NBA Finals only one week away, the San Antonio Spurs chasing back-to-back titles.
By
With a 60-18 record, the Spurs are the
top seed in the Western Conference. They only have four more games to close the
regular season, all against clubs with losing records. Detroit have a slightly
better record at 62-15 and are the clear leader in the East. Detroit is also the
current betting favorite to win the Championship at 115 on Canbet.com, with San
Antonio the current second favorite at 275 (on Canbet).
The Dallas Mavericks are currently second seed in the West with a 59-18 record.
As it now stands the Spurs will finish winner of the Southwest Division and earn
the top seed and home-court advantage throughout the West playoffs leaving the
Mavericks to be the fourth seed throughout the playoffs, forfeiting home court
advantage.
Western Conference Preview:
The San Antonio Spurs will begin their title
defense against the Los Angeles Lakers who return to the postseason after a
one-year absence. It will be a short sharp return for Phil Jackson and Kobe
Bryant who were beaten 3-1 by the Spurs during the regular season. Los Angeles
is currently 50-1 to win the title (on Canbet).
The third seed in the Western Conference are the Phoenix Suns ( 650 to win the
championship on Canbet) have a problem with a tough series ahead. As it stands
now, they will face the Sacramento Kings with whom they split their series 2-2
this season. This series could go either way with the Suns heading into the post
season without Amare Stoudamire, while the addition of Ron Artest to the
Sacramento roster has given the team a big boast at the defensive end.
In other matchups in the West: The Los Angeles Clippers lead the Denver Nuggets
3-1 in their regular season clashes. The Dallas Mavericks lead the Memphis
Grizzlies 3-1.
Eastern Conference Preview:
The Detroit Pistons, 'World Champions' in the
2003-04 season, have continued to dominate their division and conference.
Whoever can beat them will win the title. They kick off their postseason
campaign against lightweights the Philadelphia 76ers. Detroit leads their
regular season series 3-0. The Pistons have won 20 of their last 21 on their
home court at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Philadelphia is 150-1 longshot on
Canbet to win the overall title.
Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat are set to play the sliding Indiana Pacers
who won two of three games over the Heat this season. Despite racking up a 50-27
record, the Heat has failed to impress in the stretch run. The big man will have
to stay healthy if the Heat are to be crowned kings. Still, Miami is third
favourites to claim the championship at 500 (on Canbet.com).
The New Jersey Nets represent the biggest obstacle facing the Pistons. The Nets
clinched their fourth Atlantic Division crown in five years and head into the
playoffs full of confidence having recently tied a franchise record 14 game
winning streak.
The final matchup is likely to see the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Washington
Wizards meet with the Wizards leading the series 2-1 this season.
The NBA Playoffs begin on the weekend of April 22.
|