The Magic has been 30-16-2 against the spread versus Southeast Division foes over the past three seasons, an evolving wagering trend that betting devotees will be eyeing again this year. 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:
ORLANDO MAGIC (72-34 SU, 62-44 ATS, 49-59-2 O/U): The Magic made it to the NBA Finals last season, mostly because the Cavaliers had no answer for all-star center Dwight Howard (20.6 PPG, 13.8 RPG, 2.92 BPG), the centerpiece for Orlando. Vince Carter (20.8 PPG) replaces the departed Hedo Turkoglu. Rashard Lewis (17.7 PPG) gives the Magic more firepower and the return to health of former all-star guard Jameer Nelson (16.7 PPG) should complete the puzzle. The Magic is a strong contender. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship 10/1; Eastern Conference 5/1; Southeast Division 3/10.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite: 27-24
Home Underdog:2-0
Away Favorite: 16-12
Away Underdog: 17-8
Sportsbook Buster: The Magic is 21-16 as a road underdog over the past two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Orlando was just 22-13 ATS versus teams from the Western Conference last year.
ATLANTA HAWKS (51-42 SU, 48-42-3 ATS, 40-50-3 O/U): The Hawks have improved their win total for four straight years and could make it five in a row now that they’ve lured Jamal Crawford (19.7 PPG) to Atlanta to play with Mike Bibby (14.9 PPG) and Joe Johnson (21.4 PPG) in the backcourt. Josh Smith (15.6 PPG), Marvin Williams (13.9 PPG) and Al Horford (11.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG) have things under control up front. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship 45/1; Eastern Conference 20/1; Southeast Division 13/2.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite: 21-18
Home Underdog:5-2-1
Away Favorite:4-6-1
Away Underdog: 17-16-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Hawks are 13-7-1 as home underdogs the last two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: The “under” was 25-15-2 when Atlanta was an underdog last year.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS (19-63 SU, 31-48-3 ATS, 40-41-1 O/U): Devastated a year ago when injuries wiped out any chance of a fourth straight playoff appearance, if they can stay healthy, the Wizards are poised to make a dramatic comeback. Gilbert Arenas averaged 28.4 PPG and 6.0 APG in his last full season two years ago and is an elite point guard and Brendan Haywood, who like Arenas missed most of last season, is a defensive force in the paint. Antawn Jamison (22.2 PPG) and Caron Butler (20.8 PPG) can score. New additions Randy Foye (13.3 PPG) and Mike Miller (9.9 PPG) could make Washington the surprise team in the Conference. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship 150/1; Eastern Conference 60/1; Southeast Division 33/1.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite: 4-10
Home Underdog:12-15
Away Favorite:0-1
Away Underdog: 15-22-3
Sportsbook Buster: The Wizards were 3-13 ATS versus teams within their own division last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Washington is 3-7 as an away favorite the last two years.
MIAMI HEAT (46-43 SU, 43-46 ATS, 47-41-1 O/U): Dwayne Wade 30.2 PPG) led the league in scoring and a pair of promising rookies from a year ago, Michael Beasley (13.9 PPG) and Mario Chalmers (10.0 PPG) argue for the future, if Wade decides to stick around after his contract expires at the end of the season. The Heat have a playoff shot this season. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship 50/1; Eastern Conference 22/1; Southeast Division 15/2.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite:16-14
Home Underdog: 6-7
Away Favorite:3-3
Away Underdog: 17-20
Sportsbook Buster: The Heat was 6-13 ATS on no days rest last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Miami was 26-16 ATS in games following a straight up win.
CHARLOTTE BOBCATS (35-47 SU, 47-35 ATS, 37-44-1 O/U): The Bobcats, like many Larry Brown coached teams, could be better than the sum of their parts. Raymond Felton (14.2 PPG), Gerald Wallace (16.6 PPG), Boris Diaw (15.1 PPG), Raja Bell (13.0 PPG), D.J. Augustine (11.8 PPG) and recently acquired Tyson Chandler (8.8 PPG, 8.7 RPG) are the mainstays but it’s up to Brown to make the team a contender. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship 100/1; Eastern Conference 50/1; Southeast Division 25/1.
By the Numbers (2008/09 Season)
Home Favorite:12-8
Home Underdog:11-7
Away Favorite:2-3
Away Underdog: 21-15
Sportsbook Buster: The Bobcats were 11-5 ATS within their own division last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Charlotte was 13-8 ATS off no rest last year.
This is the third of six NBA previews.
Next: The Western Conference’s Southwest Division.
