2009 NBA Basketball Article Archive
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Below is a listing of articles appearing on Doc’s site sorted by date.
NBA Handicapping: Hot or Cold Report
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 12/29/2009
The NBA's third best team against the spread (18-11 ATS) has the potential to get even hotter against the number as the new decade arrives. The Thunder have finally figured out how to play on the road as evidenced by their 117-113 win at Phoenix and their competitive three-point loss against the Lakers on the road as 10-point underdogs.
Read more about NBA Betting: Hot or Not.
24 Seconds Around the NBA
by Nolan Sinclair (with Robert Ferringo) - 12/28/2009
We're entering the dog days of the NBA schedule. The excitement of the season opening has completely worn off and there is nary a thought of postseason runs. Also, with the books more focused on the NFL, college football's bowl season, and college basketball there is also a chance for some big NBA profits and finding the occasional weak NBA line.
Read more about 24 Seconds Around the NBA.
NBA Handicapping: Hot or Cold Report
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 12/17/2009
With temperatures dropping around the country, the Hot or Not report gets a little colder, too. It is becoming easier and easier to find teams struggling to cover and harder and harder to find teams getting hot around this time of the year but here are two:
Read more about NBA Betting: Hot or Not.
24 Seconds Around the NBA
by Nolan Sinclair (with Robert Ferringo) - 12/8/2009
The Bulls are looking to trade Tyrus Thomas and the New York Knicks are possible suitors. News is that Al Harrington would be involved. As a Knick fan I would hope that there is more to this discussion because the Knicks would be losing their best scoring option for a guy that has never lived up to his potential as the No. 4 overall draft pick.
Read more about 24 Seconds Around the NBA.
Six Reasons To Be Optimistic About the Nets
by Trevor Whenham - 12/4/2009
Here's a controversial statement - the New Jersey Nets are an extremely bad team. Shocking, I know, but I stand behind it. They have leapt out of the gate with a whimper, setting an all-time record for futility by going 0-18 to start the season.
Read more about New Jersey Nets Handicapping.
NBA Handicapping: Hot or Cold Report
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 12/3/2009
The NBA's best team against the spread did a lot to shake off a few bandwagon jumpers this past week by losing three of four games. After an unexpected 11-2 start that caught everyone in the NBA off guard, Vegas wised up and started making the Hawks favorites regardless of who they were playing or were they were playing.
Read more about NBA Hot or Cold Report.
NBA Handicapping: Brandon Jennings Making Immediate Impact
by Trevor Whenham - 11/20/2009
So, imagine if this is what an NBA player did over a four-game stretch: he starts out with a 32-point, nine-assist outing, then posts 55 points, he bounces back from that showing with 25 points, eight assists and seven boards, and then finishes up with 19 points and eight assists. Not bad, right?
Read more about Brandon Jennings.
NBA Division Winner Predictions
by Hunter Price - 11/20/2009
We are now just about one month into the NBA season, and while it may seem early to start looking back at what has transpired this season, now is the time to look for real trends and adjust our thinking so that the oddsmakers don't catch us sleeping on some of their NBA lines.
Read more about NBA Division Winner Predictions.
NBA Handicapping: Hot or Cold Report
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 11/18/2009
The easiest schedule in the NBA thus far has resulted in records of 3-7 straight up and 5-5 against the spread. Golden State had to get off to a better start with a light early season slate but that did not happen and the blame falls squarely on the defense. It is ranked last in the league in points per game and three-point shooting defense and second to last in the game in field-goal shooting defense.
Read more about NBA Hot or Cold Report.
24 Seconds Around the NBA
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 11/18/2009
Did any of you watch Bucks rookie Brandon Jennings score 55 against the Golden State Warriors? I did, and what was most impressive was that he didn't score a point in the first quarter. I am sure you can do basic math and realize that he put up an average of just more than 18 points a quarter from that point on. Can you say "Rookie of the Year"? It's early, but I think I can.
Read more about 24 Seconds Around the NBA.
Byron Scott Fired from New Orleans Hornets
by Trevor Whenham - 11/12/2009
No league has a coaching revolving door that spins faster than the NBA, and this year it only took nine games for the door to start spinning. Byron Scott has been fired as the head coach of the New Orleans Hornets after his team limped out of the gate with a 3-6 start. General manager Jeff Bower will wear a second hat and take over as head coach of the team. Tim Floyd, the disgraced former coach of USC who just keeps getting jobs, will be Bower's top assistant.
Read more about Byron Scott Fired in New Orleans.
Best NBA Teams Against the Spread
by Trevor Whenham - 11/11/2009
It's very early in the NBA season, but already some teams have proven themselves to be better performers against the spread than others. Of the 30 teams in the league, only 12 have been profitable ATS on the season so far, and six of those teams have generated less than two units of profit. Here's a look at the six elite ATS teams through the first couple of weeks of NBA action
Read more about NBA Against the Spread.
NBA Handicapping: Phoenix Suns Back?
by Trevor Whenham - 11/6/2009
The Phoenix Suns didn't come into the season with high expectations. That's an understatement. They lost to Orlando Wednesday night, but not before they had won their first four games, and looked more than a little competent doing it.
Read more about Phoenix Suns Handicapping.
24 Seconds Around the NBA
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 11/2/2009
The NBA is finally here and a few things have caught my eye as the first few jump balls hit the air. One, the good teams are really good. And two, the bad teams are really bad. If this sounds at all familiar I know why: it is just like the NFL this season. But we'll have to wait and see if double-digit favorites will have as much success on the hardwood as they have had on the gridiron.
Read more about NBA Betting.
Potential NBA Surprise Teams
by Trevor Whenham - 10/27/2009
With the NBA season firing up, now is a good time to think about our expectations for the teams for the season. It's not very interesting at the top end - we know that the Lakers, Spurs, Cavs, Celtics, Magic and the like are going to be more than solid, and that everyone else is going to play catch-up.
Read more about Surprise NBA Teams.
NBA Betting Tutorial for the Casual Fan
by Trevor Whenham - 10/27/2009
After a long summer, the NBA gets underway again this week. For those of you who are hardcore fans and bettors of the league these are happy times. I, too, am happy to have it back, but the league doesn't particularly change my life. I'll put it this way - it would kill me to go 10 minutes without knowing what's going on on a college football Saturday, but as long as I check the NBA scores every day or two I'm fine.
Read more about NBA Betting Tutorial.
2009-10 Boston Celtics Predictions
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 10/27/2009
When Boston's big three are healthy the Celtics have to be considered one of the best if not the best team in the East. With Kevin Garnett back in the fold after a season lost to injury the Cs could be primed to return to the former glory: from all the way back in 2008.
Read more about Boston Celtics Predictions.
2009-10 Cleveland Cavaliers Predictions
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 10/27/2009
The Cleveland Cavaliers appear to be doing everything that they can to hold on to King James. And that includes sparing no expense to bring in The Big Enforcer, Shaquille O'Neal. But the offseason tweaking in Cleveland didn't stop there. The aforementioned Moon and potential breakout forward Leon Powe have also been added to the mix to help the Cavs finally get that ever-elusive NBA championship.
Read more about Cleveland Cavaliers Predictions.
Tuesday TNT NBA Preview: Boston at Cleveland
by Robert Ferringo - 10/27/2009
I know that Orlando is the defending conference champion. But that was last year and this is this year. And when the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers take the court at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Quicken Loans Arena in the NBA season opener it will be a matchup of the two favorites to represent the East in the NBA Finals. Cleveland and Boston were the top two seeds in the East last year as is, and some key summer pickups have bolstered both squads.
Read more about Boston at Cleveland NBA Opening Night Preview.
NBA Handicapping: Hot or Cold Report
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 10/26/2009
The NBA season tips off Tuesday night when the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers square off. Entering the 2009-10 NBA season, Doc's Sports will look at teams that can start off strong in terms of betting and ones that might be tough to cash a ticket on in the early going. This regular column will be posted every other week during the NBA season.
Read more about NBA Betting: Hot or Not.
2009-10 Atlanta Hawks Predictions
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 10/26/2009
The Atlanta Hawks had a very good 2008-09 season and we are in store for an even better one this year. The Hawks should knock on the door of 50 wins and they are staring the fourth seed in the East right in the face. With Joe Johnson returning and the addition of Jamal Crawford the Hawks backcourt could be one of the better ones you will see in the East. With Al Horford and Marvin Williams returning to form (and hopefully healthy) we should see plenty of Ws coming out of the Dirty South.
Read more about Atlanta Hawks Predictions.
2009-10 Toronto Raptors Predictions
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 10/26/2009
The Toronto Raptors got significantly better this offseason by completely overhauling their roster. Toronto brings back only three starters from last season's disaster: Chris Bosh, Jose Calderon, and Andrea Bargnani. They improved their bench tenfold and good things are on the horizon.
Read more about Toronto Raptors Predictions.
2009-10 Orlando Magic Predictions
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 10/26/2009
The Orlando Magic are this year's "Sexy Pick" to win it all. They are the NBA's version of the 2008 Jacksonville Jaguars and 2009 Philadelphia Eagles. Well, not to ruin the ending of the seven-month gauntlet that is the NBA season, but it's not going to work out well for The Sexy Pick.
Read more about Orlando Magic Predictions.
2009-10 Miami Heat Predictions
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 10/24/2009
If you didn't get a chance to watch Dwyane Wade last season I feel sorry for you. The man did it all. He was a Superman on both ends of the floor. But the one bad thing about last year is that his play was so amazing I feel that he won't have much left in the tank for this season.
Read more about Miami Heat Predictions.
2009-10 Chicago Bulls Predictions
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 10/24/2009
With John Salmons and Brad Miller around for an entire preseason and the continued growth of players like Derrick Rose and Tyrus Thomas the Bulls will be better than last season. Unfortunately for the Bulls the East is better than last year and two teams that finished below them in 2008-09 should finish ahead of them in 2009-10, leaving the Bulls on the outside of the playoff picture.
Read more about Chicago Bulls Predictions.
2009-10 Detroit Pistons Predictions
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 10/24/2009
For years the Pistons were considered the class of the Eastern Conference. Even with the emergence of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the re-emergence of the Boston Celtics the Pistons were still a team that no one wanted to play against due to their chemistry and tough-minded approach on both ends of the floor, with their primary focus coming from the defensive end.
Read more about Detroit Pistons Predictions.
2009-10 Washington Wizards Predictions
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 10/24/2009
Arenas signed a six-year, $111-million dollar contract and he has only played in two games since he signed his name on the dotted line, and he will have to live up to that superstar contract sooner rather than later. This team has the makings of top four team in the East due to their depth and scoring punch. If I was the Magic, Hawks, Celtics, and Cavs I would be checking my rearview mirror if the boys in the ugly gold uniforms get too close.
Read more about Washington Wizards Predictions.
2009-10 San Antonio Spurs Predictions
by Justin Johnson - 10/24/2009
Every year is the theoretical last year of the Spurs run, and every year they are right back in the thick of the Western Conference. This year, however, is different. The Spurs are still a hardened team with Tony Parker and Tim Duncan as the stalwarts, but the health of Manu Ginobili combined with it being a contract year and the addition of Richard Jefferson adds a new dimension to the attack.
Read more about San Antonio Spurs Predictions.
2009-10 New Orleans Hornets Predictions
by Justin Johnson - 10/24/2009
Chris Paul is the best point guard in the league and is a serious MVP candidate. His 22.8 points, 11.0 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.8 steals per game were better than his 07-08 year when he finished second in the MVP vote. However, with all the hype "CP3" was getting he only managed a fifth-place finish in the votes.
Read more about New Orleans Hornets Predictions.
2009-10 Oklahoma City Thunder Predictions
by Justin Johnson - 10/24/2009
Russell Westbrook, settling into the point guard role after a shaky start, gives hope for the future along with a roster of a lot of young players. He is one of the fastest players in the league with the ball in his hand and if the Thunder can go up-tempo he would be a very good player to run the offense.
Read more about Oklahoma City Thunder Predictions.
2009-10 Minnesota Timberwolves Predictions
by Justin Johnson - 10/24/2009
With plenty of players with limited experience, trying to piece in a guard rotation could consist of rookies Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington with fill-in situations for veterans Chucky Atkins, Damien Wilkins and possibly Corey Brewer - who may also start at shooting guard. However, any combination of those five does not sound like a winner.
Read more about Minnesota Timberwolves Predictions.
2009-10 Memphis Grizzlies Predictions
by Justin Johnson - 10/23/2009
A seemingly never-ending rebuilding plan was thought to have come to an end this offseason with the club insisting they were investing in the future. Well, that plan came into question with the signing of the ball-hogging Zach Randolph and Allen Iverson. It's not that the addition of the pair will not help the scoring, it's more a question of how much will the touches (that the pair demands on getting) hurt the development of young stars O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay.
Read more about Memphis Grizzlies Predictions.
2009-10 Sacramento Kings Predictions
by Justin Johnson - 10/23/2009
Paul Westphal has been brought in to try to shape up a team virtually devoid of star power, depth, or upside. He also did so with the understanding that if he did turn the team around he would be out of a job regardless of his successes. The Kings are now on their fourth coach in four seasons and the Maloof brothers are hoping the fundamentals that they parted with by firing Rick Adelman will be brought back under Westphal.
Read more about Sacramento Kings Predictions.
NBA Betting: What You Need To Do to Get Ready for Season
by Trevor Whenham - 10/22/2009
We don't know who will be wearing the striped shirts when it happens, but we do know that the NBA season finally gets underway next week, starting with four games on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Betting on the NBA is no easy task, so if you are making money over the long run then you are really accomplishing something.
Read more about NBA Betting Preperation.
2009-10 Portland Trailblazers Predictions
by Justin Johnson - 10/21/2009
Portland made a huge jump in the Western Conference in 2008-09, tallying 54 wins and tying for the Northwest Division lead. This offseason they added veteran point guard Andre Miller from Philadelphia to provide a stabilizing presence at the point. Pairing Miller with young star Brandon Roy could make for one of most dynamic backcourts in the West, despite Miller's advancing age (33).
Read more about Portland Trailblazers Predictions.
2009-10 Phoenix Suns Predictions
by Justin Johnson - 10/21/2009
Terry Porter lost the faith of the team last year and so they replaced him with Alvin Gentry as head coach. Gentry should bring back the fun-and-gun offense that made the Suns a title contender just a few seasons ago.
Read more about Phoenix Suns Predictions.
2009-10 Utah Jazz Predictions
by Justin Johnson - 10/21/2009
Jerry Sloan has been the constant figure in Utah despite roster turnover and losses of Hall of Fame players. Now he may be coaching another future Hall of Famer in Deron Williams. Williams, one of the best point guards in the league, is a lock for 20 points and 10 assists per night again this season. He not only sees the floor well he also creates his own shot.
Read more about Utah Jazz Predictions.
NBA Betting: 2009-10 Rookie of the Year Predictions
by Matt Severance - 10/20/2009
The NBA season begins a week from today, so the NBA futures props are coming out in force at various books. Today, I'm going to break down the preseason frontrunners for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. All odds are courtesy of WagerWeb - here are the site's top five betting favorites:
Read more about NBA Rookie of the Year Predictions.
2009-10 Los Angeles Lakers Predictions
by Justin Johnson - 10/20/2009
Kobe Bryant and the Lakers finally got the Shaq-monkey off their back in 08-09 and now the question will be: do the Lakers have the fire to do it again? Watching Kobe's focus last season the answer should be a resounding "yes".
Read more about Los Angeles Lakers Predictions.
2009-10 NBA Predictions
by Josh Nagel - 10/19/2009
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal formed a mini-dynasty of sorts with the Los Angeles Lakers, winning three consecutive NBA titles together. Now each has won a title without the other; Shaq in Miami, and Kobe with an improved supporting cast in Los Angeles.
Read more about NBA Predictions.
NBA Western Conference Predictions: Pacific Division
by Josh Nagel - 10/19/2009
The NBA champion Lakers accomplished their primary off-season goal when they came to terms with free-agent forward Lamar Odom. Once he came back on board, the Lakers decided they didn't need to do too much tinkering. Seeing as they just won an NBA title, it stands to reason they didn't have a lot of areas to address.
Read more about Pacific Division Predictions.
NBA Western Conference Predictions: Southwest Division
by Josh Nagel - 10/19/2009
The Spurs desperately needed a scoring guard-forward with an outside touch to take some of the pressure off Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli, who make most of their offense with drives to the basket. They got one in Jefferson, who has been erratic throughout his career but should help fill the team's biggest void.
Read more about Southwest Division Predictions.
NBA Western Conference Predictions - Northwest Division
by Josh Nagel - 10/19/2009
The Blazers finally replaced potential with production last year, riding the shoulders of star Brandon Roy to a playoff berth and renewing hope among their fan base. Unfortunately, their lack of experience showed in a first-round playoff loss to the Houston Rockets. Portland did not respond well to adversity in that series, and must grow in poise and maturity in order to contend for the conference title.
Read more about Northwest Division Predictions.
NBA Eastern Conference Predictions - Atlantic Division
by Josh Nagel - 10/16/2009
The Celtics added the volatile Wallace to go with their aging and sometimes ailing Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, each of whom is headed toward the twilight of their careers. If Wallace plays with the passion and focus with which he is capable, he will certainly be of some help. Wallace's presence should take some pressure off Garnett, who will be trying to recover form the injury that forced him to miss all of last year's playoffs.
Read more about Atlantic Division Predictions.
NBA Eastern Conference Predictions: Southeast Division
by Josh Nagel - 10/16/2009
For a team that reached the NBA Finals, the Magic sure did a lot of off-season tinkering. Coach Stan Van Gundy and the Magic had better hope they made the right moves. Although Rafer Alston and Hedo Turkoglu were valuable contributors, losing Courtney Lee in the trade for Vince Carter could be the move that haunts the Magic.
Read more about Southeast Division Predictions.
NBA Eastern Conference Predictions - Central Division
by Josh Nagel - 10/16/2009
Cleveland's lack of a consistent inside scoring threat was exposed in last year's playoffs, when the Orlando Magic proved that LeBron James wasn't capable of a winning a series by himself. Welcome Shaq, who is getting older and slower by the day, but showed glimpses of playing inspired basketball last year for the Phoenix Suns.
Read more about Central Division Predictions.
2009-10 Philadelphia 76ers Predictions
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 10/16/2009
Many people around the league are excited about the Philadelphia 76ers this year. I am not one of them. Last year's playoff run was short but impressive as they took the Orlando Magic to six games. But I don't see a repeat performance.
Read more about Philadelphia 76ers Predictions.
2009-10 New York Knicks Predictions
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 10/16/2009
I am having a terrible case of Déjà vu as I write this article on the Knickerbockers of New York. The Knicks are waiting for next summer to really get back on track. I swear I remember typing that same thing last season as the Knicks main goal was, or should I say is, to clear out their roster of dead weight but add pieces to the puzzle that will lure a big name free agent. Or three.
Read more about New York Knicks Predictions.
2009-10 Charlotte Bobcats Predictions
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 10/16/2009
Boasting a roster packed with foreign imports, the Bobcats have the look of a European club team. And that Euro style of basketball almost got Larry Brown and his merry men into the playoffs last year. But a late-season collapse, which also allowed them to finish under their projected win total for the season, sent them home for the summer.
Read more about Charlotte Bobcats Predictions.
NBA Season Win Totals
by Robert Ferringo - 10/15/2009
Last week the Las Vegas Hilton released its season win totals for the NBA season. While most online books are yet to post any NBA season wins 'over/unders' the Hilton's numbers serve as a great baseline for what we can expect from the other sportsbooks. Also, some of these Hilton numbers have already taken enough action to move the lines so we even have a read on who the sharps like and don't like heading into the year.
Read more about NBA Season Win Totals.
2009-10 Denver Nuggets Predictions
by Justin Johnson - 10/10/2009
A trade for Chauncey Billups suddenly gave Denver a shot in the arm in the 2008-09 season and helped get the Denver Nuggets to the conference finals. With most of the team returning and in their prime another charge to the conference finals is not out of the question.
Read more about Denver Nuggets Predictions.
2009-10 Dallas Mavericks Predictions
by Justin Johnson - 10/10/2009
The Dallas Mavericks are the chic pick this offseason to make a run to the title. With the addition of Shawn Marion to the small forward position Dallas could have significantly upgraded offense and defense. However, with most of the roster on the downside of careers it could be hard pressed to find many believers in this squad - at least ones that are willing to put their hard-earned duckets behind the Mavs.
Read more about Dallas Mavericks Predictions.
2009-10 Houston Rockets Predictions
by Justin Johnson - 10/10/2009
Maybe only die-hard Houston Rockets fans would know the names of players that will take the court for the opening tip in Houston. The roster has almost completely turned over from the one it fielded when the season opened in 2008-09.
Read more about Houston Rockets Predictions.
2009-10 Golden State Warriors Predictions
by Justin Johnson - 10/10/2009
Anyone who has followed Don Nelson's career knows it usually goes like this: Early success, lots of points, roster turnover, fight with players, burnt bridges. So it will be interesting to see how the Golden State Warriors will push past the "fight with players" stage they are slowly approaching.
Read more about Golden State Warriors Predictions.
2009-10 Los Angeles Clippers Predictions
by Justin Johnson - 10/10/2009
There is legitimate cause for optimism for Los Angeles Clippers fans (assuming there are Clipper fans, of course) as the roster looks to have some of the best high-end talent as they have had in years. The addition of Blake Griffin adds another scoring threat to the roster. Griffin can also crash the boards to the tune of 10.8 rebounds per game in the summer leagues.
Read more about Los Angeles Clippers Predictions.
2009-10 New Jersey Nets Predictions
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 10/6/2009
This offseason the New Jersey Nets got rid of their most popular player in Vince Carter. Carter was traded to Orlando for Courtney Lee and Rafer Alston. This is a move that could prove beneficial down the road as they took a huge chunk out of their salary cap. And, as a matter of fact, it seems pretty obvious that the Nets are simply priming their spot at the front of the line for the 2010 free agency period.
Read more about New Jersey Nets Predictions.
2009-10 Milwaukee Bucks Predictions
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 10/6/2009
This upcoming season should provide plenty of opportunities to do the most entertaining thing in the city of Milwaukee: drink beer. Milwaukeeans love to drink their malted hops and this basketball team should provide their fans with numerous chances to drain their sorrows in a frothy glass of the good stuff.
Read more about Milwaukee Bucks Predictions.
NBA Trades and Impact on Futures Betting
by Trevor Whenham - 07/02/2009
The biggest drama around the NBA Draft this year wasn't which team was going to pick which player with which picks, but rather the trades of veterans that were made before and immediately after the draft. We usually see some trade action around this time of year, but rarely with names like this - major stars like Shaq, Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson have new addresses.
Read more about NBA Trades and Futures
NBA Betting: How Yao's Injury Changes Everything for Rockets
by Matt Severance - 07/01/2009
If you were pondering a futures bet on the Houston Rockets for the 2009-10 NBA season (hey, it's only three months away), don't waste your money. Well, let me temper that statement by saying don't waste your money on those NBA championship odds.
Read more about Yao Ming Injury
Worst NBA Free Agents
by Robert Ferringo - 06/30/2009
Allen Iverson is likely going to be a basketball hall of famer. But at this stage of the game the prideful point guard is absolutely acidic in a locker room and within a franchise. Yet Iverson's name has to be No. 1 when talking about the best players available in this summer's free agent market.
Read more about Worst NBA Free Agents
2009 NBA Draft Grades
by Robert Ferringo - 06/26/2009
When everyone is clamoring for the 2010 NBA Draft class and talking about how "deep" and "exciting" it is remember that the only reason for their gushing is because the 2009 NBA Draft class sucked.
Read more about 2009 NBA Draft Grades
NBA Draft Props: Odds and Predictions
by Matt Severance - 06/24/2009
This is the fourth and final installment of my NBA draft prop stories, and hopefully I've provided a little insight. Obviously it's a total crapshoot, with the Timberwolves now likely to be very active on Wednesday and/or draft day after acquiring that No. 5 pick and flotsam from the Wizards for Randy Foye and Mike Miller.
Read more about NBA Draft Props
NBA Draft Betting: Conference Props
by Matt Severance - 06/24/2009
In a story yesterday, we already hit on betED's ACC props odds, with that conference's first-round over/under being at 5 ½ players chosen in Thursday night's draft. We recommended the over on that and stick with it.
Read more about NBA Draft Conference Props
NBA Draft Predictions: Betting on the Top 5
by Matt Severance - 06/23/2009
With the Los Angeles Clippers taking all the uncertainty out of which player will be chosen first in Thursday night's NBA Draft (although how can you not just put a few bucks down on betED's odds of Blake Griffin playing for a team other than the Clippers at +3500), let's see if we can give you some NBA Draft predictions for betting the rest of the Top 5 of the draft.
Read more about NBA Draft Predictions
NBA Draft Betting: Tar Heels Odds and Predictions
by Matt Severance - 06/23/2009
If you want to see a crazy amount of NBA draft odds check out betED, as the site has just about every scenario covered. With that said, I will hit the draft hard for the next few days. Blake Griffin is most certainly going to be taken No. 1 overall by the Clippers on Thursday night - thus dooming Griffin to a career of mediocrity if you go by past No. 1 overall Clipper picks.
Read more about NBA Draft Betting
2009 NBA Draft: Ranking the Foreign Players
by Robert Ferringo - 06/18/2009
The other day I stumbled upon a USA Today story about the NBA from 2002 that proclaimed: "Foreign Players Now Draft's Must Haves." The article cited the success of players like Dirk Nowitski, Peja Stojakovic and Hedo Turkoglu since being drafted and the author pointed out that three of the five players on the 2001-2002 NBA All-Rookie were non-Americans.
Read more about NBA Draft Foreign Player Rankings
NBA Betting: Finals Game 3 Props Predictions
by Matt Severance - 06/09/2009
If it's true that no playoff series really begins until the home team loses, then maybe the Orlando Magic have a shot in these NBA Finals, which resume tonight in central Florida.
Read more about NBA Finals Props Predictions
NBA Betting: Howard vs. Shaq Historical Finals Props
by Matt Severance - 06/04/2009
Everyone expected LeBron James to be the superstar opposing Kobe Bryant and the Lakers in this year's NBA Finals, but the Dwight Howard-led Orlando Magic instead have stolen the show and broken the hearts of NBA commissioner David Stern (not that he would admit it), ABC television executives (not that they would admit it) and advertisers at Nike and Vitaminwater.
Read more about NBA Finals Props
NBA Finals Exact Series Prices
by Trevor Whenham - 06/03/2009
With the NBA Finals just around the corner, now is the time when people are trying to decide which team is going to win the series. Will it be the fairly heavily-favored Lakers, or will the Magic find a way to shock a third straight top team? Once you figure that out you can bet the series price, but that's not always particularly attractive - especially if you like the Lakers.
Read more about NBA Finals Betting Odds.
NBA Finals Series Odds and Predictions
by Josh Nagel - 06/02/2009
This NBA Finals is not the one most people had in mind. But considering that the Kobe vs. LeBron matchup didn't pan out, and a Lakers-Celtics rematch was largely derailed by an injury to Kevin Garnett, we are left with an intriguing matchup all the same.
Read more about NBA Finals Predictions
2009 NBA Draft: Ranking the Power Forwards
by Robert Ferringo - 06/01/2009
Blake Griffin will not only be carrying the banner for what is a very interesting 2009 NBA Draft class but he is also the flagship player for one of the deepest positions in the NBA Draft, power forward. And after watching the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics take the last two Eastern Conference titles it's obvious that power ball is "in" on the hardwood.
Read more about NBA Draft Power Forward Rankings
2009 NBA Draft: Ranking the Small Forwards
by Robert Ferringo - 06/01/2009
Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Lamar Odom and Hedo Turkoglu were key players in the NBA's version of the Final Four last week in the Eastern and Western Conference Finals last week. And while I can say that there probably isn't another Anthony or James on the board for this year's NBA Draft there are some potential difference makers available, even if this position is the weakest in the draft.
Read more about NBA Draft Small Forward Rankings
WNBA Betting Tips
by Trevor Whenham - 05/29/2009
In terms of public interest and national attention and respect, the WNBA falls somewhere below the Scripps Spelling Bee and the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. The NBA continues to support the league and make it possible, but it failed to grab traction as an entity of its own. From a cultural perspective that's probably not very surprising. From a bettor's viewpoint, though, the lack of attention presents a real opportunity.
Read more about WNBA Betting Tips.
24 Seconds Around the NBA Playoffs
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 05/28/2009
The NBA Finals are quickly approaching and we have been blessed with some outstanding basketball over the course of the last month. The Orlando Magic has the NBA regular season champion Cleveland Cavaliers on the ropes and the Nuggets and Lakers are showing us why they aren't golfing at the moment.
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2009 NBA Draft: Ranking the Shooting Guards
by Robert Ferringo - 05/27/2009
While Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade dominated the NBA this season, the general managers for the teams picking at the top of the 2009 NBA can only hope that they stumble upon The Next Big Thing at the shooting guard position. James was the No. 1 overall pick in 2005 for Cleveland, but neither Wade (No. 5 overall in 2003) nor Bryant (No. 13 in 1996) was considered the top players in their classes when they came out.
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NBA Betting: Nuggets-Lakers Game 1 Props
by Matt Severance - 05/27/2009
Let's not kid ourselves: With a game still to come in Denver, tonight's Game 5 at Staples Center could be the Lakers' season. So is there really any question that Kobe Bryant will take the game into his hands?
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NBA Betting: Nuggets-Lakers Game 4 Props
by Matt Severance - 05/26/2009
Guarantees in sports are pretty overrated nowadays, no question. Just about everyone guarantees something now (including Magic assistant Patrick Ewing last series), but Mo Williams' guarantee that the Cavs will win Game 4 of the east finals on Tuesday night makes for at least some interesting prop betting on whether Williams will back up his words.
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2009 NBA Draft: Ranking the Point Guards
by Robert Ferringo - 05/22/2009
When I played organized basketball I loved being a point guard. You're in control. You're running the show. You're doing all of the big and all of the little things to keep the Machine running. When things are going good you're pushing the tempo, getting everyone touches, and making plays either scoring or dishing.
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NBA Betting: Nuggets-Lakers Game 2 Props
by Matt Severance - 05/21/2009
I'm now a believer in Carmelo Anthony. Denver's Anthony, who aims to be mentioned in the same class as 2003 draft-mates LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, not to mention Kobe Bryant, looked the part in Game 1 against the Lakers.
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2009 NBA Mock Draft
by Robert Ferringo - 05/20/2009
Tuesday certainly was an A-plus night for Los Angeles basketball. First, the Lakers came back to beat a plucky Denver team and seize a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals. Next, the Clippers won the NBA Draft Lottery and will now be selecting first in Doc's Sports 2009 NBA Mock Draft. And, finally, it looks like the Lakers usurped Spike Lee as a fan, as it appears he ditched his courtside seats at Madison Square Garden for a great seat in Kobe Bryant's pants.
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NBA Betting: Cleveland-Orlando Game 1 Props
by Matt Severance - 05/20/2009
The Orlando Magic have lived and died by the three-point shot all season, including playoffs, but they might have some issues with that strategy in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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NBA Betting Preview: LA Lakers-Denver Series Predictions
by Josh Nagel - 05/19/2009
This series has become highly anticipated because of the play of both teams in their previous series. Denver dominated what had been an improving Dallas Mavericks team, while the Lakers inexplicably struggled against the short-handed Houston Rockets and let what should have been a one-sided series dangerously reach a seventh and final game.
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NBA Betting Preview: Cleveland-Orlando Series Predictions
by Josh Nagel - 05/19/2009
It seems like the Cleveland Cavaliers have been on an early summer vacation. In years past, this would be because they stood no chance of making it this far in the playoffs and had long been watching them from the comfort of their off-season homes.
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NBA Betting: Nuggets-Lakers Game 1 Props
by Matt Severance - 05/19/2009
It's the old rest vs. rust argument in Game 1 of the Denver-L.A. Lakers series, as Houston surprisingly extended Los Angeles to seven games before losing at Staples Center on Sunday.
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NBA Draft Lottery Betting Odds
by Matt Severance - 05/18/2009
Tuesday night is an important evening for all those NBA teams that failed to make the playoffs, as the NBA's Draft Lottery is held - with Oklahoma's Blake Griffin widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in this summer's draft.
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2009 NBA Draft Sleepers
by Robert Ferringo - 05/15/2009
Glen "Big Baby" Davis was a player that I suggested was a steal at No. 35 overall in the 2007 NBA Draft. Rajon Rondo was an afterthought - a reach even - at No. 21 in 2006. Daniel Gibson (No. 42), Kyle Lowry (No. 24), Von Wafer (No. 39) and Delonte West (No. 24) were other players who either went in the second round when no one was watching or were picked in the first round where no one else would've wanted them.
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2009 NBA Draft Prospects
by Robert Ferringo - 05/14/2009
If we were to compare the NBA and NFL drafts to professional wrestling - and with all of the drama and absurdity involved, why not? - then the NBA Draft would be the ECW while the NFL Draft would be the WWF.
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NBA Betting: Thursday Playoffs Preview
by Matt Severance - 05/14/2009
It's back to ESPN for your NBA fix tonight, betting fans. And both road teams can close it out, although only the Lakers are favored to do so.
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NBA Betting: Tuesday Playoffs Preview
by Matt Severance - 05/12/2009
The Orlando Magic did a great job of covering Ray Allen and Paul Pierce as the seconds ticked down at the end in Game 4, but that left Glen Davis wide open, and "Big Baby" swished a 21-foot jumper to tie this series at two games apiece.
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NBA Betting: Monday Playoffs Preview
by Matt Severance - 05/11/2009
Any chance this series doesn't end tonight? Not much. This stat, courtesy of Covers.com: Since the NBA changed the first round to a best of seven six years ago, teams with a 3-0 lead have finished off the sweep 15 of 18 times and are 12-5-1 against the spread.
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NBA Betting: Friday Playoffs Preview
by Matt Severance - 05/08/2009
Both Game 3s on Friday night have one thing common, other than being knotted at one game apiece: A starting point guard in each will not be on the floor due to a suspension. Also note that ESPN takes over from TNT for a night.
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NBA Betting: Wednesday Playoffs Preview
by Matt Severance - 05/06/2009
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that if Orlando's J.J. Redick once again outscores Celtics star and likely future Hall of Famer Ray Allen in the shooting guard matchup on Wednesday night, then the Magic will head back to central Florida with a 2-0 lead in this series.
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NBA Betting: Tuesday Playoffs Preview
by Matt Severance - 05/05/2009
We might have learned two things from Monday night's NBA playoff action, one which favors Atlanta in tonight's Game 1 against Cleveland and one which does not.
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NBA Playoffs Betting: Cavaliers-Hawks Predictions
by Josh Nagel - 05/05/2009
If this series goes as scripted - and there's no hard evidence to suggest it won't - the Cavaliers' second-round series against the Atlanta Hawks should be akin to ripping the Band-Aid off a week-old cut. Fast, and relatively painless. That is, unless the Hawks can somehow find a way to become a thorn in Cleveland's side.
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24 Seconds Around the NBA Playoffs
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 05/04/2009
The first round of the playoffs has finally come to a conclusion with the finale of the weirdest playoff series EVER. Atlanta and Miami played a seven-game series with neither team staying within double-digits of the other. The better team definitely won and Atlanta will at least be able to give Cleveland a game, especially in Atlanta, but won't give them a series. I still see Cleveland winning this series rather easily, and sitting comfortably waiting for the winner of the other Eastern Conference semifinal.
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NBA Betting: Monday Playoffs Preview
by Matt Severance - 05/04/2009
It will be interesting to see how much the Celtics have in their tanks tonight after basically playing an eight-game first-round series against the Chicago Bulls, one that didn't end until late Saturday night.
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NBA Playoffs Betting: Celtics-Magic Predictions
by Josh Nagel - 05/04/2009
These teams are meeting in a second-round tilt that many predicted would be the Eastern Conference finals matchup before the season started. Both have hardly had time to catch their breath after squeaking by first-round opponents that weren't expected to put up much of a fight.
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NBA Playoffs Betting: Lakers-Rockets Predictions
by Josh Nagel - 05/01/2009
Both teams head into this matchup after rolling through their first-round series. The Lakers predictably met little resistance from the defense-challenged Utah Jazz, while the Rockets surprisingly faced a minimal challenge from the upstart Portland Trailblazers.
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NBA Playoffs Betting: Nuggets-Mavericks Predictions
by Josh Nagel - 05/01/2009
Both teams advanced by disposing of first-round opponents that failed to offer more than two legitimate weapons in their lineup. The surging Mavericks defeated the aging and wounded San Antonio Spurs, who suffered from the absence of Manu Ginobli and the ailments of forward Tim Duncan.
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NBA Betting: Thursday Playoffs Preview
by Matt Severance - 04/30/2009
Hopefully you took some rare good advice from me for Game 5 of this series, when I wrote that the Celtics giving eight points in that one was simply too many as close as this series as has been. Chicago probably should have won Game 5 as it turned out, but the Bulls did cover as the series saw its third overtime game - a first in NBA playoff history.
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NBA Betting: Wednesday Playoffs Preview
by Matt Severance - 04/29/2009
The Atlanta Hawks broke a 12-year road playoff drought with a win in South Florida in Game 4 on Monday night, and now Atlanta is back in control of this series despite it being deadlocked at two games apiece.
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NBA Betting: Tuesday Playoffs Preview
by Matt Severance - 04/28/2009
Enjoy Tuesday night, NBA betting fans, because it's likely to be the final night where we have four playoff games. Game 5s are generally the best gauge of a series, as in NBA history the winner of Game 5 from a series tied at 2-2 has gone on to prevail in the series 121 of 145 times, or 83 percent of the time.
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24 Seconds Around the NBA Playoffs
by Nolan Sinclair - 04/28/2009
A friend of mine has told me that he is already bored with the NBA playoffs as he feels that there has been no drama. I disagree. And even though we've seen a strange amount of blowouts and then reverse blowouts (the team that got creamed the game before comes back to cream the team that just kicked their teeth in) I feel that the playoffs have started with a bang.
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NBA Betting: Monday Playoffs Preview
by Matt Severance - 04/27/2009
While the Hawks expected to have trouble with Dwyane Wade, it has actually been Jermaine O'Neal that has been the difference in Miami winning two straight in this series for a 2-1 lead.
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NBA Betting: Thursday Playoffs Preview
by Matt Severance - 04/23/2009
By now you've probably heard that the Boston Celtics have lost yet another big man. That would be forward Leon Powe, who was the first guy off the Boston bench, behind Glen Davis - Davis is starting at power forward with Kevin Garnett likely done for the playoffs.
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NBA Betting: Hawks Could Surprise in the East
by Nolan Sinclair and Robert Ferringo - 04/22/2009
The Atlanta Hawks are a very interesting team in this postseason. They seem to fit the mold of many teams that have made the final 16 this year: they are practically unstoppable at home and somewhat of an enigma on the road. They look to have the upper hand in their first round series with Miami, but then comes a date with LeBron James and the top-seeded Cavaliers.
Read more about Atlanta in the NBA Finals
NBA Betting: Wednesday Playoffs Preview
by Matt Severance - 04/22/2009
No team probably was kicking itself more after Game 1 than the Orlando Magic, who blew an 18-point lead at home and lost to the sixth-seeded Sixers on an Andre Iguodola jumper in the final seconds.
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NBA Betting: Tuesday Playoffs Preview
by Matt Severance - 04/21/2009
The Cavs were never really in jeopardy of losing Saturday's Game 1 of this series and easily covered in the 102-84 home victory. Oddsmakers expect another sizable difference tonight, as Cleveland has opened as an 11.5-point favorite on Bodog.
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NBA Betting: The Impact Of KG Going MIA
by Matt Severance - 4/16/2009
It’s generally an unwritten rule in any sport that players never “root” for opposing teams to have injured players, especially injured stars. But don’t doubt for a minute that there are a few private celebrations going on right now in Chicago, Orlando, Cleveland and Los Angeles following Thursday’s news that Boston Celtics star Kevin Garnett is likely going to sit out the entire postseason.
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by Matt Severance - 04/15/2009
It's Hard to believe it's the final night of the NBA's regular season on Wednesday, and you know what that means: A handful of games that matter, and a handful of scrub matchups.
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Thursday NBA on TNT Preview: Boston at Philadelphia
by Matt Severance - 04/14/2009
Despite the fact that the Philadelphia 76ers are on a five-game losing streak (1-4 ATS) and have lost all three games (1-2 ATS) to the Boston Celtics this year, I believe the Sixers are an excellent play on Tuesday night against a Boston team that has covered in six of its past eight visits to Philly.
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NBA Handicapping: Transitioning From Regular Season to Playoffs
by Trevor Whenham - 04/10/2009
With the NBA Playoffs approaching quickly, I have been reading everything I can get my hands on in the eternal pursuit of an edge. One thing I keep coming across in various forms is the concept that a team that finishes strong in the regular season is in a good position to do well in the playoffs. That makes sense on an intuitive level, but before I got too excited about it I wanted to test it out for myself.
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Thursday NBA on TNT Preview: Denver at L.A. Lakers
by Matt Severance - 04/09/2009
I'm trying to be impartial while writing this story, but just about everything points to a Los Angeles Laker victory and cover tonight against the Denver Nuggets, who are nine-point underdogs on BetUS.
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NBA Rookie of the Year Odds and Betting Predictions
by Matt Severance - 04/08/2009
With the NBA's regular season set to conclude on April 15, it's time to start thinking about the Association's 2008-09 awards. You can check back at Doc's soon for MVP, Coach of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year stories, etc., but we'll start with the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy, which goes to the NBA's Rookie of the Year. The trophy, if you were wondering, is named in honor of the former Philadelphia Warriors coach and owner. I didn't know that …
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NBA Playoff Betting: How to Make Money Betting the NBA Playoffs
by Trevor Whenham - 04/07/2009
The NBA Playoffs are just around the corner - two months of what will hopefully be far more interesting than long stretches of the regular season. Betting success in the playoffs requires a different approach than the regular season - teams are playing at full intensity for perhaps the first time in months, and the stakes are as high as they can be. To help you get ready for that change in mindset here are five NBA Playoffs betting tips to help you start thinking like a playoff bettor:
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Playing the NBA Stock Market: Buy or Sell
by Josh Nagel - 04/06/2009
It's getting down to the last week or so of regular-season play in the NBA, and several teams still have plenty to play for. However, recent results suggest that simply having adequate motivation doesn't necessarily translate to improved results.
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Thursday NBA on TNT Preview: Utah at Denver
by Matt Severance - 04/01/2009
The schedule makers did no favors for the Utah Jazz this week, with the team facing two back-to-backs. Utah made it through a Monday-Tuesday double with a home win over the Knicks but then got trounced the next night in Portland, 125-104.
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Cavaliers Favorites to Win NBA Finals
by Trevor Whenham - 04/01/2009
A funny thing is happening in the NBA's Eastern Conference. Coming into the season, the Boston Celtics seemed destined for a repeat of what they accomplished last year, and the Cleveland Cavaliers looked like they were en route to another easy playoff bid as a middle seed and another disappointing playoff run. In other words, pretty much the same result as last year. That's not at all what is happening, though.
Read more about Cleveland Cavaliers and the NBA Finals.
Thursday NBA on TNT Preview: Phoenix at Portland
by Matt Severance - 03/25/2009
Spots 2-7 in the Western Conference are a jumbled mess with about three weeks left in the NBA season, so every game is important for a team like the Portland Trail Blazers. Entering Wednesday's NBA action, the Blazers were seventh in the West but just 2.5 games behind San Antonio for No. 2. Basically, it appears that any team that can put together a decent winning streak to close the season can claim that coveted second spot out West.
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NBA Handicapping: Rockets Underrated
by Trevor Whenham - 03/25/2009
If you asked most casual basketball fans to name the four teams with the most wins in the NBA, they would likely get at least three right. If, though, you were to ask them who has the fifth most victories, I would bet that a large majority would get the answer wrong. It's the Houston Rockets, and they are easily the quietest success in the league right now. They are winning with surprising regularity - 16 times in their last 21 games - and they have done it despite playing without Tracy McGrady over that stretch.
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Around the NBA in 24 Seconds
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 03/23/2009
April 18, the opening day of the NBA playoffs, is approaching faster than we know it. For some NBA teams this last push to the postseason is the time of year where they rest starters, get their players healthy, and tune up any little problems they may have for Money Time in the playoffs. For others it's time to scrap and claw for either a more favorable seed or a home series in the opening round or for that last slot in the postseason field.
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Playing the NBA Stock Market: Buy or Sell
by Josh Nagel - 03/23/2009
Around this time of the year in the NBA, you can count on teams that have something to play for. Some are looking to protect their playoff position or move up to grab one, while others are looking to round their game into playoff-ready form. Clubs that fit this profile can be profitable during this stretch run.
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Around the NBA in 24 Seconds
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 03/16/2009
Even though the NCAA Tournament starts this week the NBA season is heating up as teams are nearing the home stretch for the run to the playoffs. Once again, I give you Around the NBA in 24 Seconds.
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2009 NBA MVP Odds and Predictions
by Nolan Sinclair and Robert Ferringo - 03/16/2009
Right now there are two hot topics in the NBA: how is the playoff field going to shape up and what are some 2009 NBA MVP odds and who is going to bring home the Podoloff Cup.
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Thursday NBA on TNT Preview: L.A. Lakers at San Antonio
by Matt Severance - 03/12/2009
One of the best rivalries in the NBA and the matchup that most expect to be a repeat of the Western Conference Finals highlights the NBA on TNT doubleheader on Thursday night when the San Antonio Spurs host the Los Angeles Lakers, who are 2.5-point underdogs on Bodog.
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Bet on Potential NBA Finals Matchups
by Trevor Whenham - 03/11/2009
You can bet on which teams you think are going to win the two conferences in the NBA, or which team is going to win it all, but for some people those just don't offer a big enough payoff to be interesting. People who have a taste for more action might want to look at the NBA Finals matchup props available now on Sportsbook.com.
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Around the NBA in 24 Seconds
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 03/10/2009
If you listen closely you can hear a very distinct sound vibrating through the halls of NBA stadiums across the country. No, it's not the sound of alimony and child support checks being cashed by ex-wives and mistresses. And no, it's not an echo from the empty seats in these hoops cathedrals caused by our recession. It's something deeper. Coarser.
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Playing the NBA Stock Market: Buy or Sell
by Josh Nagel - 03/09/2009
As teams head toward the stretch run before the playoffs, some are preparing for the postseason by making a last-minute addition to their roster and bolstering the intensity of their play as sort of a dress rehearsal for the playoffs.
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NBA Handicapping: Can Suns Make a Playoff Surge?
by Trevor Whenham - 03/06/2009
It hasn't been a good year for the Phoenix Suns, but it has been an exceptionally entertaining year to be an outside observer. Many people had the opinion coming into this season that Phoenix was a team destined to fail, but few would have guessed the number of ways they would find to do so. This is what happens when bad luck meets bad planning, bad coaching, and bad attitudes.
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NBA Handicapping: Bettor's Look at Stephon Marbury Addition
by Trevor Whenham - 03/06/2009
Different teams handle the pressure of trying to repeat a championship in different ways. Some handle the increased pressure with grace and ease, while others panic and ensure that they don't get back for a second shot. Up until this point the Celtics have managed it pretty well - their key players have stayed in place and kept their heads from growing so big that they explode. Things were going smooth. Too smooth for GM Danny Ainge, apparently.
Read more about Celtics and Marbury.
Thursday NBA on TNT Preview: Portland at Denver
by Matt Severance - 03/05/2009
First place in the Northwest Division is on the line tonight in Denver when the Portland Trail Blazers visit the Mile High City as 5.5-point underdogs.
Read more about Thursday NBA on TNT Preview.
Around the NBA in 24 Seconds
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 03/02/2009
The economy has definitely started to take its toll on the NBA just as it has on the rest of the real world. The league has lined up $200 million to give to NBA teams that are in need of some financial assistance. The NBA is going to distribute between $13-$20 million to the 12 teams that need help. The money can be used in any way, but it will help teams deal with operational losses due to the slumping economy.
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NBA Handicapping: How To Handle Eliminated Teams Down the Stretch
by Trevor Whenham - 02/26/2009
There are still 25 or so games left in the NBA season, but for at least nine teams the season is all but over. There is no chance for a playoff run, and little reason for hope. Those teams provide a puzzle for sports bettors. With nine teams out of 30 being affected, choosing not to bet these teams would severely limit the playable games.
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Thursday NBA on TNT Preview: Phoenix at L.A. Lakers
by Matt Severance - 02/26/2009
Tonight's Suns-Lakers game, which could easily be a first-round playoff preview, will lose some luster and could be a blowout if Phoenix point guard Steve Nash is out.
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Around the NBA in 24 Seconds
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 02/23/2009
I once saw a movie where a young man heard that the hot girl wanted to go with him to the prom. He was so excited that before he found out for sure he went out and bought an expensive tuxedo, rented a limo, and bought a case of booze for the occasion.
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Playing the NBA Stock Market: Buy or Sell
by Josh Nagel - 02/23/2009
Coming out the All-Star break, most NBA teams made some final moves that indicated their intentions for the rest of the season.
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Betting Impact of NBA Trade Deadline
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 02/23/2009
If the current NBA standings don't tell you who is a contender this year and who is ready for the offseason to get here, then the dealings at the trade deadline sure have to. Some teams are content with their lineups, others are gearing up to make a playoff push while the rest are cashing their chips early and fighting for better odds in the NBA Draft Lottery.
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Thursday NBA on TNT Preview: Boston at Utah
by Matt Severance - 02/19/2009
Perhaps the best news of Thursday's doubleheader on TNT, with the Boston at Utah game as the nightcap, is the return of Charles Barkley to the TNT studio. Barkley took a six-week sabbatical from the show after his drunken-driving arrest Dec. 31 in Scottsdale. According to the Nielsen numbers, ratings dropped about 38 percent during the time Barkley was out.
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NBA Betting: Heat Ready for Return To Prominence?
by Trevor Whenham - 02/19/2009
The Miami Heat are making some noise. They have been impressive in recovering from a terrible season last year, and they made a big splash in the trade market. It would take a blind optimist to call them a contender for another title, but they are certainly a factor in the Eastern Conference again, and that's really something given where they were last March.
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Possible NBA Trade Deadline Maneuvers
by Trevor Whenham - 02/17/2009
The NBA trade deadline is now just a couple of days away. There is a whole lot of smoke this year, but it remains to be seen if there will be any fire. Shawn Marion and Jermaine O'Neal have switched spots, but they are he only big names to find new addresses so far. Because of the inaction, I decided to take it upon myself to make this deadline more interesting.
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Five NBA Betting Trends For Stretch Run
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 02/17/2009
The Second Season is set to begin in the NBA and now it's time for both players and gamblers to roll up their sleeves and get down to business.
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NBA Mid-Season Awards
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 02/17/2009
We're a little over halfway through the NBA season and I thought it was time to break out some fictional mid-season hardware. So with that in mind, here is a look at my selections for the NBA mid-season awards:
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Around the NBA in 24 Seconds
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 02/16/2009
The all-star break has finally come and gone and now we're heading into Winning Time in the NBA. Every team in the league this year has gone on some manner of streak - wins, losses, overs, unders, etc. - to pad people's wallets over the first several months of the season. But now teams are going to be tightening up the reigns and getting down to business. In this issue of 24 seconds we will discuss the different streaks that will or won't continue in the second half and trades that should happen and their effects on both teams.
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How to Bet NBA Player Props
by Trevor Whenham - 02/13/2009
If you are just a casual fan of the NBA and you like to bet on games a bit then you have probably realized just how hard it is to make money betting sides in the NBA. The lines are usually pretty solid, smart money is active, and there is little room for error. If you are committed to having a little action as you watch your team play, though, then there are other ways to satisfy your itch. Totals are the obvious option, but player props are another, and they overlooked by most bettors.
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NBA All-Star HORSE Competition Odds and Predictions
by Trevor Whenham - 02/12/2009
Need something fun to do with your sweetheart on Valentine's Day? Don't feel like shelling out for a fancy dinner? Well, the answer is obvious - nothing says loving more than H-O-R-S-E. For the first time this year, the NBA has added a H-O-R-S-E competition, which we will refer to as the HORSE Competition on further reference to avoid repetition, as part of the NBA All-Star Game festivities.
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Thursday NBA on TNT Preview: Boston at Dallas
by Matt Severance - 02/12/2009
The first half of the NBA season closes out tonight, with the TNT nightcap of Boston at Dallas easily the best matchup of the three games before the all-star break.
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2009 NBA Mock Draft
by Robert Ferringo - 02/12/2009
The NBA All-Star game is upon us and that means that we are a bit more than halfway to the crowning of a new champion. But it also means that we're getting closer to the point in the season where teams start tanking games to improve their odds in the 2009 NBA Draft Lottery.
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NBA Slam Dunk Contest Betting Predictions
by Matt Severance - 02/11/2009
Well, barring another injury, the 2009 All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest is set. Memphis' Rudy Gay was in the original field with Orlando's Dwight Howard, New York's Nate Robinson and Portland's Rudy Fernandez, but Gay had to pull out because of a hip flexor injury that has had him on the sideline for all of the Grizzlies' games this week.
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Around the NBA in 24 Seconds
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 02/09/2009
The all-star break is just around the corner and this is the time of year that NBA players look forward to as it gives them a chance to rest their weary bones. The first half of the season is just a taste of what we, as fans, have to look forward too. At this point the Cavs, Magic, and Thunder, yes, the Thunder, have been money in the bank for their backers just as the Phoenix Suns and Toronto Raptors have been about as valuable as a nice case of the crabs.
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Playing the NBA Stock Market: Buy or Sell
by Josh Nagel - 02/09/2009
Impressive road wins Sunday by the San Antonio Spurs over the NBA defending-champion Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers over the Cleveland Cavaliers - who were previously unbeaten at home - showed that the Western Conference powers aren't ready to cede a complete shift in dominance to the Eastern Conference just yet.
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NBA Handicapping: Long Road Trips
by Trevor Whenham - 02/05/2009
Inevitably, NBA teams are going to be forced on the road for extended road trips during the season. So far this season, only San Antonio and Minnesota have yet to go on a trip of at least four games. Some teams do well on these trips, while others struggle badly.
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How To Bet NBA Totals
by Trevor Whenham - 02/05/2009
Sports bettors don't always make a lot of sense. Picking sides in the NBA is very tough - the books set good numbers, and they consistently make solid profits. On the other hand, books often struggle with NBA totals. They are harder to come up with a good number, and books regularly lose money on NBA totals over the course of the whole season.
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Thursday NBA on TNT Preview: LA Lakers at Boston
by Matt Severance - 02/05/2009
Tonight's Los Angeles Lakers-Boston Celtics rematch of last year's NBA Finals and a Christmas Day win by the purple and gold could well be the most-watched NBA game on TNT this year and draw more betting action than any other in the regular season as well - Boston has opened as a 5.5-point favorite.
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NBA Handicapping: Back-to-Back Games
by Trevor Whenham - 02/04/2009
NBA teams have already played games on back-to-back nights 333 times this year. That means that it is important for bettors to consider the impact that these games have on teams. It's especially important in this case because people probably have assumptions about what happens that they regularly act on. For example, I would guess that a large number of people would assume that teams are not going to be at their best in the second game in as many nights. If that were true then it would be a powerful tool for handicappers.
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Around the NBA in 24 Seconds
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 02/03/2009
At 16-28-1 against the spread the Suns have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA this season. They brought in a new coach (Terry Porter), a new shooting guard (Jason Richardson) and were excited about having Shaquille O'Neal for an entire season.
Read more about NBA Betting.
Thursday NBA on TNT Preview: Cleveland at Orlando
by Matt Severance - 01/29/2009
The Orlando Magic failed their big test a week ago on TNT against the Boston Celtics, but they can redeem themselves this Thursday on the network by beating the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers in the teams' first meeting of the season.
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Around the NBA in 24 Seconds
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 01/27/2009
Don't look now but the bottom feeders of the NBA are the ones making the most noise at the bank. If you want to make a buck betting the NBA lately it's been a pretty easy formula: look for the elite teams and lay the points and find the pathetic clubs and take the points. That's it. Cut and dry.
Read more about NBA Betting.
Playing the NBA Stock Market: Buy or Sell
by Josh Nagel - 01/26/2009
Buy low, sell high is a time-honored cliché that oversimplifies the most basic goal of playing the stock market.
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Thursday NBA on TNT Preview: Boston at Orlando
by Matt Severance - 01/22/2009
In my opinion, almost everything points to an Orlando Magic victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night in what could easily be an Eastern Conference Finals preview (pipe down, Cavs fans) in the opening game of the TNT doubleheader.
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Around the NBA in 24 Seconds
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 01/19/2009
Come with us as we go Around The NBA In 24 Seconds:
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NBA Handicapping: Some Straight Up Duds are ATS Studs
by Josh Nagel - 01/15/2009
If you're looking for value in the NBA as the season nears its midpoint, there might be a natural temptation to look toward the league's top-echelon teams.
Read more about NBA ATS Winners.
Thursday NBA on TNT Preview: Suns at Nuggets
by Matt Severance - 01/15/2009
Unfortunately, if you tune into TNT's coverage of the NBA on Thursday night, you won't get to see what is usually the best part of it: Charles Barkley.
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NBA Handicapping: Revenge Big on Back-to-Back Games
by Nicholas Tolomeo - 01/14/2009
When NBA teams face each other in consecutive games, the key to the next go-round may not be what team makes the better coaching adjustments or how the losing team is able to bounce back. It might just come down to how many days off the teams get between meetings.
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Around the NBA in 24 Seconds
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 01/13/2009
Come with us as we go Around The NBA In 24 Seconds:
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Playing the NBA Stock Market: Buy or Sell
by Josh Nagel - 01/12/2009
As the NBA all-star break fast approaches, the thought of the annual mid-season affair seems to send teams darting in one of two directions - up or down.
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Around the NBA in 24 Seconds
by Robert Ferringo and Nolan Sinclair - 01/05/2009
Stephon Marbury just won't go away. The Celtics are making it known that they have an interest in the disgruntled guard and adding them to their title team. Many are saying that there is absolutely no downside to the Celtics taking a gamble on Marbury. He can still play, he will have a hunger to prove everyone wrong, and they have a locker room filled with veteran character guys.
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