Basketball Odds

The New Jersey Nets are coming off of a historically bad season. They need whatever they can get after this season to bounce back from their struggles.

Despite their poor record, it seems that the team will have a sufficient amount of talent to compete if they add a top prospect. Their new owner, a Russian billionaire, also seems dedicated to making the changes necessary to bring the Nets towards the top of the league.

Currently online sportsbook favorites, the Nets have two major pieces of the puzzle fit into their team. Those team pieces are at the point guard and center positions. Their point guard, Devin Harris, is an All-Star caliber player but he did not come through last season. He did not show the ability to break down defenses like he had in years past. It is difficult to see if this was because of a poor game plan, or if his talent level is slipping. Brook Lopez was a force underneath for the Nets. He averaged nearly 18 points and 9 rebounds a game last year.

These two players could benefit greatly by the addition of Evan Turner if the Philadelphia 76ers allow him to slip. If not, it seems that Derrick Favors, the power forward out of Georgia Tech, will be the choice for the New Jersey Nets at the 3rd spot.

The Nets have got to be crossing their fingers as the Philadelphia 76ers are rumored to favor Favors in many ways. Some experts consider this to be a “two player draft” and if they can get Evan Turner at the 3rd pick, they will be the big winners of the draft.

On Tuesday, June 15th, the Boston Celtics traveled to Los Angeles for Game 6 of the 2010 NBA Finals. Boston came in to the Staples Center riding a huge wave of momentum, having won two games in a row over the Lakers. Unfortunately for the Celtics, that wave of momentum came crashing down around them on Tuesday night, as the Lakers crushed them 89-67.

Boston was sluggish on offense and horrendous on defense. Boston’s bad luck was made even more clear when their starting center, Kendrick Perkins, went out with a sprained right knee. Ray Allen scored 19 for Boston and Kevin Garnett had a solid game too, scoring 12 points and grabbing 6 rebounds. Paul Pierce scored 13 points but also had 5 turnovers.

The Lakers managed to stifle Rajon Rondo in Game 6, holding him to 10 points and only 6 assists. Kobe Bryant was spectacular, scoring 26 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Pau Gasol was also back in top form, scoring 17 points and getting 13 rebounds. Ron Artest added 15 points and 6 rebounds as well. By the end of the night, the Lakers had out-rebounded the Celtics 52-39.

The Lakers did everything they needed to do in Game 6 to force a Game 7. Kobe played incredibly well, and the players around him stepped up both offensively and defensively. It is not easy to play your best when in a must-win situation, but the Lakers did their best to make it seem like child’s play.

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics met up in Boston for Game 3 of the 2010 NBA Finals.

The Lakers, NBA betting odds favorite, dominated Game 1, but Boston won Game 2. Boston had the advantage of playing in front of their home crowd, and came in with momentum on their side after winning Game 2. Unfortunately for them, they were unable to capitalize and ultimately fell to the Lakers 91-84.

The things that Boston had to do in Game 3 were obvious. First, they needed to slow down Kobe Bryant. Second, they needed to find a way to slow down Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum defensively. While the Celtics held Kobe to just 10-29 from the field, he still managed 29 points. The second part of their plan failed as well, as both Gasol and Bynum snagged 10 rebounds.

The size difference was once again obvious as well. While Kevin Garnett is only an inch shorter than Pau Gasol, Gasol simply plays bigger on the court. However, Garnett did managed 25 points in Game 3. Ray Allen from the Celtics had an abysmal game, managing only 2 points and going 0-13 from the field and missing all 8 of his three point tries.

If Boston can figure out a way to stop Kobe and the Lakers’ big men, they have a good chance to even the series in Game 4 on Thursday. If not, it looks like the Lakers are going to cruise to a second straight NBA Championship.

The 2010 NBA Finals will begin on Thursday, June 3rd. The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers will meet once again. This is by far the most historic rivalry in the history of the NBA. This is by far the most historic rivalry in the history of the NBA. While every game that the Celtics and Lakers play is historic in some way, this series is especially important since it will decide the 2010 NBA Champions.

It had grown dormant since the retirement of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, while the Celtics and Lakers rivalry has been going on since the Lakers were still in Minneapolis. When the Celtics defeated the Lakers in the Finals, the rivalry was renewed in 2008. The Lakers and Celtics played each other twice in the 2009-2010 regular season, with each team winning one game.

With a wave of momentum, both teams come into this series. The Celtics did the same with Orlando and the Lakers beat Phoenix in 6 games. The key for Boston is to figure out a way to stop Kobe Bryant, who had 37 points in his last game. Lakers need to slow down Paul Pierce, who had 31 points in his last game, and Rajon Rando, who is always a threat.

This year’s Finals will provide great games and plenty of intensity, the only thing that can be known for sure. A series between the Lakers and Celtics never disappoints, it should lead to plenty of excitement, and with both teams coming in with momentum on their side.

As of 2004, to the National Basketball Association, the Charlotte Bobcats are a new addition.

In the minds of many, Hornets’ decision to relocate away from Charlotte was an interesting one.

The Bobcats, in the NBA, have quickly seen success. This year, Gerald Wallace largely led the team in its conception in their playoff run.

As a player from the Sacramento Kings, Gerald Wallace, online sportsbook favorite, was picked by the Bobcats in their expansion draft. By the Bobcats, Emeka Okafor was also picked in the rookie draft that season. Okafor’s defensive prowess is well known.

Bobcats, in their first few seasons, brought only 20-30 wins. Led by a legendary coach Larry Brown, things have taken a turn upward recently.

Larry Brown led the Bobcats in his first season to a team record 35 wins. In the Eastern Conference, out of the 8th seed position, this total was just 4 games.

Securing their first playoff spot ever in 2010, Bobcats made history with an impressive 44-38 season. Larry Brown in leading the team to the playoffs, once again showed that ability.

They faced off against Orlando Magic who is a young, talented team, led by Dwight Howard. The series was in favor of the Magic and finished with 4-0.

Michael Jordan, basketball legend was recently approved to become the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. After just a few years in the National Basketball Association, the Charlotte Bobcats, a team that is looking up.

The Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic series has already shaped up to be an entertaining, action-packed series in the Eastern Conference Championship. Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics, who once again put an end to an Orlando Magic fourth quarter comeback, offensively dominated the Game 2.

Ray Allen couldn’t produce offensive numbers for Boston, he connected on a mere 1-of-6 shots, while Dwight Howard, who scored a game high 30 points showed drastic offensive improvement in game two.

Look for a much more physical game in Game 3 on Saturday. Not that this series hasn’t been physical enough, but Orlando has found itself in a 0-2 hump. Just like in game 2, look for Dwight Howard, to be a force to be reckoned with. Boston is too strong down low defensively, however, Orlando’s game plan cannot be solely based on Howard in the paint.

Vince Carter could be looked for to come out of his series shell and reek havoc. Like Rashad Lewis did in his superb regular season, he could be looked for to start hitting 3 point baskets. Look for Boston to struggle mentally being up 2-0 in the series. Boston will be constantly tempted to look for Orlando to watch for just that, and relax a little, and pounce on them like an African lion when it happens.

In game 3, Orlando will come out ready to win. It will be a very physical and loud game. Look for tempers to flare and a Magic win.

Between the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic was completely dominated by the Celtics who were the pre-match NBA betting odds favorite team, in the first three quarters of Game 1. With a 74 – 58 Celtics‘ lead, the fourth quarter of the match began. While it took awhile, the Magic finally heated up in the fourth quarter, with a 30 – 18 performance that left them a mere four points short of victory (92 – 88).

Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, who combined for 47 points, the Celtics won behind the scoring of shooters. As shown by Celtics 21 assists on 33 field goals, one of the keys to the Celtics’ success was ball movement.

Vince Carter and Jameer Nelson: The Magic centered their offense around two scorers as well. Those two combined for 43 points of their own. Dwight Howard, the star of the team, was impressive on defense, with 5 blocks and 9 defensive rebounds. However, he looked overmatched on offense. Howard turned the ball over 7 times and shot a measly 3 – 10 from the field. In Game 1, three-point shooting was the Magic’s weakness, managing to make only 5 of their 22 attempts.

The Magic will attempt to defend their home court yet again, on Tuesday night. From Howard, they need a much more efficient shooting night, as well as more success from three-point territory. Kevin Garnett, who shot 4 – 14, the Celtics will need a better game out of him. If Boston manages to get up by 20 points again, they now know their lead is not safe.

On Monday, May 17th in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers are set to square off. Both having swept their previous opponent, both teams come in riding a huge hot streak. The Phoenix Suns managed to sweep the San Antonio Spurs, while the Lakers did the same to the Utah Jazz. To see who gets to go to the NBA Finals and who goes home, these two Western Conference powerhouses will play against each other.

In San Antonio, the Phoenix Suns finished the San Antonio Spurs off, an impressive feat by any measure. Also impressive was the fact that, Steve Nash had put up 20 points to go along with nine assists while Amare Stoudemire busted out in that game for 29 points. However, facts are facts, and the Phoenix Suns went 1-3 in the 2009-2010 season against the Lakers. However, anything can happen and the playoffs are like a whole new season.

Against Utah in their last game, Lakers proved that they have a balanced attack, when Pau Gasol put on an amazing performance, with 33 points and 14 rebounds. Kobe Bryant also had 32 points in the game. Gasol proved that you simply can’t overlook him while most of the attention goes to Kobe.

The whole game boils down to one thing, who wants it more. Since the 1992-1993 season, the Lakers, on the other hand, are the defending NBA Champions. Phoenix is fighting to appear in their first Finals. The Lakers, on the other hand, are the defending NBA Champions.

After suffering the worst home playoff loss in Boston’s storied history, the Celtics played with a sense of urgency in the fourth game of the series. Rajon Rondo posted a triple double for the Celtics, playing one of the finest playoff games ever for Boston. His 29 points, 18 rebounds, and 13 assists were the key as the Celtics held off Cleveland’s third quarter charge for a 97-87 victory.

The Boston defense held the Cavs to 40% from the field and forced 17 turnovers while Rondo and Tony Allen keyed the Celtic onslaught. Allen was 6 of 7 from the field and netted 15 points, nine above his season average.

The aging Celtics realize that time is short for one more ring to cement their legacy in Boston lore. The big question is can Boston’s defense win a best of three against Cleveland without a 3-point game? The Celtics were a miserable 1 for 14 from that range, but the Cavs shot a pathetic 4 for 21 from beyond the arc. James has elbow issues, so the rest of Cleveland’s players need to step up their game. Cleveland is using a seven-man rotation, and their bench is no match for Boston’s.

Usually reliable DeLonte West played horribly for the Cavs, one of the online sportsbook favorites, going 0 for 7 from the field. When he was on the court, the Cavs were outscored by 18 points. Look for game five to be another battle, decided by James’ elbow and West rebounding to play well at home.

The Phoenix Suns proved that their ’small ball’ style of play is still a force to be reckoned with, in Game 2 of the NBA Western conference semifinals. Solid bench play spread out the defense of the San Antonio Spurs and a delicate passing game combined with excellent outside shooting and put them into a 0-2 hole. Channing Frye came off the bench and hit 4-5 from long range.

The series will head to San Antonio in Game three. San Antonio plays great at home and as the old saying goes, you’re not in trouble until you lose on your home court. They should be worried though. The Spurs hit a 50% FG percentage and still lost, Duncan and Parker played great.

Richard Jefferson played one of his best games and George Hill found his shot as a Spur, running the floor and posting up mismatches. In game three they will need to better take advantage of the Sun’s small size and feed the post. McDyss and Duncan will need to post up more often and the Spurs bench needs to step up. Bonner and Bogans, the second-tier players, have to make the shots they are given. They will be left open while the Suns focus on the big three.

For the Suns, force the Spurs to essentially ‘pick their poison and look for them to continue to spread the court; either double-teaming Nash or Stoudemire. To be a factor, Frye and Dudley need to continue.