Magic First To Advance To Second Round

The Orlando Magic became the first sportsbetting team to advance to the second round of the 2010 NBA playoffs with a 99-90 road win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday night. The win completes the series sweep, the first in franchise history for the Magic, after the defending NBA finalists finished second to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the regular season standings. Despite having a deep enough squad to get the job done without their star center, Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy was upset again to see Dwight Howard foul out again. Howard was held to six points, in his fourth straight game in which he ran in to foul trouble. The 24-year old played just 23 minutes before fouling out for a second consecutive game.

While Orlando has advanced past the opening round, the team it defeated in the Eastern conference finals a year ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers, can advance with a win over the Chicago Bulls on home court Tuesday night in their Bulls vs Cavaliers Odds series. The Cavaliers have faced little adversity in their series, and there is a possibility that the Bulls will be without their star guard Derrick Rose. Rose underwent an MRI on Monday for a sprained left ankle, and although the results revealed no significant tears, head coach Vinny Del Negro acknowledged the fact that a decision on whether or not his star will be in the lineup will not be made until game day. Rose injured his ankle in Sunday’s Game Four loss when he stepped on the foot of Cleveland center Shaquille O’Neal.

Lakers Cannot Be Stopped In Western Conference

Many sport betting enthusiasts would point to the fact that the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers did not lose any big names as the biggest reason why they should be the favorite to repeat in 2010. That point can be taken a step further by giving recognition to the face that this team has actually improved since they raised basketball’s ultimate prize by facing little adversity in their series with the Orlando Magic.

For all that the Lakers accomplished a year ago, they did those things without Ron Artest on the team. They did those things with starting center Andrew Bynum and young guard Jordan Farmar a year younger, with one year less experience. They did those things with a year less chemistry from playing together. However, 2010 is different.

When the Lakers faced the Houston Rockets in last year’s basketball betting playoffs, head coach Phil Jackson and superstar Kobe Bryant took notice by the play of one of the NBA’s best defenders, as Ron Artest did an excellent job defending one of the association’s best players, if not the best player. Los Angeles was so impressed by the play of Artest, that they targeted him in the offseason, understanding just how big of a defensive role he would play. According to a recent poll conducted by Sports Illustrated that asked 270-plus NBA players who they felt the best defensive player in the association was, the largest percentage voted for Bryant, with Artest placing second. Now both players are wearing the gold and purple this postseason.

Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and Andrew Bynum were enough to contain the Magic’s center and top big man in the league Dwight Howard, but this year that group is even better. Bynum is a year older and much more experienced, while Gasol and Odom have become stronger in the post, and are even better down low than they were a year ago. The three big men have come together to form the best rotation in the NBA, and that has been reflected in the Thunder vs Lakers odds series where Los Angeles has dominated in winning the first two games.

Perhaps what is most important is that the Lakers have spent this year developing even further as a team. Injuries and inconsistencies plagued this squad throughout much of the year, but that allowed head coach Phil Jackson to try different things, and figure out different sets and strengths his team would be able to apply depending on in-game NBA odds situations. The extra year of experience has helped the players who won the title last year learn how to compliment one another’s style even better, and with the addition of Artest, the Lakers may have the best big game defensive breakdown in the association. The added experience, compliments acquired in the offseason, and the fact that this team has lost no player from last year’s championship team to either injury or movement makes the Lakers the favorite to return to this year’s NBA finals.

Top-Three Finals Preview

The National Basketball Association’s regular season comes to a close today, with one final playoff spot to be determined in the Eastern conference. While little has changed atop the standings, the road to the finals could lead to a very intriguing championship series. Here’s a quick look at three match ups NBA sportsbook enthusiasts will be hoping to see.

Orlando Magic vs Los Angeles Lakers

A rematch of the 2009 finals would be a treat. The Lakers never really looked in danger of conceding the title to the Magic a season ago, and while Orlando feels it is better equipped to handle Los Angeles should the two represent their conferences in the final for a second straight year, the truth is both teams have improved. Can the Magic rely on Vince Carter to be the difference if these teams meet?

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Los Angeles Lakers

This is the dream match up NBA betting enthusiasts were anticipating a year ago when the Cavaliers and Lakers were each made heavy favorites in their respective conference finals. One of these teams made it, the other had eleven months to think about it, and work towards ensuring a spot in the championship. The key difference between this years team and the one that lost to the Magic in six games a season ago will be at center, where Cleveland added Shaquille O’Neal in the off-season to match up with Dwight Howard in the post. Will that be enough? How about Shaq versus Kobe for the NBA title?

Boston Celtics vs San Antonio Spurs

How about two solid teams with aging rosters making one more championship run? The Celtics can compete with any team in the east when healthy, while San Antonio has been one of the hottest teams in the association down the stretch.

Do Bosh’s Injuries Mean Game Over For Raps?

Last night the Toronto Raptors may have had their unlikely playoff hopes dashed with the blow of one elbow.

The Raptors are still alive in the NBA playoff race in the Eastern Conference with a one-game lead over Chicago for the last playoff spot. However, during the first quarter of Tuesday’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chris Bosh took an accidental elbow from Antwain Jamison. Reports indicate that Bosh’s nose is broken, and he will be out of the lineup going forward. Sportsbook cappers know that puts the Raps playoff hopes in serious jeopardy.

For the Raptors, the timing couldn’t be worse. Bosh is arguably the heart and soul of the team, and certainly the workhorse. With five games left in the regular season, fans of NBA betting know the outlook for Toronto does not look good.

The Raptors return home to Toronto for a match against the Celtics on Wednesday, then it’s off to Atlanta to take on the dangerous Hawks. After their loss against the Cavs, the Raps cannot afford to drop another two before they face the Bulls on Sunday.

While information has not been immediately forthcoming with regard to the time Bosh will be out of the lineup, the severity of the injury indicates he won’t be back in regular season Northbet.com betting play. As to whether or not there will be any games after that, well that’s up to remainder of the Raptors to make happen. Team players have indicated that while Bosh’s absence will undoubtedly hurt the team, it creates an opportunity for an individual or individuals to step up and fill the void. Will the Raptors have a last minute hero this season, or is the loss of Bosh an irrevocable catastrophe?