As a whole, Pacific Division teams were 24-33-1 as road favorites last season, a statistic that NBA betting practitioners will be tracking 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 2009/10 season in parentheses:
LOS ANGELES LAKERS (73-32 SU, 46-57-2 ATS, 46-56-3 O/U): With Kobe Bryant the best in the clutch and the likes of Pao Gasol, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom and Derek Fisher much more than role players, at the very least, the Lakers are favored to have a shot at their third straight NBA Championship against a powerful Eastern Conference opponent. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship, 3/1; Western Conference, 2/3; Pacific Division, 4/11; Over/Under Regular Season Wins, 59 1/2.
By the Numbers (2009/10 Season)
Home Favorite: 23-29-1
Home Underdog:0-0
Away Favorite: 13-15-1
Away Underdog: 9-11
Sportsbook Buster: The Lakers were 30-40-2 in games following a straight up win last season.
Sports Betting Angle: The "over" was 14-8 in LA Pacific Division games last year.
Bets and Pieces: The Lakers are 1-7 as favorites of more than eight points their last eight games.
PHOENIX SUNS (64-34 SU, 58-38-2 ATS, 46-50-2 O/U): Leading scorer and rebounder Amar'e Stoudemire is gone and point guard Steve Nash will have some new passing targets in Hedo Turkoglu, Josh Childress and Hakim Warrick. Given the over/under regular season win total, sportsbooks expect Phoenix to stumble. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship, 50/1; Western Conference, 28/1; Pacific Division, 5/1; Over/Under Regular Season Wins, 41 1/2.
By the Numbers (2009/2010 Season)
Home Favorite: 28-16-1
Home Underdog:2-1
Away Favorite: 0-3
Away Underdog: 15-22-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Suns are 57-33-4 ATS at home the last two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle:Phoenix has played eight consecutive "over" games at GoldenState.
Bets and Pieces: The Suns are 8-2-1 as a favorite of two points or less their last 11 games in that situation.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (29-53 SU, 35-45-2 ATS, 45-40-1 O/U): Much of the veiled optimism regarding the Clippers is based on a return to health of Blake Griffin, the No. 1 overall pick in 2009 who sat out the entire year with a knee injury. Returnees Chris Kaman, Eric Gordon and Baron Davis should make LA more respectable this season. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship, 100/1; Western Conference, 40/1; Pacific Division, 9/1; Over/Under Regular Season Wins, 38 1/2.
By the Numbers (2009/10 Season)
Home Favorite:7-7-1
Home Underdog:12-13
Away Favorite:0-3
Away Underdog: 15-22-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Clippers are 31-49-1 ATS on the road the last two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Los Angeles was 18-33 ATS versus teams from the Western Conference last year.
Bets and Pieces: The Clippers have covered five of their last six games against the Lakers.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (26-56 SU, 47-34-1 ATS, 39-41-2 O/U): Don Nelson has resigned, just as the Warriors appear on the verge of vast improvement. The acquisition of David Lee, who averaged a double-double, provides an inside threat to Monta Ellis' and Stephan Curry's outside shooting. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship, 150/1; Western Conference, 80/1; Pacific Division, 14/1; Over/Under Regular Season Wins, 31 1/2.
By the Numbers (2009/10 Season)
Home Favorite: 9-5
Home Underdog:16-10
Away Favorite: 1-3
Away Underdog: 20-15-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Warriors are 35-18-1 as home underdogs over the last three seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: GoldenState is 1-8 as a road favorite the last two years.
Bets and Pieces: The Warriors are 10-4-2 ATS their last 16 games against the Lakers.
SACRAMENTO KINGS (25-57 SU, 39-40-3 ATS, 37-42-3 O/U): Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans leads a hard-working group of no-names who figure to improve, especially if top draft choice DeMarcus Cousins becomes a force in the paint. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship, 200/1; Western Conference, 100/1; Pacific Division 16/1; Over/Under Regular Season Wins, 26 1/2.
By the Numbers (2009/10 Season)
Home Favorite: 9-5-1
Home Underdog: 7-18
Away Favorite:0-4
Away Underdog: 22-19
Sportsbook Buster: The Kings are 17-34 as home underdogs the last two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Last year, Sacramento was 1-9 ATS versus teams from the Southeast Division.
Bets and Pieces: The last eight games versus the Lakers in LA have gone over the total.
This is the last of six NBA previews.
This article was written by Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com. The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering college football betting and sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com
