Handicapping 2008-2009 NBA Championship Odds

December 9, 2008 by Ray M.

NBA Futures Looking Strong in BetUS Sportsbook

Sure, BetUS NBA sports betting fanatics, everyone knows the Boston Celtics (+125) and Los Angeles Lakers (+115) look like absolute locks to reach the 2008-09 NBA Finals in the BetUS Sportsbook, but hoops fans and bettors everywhere should know that nothing is etched in stone no matter how powerful any particular team looks, particularly at this early juncture of the regular season.

In addition to last season’s NBA finalists, several other teams in both conferences are offering BetUS NBA betting enthusiasts excellent NBA Futures Odds in the BetUS Sportsbook.

Starting with the Eastern Conference, the ATS-leading Cleveland Cavaliers (16-4 ATS) are looking like they are going to be conference finalists at the very least.

The Cavaliers, behind superstar LeBron James, have won and covered the spread in a whopping eight consecutive games. While the Celtics are clearly the odds-on-favorite to reach the Finals out of the Eastern Conference, hoops bettors everywhere should know that Cleveland’s thrilling seven-game series with Boston in last year’s playoffs, means nothing is impossible for James and company.

Other teams in the Eastern Conference that are offering excellent NBA Futures Odds and have a legitimate chance to do some damage come playoff time are the Atlanta Hawks, (+1200) another team that pushed Boston to seven games in the postseason last year and the Detroit Pistons (+400) though I genuinely believe the Pistons shot themselves in the foot by trading point guard Chauncey Billups for selfish gunner Allan Iverson a few weeks back.

While the Lakers have gotten off to a fantastic 17-2 start and are the clear-cut favorite to reach the Finals out of the Western Conference, with several powerful teams in the West, nothing is a given.

Two teams that I think are going to be much better later on in the season are the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets, two teams that each stand at +2000 to win the Western Conference.

Both teams have made positive transactions that could go a long way toward helping them surprise L.A. and win the Western Conference title, if not more..

First-year Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle, a task-master if ever there were one, may find his team in the conference finals if they play defense up to his demands, while the addition of Billups has given the Nuggets some instant leadership – and direction.

I also wouldn’t discount the New Orleans Hornets, (+500) and their ability to win their conference title despite a sluggish start.

I also want to advise NBA sports bettors everywhere to keep a close eye on the San Antonio Spurs (+1000) who have win the NBA title in every odd year dating back to the 2002-03 season.

The Spurs could actually benefit from the fact that two of their all-star players, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, missed a slew of games at the beginning of the regular season and should be a bit more rested come playoff time than they would normally be once the spring rolls around.

I love the Spurs’ addition of deadly outside shooter Roger Mason and surprising mature rookie point guard George Hill, the team’s surprise first round draft pick.

Here is a look at the NBA Championship Odds on my top contenders in each conference:

Eastern Conference

Boston Celtics +350
Cleveland Cavaliers +850
Atlanta Hawks +3500
Detroit Pistons +1400

Western Conference

Los Angeles Lakers +175
San Antonio Spurs +2000
New Orleans Hornets +1100
Dallas Mavericks +4500
Denver Nuggets +3500