NBA Handicapping Articles

NBA Handicapping: Phoenix Suns Back?
by T.O. 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.

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.

Potential NBA Surprise Teams
by T.O. 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.

NBA Betting Tutorial for the Casual Fan
by T.O. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NBA Betting: What You Need To Do to Get Ready for Season
by T.O. 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.

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).

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.