Not a single Atlantic Division team enjoyed a winning record against the spread last season, a trend which NBA betting fans surely will be monitoring this year. Teams are listed in predicted order of finish with straight up (SU), against the spread (ATS), and over/under (O/U) records for the 2009/10 season in parentheses:
BOSTON CELTICS (65-41 SU, 49-55-2 ATS, 50-53-3 O/U): Adding Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal to a roster that already includes gray beards such as Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen makes the Celtics even older but Rajon Rondo sets a quick tempo for a team that should win this division by open lengths and is a threat to reach the NBA Finals for a third straight season. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship, 12/1; Eastern Conference, 6/1; Atlantic Division, 8/13; Over/Under Regular Season Wins, 54 1/2.
By the Numbers (2009/10 Season)
Home Favorite: 20-29
Home Underdog:1-2-1
Away Favorite: 12-12
Away Underdog: 15-12-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Celtics are 31-16-1 ATS versus their Atlantic Division foes the last three seasons.
Sports Betting Angle:Boston is 39-25-2 as an away underdog the last three years.
Bets and Pieces: The Celtics are 14-3-2 ATS their past 19 visits to Philadelphia.
NEW YORK KNICKS (29-53 SU, 37-43-2 ATS, 41-41 O/U): The Knicks cleared cap space and were hoping to land LeBron James in free agency but instead settled for Amar'e Stoudemire, who should bring immediate credibility to New York's inside game. Raymond Felton is an improvement at point guard and the Knicks have a decent shot at their first playoff berth in seven seasons. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship, 40/1; Eastern Conference, 25/1; Atlantic Division, 5/1; Over/Under Regular Season Wins, 35 1/2.
By the Numbers (2009/10 Season)
Home Favorite:11-11
Home Underdog: 9-10
Away Favorite:1-2
Away Underdog: 20-14
Sportsbook Buster: The Knicks are 45-27-2 as road underdogs the last two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: New York was 24-17-1 ATS in games following a pointspread loss.
Bets and Pieces: The Knicks are 5-13 ATS their last 18 home games versus the Celtics.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (27-55 SU, 34-46-2 ATS, 40-41-1 O/U): New Head Coach Doug Collins will rebuild around talented rookie guard Evan Turner and F Andre Iguodala but will need a healthy Elton Brand to get back to the playoffs. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship, 50/1; Eastern Conference, 28/1; Atlantic Division, 7/1; Over/Under Regular Season Wins, 33 1/2.
By the Numbers (2009/10 Season)
Home Favorite: 7-14
Home Underdog:5-13-2
Away Favorite:1-4
Away Underdog: 20-14
Sportsbook Buster: The Sixers are 6-14 as road favorites the last two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: Philadelphia was 14-7 ATS when playing a game off two or more days rest last year.
Bets and Pieces: The 76ers are 12-5 their last 17 games as an underdog of more than eight points.
NEW JERSEY NETS (12-70 SU, 33-48-1 ATS, 35-43-4 O/U): The Nets cleaned house after last season's disastrous 12-win campaign and new Head Coach Avery Johnson will build around a pair of first round draft picks and holdovers Brook Lopez and Devin Harris. Don't expect New Jersey to start 0-18 this year. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship, 50/1; Eastern Conference, 33/1; Atlantic Division, 8/1; Over/Under Regular Season Wins, 31 1/2.
By the Numbers (2009/10 Season)
Home Favorite:1-2
Home Underdog:15-22
Away Favorite:0-1
Away Underdog:17-22-1
Sportsbook Buster: The "under" was 24-15-2 when the Nets played at home last year.
Sports Betting Angle: New Jersey was 8-2 ATS versus teams from the Southwest Division last year.
Bets and Pieces: The Nets are 10-2-1 ATS their last 13 road games versus the 76ers.
TORONTO RAPTORS (40-42 SU, 38-42-2 ATS, 46-35-1 O/U): The Raptors lost their leading scorer and rebounder when Chris Bosh left for Miami and now must rebuild around F Andrea Bargnani and draft choice Ed Davis. Don't expect too much this season. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship, 150/1; Eastern Conference, 100/1; Atlantic Division, 12/1; Over/Under Regular Season Wins, 28 1/2.
By the Numbers (2009/10 Season)
Home Favorite: 14-11
Home Underdog:5-9-2
Away Favorite:0-1
Away Underdog: 17-22-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Raptors are 54-79-6 as underdogs the last three seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: The "over" was 35-16 when Toronto played teams from the Eastern Conference last year.
Bets and Pieces: The Raptors have played 10 straight "over" games as an underdog of more than eight points.
This is the first of six NBA previews.
Next: The Eastern Conference's Central Division.
This article was written by Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com. The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering college football betting and sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com
