Sports betting

NBA Playoffs Lines, NBA Betting, NBA Odds, NBA Basketball Betting

by SPORTSBETTING.COM staff | April 23 2009

Things are getting good!

When the NBA Playoffs hit the ground running in mid-April, odds are that the action at your online sportsbook will be fast-breaking to the rim. Get a head start on betting the dunk-fest with this NBA playoff betting primer that looks at favorites, ponders futures and finally, picks a winner for the Finals.

Let's face it, hangovers suck. But if you are an optimist, which is a fairly common trait for anyone who ranks sports betting high on their daily to-do list, chances are you know a few ways to put a spin on that pounding headache and maybe even gain something from the ordeal.

The conclusion to the college game's March Madness can often have a hangover-type effect on hoops fans, leaving diehards to feel like it was a New Year's replay. The party's over and all that remains are a messy clump of bracket sheets spread across the floor. Toss in that lingering echo of the one loudmouth whose darkhorse came through in the clutch and it may as well be Bowl season again, without the stuffing.

But enter the NBA Playoffs. This is where the pros come to play and while it may not draw as much attention at first as the March Madness did from regular Joe's that didn't watch a single game until after filling out an office pool, the opportunities for a sports bettor are just as good.

Let's look at the NBA future odds.

Playoff odds—Current favorites listed to win the Conference championships and meet in the finals are the Los Angeles Lakers (-275) in the West and Cleveland Cavs (-200) in the East.

Cleveland has dominated opponents at home this year and if King James holds court throughout the playoffs his Cavs could go far. LeBron is second in league scoring behind Dwyane Wade (Miami) by the slightest margin and depending on what James does against his next group of opponents, whose combined win percentage is .399, that ranking could change in a hurry.

The Cavs lack depth, however, making it worthwhile to look around. Online sportsbooks have the odds set on Boston at +125 and Orlando at +500. Both seem like better options to take the East. Boston has toned things down and is the only one of the Association's top 14 teams with a sub-.500 record in their past 10 games. The Celts do have a favorable schedule ahead, though, finishing the campaign with six the team's final eight games at home. With some momentum heading into the post-season Boston should be ready to mow down the competition.

Out West, LA is poised to take it all this year proving recently that they are just as apt to win on the road as they are at the STAPLES Center. The Lakers are beating the opponents that matter, too, and by knocking off the Spurs, Cavs and Celts in the past three meetings against those clubs away from home LA has served notice.

Looking elsewhere for a first round series upset in the Western Conference is highly recommended and in the final two weeks of the regular season is where bettors can educate themselves as to which of the lower-seed playoff scrappers may have the ability to pickup the tab.

Portland is a team worth watching for upset potential in the first round as the Trail Blazers continue adding nightly to a tidy little road streak of 5-0 ATS in their past five outings. Portland played a statement Thursday game against the only current Western non-playoff team that still has a chance, beating Phoenix 129-109 in front of a home crowd. If the Blazers can hang in on the road they will have a chance to steal a straight-up win in Round 1.

Utah is another club with playoff experience that could surprise and if the Jazz just so happen to catch Houston in the first round, the Rockets better watch out! Utah knocked Houston from the playoffs last year and would like nothing more than to have that opportunity once again when the NBA playoffs get underway in April.

In the end, the Lakers are still the team to beat and at the plus-money being offered by the sportsbooks right now it's easy to see why LA is garnering a Lion's share of the action to become this year's NBA champs. Look for Kobe and the Lakers as a solid pick to win it all.

Enjoy betting on the NBA playoff odds, as well as betting on the playoffs once the NBA playoff lines are set.