The dust has settled, and the 2011 NBA champions are the Dallas Mavericks. Many fans are attributing this to their belief that while the Mavericks have a cohesive team that plays well together, the Miami Heat…their opponents…do not.

Western Conference Finals Game 1
Oklahoma City Thunder at Dallas Mavericks
Tuesday, 9:05 pm Eastern – ESPN

The Western Conference finals begin on Tuesday night in Dallas as the Mavericks host the Oklahoma City Thunder.  The Mavericks have been off for more than a week since sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers so they will have to hope that they are not rusty.  Oklahoma City has the opposite problem as they could be a little weary after a brutal seven game series against Memphis.
Dallas is a 6-point favorite with a total of 193 at SBG Global.com.

The Mavericks won two of the three meetings against Oklahoma City during the regular season and the interesting part is that the road team won each game.  Dallas won the first two meetings in Oklahoma City while the Thunder won the last meeting in Dallas.

The Thunder are going to get points from Kevin Durant in this series while the Mavericks will be led by Dirk Nowitzki.  It might be the match-up at the point that decides the series.  Russell Westbrook did not play well in the NBA betting season series against Dallas as he shot just 31.8 percent.  Dallas guard Jason Kidd played very well against the Lakers but he may have big problems trying to guard Westbrook. The Mavericks do have the edge in bench scoring and the depth of Dallas may be a huge factor in this series.

Here are the betting stats for Tuesday’s game.  The Thunder are 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 road games. The Thunder are 43-21-1 ATS in their last 65 Tuesday games. The Mavericks are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 home games. The Mavericks are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 playoff games as a favorite. The Mavericks are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. the Northwest.  The Mavericks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Tuesday games.  In this series, the Thunder are 6-0-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Dallas and the road team is 18-7-2 ATS in the last 27 meetings. The underdog is 9-3-1 ATS in the last 13 meetings.

The Under is 3-1-1 in Oklahoma City’s last 5 road games. The Over is 7-3 in Oklahoma City’s last 10 vs. the Southwest. The Over is 4-1 in the Mavericks last 5 overall. In this series, the Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Dallas.

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April 25, 2011 – Monday, 8:05 pm Eastern on TNT

The Memphis Grizzlies will try and get one step closer to an unlikely playoff series win as they host the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night. The Grizzlies surprised the Spurs 91-88 on Saturday and now lead the best-of-seven series two games to one. The Spurs are the top seed in the Western Conference but so far in this betting series it is the eighth-seeded Grizzlies who have shown more poise.

San Antonio is a 1-point favorite with total of 189.

Memphis is making history in this series. The Grizzlies got their first-ever playoff win in game one of this series in San Antonio and they pulled off their first-ever home playoff win on Saturday night. If they can get a win on Monday they would be in great position to get their first-ever playoff series win. Even though Memphis has a 2-1 lead in this series, history is still against the Grizzlies. There have been six #8 seeds to have a 2-1 lead in a series against a #1 seed since the playoffs expanded more than 25 years ago and four of those six teams ended up losing the series.

The Grizzlies are winning this series because they are better than the Spurs inside. Tim Duncan is a future Hall of Famer but he has seen his best days and he is not the best inside player in this series. Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol are dominating the Spurs up front. The Spurs duo of Duncan and Antonio McDyess has been no match for Randolph and Gasol. San Antonio is also not shooting the ball well in this series. In their two losses in this series the Spurs are shooting just over 30 percent on their jump shots. The Spurs were just 2 for 15 from behind the 3-point line in Game 3 and that is important because during the regular season the Spurs were the NBA’s best 3-point shooting team.

Here are the NBA betting stats for Monday’s game. The Spurs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a road favorite. The Spurs are 21-10-2 ATS in their last 33 Monday games. The Spurs are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games as a favorite. The Grizzlies are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Monday games. The Grizzlies are 25-7-1 ATS in their last 33 games as an underdog. The Grizzlies are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings against the Spurs in Memphis.

The Over is 11-4 in the Spurs last 15 overall. The Under is 5-1 in the Grizzlies last 6 home games. The Under is 9-3 in the last 12 meetings in Memphis.

The 2011 NBA Basketball Playoffs are finally here and what a year it has been so far! Round 1 of NBA Playoffs will kick off on Saturday, April 16th with 16 top NBA teams. Online USA sportsbooks are gearing up for one of the best NBA playoffs in history.  Keeping up with the 2011 playoffs can be a daunting task, so make sure to print out or fill in a free NBA 2011 Playoff Bracket right now.

Using the PDF Bracket version you have the option of editing what team for each round. Otherwise you can print out a standard Bracket in .GIF format using the landscape option on your printer.

Image Printable Format	PDF Editable Format

The printable brackets are very easy to edit and as the playoffs progress, you can fill in the teams that advance to the next round, all the way to the NBA championship game.

FREE 2011 NBA Playoffs Bracket Contest:
After 1,230 regular season games the 2011 NBA Playoffs are finally here and BetDSI knows that everyone is out to win their Office Pool as well as join the best (FREE NBA Playoffs Bracket Contests) being offered online for NBA Playoffs.

Build your bracket for a chance to win your share of the $500 Freeplay Prize Pool. The Bracket Contest is now available in the BetDSI Facebook Fan Page and must be filled out before April 16 at 7:00 PM ET. If you are not part of their Fan Group yet then “Like” them  today at Facebook.com/BetDSI and keep on the lookout for special Facebook only promotions and contests for chances to win Free Cash and Free Swag from your friends at BetDSI.com.

Wednesday, 8:05 pm Eastern

The Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Hornets meet on Wednesday night in the back half of a home and home. The Mavericks handed the Hornets their first loss of the NBA betting season on Monday night in Dallas so New Orleans will look for a little revenge at home on Wednesday.

Hornets are listed as 4.5 point favorite at SBG Global.com with a total of 191.5.

Dallas got a game-high 26 points from Jason Terry in Monday’s win. Terry has averaged 20.4 points in 13 games against the Hornets recently so he is always a thorn in the side of New Orleans. Dallas will need him on Wednesday as they have lost the last six trips to New Orleans and rarely have the games been close. Four times the Hornets have won by double digits and they averaged 108.5 points per game in the six wins. Chris Paul has led New Orleans in the home wins as he averaged 28.7 points, 10.8 assists and 3 steals. The Mavericks shut him down in the second half on Monday though as he had just two points after scoring 20 in the first half.

The Mavericks are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 Wednesday games. The Mavericks are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 road games. The Mavericks are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. the Western Conference. The Mavericks are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings in New Orleans.

The Hornets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Wednesday games. The Hornets are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 home games. The Hornets are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 vs. the Southwest.

The Under is 5-1 in the Mavericks last 6 road games. The Under is 10-2-1 in the Mavericks last 13 vs. the Western Conference. The Under is 8-2-1 in the Mavericks last 11 vs. the Southwest. The Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings between the two teams.

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Ever since the beginning of the 2009-2010 NBA season there was much talk about the number players that will land on the free agent list after the season.  Big names such as, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, and many more top NBA prospects.  During the season many analysts from around the globe had different visions on where some of the leagues top players will land next and if they would stay with their current team.  After July 8th 2010 there was shocker to the NBA community, especially in Cleveland, where Lebron James is noted as King James.  The shocking news was that, James will not be returning to his home next season for another conquest for an NBA Championship.  James made his announcement via satellite from a Boy’s & Girl’s Club in Connecticut, while on split screen showing angry Cleveland Cavalier fans burning his old Cavalier jerseys.  After his shocking announcement fans in Cleveland were vandalizing billboards and destroying any James memorabilia in sight or anything with Lebron James on it.  Cavalier’s majority owner Dan Gilbert called Lebron’s decision cowardly and an act of betrayal and guaranteed that James’ will take his curse down to South Beach.  Bosh and Wade made their decision earlier in the week to sign with the Miami Heat.

The Big Three has past relationships with each other when the three competed in the Beijing for the 2008 Summer Olympics and brought home the gold. Bosh and Wade stayed completely out the eye of the media during much speculation of Wade returning to his home of Chicago along with James and Bosh.  Bosh was pretty content with playing alongside James and Wade.  Although there was much speculation about Lebron going to New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Los Angeles or staying in Cleveland.

In their pursuit of a NBA Championship the Miami Heat is introducing their own “Big Three”, to the Eastern Conference that will coincide with Boston’s “Big Three” (Garnett, Allen and Pierce).  Each player agreed to six-year deals with the Miami organization and took $15 million less over the life of the contract. Giving them the chance to market themselves on the free agency list after the 2013-2014 NBA season. Bosh and James were acquired through signs and trades, giving players the eligibility to receive a 10.5% pay increase.  Miami sent first round trades to both Cleveland and Toronto to acquire James and Bosh. Miami is looking forward to a trip the NBA finals by making key decisions by the one and only Pat Riley, President of the Miami Heat.

On Friday James, Bosh and Wade made their appearance in front of 13,000-plus Heat fans that made out to greet the new additions to the organization. Wade, James and Bosh appeared on a hydraulic lift carrying Miami’s Big Three.  With Wade in the middle and James and Bosh on the outside, the three were absolutely greeted like royalty.  With Lebron switching his jersey to #6 out of respect for Michael Jordan, this will be a new beginning for Mr. James and Bosh wearing #1 on his jersey.  With much talk about Lebron leaving Cleveland for New Jersey with close friend Jay Z (minority owner) or land a spot on Broadway joining A’mare Stoudemire in New York.  Although there was some speculation about the “Big Three”, landing in Chicago.  Sports analyst determined that the move to Miami was a good move for Lebron while others call the move a sell out or cowardly move.  James, Wade and Bosh are focusing on bringing a championship back to South Beach.  With the Big Three and Heat President Pat Riley in front office, the Heat are focused on adding another banner in American Airlines Arena.

Article Source: http://www.usagambler.net/GamblingNews.aspx

The Boston Celtics should have won game 6 and walked away with the NBA Final Championship but the Los Angeles Lakers fought hard and showed that they would give nothing away. In an amazingly tense match, the Lakers scored just 89 points but ended up beating the Celtics by a margin of 22 points, with the final score reading 89 to 67.

The Celtics looked tired and did not play like they really wanted to win the NBA Final Championship.  Credit must be given to Pau Gasol of the Lakers who ended up scoring 13 rebounds, 9 assists and 17 huge points.

If the Boston Celtics want to win the final game, they need to come out firing on all cylinders. They need to work out a better strategy to reduce the effectiveness of Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom.

Everyone knows that Kobe is a big match player and we can expect him to raise his game for the NBA final match. If Kobe gets off to a great start, the Celtics will be on the back foot and will find it extremely hard to get their hands on the championship.

The Lakers are 7 point favorite with a total over/under of 187.  Place your Bet Now!

The Celtics have lost some of their key players through injury including Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins. Ironically, they will have to turn to the 35 year old Rasheed Wallace and hope he can create some magic for the Celtics in the NBA Final.

Ticket prices for game 7 have skyrocketed. Game 7 will be played at the Staples Center in celebrity studded Los Angeles to add the extra excitement to this NBA Final Championship game.

Game 7 of the NBA Finals starts at 9:00pm ET.

Wednesday, 9:05 pm Eastern – TNT

History is definitely not on the side of the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. In Game 1 of the series on Monday the Suns were blown out 128-107 by the Lakers.  Phil Jackson coached teams are 46-0 when they win the first game of a series.  The Lakers are favored in the NBA playoffs odds to make it two straight on Wednesday night.

The Lakers are 6.5 point favorites with a total of 215.  Place your Bet Now!

The Suns were trying to be positive even though they were completely dominated in Game 1.  “Some of the things we game-planned for, we actually did well,” said Phoenix guard Steve Nash, “We just didn’t hit shots. We want to cut down on their transitions and create some easier stuff for ourselves, but some of the things they did, you’ve just got to tip your hat to.” The Suns allowed the Lakers to hit 58 percent of their shots and when that happens, the Lakers are going to win most of the time. Kobe Bryant had 40 points to lead the Lakers while Lamar Odom had 19 points and 19 rebounds. The Suns had absolutely no answer for Kobe. “The shots he made, we could run anybody at him.” Phoenix head coach Alvin Gentry said, “It doesn’t matter. He’s going to make them. The shot he made at the end of the first quarter, that’s what I’m talking about. That’s why they pay him $30 million a year. I think he’s the best finisher that ever played.”

The Lakers were not getting too excited about their Game 1 win.  Head coach Phil Jackson believes the team can play a lot better and guard Derek Fisher was worried about the pace of the game. “Sometimes we played a little bit too fast,” Fisher said. “Something we want to come back to in Game 2 is making sure Pau and Drew and Ron and Kobe get their opportunities inside to test their D. That’s where we’re difficult for teams to guard.”

Here are the NBA betting stats for Wednesday’s game. The Suns are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 playoff games as an underdog. The Suns are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games. The Suns are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Conference Finals games. The Suns are 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Los Angeles. The Lakers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Conference Finals games.

The Over is 4-1 in the Suns last 5 overall but the Under is 7-2-1 in the Suns last 10 road games. The Over is 4-0-1 in the Lakers last 5 overall. The Over is 4-0 in the Lakers last 4 home games. The Under is 9-3 in the Lakers last 12 Conference Finals games. The Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Los Angeles between the two teams. Are you ready for some NBA Playoffs betting action?

The Cleveland Cavaliers are having a lot more trouble than expected getting past the Boston Celtics in their Eastern Conference playoff series. NBA Playoffs betting fans have seen LeBron James playing well but the best player in the series has been Boston guard Rajon Rondo. He dominated Game 4 as the Celtics won 97-87 to even the best-of-seven series at two games each. Rondo had a triple-double as he scored 29 points, pulled down 18 rebounds and handed out 13 assists. If the Cavaliers are to win this series as expected, they are going to need LeBron to step up his game and they need to find a way to slow down Rondo.

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Cleveland Cavaliers are a 7.5 point favorite with a total over/under of 193.5.

LeBron has said that he wants to guard Rondo in Game 5 but that strategy may not work. Paul Pierce has been shutdown by James and it is also very questionable whether James could keep up with Rondo but James wants to give it a try. “It’s something that we should explore,’’ said James, “Because Rondo is definitely dominating the series at the point guard position.” The problem for Cleveland is that if James guards Rondo there is no one to guard Pierce. And Pierce does whatever it takes for the team to win. “I’m at the point in my career where it don’t matter who gets the credit on this team,’’ Pierce said. “It’s about winning games. At the end of the game, when my legacy is put up in the air, it’s going to be like, ‘What did he do for his team?’ A lot of individual things I have done, but it’s about winning games, winning championships. If it’s going to be me getting 9 points, a couple of rebounds, a key charge or key rebound, that’s fine with me.’’

NBA betting stats show that Boston has been a solid team in the playoffs when they are getting points. The Celtics are 11-4-1 ATS in their last 16 playoff games as an underdog.

The Celtics are 2-7 ATS in the last 9 meetings in Cleveland. Cleveland has had their troubles at home recently covering the spread in the basketball odds. The Cavaliers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games as a home favorite.

Looking at the total, the Under is 6-2 in the Celtics last 8 Conference Semifinals games and the Under is 19-7 in the Cavaliers last 26 Conference Semifinals games.

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According to multiple reports from ESPN, Lebron James is the NBA MVP for the 2nd straight season.

He will be the tenth player to win back to back MVPs. He will be placed in the category of such hall of fame faces as Michael Jordan, Steve Nash, Magic, Malone,

Lebron James will be the 2nd youngest NBA player to win back to back MVP (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 1975-1977). Cavaliers will have to come up with a lot of money to keep such a player on their roster, since he becomes a free agent after the season is over. As stated by Dwayne Wade, tasting and seeing what free agency will offer him, Lebron said the same, which puts New York Knicks in pretty good position to take the King of basketball away from Cleveland and bring it to New York City. Lets see what Mr. James will choose.

The official report comes out on Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 to see if Lebron James is the official NBA Most Valuable Player for the second straight seasons. (2008-2010)