Post by James on Jul 6, 2010 21:59:33 GMT -5
With the 2014 UOSLR play-offs drawing near, there is no doubt that the amount of money being wagered on regular season games increases. With punters (and maybe even a few referees) all around the world laying down some serious cash on who the eventual winner of this years title will be, let’s take a closer look and examine the odds presented by BetFair and analyse who the bookies believe are going to take out this years UOSLR Championship.
Note – I have no idea how betting works in the US so I’m using the system we use in Australia. It’s pretty simple. If you lay down $1 and Houston are paying $4.00, then you get $4.00 back if they win. You essentially multiply how much you are willing to bet by the odds given by the bookie. So for example:
$20 on Milwaukee to in win the Championship x $19 = $380 pay-out
Category 1 – The Contenders
1. Houston Rockets - $4.25
Houston's blow-out 24 point win on day 47 vs Sacramento as well as their current form compared to the likes of the Indiana Pacers and the Portland Trailblazers have the bookies convinced that the Rockets are currently the team to beat in the UOSLR this season. The fact that they have the leagues number 1 MVP candidate who can routinely go for 40+ is also another reason why the Rockets are above the Kings (who are their closest competition). Durant scored 30+ against Sacramento 3 times this season including a 45 point performance on day 18.
2. Orlando Magic - $4.50
Orlando probably have the strongest all around starting five in the league however their lack of a true point guard really hurts them when it comes to comparing them with Sacramento and Houston. However, head-to-head, the Magic demolished the Kings by 24 points on day 52 and kept Kevin Durant in-check against Houston on day 7, comfortably beating the Rockets by 17 points. Andre Iguodala and co also have Indiana under their thumb (2-1 in the season series so far) as well as the Portland Trailblazers (2-0). Don’t be surprised to see Orlando climb to number 1 in the power rankings in if they can beat two of Indiana, Sacramento and Houston in their coming regular season games.
3. Sacramento Kings - $5
The Kings have the leagues best record however BetFair and punters around the world regard them as the third most likely to win the UOSLR Championship this season. Their lack of a superstar is what really hurts the Kings in the eyes of many. Which player steps up in game 7 and goes head-to-head with a Kevin Durant, an Andre Iguodala or a Tony Parker? In saying that, Sacramento are in red-hot form at the moment and even though the Portland Trailblazers and the Orlando Magic have their number during the regular season, many believe the all-round play of this team as well as the leadership of Ricky Rubio is enough to get the Kings over the line.
4. Portland Trailblazers – $5.25
Nicolas Batum and Tony Parker form what can only be described as the UOSLR’s best duo. The Trailblazers like many other teams who are in the race for the Championship (especially Orlando), don’t really have a well rounded starting five. Although, the Trailblazers currently lead their season series with Sacramento 2-1 and Houston 2-0 which keeps the bookies weary of bringing the Trailblazers above $6. Portland are very much in the race for the title this season and their odds may very well drift if they can manage to secure home-court advantage come the UOSLR Championship game as they have the best home-record in the league (losing only 5 times)
5. Indiana Pacers - $8.50
Indiana currently sit atop of the Eastern Conference however their dip in form (losses to Charlotte, Sacramento, Indiana, Milwaukee (twice) and New York) in the past two weeks have really hurt their stock and have seem them drift to $8.50 to win the UOSLR Championship. They are similar to Sacramento in a way in that they don’t have a certified superstar to hold onto late in games however this could also be a positive as it does not place the burden on a single individual to perform. The bad news for Indiana is that they aren’t winning a single season series against any of the big four teams.
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Category 2 – The Contenders (Tier II)
6. Los Angeles Lakers - $9.50
The LA Lakers are a surprise package ranked at number 6 here however the bookies love LA’s current form and the experience they brought into the squad when acquiring Yao Ming and Gilbert Arenas. The Lakers are 14-4 since the all-star break and 38-22 overall, a record which is quite deceptive seeing as though the started the season 6-11 before acquiring the aforementioned duo.
7. New Jersey Nets - $15
The Nets will be disappointed to be ranked as almost contenders as they are the best offensive team In the league (without having a single player average over 23ppg), have beaten Houston twice and haven’t lost to the Kings, however they are 0-3 vs Conference rivals Indiana and were mauled by 32 points against Orlando on day 13, a game that saw six Magic players score in double figures.
8. Seattle Supersonics - $15
Mo Williams recently notched up a ridiculous 64 points and the Seattle Supersonics are in great form leading into the play-offs which is why BetFair puts Seattle at $15 favorites to win the UOSLR Championship. Sacramento own them in the regular season and Houston have played well against them however if Mo Williams can get a leg up against any of the weaker point guards the above 7 teams have, they are in for a chance.
9. Milwaukee Bucks - $19
It will be up to Dwyane Wade and Trevor Leslie to take the Bucks deep into the play-offs this season. Milwaukee are currently buzzing after beating division rivals Indiana twice in three days (once by 23 points) which has really lifted their stock and given them confidence that favorable seedings could see them meet with the Pacers in the second round or even the Eastern Conference Finals (if they can get that far) and potentially lead to a fairytale finish to the season. In saying that, they will still have to pass the likes of the Orlando Magic in the East as well as the Rockets, Kings, Blazers, Lakers and Sonics out West.
10. New York Knicks - $19
The Knicks aren’t in great form at the moment however superstar Perry Jones is not someone the bookies are willing to bet against. The Knicks are a ridiculous 3-0 against Orlando thanks to 37 points and 28 points respectively from Jones (they also beat them without Jones on day 67). If New York can manage to avoid the Nets (who they are losing the season series too) their is an extreme possibility that they could come out of the Eastern Conference and tackle the West's best in the final.
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Category 3 – The Outsiders
11. Miami Heat - $25
12. Minnesota Timberwolves - $30
13. Atlanta Hawks - $35
14. Denver Nuggets - $40
15. Philadelphia 76ers - $50
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Category 4 – The Outsiders (Tier II)
16. Chicago Bulls - $50
17. Charlotte Hornets - $75
18. Dallas Mavericks - $75
19. Memphis Grizzlies - $125
20. San Antonio Spurs - $250
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Category 5 – The Hopefuls
21. Toronto Raptors - $500
22. Cleveland Cavaliers - $750
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Category 5 – Betting Suspended
23. Phoenix Suns - Betting Suspended
24. Golden State Warriors - Betting Suspended
25. Los Angeles Clippers - Betting Suspended
26. Utah Jazz - Betting Suspended
27. Washington Bullets - Betting Suspended
28. Detroit Pistons – Betting Suspended
Note – I have no idea how betting works in the US so I’m using the system we use in Australia. It’s pretty simple. If you lay down $1 and Houston are paying $4.00, then you get $4.00 back if they win. You essentially multiply how much you are willing to bet by the odds given by the bookie. So for example:
$20 on Milwaukee to in win the Championship x $19 = $380 pay-out
Category 1 – The Contenders
1. Houston Rockets - $4.25
Houston's blow-out 24 point win on day 47 vs Sacramento as well as their current form compared to the likes of the Indiana Pacers and the Portland Trailblazers have the bookies convinced that the Rockets are currently the team to beat in the UOSLR this season. The fact that they have the leagues number 1 MVP candidate who can routinely go for 40+ is also another reason why the Rockets are above the Kings (who are their closest competition). Durant scored 30+ against Sacramento 3 times this season including a 45 point performance on day 18.
2. Orlando Magic - $4.50
Orlando probably have the strongest all around starting five in the league however their lack of a true point guard really hurts them when it comes to comparing them with Sacramento and Houston. However, head-to-head, the Magic demolished the Kings by 24 points on day 52 and kept Kevin Durant in-check against Houston on day 7, comfortably beating the Rockets by 17 points. Andre Iguodala and co also have Indiana under their thumb (2-1 in the season series so far) as well as the Portland Trailblazers (2-0). Don’t be surprised to see Orlando climb to number 1 in the power rankings in if they can beat two of Indiana, Sacramento and Houston in their coming regular season games.
3. Sacramento Kings - $5
The Kings have the leagues best record however BetFair and punters around the world regard them as the third most likely to win the UOSLR Championship this season. Their lack of a superstar is what really hurts the Kings in the eyes of many. Which player steps up in game 7 and goes head-to-head with a Kevin Durant, an Andre Iguodala or a Tony Parker? In saying that, Sacramento are in red-hot form at the moment and even though the Portland Trailblazers and the Orlando Magic have their number during the regular season, many believe the all-round play of this team as well as the leadership of Ricky Rubio is enough to get the Kings over the line.
4. Portland Trailblazers – $5.25
Nicolas Batum and Tony Parker form what can only be described as the UOSLR’s best duo. The Trailblazers like many other teams who are in the race for the Championship (especially Orlando), don’t really have a well rounded starting five. Although, the Trailblazers currently lead their season series with Sacramento 2-1 and Houston 2-0 which keeps the bookies weary of bringing the Trailblazers above $6. Portland are very much in the race for the title this season and their odds may very well drift if they can manage to secure home-court advantage come the UOSLR Championship game as they have the best home-record in the league (losing only 5 times)
5. Indiana Pacers - $8.50
Indiana currently sit atop of the Eastern Conference however their dip in form (losses to Charlotte, Sacramento, Indiana, Milwaukee (twice) and New York) in the past two weeks have really hurt their stock and have seem them drift to $8.50 to win the UOSLR Championship. They are similar to Sacramento in a way in that they don’t have a certified superstar to hold onto late in games however this could also be a positive as it does not place the burden on a single individual to perform. The bad news for Indiana is that they aren’t winning a single season series against any of the big four teams.
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Category 2 – The Contenders (Tier II)
6. Los Angeles Lakers - $9.50
The LA Lakers are a surprise package ranked at number 6 here however the bookies love LA’s current form and the experience they brought into the squad when acquiring Yao Ming and Gilbert Arenas. The Lakers are 14-4 since the all-star break and 38-22 overall, a record which is quite deceptive seeing as though the started the season 6-11 before acquiring the aforementioned duo.
7. New Jersey Nets - $15
The Nets will be disappointed to be ranked as almost contenders as they are the best offensive team In the league (without having a single player average over 23ppg), have beaten Houston twice and haven’t lost to the Kings, however they are 0-3 vs Conference rivals Indiana and were mauled by 32 points against Orlando on day 13, a game that saw six Magic players score in double figures.
8. Seattle Supersonics - $15
Mo Williams recently notched up a ridiculous 64 points and the Seattle Supersonics are in great form leading into the play-offs which is why BetFair puts Seattle at $15 favorites to win the UOSLR Championship. Sacramento own them in the regular season and Houston have played well against them however if Mo Williams can get a leg up against any of the weaker point guards the above 7 teams have, they are in for a chance.
9. Milwaukee Bucks - $19
It will be up to Dwyane Wade and Trevor Leslie to take the Bucks deep into the play-offs this season. Milwaukee are currently buzzing after beating division rivals Indiana twice in three days (once by 23 points) which has really lifted their stock and given them confidence that favorable seedings could see them meet with the Pacers in the second round or even the Eastern Conference Finals (if they can get that far) and potentially lead to a fairytale finish to the season. In saying that, they will still have to pass the likes of the Orlando Magic in the East as well as the Rockets, Kings, Blazers, Lakers and Sonics out West.
10. New York Knicks - $19
The Knicks aren’t in great form at the moment however superstar Perry Jones is not someone the bookies are willing to bet against. The Knicks are a ridiculous 3-0 against Orlando thanks to 37 points and 28 points respectively from Jones (they also beat them without Jones on day 67). If New York can manage to avoid the Nets (who they are losing the season series too) their is an extreme possibility that they could come out of the Eastern Conference and tackle the West's best in the final.
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Category 3 – The Outsiders
11. Miami Heat - $25
12. Minnesota Timberwolves - $30
13. Atlanta Hawks - $35
14. Denver Nuggets - $40
15. Philadelphia 76ers - $50
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Category 4 – The Outsiders (Tier II)
16. Chicago Bulls - $50
17. Charlotte Hornets - $75
18. Dallas Mavericks - $75
19. Memphis Grizzlies - $125
20. San Antonio Spurs - $250
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Category 5 – The Hopefuls
21. Toronto Raptors - $500
22. Cleveland Cavaliers - $750
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Category 5 – Betting Suspended
23. Phoenix Suns - Betting Suspended
24. Golden State Warriors - Betting Suspended
25. Los Angeles Clippers - Betting Suspended
26. Utah Jazz - Betting Suspended
27. Washington Bullets - Betting Suspended
28. Detroit Pistons – Betting Suspended
Id definitley put some money on the Lakers or Pacers..
