This is the time of year where things get interesting in NBA betting. You’ve got teams jockeying for playoff position, other teams scratching for playoff survival, and the rest of the league hungry to vent its frustration from its failures.Before you ask how that’s different from any other time during the season where everyone wants to win, I’ll tell you. It’s all about the drama and the unexpected. Just because team X is securely in the four seed playing at home against a team that has no chance at the playoffs, doesn’t mean they’re a safe bet. Anything but.
So, in the spirit of not forgetting the little guys, here’s a list of dangerous teams that could throw a wrench in your weekend gambling plans. Tread lightly when considering bets against them.
Chicago Bulls: The Bulls just beat the Celtics and almost dealt the same fate to the Lakers. Salmons is a beast right now, and now that they have a slim lead for the final playoff spot, expect the Bulls to pour their youthful energy into every game from here on out.
Phoenix Suns: Still an outside shot to make the playoffs, it doesn’t seem to be slowing down their will to win. A recent burst of four straight has them thinking postseason again. I see them overcoming a 4-5 point line at Utah on the 28th. In fact, at New Orleans in April might be the toughest game they have left. Aside from Shaq, the other starters are keeping this team alive, as well. Names like Nash and Richardson have traded off throwing up impressive stats the last few games.
And, in case anyone forgot, Grant Hill is still in the league – averaging double digit points no less.
New York: That’s right I’m calling it. If you want to make a great sports gambling bet, then the Knicks, who just a few weeks ago thought they were gonna ride a road streak right into the playoffs, have recently come back down to reality, but this team will epitomize the roll of April spoiler in the East. I might even go so far as the pick them to upset the Magic in Orlando April 10. They’re angry at another losing season and believe in the talent they have, a nasty mixture when they’ve got nothing left to lose this year. That game should carry a 9-11 point line in favor of the Magic, and I would bet on the Knicks.