3 Orlando Magic (52-30)
Series: Orl 2-0
Dwight Howard was the first player to post back-to-back 20+ points and 20+ rebounds games since 1432. Unbelievable. This guy really is Superman, and the Magic fans have to be smiling about the unbelievable ceiling that this guy has. Too bad it’s not rewarding the betting faithful. Toronto fell behind two games in this series but covered the spread in the last game.
Now that the series is returning up north, the Toronto betting faithful have to be happy. Toronto is 7-1 ATS when playing Orlando at home over the course of the last eight games. While they have been abysmal later, Toronto’s fans will give them that “sixth-man advantage” they so desperately need. The Raptors boast the ninth best home defense with 94.8 points allowed in the Air Canada Centre.
Orlando gave up a monstrous lead in Game 2, and almost gave up another huge deficit in Game 1. What does it mean? No matter what the hump is, Toronto can overcome it. And with the next two games in Toronto, in front of an absolutely rabid Toronto crowd, the Raptors can restore order to their basketball universe.
This series is going to be much better than you think, and will eventually go the distance. Home court is going to be the advantage, but I think Orlando is playing beyond themselves and are beginning to slip. Toronto is on the flip-side of that equation, and will crescendo at the right time to take this series in seven.
BetUS.com Furious Projection: Toronto in 7
#5 Washington Wizards (42-38) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (44-36)
Series: Cle 2-0
“With Arenas and Butler back, the Wizards will be unstoppable!”
“They’re a fearless team. Now Stevenson and the other guys know they can come through in the clutch”
“Everyone watch out for the Wizards!”
These are all things I heard from the Wizards betting faithful. And sure, it’s easy to get excited about a team that was 46-35-1 ATS this year, especially with the majority of their starters out. But do you know what everyone should’ve been saying?
“LeBron is a monster in the playoffs.”
Remember when LeBron went ballistic against Detroit last year? Well it’s happening again, and I think everyone in the betting community is trying to hedge their betting futures by piling on the LeBron train (at least until the Eastern Conference Finals). The league’s leading scorer completely embarrassed Washington to open this series and is averaging a ridiculous 31.0 points per game in the playoffs. Very few people can guard him in this league alone. If you thought Detroit was struggling to stop him, how can you honestly justify Washington stopping him in your head? Go ahaed. Try. You done? Good. Now, that you’re back to your senses…
The Wizards are a nice team overall, but the betting community got a little too excited from the onset about the Wizards. Which is the way Cleveland will win in five games. Stay tuned to our Locker Room for more updated information as the games approach.
BetUS.com Furious Projection: Cleveland in 5
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