North Carolina tied a giant bow on another exciting college basketball season. Time to turn our attention to the NBA, where only a handful of games remain before the 2009 playoffs get underway. But before we get to this week's basketball betting preview, let's acknowledge this year's Top 10 moneymakers in college hoops. Then it's off to the big leagues. All times listed are Eastern; for the latest lines, visit Bodog Sports.
1. Auburn: 21-8
2. Weber State: 19-7
3. Kansas: 20-8-1
4. St. Peter’s: 15-6-1
5. The Citadel: 17-7-1
6. Louisiana Tech: 19-8
7. Northern Colorado: 17-8
8. Bowling Green: 20-10
9. Wisconsin-Green Bay: 18-9-1
10. Missouri: 20-11
1. Orlando: 48-27-1
2. Cleveland: 46-31
3. Charlotte: 45-32
4. Oklahoma City: 43-31-1
5. New York: 44-32-1
6. Denver: 43-34-1
7. Indiana: 41-34-2
8. Atlanta: 41-35-1
9. Portland: 40-35
10. Chicago: 40-36-1
AT&T Center, San Antonio, Tex.
Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Portland: 48-28 SU, 40-35 ATS, Under 38-36-1
San Antonio: 49-27 SU, 37-37-2 ATS, Under 38-36-2
They have virtually the same record, and they're two of the slowest teams ever built. But the Trail Blazers and Spurs aren't all that alike. Portland's young guns have the second-best offense in the NBA in terms of efficiency, yet their defense is average at best. The veteran Spurs are powered by the No. 6 defense in the league; however, they're not getting the job done of late at 5-6 SU and 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games, with the over at 5-1-1 in their last seven. San Antonio is also going to have to do without Manu Ginobili (ankle) for the rest of the season and the playoffs. Portland is scorching right now at 7-3 SU and 8-2 ATS.
Staples Center, Los Angeles
Thursday, 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Denver: 52-26 SU, 43-34-1 ATS, Over 40-38
L.A. Lakers: 61-16 SU, 39-38 ATS, Over 38-28-1
The Nuggets have quietly won 12 of 13 games at 9-4 ATS to take over the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, 9.5 games behind the Lakers. This is a golden opportunity for some of L.A.'s tired starters to get a bit of a break going into the second season; Denver runs a very quick offense (as do the Lakers), and the Nuggets certainly won't be slowing down with that second seed still up for grabs. Los Angeles is 3-2 SU and 1-4 ATS in its last five contests.
Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland
Sunday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Boston: 58-19 SU, 40-37 ATS, Under 39-37-1
Cleveland: 62-15 SU, 46-31 ATS, Under 43-33-1
The Cavaliers will probably have clinched the Eastern Conference by the time Sunday rolls around. They're four games up on Boston at press time with five games remaining. The Celtics, however, are just a half-game up on Orlando in the race for the second seed, and the Magic have a game in hand. Boston is 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS since Kevin Garnett was shut down to rest his knee for the playoffs; Cleveland has won 14 of its past 16 games, but at only 6-10 ATS. The Cavs could be even thinner than Boston at power forward with Anderson Varejao (wrist) listed as day-to-day to join Ben Wallace (broken leg) on the shelf.
Don't Miss
New Orleans at Miami (Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.)
Utah at Dallas (Wednesday, 9:30 p.m.)
Philadelphia at Chicago (Thursday, 8:00 p.m.)
N.Y. Knicks at Orlando (Friday, 8:00 p.m.)
L.A. Lakers at Portland (Friday, 10:00 p.m.)
Detroit at Indiana (Saturday, 7:00 p.m.)
Dallas at New Orleans (Sunday, 1:00 p.m.)
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