Posted on
5/7/2007 7:23:07 PM
NBA Playoffs Betting Trends and Odds
By Robby Maddux
In the East, the sixth-seeded New Jersey Nets are battling the second-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the semi-finals. Oddsmakers believe LeBron James will lead the Cavs to the finals by tagging them the -255 favorites to win the best-of-seven series against the Nets (+215).
This series features two of the best guards in the NBA, James and Jason Kidd. Both players will be crucial to the outcome of bettor's selections.
Kidd is playing some of the best ball of his career. In New Jersey's first-round win over Toronto, Kidd averaged 14.0 points, 13.2 assists and 10 rebounds.
James averaged 27.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists on a sore left ankle in the Cavalier's first-round win over Washington.
Cleveland's chances of advancing to the finals are solid if they can slow down Kidd. The Nets love to get out and run, so the Cavs must also have a strong rebounding game at both ends of the floor. They dominated the glass against Washington, getting 50 more boards over the four-game span. If the Cavs excel in these areas again, they'll move on.
Also in the East, the fifth-seeded Chicago Bulls are facing the Detroit Pistons. The Bulls are coming off a startling first-round sweep over the defending champion Miami Heat.
The ''X'' factor for bettors in this series is experience, which favors Detroit. Since 2003, four Pistons are in the top five among playoff games played and the fifth is Ben Wallace.
After winning the title in 2004 and coming just short of repeating last year, the top-seeded Pistons are determined to get back to the NBA finals. They'll do so if their stellar defense can limit the youthful Bulls, who won the season series 3-1.
In the West, the Phoenix Suns are taking on the San Antonio Spurs. This best-of seven series features two of the best big men in the game, Tim Duncan and Amare Stoudemire.
Stoudemire averaged 37 points in the 2005 Western Conference finals against San Antonio, but the Spurs went on to win the series in five games.
Stoudemire averaged 18 points and 13 rebounds, both team highs, in the three games against San Antonio this season. The Spurs won two of them, both at home. Duncan, meanwhile, averaged 23 points and 13 rebounds.
Oddsmakers feel Steve Nash will lead the second-seeded Suns to a series win who are the -160 favorites over the Spurs (+130). This will happen if the Suns can be successful running. If it becomes a track meet it'll be bye-bye to the third-seeded Spurs.
The other Western Conference semi-final matchup is between the Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz.
The eighth-seeded Warriors come into the series with a ton of momentum after knocking off top-seeded Dallas in the first round in one of the biggest upsets in NBA postseason history. It was the first time in 31 years the Warriors have won a best-of-seven series.
No one expected Golden State to be here so there's no pressure on them and they're playing loose ball which makes them a dangerous team. The Warriors' popular "We Believe" postseason slogan can continue if Baron Davis stays sharp.
The Jazz (-130) will try to end the Warriors (+100) run as the favorites.
Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur will be the key to Utah's success. Okur is heating up from beyond the arc and if he stays hot they'll move on.
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