2009 NBA Playoffs Betting Preview: Matchups and Odds
The post breaks down the opening odds and lines for the first round matchups of the 2009 NBA Playoffs. Follow the link to view the complete NBA playoffs first round TV schedule.
Eastern Conference Playoffs Series Odds
No. 8 Detroit Pistons @ No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers
The Detroit Pistons have been sinking ever since their trade of Chauncey Billups and are a paltry 18-31 since January 7. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers are the best team in the NBA and are extremely dominant at home. The Cavs have the best player in the league and the best home-court advantage, which will make this a very quick series.
Pistons vs Cavaliers odds: Cavaliers -3800
(Editor’s note: For a detailed preview and ticket information, follow the link to the MSF Cavs-Pistons preview and tickets post.)
No. 7 Chicago Bulls @ No. 2 Boston Celtics
What should have a been a walk-in-the-park for the Celtics now becomes a bit of a tricky first round matchup now that Kevin Garnett has been ruled out of the series.
The Celtics still have Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and a wealth of experience. The Bulls are young and raw, including their first-time head coach Vinny Del Negro. Even without Garnett, look for the Celtics to make quick work of the Bulls.
Bulls vs Celtics odds: Celtics -600
No. 6 Philadelphia 76ers @ No. 3 Orlando Magic
The Magic do and will miss their All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson but the loss won’t be noticed in this matchup.
The Magic are one of the league’s best perimeter teams while the Sixers are the league’s worst. That figures to be the downfall for Philadelphia, who will have a tough time consistently generating enough offense to keep up.
Magic vs 76ers odds: Magic -1200
No. 5 Miami Heat @ No. 4 Atlanta Hawks
The four-five matchup in the East will be interesting because of the contrast of styles. The Heat are a one-man show with Dwyane Wade while the Hawks are built on balance and depth.
The Hawks have six players who average double-figure scoring and, with home-court advantage in tow, hoops betting fans should expect the Hawks should get past the Heat in a seven-game series.
Heat vs Hawks odds: Hawks -145
Western Conference Playoff Series Odds
No 8. Utah Jazz @ No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers disposed of the Utah Jazz in six games during the 2007-08 Western Conference Semi-Finals and it’s hard to envision the result being different this time around.
The Lakers won the series without the services of Andrew Bynum and, with him around, the Jazz will now have one more problem to deal with.
The Jazz won just seven of their final 21 games while the Lakers lost just seven of their last 30.
Lakers vs Jazz odds: Lakers -2000
No. 7 New Orleans Hornets @ No. 2 Denver Nuggets
On paper, the New Orleans Hornets seem to match up very well against the Denver Nuggets. The problem is that the two squads are at different ends of the momentum spectrum, which should be the difference. The Hornets have lost four of their last five, six of their last eight and are 8-10 in their last 18 games. Meanwhile, the Nuggets won 14 of their last 17 games and are playing their best basketball heading into the playoffs.
Both teams like to get out and run, which benefits the Nuggets, who haven’t passed the first round in recent seasons because they have faced defensive-minded half-court teams. Hoops betting fans should look for the Nuggets to advance after a long series.
Hornets vs Nuggets odds: Nuggets -210
No. 6 Dallas Mavericks @ No. 3 San Antonio Spurs
Neither the Dallas Mavericks or San Antonio Spurs are the Championship threats they were just a few years back as both teams have aged quickly.
Tim Duncan is past his prime and he’ll be without one of his sidekicks, Manu Ginobili, for the series. For the Mavericks, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Jerry Stackhouse and Dirk Nowitzki are all past their primes too, which hardly makes them a threat.
The Spurs should get by on the strength of their home-court advantage.
Mavericks vs Spurs odds: Spurs -155
No. 5 Houston Rockets @ No. 4 Portland Trail Blazers
The Houston Rockets haven’t been out of the first round of the playoffs in the Yao Ming-Tracy McGrady era but they’ll finally have a good opportunity.
The Rockets lost their home court advantage at the last minute but they are facing a team without much playoff experience. Without McGrady, the Rockets have been cohesive and successful, and hoops betting fans won’t be surprised if they get over the hump.
Rockets vs Trail Blazers odds: Trail Blazers -125
Tags: 2009 NBA Playoffs, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, detroit pistons, NBA, Sports Betting
---------------
If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing with your friends:
