Predicting what team will win each of the six divisions in the NBA seems to be a simple task. There are clear favorites in each, but as always in the world of sports what looks good on paper does not always translate to success on the playing field. With that in
mind, Sportsbook.com has posted odds on each of the divisions and what chances each team has to capture bragging rights.
"Predicting a division winner is one of the most difficult propositions in sports wagering," said Peter Childs, Odds Maker, Sportsbook.com. "Top teams sometimes tend to coast through the regular season and might finish second in their division, knowing that the big prize for them is the NBA title. Or you could have a team suffer through injuries or suspension, as was the case with
Indiana last season."
The most hotly contested divisions are likely to be the Central and the Atlantic. Indiana, the most talented team in the Central is the early favorite at 7-5, followed by the two time defending Eastern Conference champion Detroit Pistons (11-5) and LeBron James' up and coming Cleveland Cavaliers (11-5). The young Chicago Bulls (8-1) will also provide a challenge. In the Atlantic, New Jersey is the early 5-7 bet, but Philadelphia (3-1), New York (9-2) and Boston (6-1) should make this a four team battle all year long.
It's an entirely different story in the Southeast, where Sportsbook.com has listed Miami as an overwhelming 1-14 favorite. Every other team in the Southeast is listed at 8-1. San Antonio is the favorite in the Southwest at 5- 12, but this could be the best division in the NBA. Dallas (17-5) and Houston (7-2) are both legitimate NBA title contenders and could easily take the
division if the Spurs falter.
Other favorites include the Denver Nuggets (5-7) in the Northwest, followed by Minnesota (3-2) and Seattle (7-2) while the Sacramento Kings (5-6) are the early bets in the Pacific. Last year's top team, Phoenix, is a 14-5 bet behind the Kings. The Lakers and Clippers bring up the rear in the Pacific at 8-1 and 10-1 respectively.
"The beautiful thing about division bets is that there are always
surprises. Who would have expected Seattle to win the Northwest last year?" added Childs. "The fun is in guessing who that surprise team is going to be. If you can do that, you can make a nice little profit."
NBA Division Odds (NBA Championship odds in brackets)
-----------------------------------------------------
Atlantic Pacific
-------- -------
New Jersey 5-7 (40-1) Sacramento 5-6 (35-1)
Philadelphia 3-1 (60-1) Phoenix 14-5 (30-1)
New York 9-2 (40-1) Golden State 5-1 (50-1)
Boston 6-1 (60-1) LA Lakers 8-1 (35-1)
Toronto 30-1 (200-1) LA Clippers 10-1 (60-1)
Central Northwest
------- ---------
Indiana 7-5 (10-1) Denver 5-7 (20-1)
Cleveland 11-5 (22-1) Minnesota 3-1 (40-1)
Detroit 11-5 (12-1) Seattle 7-2 (50-1)
Chicago 8-1 (50-1) Utah 8-1 (100-1)
Milwaukee 25-1 (100-1) Portland 40-1 (300-1)
Southeast Southwest
--------- ---------
Miami 1-14 (7-2) San Antonio 5-12 (5-2)
(x)Any other team 8-1 Dallas 17-5 (18-1)
Houston 7-2 (18-1)
Memphis 30-1 (70-1)
New Orleans 100-1 (300-
(x)NBA Championship Odds for remaining Southeast Division Teams
---------------------------------------------------------------
Washington 60-1
Orlando 100-1
Charlotte 300-1
Atlanta 500-1
About Sportsbook.com
--------------------
Sportsbook.com is the largest sportsbook and casino on the planet,
offering numerous products including sports betting, horse racing, poker,
casino and virtual games. It is the flagship brand for Sportingbet PLC,
(LSE: SBT). Headquartered in London, England, Sportingbet PLC is the world's
largest publicly traded online betting, gambling and gaming company.
SOURCE Sportsbook.com |
| Source:
PR Newswire
|
Monday, 31 October 2005 |
Tuesday, May 13 2008 
