2010 NBA Finals: Celtics vs Lakers

The NBA Finals shift this week from Los Angeles to the East Coast, as the Lakers head to Boston for Game 3, 4 and 5. Many fans find this odd, as all the previous series are in a 2-2-1-1-1 format, but then the Finals shifts to a 2-3-2 format. It is odd, but there is a reason for the change: M-O-N-E-Y. The NBA prefers a longer series to build up interest and increase television ratings. The league won’t admit it, of course, but the 2-3-2 format was instituted because it’s theoretically... 

2010 NBA Finals Series Predictions

In this piece we will break the series down both historically and statistically, to give a better idea of what we can expect come Thursday night. In the 2009-10 regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers finished seven games ahead of the Boston Celtics. From 1947 through the 2010 NBA Semifinals, when NBA teams led their best-of-7 playoff series opponents by seven regular-season games, they have won 23 of 27 times in all seven game series vs their looming opponents. Boston has a 59-19 series record,... 

2010 NBA Finals Fever!

Think Kobe Bryant wants to win another title without Shaq? Think Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen want a second ring? “I just want it so bad,” said Bryant a year ago on the eve of the Finals. “I just want it really bad.”  Shaq used to say that Bryant was easily the most motivated player in the NBA. In Game 1 last season the Lakers looked fired up and focused in a 100-75 pasting of Orlando. The young Magic looked like deer in the headlights. The 2010 Finals are different.... 

NBA Playoffs: Adjustments & Information

If you want to have as many edges as possible when it comes to deciding which way to bet, it’s always a good idea to immerse yourself into the game and the action. Now, this doesn’t mean to strap on a uniform and help Andruw Bynum pull down a few rebounds, or try and run down the court to guard Rajon Rondo. From a handicapping point of view, it’s good strategy to immerse yourself as much as possible in a series, without actually taking the court. That means watching the games, then reading... 

NBA Playoffs: The Defense Never Rests

One thing to keep in mind during the NBA playoffs is the attention to defense by many teams. During the regular season, teams can coast at times when it comes to defensive intensity. Some games are blowouts, so the players will take more of an interest in running and shooting, while other times coaches will go to their bench and rest their starters. Statistically, this can skew offensive numbers slightly. However, in the playoffs, games are expected to be closer overall as these are the Top 4 teams... 

NBA Playoffs: Beware of Blowouts

The NBA playoffs are in full swing, which means overall the better teams are battling each other. This is different from the regular season when many nights great teams are playing bad teams and bad teams are playing worse one. Astute sports bettors should pay very careful attention to blowouts. For instance, after losing Game 1, the Celtics stunned the Cavaliers in Game 2, 104-86, at Cleveland as an underdog. At one point they led 91-66. A big part of the story was Rasheed Wallace, who had... 

2010 Western Conference Finals Series Breakdown

In this piece we will look at the Western Conference Finals between the La. Lakers and the Phoenix Suns. We will look at historical situations as well as more recent angles to help us break the series down and gain a better understanding of what to expect, when these 2 explosive teams meet to decide the Western Conference Champion. The Lakers finished exactly three games ahead of Phoenix. From 1947 through the 2010 NBA Quarterfinals, when NBA teams led their best-of-7 playoff series opponents by... 

NBA Playoffs Halftime Betting Tips

There are several advantages to second half wagering. One is that you get a chance to see the action and can make judgments on what you see in the first half that might affect second half play. Injuries are one example, and that is especially true in this particular NBA playoffs, with potentially nagging injuries to star players like Tim Duncan, Shaq, LeBron James (elbow), Andruw Bynum and Kobe Bryant. Another is that you can hedge for the second half and perhaps hit a middle, if you have a wager... 

R.Vinciletti: NBA Preview Round 2 Spurs and Suns

On Monday night The Spurs travel to Phoenix to take on the Suns, in what appears to be the most competitive second round series in the NBA Playoffs. In this piece we will examine all the numbers and shed light on who has the best chance to win this exciting second round Match up. In the NBA regular season, the Phoenix Suns finished four games better than the San Antonio Spurs. From 1939 through the 2010 NBA Preliminary round, when NBA teams led their best-of-7 playoff series opponents by four regular-season... 

Postseason Basketball and Earlier Meetings

As the NBA playoffs roll on, handicappers should take careful note of how teams did against each other during the regular season. Examine head to head matchups individually and as a group. Does one team dominate another? If so, are the reasons for this, or was it merely a fluke during the long grind of an 82-game schedule? Sometimes a team is missing key players for one or two of the meetings, which can explain why one team did poorly. Or, maybe the losing team played in difficult back-to-back... 

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