NBA Central Division teams were "underwhelming" last season as not a single unit played more "over" games than "under" games, a trend NBA betting aficionados will be following this season. 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:
CHICAGO BULLS (42-45 SU, 45-40-2 ATS, 37-48-2 O/U): The addition of paint presence Carlos Boozer should fortify a Bulls lineup that already has several key components in Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah. Chicago can play defense and rebound but needs a bit more scoring to advance past the first round of the playoffs. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship, 16/1; Eastern Conference, 8/1; Central Division, 6/5; Over/Under Regular Season Wins, 48 1/2.
By the Numbers (2009/10 Season)
Home Favorite: 14-15-2
Home Underdog:7-5
Away Favorite:5-3
Away Underdog: 19-17
Sportsbook Buster: The Bulls are 23-36 ATS versus teams from the Atlantic Division the last three seasons.
Sports Betting Angle: The "under" was 26-17-1 when Chicago played on the road last year.
Bets and Pieces: The Bulls are 11-0-1 ATS in their last 12 games versus the Pistons.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS (49-40 SU, 54-32-3 ATS, 43-45-1 O/U): The Bucks made the playoffs for the first time in four years last season and were the best team in the league ATS. Of the two accomplishments, getting back to the post-season should be the easier task, with fresh faces Corey Maggette and Drew Gooden joining John Salmons, Brandon Jennings, Andrew Bogut and Michael Redd in a solid lineup. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship, 40/1; Eastern Conference, 20/1; Central Division, 5/2; Over/Under Regular Season Wins, 41 1/2.
By the Numbers (2009/10 Season)
Home Favorite:22-13-1
Home Underdog: 4-4
Away Favorite:5-1-2
Away Underdog: 22-14
Sportsbook Buster: The Bucks were 27-15-2 ATS on the road last season.
Sports Betting Angle: Milwaukee was 17-4-1 ATS when playing on no days rest between games last year.
Bets and Pieces: The Bucks are 15-2 ATS their last 17 games versus Atlantic Division teams.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (67-26 SU, 43-48-2 ATS, 46-46-1 O/U): After winning 60+ games in each of the last two seasons, the Cavaliers have an over/under of 34 1/2 for this year, recognition by sportsbooks that the loss of LeBron James will have a devastating impact on the team's fortunes. Antawn Jamison and Mo Williams will carry the load. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship, 100/1; Eastern Conference, 50/1; Central Division, 6/1; Over/Under Regular Season Wins, 34 1/2.
By the Numbers (2009/10 Season)
Home Favorite: 18-25-1
Home Underdog:1-2
Away Favorite:16-15
Away Underdog: 8-6-1
Sportsbook Buster: The Cavaliers were 19-27-1 ATS at home last season.
Sports Betting Angle: The "under" was 13-8 in Cleveland division games last year.
Bets and Pieces: The Cavs have covered 10 of their last 13 visits to Detroit.
DETROIT PISTONS (27-55 SU, 34-45-3 ATS, 40-40-2 O/U): The Pistons missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade last season, a trend that should continue this year unless Detroit can get better production from its mediocre cast. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship, 100/1; Eastern Conference, 50/1; Central Division, 7/1; Over/Under Regular Season Wins, 33 1/2
By the Numbers (2009/10 Season)
Home Favorite: 11-24
Home Underdog:2-6
Away Favorite: 8-7
Away Underdog: 12-15
Sportsbook Buster: The Pistons are 32-57-2 ATS at home the last two seasons.
Sports Betting Angle:Detroit is 8-27-1 ATS when playing teams within it own division the last two years.
Bets and Pieces: The 'under" is 17-3 in the Pistons last 20 visits to Cleveland.
INDIANA PACERS (32-50 SU, 40-40-2 ATS, 37-44-1 O/U): The rebuilding continues in Indianapolis, which had the team's worst record in over two decades, last season and will fight it out with Cleveland and Detroit to avoid the Central Division cellar. Future Book Odds Profile: NBA Championship, 125/1; Eastern Conference, 80/1; Atlantic Division, 8/1. Over/Under Regular Season Wins, 32 1/2
By the Numbers (2009/10 Season)
Home Favorite: 12-9-1
Home Underdog:9-9-1
Away Favorite:3-1
Away Underdog: 16-21
Sportsbook Buster: The Pacers were 15-10-1 as favorites last season.
Sports Betting Angle: The "under" was 30-21-1 when Indiana played teams from the Eastern Conference last year.
Bets and Pieces: The Pacers have covered eight straight games versus the Pistons.
This is the second of six NBA previews.
Next: The Eastern Conference's Southeast 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
