duncan228
02-12-2010, 01:57 PM
BetUs.com still favors Lakers, Nuggets, Spurs to reach 2010 NBA Finals Out West (http://www.betvega.com/betus-com-still-favors-lakers-nuggets-spurs-to-reach-2010-nba-finals-out-west-021210/)
by Ryan Nox
NBA Playoff Picture (http://stats.betvega.com/basketball/nba-standings.aspx?page=/data/nba/standings/2009-2010/league/standings_playoff.html) – Expert NBA Picks (http://www.betvega.com/nba-picks/)
While the Los Angeles Lakers are favored to win the West for a third straight season, there are some other clubs in the conference that are capable of making a strong run in the postseason. With four NBA titles on his resume, Tim Duncan and his San Antonio Spurs teammates can never be counted out in the 2010 NBA playoffs. There will be some tight playoff battles (http://stats.betvega.com/basketball/nba-standings.aspx?page=/data/nba/standings/2009-2010/league/standings_playoff.html) in the second half in a conference that has 11 teams on pace to win at least 45 games (http://stats.betvega.com/basketball/nba-standings.aspx?page=/data/nba/standings/2009-2010/league/standings.html).
Los Angeles Lakers: -160 Odds To Reach 2010 NBA Finals (http://www.betus.com/sportsbook/basketball-lines.aspx)
The defending NBA champions are 36-11 entering the final day of January. The club should have little trouble securing the top seed in the Western Conference by the end of the regular season. Kobe Bryant is still at the top of his game as he pursues a fifth title ring. Head coach Phil Jackson has plenty of other talent to work with in his quest for an 11th NBA crown. Forwards Pau Gasol and Ron Artest are strong parts of Bryant’s supporting cast.
Denver Nuggets: +600 Odds To Reach 2010 NBA Finals (http://www.betus.com/sportsbook/basketball-lines.aspx)
Denver is still looking for its first Western Conference title since moving from the ABA to the NBA 33 years ago. After falling to the Lakers in the Western finals last year, the Nuggets are hoping to take the next step this season. Forward Carmello Anthony is leading the league in scoring at nearly 30 points per game to pace the club. Guard Chauncey Billups brings the proper mentality to the squad from his championship days in Detroit. A losing road record could doom the squad when the postseason rolls around but Denver is likely to get the number two seed in the conference entering the playoffs.
San Antonio Spurs: +600 Odds To Reach 2010 NBA Finals (http://www.betus.com/sportsbook/basketball-lines.aspx)
Like Boston in the East, there are questions about how much longer San Antonio can be a title contender as Tim Duncan is entering his mid-30’s. While the Spurs have won at least 53 games in every non-strike season since Duncan joined the club 12 years ago, the team is on pace to win less than 50 games this year. With Tony Parker, Manu Ginoibli and Richard Jefferson to aid Duncan, the Spurs are going to be a dangerous squad to deal with in the postseason. Head coach Gregg Popovich is usually able to bring out the best in his club in the playoffs.
Top Western Conference Sleeper Team: Memphis Grizzlies (+15000 Odds) (http://www.betus.com/sportsbook/basketball-lines.aspx)
The Grizzlies weren’t expected to be in the playoff hunt after averaging just 23 wins per year over the last two campaigns. Since a 1-8 start, Memphis has put together a 24-12 record to become the eighth seed in the West heading into the final weekend of January. While it won’t be easy for Memphis to hold off some worthy playoff challengers to secure a postseason bid, the franchise could be poised to record its first playoff win this season. All-Star forward Zach Randolph has made a huge difference in his first season with the squad after being a Clippers castoff. Youngsters Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo are continuing to emerge for the squad as well.
NBA Odds To Win 2010 West Conference Finals:
(odds updated 2-12-10)
- Los Angeles Lakers -175
- San Antonio Spurs +700
- Denver Nuggets +500
- Portland Trailblazers +2000
- Utah Jazz +1400
- Houston Rockets +3500
- Dallas Mavericks +800
- New Orleans Hornets +6000
- Phoenix Suns +1400
- Oklahoma City Thunder +4000
- Los Angeles Clippers +20000
- Golden State Warriors +75000
- Memphis Grizzlies +7000
- Minnesota Timberwolves +150000
- Sacramento Kings +40000 (http://www.betus.com/sportsbook/basketball-futures.aspx)
by Ryan Nox
NBA Playoff Picture (http://stats.betvega.com/basketball/nba-standings.aspx?page=/data/nba/standings/2009-2010/league/standings_playoff.html) – Expert NBA Picks (http://www.betvega.com/nba-picks/)
While the Los Angeles Lakers are favored to win the West for a third straight season, there are some other clubs in the conference that are capable of making a strong run in the postseason. With four NBA titles on his resume, Tim Duncan and his San Antonio Spurs teammates can never be counted out in the 2010 NBA playoffs. There will be some tight playoff battles (http://stats.betvega.com/basketball/nba-standings.aspx?page=/data/nba/standings/2009-2010/league/standings_playoff.html) in the second half in a conference that has 11 teams on pace to win at least 45 games (http://stats.betvega.com/basketball/nba-standings.aspx?page=/data/nba/standings/2009-2010/league/standings.html).
Los Angeles Lakers: -160 Odds To Reach 2010 NBA Finals (http://www.betus.com/sportsbook/basketball-lines.aspx)
The defending NBA champions are 36-11 entering the final day of January. The club should have little trouble securing the top seed in the Western Conference by the end of the regular season. Kobe Bryant is still at the top of his game as he pursues a fifth title ring. Head coach Phil Jackson has plenty of other talent to work with in his quest for an 11th NBA crown. Forwards Pau Gasol and Ron Artest are strong parts of Bryant’s supporting cast.
Denver Nuggets: +600 Odds To Reach 2010 NBA Finals (http://www.betus.com/sportsbook/basketball-lines.aspx)
Denver is still looking for its first Western Conference title since moving from the ABA to the NBA 33 years ago. After falling to the Lakers in the Western finals last year, the Nuggets are hoping to take the next step this season. Forward Carmello Anthony is leading the league in scoring at nearly 30 points per game to pace the club. Guard Chauncey Billups brings the proper mentality to the squad from his championship days in Detroit. A losing road record could doom the squad when the postseason rolls around but Denver is likely to get the number two seed in the conference entering the playoffs.
San Antonio Spurs: +600 Odds To Reach 2010 NBA Finals (http://www.betus.com/sportsbook/basketball-lines.aspx)
Like Boston in the East, there are questions about how much longer San Antonio can be a title contender as Tim Duncan is entering his mid-30’s. While the Spurs have won at least 53 games in every non-strike season since Duncan joined the club 12 years ago, the team is on pace to win less than 50 games this year. With Tony Parker, Manu Ginoibli and Richard Jefferson to aid Duncan, the Spurs are going to be a dangerous squad to deal with in the postseason. Head coach Gregg Popovich is usually able to bring out the best in his club in the playoffs.
Top Western Conference Sleeper Team: Memphis Grizzlies (+15000 Odds) (http://www.betus.com/sportsbook/basketball-lines.aspx)
The Grizzlies weren’t expected to be in the playoff hunt after averaging just 23 wins per year over the last two campaigns. Since a 1-8 start, Memphis has put together a 24-12 record to become the eighth seed in the West heading into the final weekend of January. While it won’t be easy for Memphis to hold off some worthy playoff challengers to secure a postseason bid, the franchise could be poised to record its first playoff win this season. All-Star forward Zach Randolph has made a huge difference in his first season with the squad after being a Clippers castoff. Youngsters Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo are continuing to emerge for the squad as well.
NBA Odds To Win 2010 West Conference Finals:
(odds updated 2-12-10)
- Los Angeles Lakers -175
- San Antonio Spurs +700
- Denver Nuggets +500
- Portland Trailblazers +2000
- Utah Jazz +1400
- Houston Rockets +3500
- Dallas Mavericks +800
- New Orleans Hornets +6000
- Phoenix Suns +1400
- Oklahoma City Thunder +4000
- Los Angeles Clippers +20000
- Golden State Warriors +75000
- Memphis Grizzlies +7000
- Minnesota Timberwolves +150000
- Sacramento Kings +40000 (http://www.betus.com/sportsbook/basketball-futures.aspx)