Sports betting

Basketball Odds, Betting Lines, NBA Eastern Conference Finals

by Kevin Taylor | May 20 2009

NBA Playoff Betting

How bad do you think the NBA is hoping for Cleveland to get out and have a fast start in their series vs. Orlando. No surprises, let's keep both the Lakers and the Cavaliers. On a smooth course to the Finals.

Speaking of the Championship series, NBA odds have already been listed for the series between the Lakers and Cavaliers. Online sportsbook SPORTSBETTING.com has their "Prospective Bets" lines (available exclusively at SPORTSBETTING.COM) on Game 1 line of a Lakers-Cavs final with Cleveland listed at -4.5 (yes, you can bet that line today, and in fact bet on any potential game for the Finals).

Last night, the Lakers did their part, barely, as they squeaked by the Nuggets… but failed to cover the pointspread for the sports bettors who put their money down on them. The line on the Lakers last night was -7 and they pulled out the win in the end, 105-103.

The sports betting public wasn't happy, as a majority of them (70%) had bet on LA.

The game also stayed under the total.

Tonight, all eyes are on Cleveland.

Heading into Game 1, the odds on the game see the Cavs listed as 9-point home faves with the Total set at 185.

Online sportsbooks have made the Cavaliers big, big favorites to win the series. The Series odds have them listed at -700, with Orlando at +550.

So far, Cleveland has yet to lose a game straight up, in the playoffs and have gone 7-0-1 against the spread. They have put together a mark of 2 overs and 6 unders in those games.

Orlando has been a solid "Under" bet so far, with a mark of 4 overs and 9 unders in the post-season.

But when looking at head to head matchups, Cleveland has not fared well at all vs. the Magic. Cleveland bettors have been taken to the cleaners in fact. In their last 11 meetings, Orlando is a dominant 10-1 ATS, including a perfect 5-0 ATS in the last five.

The NBA playoffs and of course the NBA betting continues as the playoffs move forward.

The sports betting public has been busy betting this game. Most online sportsbooks are seeing the Cavaliers getting the majority of action. SPORTSBETTING.COM is seeing 66% of all the action coming in on the Cavs.

Enjoy the game.

Take a look at all the NBA odds

Author: Kevin Taylor is a veteran sports handicapper and student of the sports betting world. He has written for several media outlets, focusing on sports, sports betting and online poker.