NBA Betting: Eastern Conference Hopefuls in Action Sunday |
| Written by Charlie Jimenez | |||
| Thursday, 15 November 2012 07:30 | |||
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Indiana Pacers @ New York Knicks The Knicks certainly haven’t had to worry about playing in a small market, although their ability to make the playoffs in recent years hasn’t translated to postseason success they had hoped for. New York has been among the biggest surprises early on this season with four-straight wins to open their schedule, and they have done it without one of their biggest name’s as Amare Stoudamire remains sidelined. Carmelo Anthony has been on fire with an average 27.3 points per 5Dimes game, and has also contributed at the defensive end with a team-high 1.3 blocks for a group that ranks first in the NBA in points allowed. While the Knicks aren’t expected to remain at the top of the defensive rankings or undefeated for the entire year, they should be able to hold their own at home against an Indiana team that has been very average without Danny Granger early on.
NBA Betting Pick: New York Knicks Orlando Magic @ Toronto Raptors Among the teams hit hardest by the small-market online sportsbook element this past year is Orlando, which lost All-Star center Dwight Howard for virtually nothing after failing to land a much better deal that was offered to them by the Brooklyn Nets. The Toronto Raptors never had a center like Howard, and have struggled to win with any consistency ever since Vince Carter left town near the end of his peak. This year’s Raptors’ team has potential but has been hit by a tough schedule and an injury to starting guard Kyle Lowry, while Orlando hasn’t been much better with Jameer Nelson and Hedo Turkoglu both dealing with injuries. Neither of these teams is expected to contend for a playoff spot this season, but the Raptors have better big men and at this point are overdue for an online betting home-win. NBA Betting Pick: Toronto Raptors Cleveland Cavaliers @ Philadelphia 7ers The Cavaliers lost the best player in the NBA because of their small-market status, but were very fortunate to hit the jackpot in the draft lottery after losing Lebron James. Cleveland managed to land 2011 Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving as well as Tristan Thompson after Lebron left, and then hit another solid pick with Dion Waiters fourth-overall in last year’s selection process. Cleveland is much further along than many expected they would be at this point, and with the 76ers still waiting for injured center Andrew Bynum to return, the Cavaliers should be able to take advantage. For all of the latest NBA news and odds, be sure to check out the best sports betting sites. NBA Betting Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers
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The lack of parity in the NBA has become somewhat of a concern for some of the smaller market teams, and those that have struggled to build through the draft the way that the Oklahoma City Thunder did on the way to last year’s NBA Finals. Even the Thunder were forced to make a move before this sports betting season in order to preserve their future status as contenders, but that is a place that a handful of teams from the Eastern conference would be happy to trade with. 
