posted April 8, 2008 at 14:25 in NBA Articles

The Sports Book NBA betting machine is warming up for the playoffs. This figures to be one of the most compelling title races in league history – but not compelling enough to take people’s minds off the New York Knicks.

Donnie Walsh has been hired to replace Isiah Thomas as the Knicks president of basketball operations. It is widely assumed that Walsh will also relieve Thomas of his coaching duties after the regular season ends on Apr. 16.

Wanna bet? Thomas is a –2000 sports betting favorite to be the next NBA coach who either gets fired or resigns. The field is priced at +800. However likely it may be that Thomas’ four years and change in the Big Apple are about to end on a sour note, he’s not the only one with his head on the block.

Whoever doesn’t survive the three-way battle for the last two playoff spots in the Western Conference could assume responsibility and fall on his sword. Avery Johnson of the Dallas Mavericks was being discussed as a potential sacrificial lamb, but the surprisingly early return of Dirk Nowitzki from a high ankle sprain has helped push the Mavs two games in front of the competition at 48-29 (34-39-4 against the spread).

The Denver Nuggets and the Golden State Warriors were tied at 46-31 at press time. Nuggets coach George Karl is catching some flak for Denver’s questionable defensive effort this past month – 13 games, 13 opponents reaching the 100-point mark. But Karl’s modus operandi is to run the floor. The Nuggets operate at the fastest pace in the league (102.1 possessions per game) and they’re 8-5 straight up and ATS in those 13 games.

Don Nelson can probably stay with the Warriors as long as he wants, but Nellie turns 68 in May and might not have the stomach to continue if his team fails to make the playoffs. Other speculative ways for the field to pay out include the Milwaukee Bucks dismissing Larry Krystkowiak as part of their larger front-office shuffle, and the Memphis Grizzlies replacing Marc Iavaroni with Larry Brown.

The NBA odds could be volatile on this and other futures bets as the rumor mill grinds on. Thomas’ position can’t get much weaker from here, but his –2000 price can certainly shrink with news of other potential coaching changes. Keep hitting that refresh button for the latest lines.

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