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HORNETS – SPURS BETTING
2008 PLAYOFF SERIES
By 5dimes.com
If there is one thing weve learned over the last few years about people from New Orleans, its that they know how to pick themselves up and dust themselves off after trying times and it seems like the citys NBA team is exhibiting the same qualities.
Last year, the Hornets were amongst the teams in the lower echelon of the Association, finishing 2006-07 with 39 wins and 43 losses.
A season later, New Orleans is the toast of the NBA, improving by 17 wins; winning a Southwest Division title and locking up second spot in the Western Conference.
On the sports betting side, the Hornets have impressed as well, racking up a 50-30-2 ATS record.
New Orleans has carried its hot play (both ATS and straight up) into the postseason and fans and bettors are thankful.
In all, the Hornets are a very profitable 5-2 ATS and 6-1 SU, eliminating the Dallas Mavericks and putting perennial Southwest power and defending champion San Antonio in a deep hole.
Going into tonights tilt at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, New Orleans holds a 2-0 advantage over the Spurs. San Antonio is a 6.5-point favorite in this Game, which could be considered a must-win.
It is worth noting that New Orleans has only grabbed one straight up victory in its last eight attempts in San Antonio and has gone 5-13 in the last 18. But they have been a profitable ATS play in San Antonio, as the Hornets franchises (including stints in Charlotte and Oklahoma) are 11-7 ATS in their last 18 Games there.
5dimes.com also has playoff series betting options up on the board.
As it stands, despite being underdogs, the Hornets are still on pace to sweep the defending champions and if you think thats how the series will play out and are planning to wager, it will pay out at +1000.
Oddsmakers are also expecting a long series as the Hornets in seven is listed as a +300 option.
Eight teams remain in the playoffs, and bettors can throw a wager down on which team will represent each Conference in the NBA Finals.
As it stands the Hornets are one of the favored teams to represent the West, listed at +225 to be the Western Conference champion.
The L.A. Lakers Kobe Bryant took the regular season MVP award but many are saying that the Hornets Chris Paul shouldve rightfully taken the accolade.
If New Orleans happens to go all the way, Chris Paul will be a prohibitive favorite to take home the Finals MVP award.
For tonights Game, it will be interesting to see how the Spurs react. Obviously this veteran group isnt pleased about tipping off in a 2-0 deficit, and playing before a home crowd has to provide some extra motivation.
The early betting action is tilted to the Spurs, with 68% of the volume coming in on the home side.
Enjoy the Game.
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