Books get ready for NBA
By Micah Roberts
VegasInsider.com
NBA Prop at Lucky's
Lucky’s sports books posted a proposition on most wins by the Lakers and Clippers almost immediately after the Chris Paul deal was official. The price has the Lakers minus-250 with the Clippers getting plus-200. My first reaction when I saw the prop was, “Where’s the spread?” I thought there had to be some kind of mistake like it should say Lakers -4 ½ wins(-250), or something like that. But when you start to look at the talent on the Clippers roster with Blake Griffin and Chauncey Billips, a case can be made for the Clippers to contend well. My best guess would have the Lakers as a No. 3 seed in the playoffs with the Clippers maybe earning the seventh spot.
NBA Schedule
My friend, professor Ed Meyer, sent me some notes on the shortened NBA schedule that has all kinds of oddities in it that look to give certain teams an advantage over others.
For instance, the Knicks get 14 opponents playing their fourth game in five days. The Raptors get only two. The Cavaliers only have THREE games all season in which they are rested vs. an un-rested opponent. The Wizards get 17.
Miami only has two opponents who are playing the second of back-to-back road games -- and they are un-rested themselves in both of them.
To view Ed Meyer's NBA schedule breakdown, click here
NBA Championship
The Las Vegas Hilton readjusted all their NBA futures with the signing of Chris Paul and dropped the Clippers from 50/1 all the way down to 15/1.The Heat are still the favorites at 9/5 (Bet $50 to win $90), followed by the Thunder (5/1), Bulls (6/1), Lakers (6/1), Mavericks (7/1) and Celtics (12/1). Everyone else is listed at 20/1 or higher.
Have a great Christmas and enjoy the day with your family and now, of course the NBA. Here’s a few stocking stuffers:
Knicks 110-98 over the Celtics
Heat 98-90 over the Mavericks
Lakers 95-92 over the Bulls
College Basketball a Grind
Most sports books have reported consistent wins in college basketball, but the victory has been small and a daily grind. College hoop action picks up considerably with the public after the New Year.