Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit all are prime contenders in a division that should send three teams to the playoffs. Straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS), and over/under (O/U) records for the 2006/07 season are in parentheses:
CHICAGO BULLS (55-37 SU, 45-47 ATS, 44-48 O/U): With a solid backcourt of SG Ben Gordon (21.4 PPG) and PG Kirk Hinrich (16.6 PPG, 6.3 APG), the Bulls wanted to add some toughness and defense to a frontcourt that boasts rugged (10.7 RPG) but offensively challenged (6.4 PPG, 40.8% FT) C Ben Wallace. Enter top draft choices 6-11 Joakim Noah and 7-0, 270-pound center Aaron Gray. They'll join developing star Luong Deng 18.8 PPG, 7/1 RPG), Andres Nocioni (14.1 PPG), and Joe Smith (8.5 PPG) in a deep frontcourt rotation. Chicago had eight newcomers on the roster last season but is more settled this year.
NBA Betting By the Numbers (2006/07 Season)
Home Favorite: 22-20
Home Underdog: 4-0
Away Favorite: 8-14
Away Underdog: 11-13
Sportsbook Buster: The Bulls were just 11-19 ATS versus the Western Conference last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Chicago was 7-3 ATS in the second of back-to-back games, returning home from the road.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (62-40 SU, 54-45-3 ATS, 47-53-2 O/U): The Cavs made it to the NBA Finals (where they were swept by the Spurs) largely on the shoulders of LeBron James, the league's best small forward. Things aren't likely to change much this year with James (27.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 6.0 APG) and C Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11.9 PPG, 7.7 RPG) the only reliable players on a team that is maddeningly inconsistent. PG Larry Hughes (14.9 PPG) and PF Drew Gooden (11.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG) run hot and cold for a team that may have difficulty matching last year's success.
NBA Betting By the Numbers (2006/07 Season)
Home Favorite: 24-20-1
Home Underdog: 3-2
Away Favorite: 7-12-2
Away Underdog: 19-10
Sportsbook Buster: The Cavaliers were the pointspread bully of the division last season, posting a 15-6-1 against the Central foes.
Sports Betting Angle: Cleveland was just 5-15-2 ATS on zero days rest last season, a sign of a lack of conditioning.
DETROIT PISTONS (63-35 SU, 49-47-2 ATS, 45-52-1 O/U): The Pistons will bring along their young players, hoping they mature and contribute to a solid cast that that includes the backcourt duo of Richard Hamilton (19.8 PPG) and Chauncey Billups (17.0 PPG, 7.0 APG). Tayshaun Prince compliments his defensive intensity with 14.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game and although Rasheed Wallace has a temper, seven-footers who can shoot (12.3 PPG) and rebound (7.2 RPG) are always welcome. Second year pros Jason Maxiell and Amir Johnson, as well as Antonio McDyess and Nazr Mohammed will share time in the frontcourt.
NBA Betting By the Numbers (2006/07 Season)
Home Favorite: 16-29-1
Home Underdog: 1-1
Away Favorite: 15-10-1
Away Underdog: 15-7
Sportsbook Buster: The Pistons were a paltry 10-18 ATS versus the other four teams in their division last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Detroit may have been disrespected by oddsmakers in 2006/07, posting a 16-8 ATS record as an underdog.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS (28-54 SU, 36-44-2 ATS, 47-35 O/U): Devastated by injuries, the Bucks suffered their worst season in a decade last year. Guards Michael Redd (26.7 PPG) and Mo Williams (17.3 PPG), along with frontcourt players Andrew Bogut (12.3 PPG, 8.8 RPG), Charlie Villanueva (11.8 PPG), Desmond Mason (13.7 PPG) and Bobby Simmons, who missed all of last season following foot surgery, should help Milwaukee bounce back... but not to the playoffs.
NBA Betting By the Numbers (2006/07 Season)
Home Favorite: 11-15-1
Home Underdog: 5-9
Away Favorite: 0-1
Away Underdog: 20-19-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Bucks were awful against Eastern Conference teams, lodging an 18-32-2 mark ATS last season.
Sports Betting Angle: When returning home from a road game, Milwaukee was 0-5-1 ATS on no days rest.
INDIANA PACERS (35-47 SU, 37-42-3 ATS, 44-37-1 O/U): Jermaine O'Neal (19.4 PPG, 9.6 RPG) remains a stud in the paint and Danny Granger (13.9 PPG) is an emerging presence at small forward but the backcourt of Jamaal Tinsley and Mike Dunleavy doesn't strike fear in defenders. The Pacers, who won 61 games just three years ago, look to be headed for the Central Division basement this season.
NBA Betting By the Numbers (2006/07 Season)
Home Favorite: 15-16-1
Home Underdog: 4-5
Away Favorite: 7-4
Away Underdog: 10-16-2
Sportsbook Buster: The Pacers were only 7-14-1 ATS on zero days rest and 16-22-1 ATS on just one day off last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Indiana was 18-26-2 ATS the game after suffering a SU defeat.
This is the second of six NBA betting previews.
Next: The Eastern Conference's Southeast Division.
This article was written by Luken Karel for
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