NBA First Half Betting Review: Eastern Conference
Atssportsline.com
Here is a look at the first half of the NBA. There were some surprises but for the most part, the best teams from last season are the best teams from this season. Injuries were a factor in Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Indiana and Washington, yet four of the five teams are in contention. Here’s a look at the latest standings as of 2/12/13 and brief analysis of the first half. The NBA All-Star game weekend starts on Feb. 15 from Houston. Also listed are each team’s records and NBA Championship odds from 5dimes.
1) Miami Heat (34-14 SU, 24-24 ATS, +175). LeBron James is playing out of this world right now as he’s shooting 70% from the field and 60% from beyond the arc. Dwyane Wade is also finding his role as a second option. Ray Allen will be fine for the playoffs. They will be very tough to beat in the playoffs.
2) New York Knicks (32-17 SU, 25-22-2 ATS, +1300). The Knicks average 29 three’s per game. Carmelo Anthony would be the MVP if not for King James. They are missing a low post game and that will be their demise in the playoffs as you can’t just win with three-pointers. At least Mike Woodson has them playing defense.
3) Indiana Pacers (31-21 SU, 28-24 ATS, +1800). The Pacers have struggled in their last two games but the good news is that Danny Granger should be returning from a knee injury very shortly. Defensively, this is a very good team that is tough to score on inside with Roy Hibbert and David West providing toughness.
4) Chicago Bulls (30-21 SU, 28-24 ATS, +1600). The good news is that the Bulls have overachieved in the first half. The bad news is that Derrick Rose isn’t coming back anytime soon from an ACL tear. Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer have been tough inside. They do have the East’s best road record at 15-9.
5) Brooklyn Nets (30-22 SU, 23-26-3 ATS, +4000). The Nets fired Avery Johnson and hired P.J. Carlesimo. Gerald Wallace is averaging 8.9 points per game. They are definitely a better team but could use a spark in the second half. Is that spark named Josh Smith?
6) Atlanta Hawks (28-22 SU, 21-27-2 ATS, +8500). The Hawks are the team that might trade Josh Smith or they might be waiting to get Dwight Howard in free agency, who is close with Smith. That would shake up this team that really needs something or somebody to shake up the fan base.
7) Boston Celtics (27-24 SU, 21-26-3 ATS, +4000). If Boston finishes in the top five in the East, give the Coach of the Year trophy to Doc Rivers. The Celtics lost Rajon Rondo to an ACL tear and have won seven straight. Maybe it’s no coincidence that the Celts are winning because they didn’t love playing with Rondo and there’s better ball movement.
8) Milwaukee Bucks (25-24 SU, 24-25 ATS, +20000). The Bucks have lost 14 straight against the West, yet here they are, in the playoff picture. Maybe it wasn’t Scott Skiles’ fault that this team is just so inconsistent. If Larry Sanders can stay healthy, maybe they have a shot of moving up.
9) Philadelphia 76ers (22-27 SU, 23-26 ATS, +25000). The Sixers lost Jason Richardson for the year and other than Jrue Holiday, this team has no consistent offensive threat. They attempt to play defense, which is a Doug Collins calling card, but they have no inside threat.
10) Detroit Pistons (20-32 SU, 25-27 ATS, +50000). The Pistons traded away Tayshaun Prince and Austin Daye for Jose Calderon and now phenom Andre Drummond is out with a back injury. Greg Monroe is having another solid year and Brandon Knight is coming on. This team has a lot of potential but not this year.
11) Toronto Raptors (19-32 SU, 27-23-1 ATS, +100000). The Raptors dealt away Calderon and Ed Davis and wound up with Rudy Gay. They halted Indiana’s 15-game winning streak so they could have something if Andrea Bargnani can stay healthy.
12) Cleveland Cavaliers (16-35 SU, 24-26-1 ATS, +250000). The Cavs at least have Kyrie Irving and have played well since Dec. 22, going 11-12. Ok, well is a relative term but that shows that the Cavs are on the move. Mareese Speights (13.9ppg) and Tristan Thompson (11.4ppg, 9.1rpg) give them a physical frontcourt. Dion Waiters (14.1ppg) is now playing well after he hit the rookie wall. Watch out for the Cavs in the second half.
13) Orlando Magic (15-36 SU, 22-28-1 ATS, +350000). It’s over for the Magic. Glen Davis (15.1ppg, 7.2rpg) is gone for the year and they now have just three wins in the past 26 games. When Aaron Afflalo is your leading scorer, you have troubles.
14) Washington Wizards (14-35 SU, 30-17-2 ATS, +250000). The Wizards are playing much better since the return of John Wall. He makes Martell Webster appear like a solid starting small forward. They are too far away from competing for the last playoff spot but one wonders how good they could have been if Wall started from Game 1.
15) Charlotte Bobcats (11-39 SU, 18-31-1 ATS, +750000). It’s a shame that this franchise can’t seem to get off the ground. They blew a 20-point lead at home to the Lakers. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (9.3ppg) is a nice player but not a game-changer. They lack a quality big man and Kemba Walker isn’t a scoring point guard. Looks like another top three pick in a bad draft.