Round One of NBA Playoffs - No Dogs Can Advance.

wilheim · Apr 15, 2004

Just looking at the match-ups, unlike Hockey it is really hard to see any underdog team advancing into the next round.

871 Boston Celtics +1520
872 Indiana Pacers -1980

873 New York Knicks +500
874 NewJersey Nets -580

875 Memphis Grizzlies +920
876 San Antonio Spurs -1080

877 Houston Rockets +920
878 Los Angeles Lakers -1080

879 Milwaukee Bucks +1430
880 Detroit Pistons -1780

881 Dallas Mavericks +148
882 Sacramento Kings -164

883 New Orleans Hornets +243
884 Miami Heat -277

885 Denver Nuggets +1540
886 Minnesota Timberwolves -1920

Obviously The Mavs could advance, but I don't see it happening. wil.

TheGeneral+ · Apr 15, 2004

That is some serious wood.

SSI · Apr 15, 2004

dallas has a chance, and maybe new orleans.. there is always surprises..

bucsfan67 · Apr 15, 2004

if i had to take one it would be memphis at +920...they can play

ChuckSims · Apr 15, 2004

Usually in the NBA there are no surprises. Only once(not counting the strike season) has an NBA 8th seed knocked off a #1. Gary Payton was on the #1 seeded Seattle team that choked against the 8th seeded Nuggets.

drunkguy · Apr 15, 2004

or, you could see it as a good opportunity to make some serious money

ChuckSims · Apr 15, 2004

Many years ago books would put up a series price in the first round that would be about the same as the fav, playing a home game. After a few years of ass kicking by the bettors the books changed that. Now I think they are going overboard. Anybody reading this going to lay $1800 to win a dollar on a team that has lost 8 straight playoff series?

AskHerman · Apr 15, 2004

Dallas, Knicks and New Orleans all have a chance to advance.

Railbird · Apr 15, 2004

Limit play on Rockets, they will beg Kobe to shoot.

Horseshoe · Apr 15, 2004

Linemakers got cute & overpriced Miami by a dollar-plus(should be -1.50 to -200?), but they are still a winner despite slight interior size edge to NO.

Dallas-Sacto is a bettable affair and grudge match.

The rest of the series' must be bought, if you want to play or win.

Memphis & NYK may well win the ATS war in losing respective series SU?

GLJJNOVA · Apr 15, 2004

I think the long odds give value to those willing to take a shot. Also the new best of 7 format will give the Favs an "opportunity" to throw in a clunker without seriously hurting their chance to advance. To the networks and the league, the more games the better. So there will be plenty of spots where the Dogs will bring value.

GLTA
GP

RobFunk · Apr 15, 2004

its true. . .i hate the best of 7 for that very reason in round 1. hardly any upsets anymore

Horseshoe · Apr 15, 2004

Exactly GP, Unlike when Payton & Kemp were "upset" by Dikembe and Laphonso in five game set back in '94, the return to 7 Gm series, makes the favorite much more bulletproof SU, yet with Stern's tv ratings bloodbath worsening each year(like Bettman's regular season numbers), and the NBA continuing their ridiculous game intervals in early round series for the 9th straight year(?) as to have prime time & weekend tv, you can look for some decent dog plays, but the series still look like chalky outcomes..imho

Rob, look to the positive, Phil Jackson's infamous Gm5 "NBC REBATES/SERIES LENGTHENERS", if up 3-0 or 3-1 he tanks SU moneylines at alarming rates to help Stern..they usually all do!

WildBill · Apr 15, 2004

Nets line surprises me the way they have been running. If they don't get going quickly I could see them tanking quickly. Might be worth a look at the generous odds.

crazyivan24 · Apr 16, 2004

I'm going to RIDE Memphis Grizzlies ATS for sure..maybe a few MONEYLINES for fun.

I have $150 to win $30,000 on Memphis winning it all (got it in January) ...hey i technically have a 1 in 16 shot LOL

ShinySuitMan · Apr 16, 2004

Alan Houston has been activated for the playoffs. Moochie Norris has been dropped after playing well the last few weeks? NY claiming that Houston will only be a 30% chance to be ready to go in this series. lol. If he isn't ready to go this series whats the point of activating him for the playoffs. He will play.

Lenny Wilkens said of Norris reaction to leave him off the playoff roster " He was very disappointed, naturally. Everybody wants to be part of this, but there are only so many spots."

Part of what? An early exit and first round failure? NY is ready to explode and the only thing standing in their way is Kidd. From all reports I am hearing Kidd ain't nowhere near 100% healthy.

Mr NJ Sports · Apr 16, 2004

Id say Dallas can, and honestly who the hell are the Lakers to be giving those odds with career losers Gary Payton and dis here Karl Malone?

Also, your'e Hubie Brown your team is young with tremendous upside you have a deep rotation and this is gonna be a low scoring series ..Always a shot?

I will not take either of the last 2 but they are not locks.