NBA Tip Off Preview

2009-2010 NBA Betting Tip off Games

The 2009-2010 NBA regular season tips off on Tuesday October 27th with four games on tap. The rest of the league will be in action on Wednesday with an additional 12 games schedule. In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers will begin defense of their NBA title against their cross town neighbors the L.A. Clippers. In the Eastern Conference two of the top teams in the league square off when the Boston Celtics head into the Quicken Loans Arena to take on LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Here is a preview of all the games on opening day.

Boston Celtics @ Cleveland Cavaliers

This match up features the two top teams in the Eastern Conference as Boston is currently at +160 to win the East and +350 to win it all, while Cleveland is favored slightly more at +120 to win the East and +250 to finally win a World Title. Both teams are coming off a disappointing end to last season. Injuries finally took their toll on the Celtics as they lost to Orlando in seven games in the conference semi-finals after blowing a 3-2 series lead. The Cavaliers, who were heavy favorites to win the East, fell to the Magic as well in the conference finals in six games. With a healthy Kevin Garnett and two new additions, Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels, the Celtics appear primed to make a serious run at another title. To bolster their lineup the Cavaliers added long time veteran center Shaquille O’Neil in hopes that his presence will be enough to push Cleveland over the hump and finally bring home a long awaited NBA title.

Washington Wizards @ Dallas Mavericks

The Wizards had the worst record in the Eastern Conference last season, only winning 16 games against 63 losses. Although they should be a much better team this season they are a significant long shot as their current odds are + 3000 to win the East and +7500 to win it all. A healthy Gilbert Arenas will help the cause along with two new additions, Randy Foye and Mike Miller as the Wizards have their sights on making the playoffs. Dallas was the 6th seed in the West last year and lost to Denver in the conference semi-finals in five games. They come in this season as +1200 to win the West and +2300 to win it all. With the exception of Drew Gooden replacing Ryan Hollins and the addition of Shawn Marion, the Mavericks are going with basically the same line up as last year. If this team can come together early in the season, they should have a good chance to seriously compete in the west.

Houston Rockets @ Portland Trail Blazers

This game will be a rematch of last year’s Western Conference quarterfinals in which the Rockets beat the Trail Blazers, winning the series in six games. The Rocket’s season ended after taking the Lakers to seven games but losing in the semi-finals. The odds are stacked against the Rockets to even get back to the playoffs as they are +1600 to win the West and +3500 to win it all. Center Yao Ming is out for the foreseeable future, and Tracy McGrady still is not 100%. They added Trevor Ariza, but it will take an entire team effort to produce a winning season. Portland’s situation is much brighter as they are +900 to win the West and +1600 to win it all. They are close to signing LaMarcus Aldridge to a long term contract and along with Brandon Roy this would keeps a solid nucleus of young talent that should ensure another playoff run.

Los Angeles Clippers @ Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers begin their NBA title defense against the other team in town, the Clippers as these are two teams on complete opposite sides of the fence. The Lakers are prohibitive favorites to repeat as they are -120 to win the West and +125 to successfully defend their title. Led by Kobe Bryant, perhaps the best player to ever play the game their roster is still loaded after resigning Lamar Odom and Shannon Brown while adding Ron Artest. The Clippers were the second worst team in the west winning less than 20 games. They are such a long shot that their odds to win it all weren’t on the board and they came in at +7500 to win the West. With the #1 pick in the draft Blake Griffin added to the roster along with Marcus Camby there is a core of talent on this team that should have things looking up this season.