Who do you like in the EAST?

[Shame About Ray]

Cleveland Cavaliers (-200)
Boston Celtics (+200)
Orlando Magic (+450)

[Vegas Dave]

I think Orlando is a waste of money at +450. I know the odds are enticing, but they just aren't the same team without Jameer Nelson and I wasn't sure they could get the job done with him.

I know the Cavs are the chic pick but there is no value there, laying -200.

I would be very weary of the Boston Celtics. For starters, they are the champs. If anyone can go on the road and steal a game from Cleveland, it's them. I know they aren't fully healthy right now but overall, they are a deeper team than they were last year.

Rondo has improved, they still have the big three in Allen, Pierce and Garnett, the front court is deeper with the development of Big Baby and Leon Powe (and even the additions of Bill Walker and Mikki Moore), Eddie House is playing really well and Marbury is still getting into the flow.

This is a ridiculously deep team and if they can get 8-10 good games in the first two rounds with a healthy Kevin Garnett, this could be really good value on the Celtics at +200.

[Home On The Range]

I like that play too Vegas but allow me to throw in some longshots because that's really where you make $$$ right?

Miami +2000
Atlanta +2500

[Vegas Dave]

I know what you're saying, but those rarely cash in the NBA. Like right now, I can tell you the Lakers will win the West and unless there is some kind of miracle, nobody else even has a chance. In the East, it's the same way. The Cavs and Celtics are neck-in-neck, with the Cavs ahead right now. The Magic are a close fourth, but the Hawks and Heat are a distant, distant, distant, fourth and fifth. Those teams would have no shot of topping the Cavs or Celtics unless injuries came into play and unless you are betting on Chris Chandler, you can't count on injuries

[EaglesLinc]

I guess you are saying go with the logical choices in Cleveland and Los Angeles.

Unlike hockey where a higher seeded team can upset a low seed, the best basketball teams in the regular season tend to win out in the playoffs

[MikeOswald]

I think this is the Cav's year out of the East, to bad the Lake Show will kick their asses in the finals!

[EaglesLinc]

I don't know about that one Oz, as something tells me this might be LeBron's year and the Lakers have shown some kinks in the armour.