Since acquiring Kevin Garnett, Boston has ruled the division the last two seasons, both straight up and against the spread, trends which NBA betting fans will be monitoring. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS), and over/under (O/U) records for the 2008/09 season in parentheses:
BOSTON CELTICS (69-27 SU, 49-46-1 ATS, 50-46 O/U): With Garnett (15.8 PPG, 8.5 RPG) restored to health and Paul Pierce (20.5 PPG), Ray Allen (18.2 PPG), Rajon Rondo (11.9 PPG, 8.2 APG) and Rasheed Wallace (12.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG) back for another season, the Celtics should run away with the division. Kendrick Perkins, a great defender, as well as Marquis Daniels, Glen Davisand Eddie House, give Boston the depth that could lead it to the NBA Finals. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship 9/2; Eastern Conference 11/5; Atlantic Division 2/5.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite: 24-25
Home Underdog:0-0
Away Favorite: 14-15
Away Underdog: 11-6-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Celtics are 23-8-1 ATS versus their Atlantic Division foes the last two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle:Boston is 24-13-1 as an away underdog the last two years.
TORONTO RAPTORS (33-49 SU, 33-46-3 ATS, 46-35-1 O/U): In an effort to get younger and more athletic, the Raptors have shed some aging veterans and revamped their roster, moves which should improve the team. Chris Bosh (22.7 PPG, 10.0 RPG) and newly acquired Hedo Turkgolu (16.8 PPG) give Toronto a nice inside/outside dynamic. Andrea Bargnani (15.4 PPG) returns to his more natural position at center and Jose Calderon and Jarrett Jack look adequate at the point but the Raptors need help at shooting guard. Still, in this weak division, it wouldn’t take much to move up the ladder. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship 50/1; Eastern Conference 30/1; Atlantic Division 8/1.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite: 11-12
Home Underdog:5-9-2
Away Favorite:4-4
Away Underdog: 13-19-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Raptors are 32-48-3 as underdogs the last two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: The “over” was 19-11 when Toronto played teams from the Western Conference last year.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (43-45 SU, 40-45-3 ATS, 41-42-5 O/U): The Sixers have been to the playoffs two straight years but the loss of point guard Andre Miller could end that abbreviated streak. Philadelphia is solid up front with Andre Iguodala (18.8 PPG), Thaddeus Young (15.3 PPG) and Samuel Dalembert (8.5 RPG) and will be even stronger if Elton Brand, who’s played just 37 games the past two seasons, is healthy. But weak guard play will hurt the Sixers. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship 40/1; Eastern Conference 28/1; Atlantic Division 10/3.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite: 14-16-3
Home Underdog:6-5
Away Favorite:5-10
Away Underdog: 14-14
Sportsbook Buster: The “under” was 20-10-3 when the Sixers were home favorites last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Philadelphia was 7-14 ATS when playing a game off no rest last year.
NEW YORK KNICKS (32-50 SU, 47-34-1 ATS, 37-45 O/U): The Knicks are looking forward to next year when free agents LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh will be their targets but Coach Mike D’Antoni has a more immediate problem in trying to win some games this season. David Lee (16 PPG, 11.7 RPG) led the NBA in double-doubles with 65 and Al Harrington (20.1 PPG) can score but there’s not much else…until next year. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship 75/1; Eastern Conference 40/1; Atlantic Division 20/1.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite:9-12
Home Underdog: 12-8
Away Favorite:1-1
Away Underdog: 25-13-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Knicks were 25-13-1 as road underdogs last season.
Sports Betting Angle: New York was 20-10 ATS versus teams from the Western Conference last year.
NEW JERSEY NETS (34-48 SU, 43-38-1 ATS, 42-39-1 O/U): Vince Carter now has joined Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson as former Nets, leaving New Jersey with little firepower beyond point guard Devin Harris (21.3 PPG, 6.9 APG). Like the Knicks across the river, the Nets already are looking ahead to 2010. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship 75/1; Eastern Conference 45/1; Atlantic Division 30/1.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite:9-10-1
Home Underdog:11-10
Away Favorite:2-2
Away Underdog:21-16
Sportsbook Buster: The Nets were 31-20-1 ATS versus teams from the Eastern Conference last season, including 10-5-1 within the Atlantic Division.
Sports Betting Angle: New Jersey was 14-8 ATS on no rest last year.
