2010 World Cup betting players don’t have to worry much about a draft, but NBA betting players will be gearing up for next week’s draft, and the most polarizing player in the draft is a teammate of the player everyone believes will go No.1.

DeMarcus Cousins is being listed to go anywhere from third to eighth in the draft, and the opinions on the big man are varied.  Cousins spent a year at Kentucky with John Wall, who is expected to be the No.1 pick, and it was Cousins who was the SEC Freshman of the Year with 15.1 points and 9.8 rebounds.  Cousins was also a second-team All-American, and he’s a load for anyone to handle in the paint.  However, being a load is what may be causing his stock to drop, among other things.

Cousins has always been a big man, and he was listed as having 270 pounds on his 6’11” frame.  But it’s been reported that Cousins has ballooned to 290 pounds, and some are saying more than that.  Cousins’ weight has always been as unpredictable as World Cup Round of 16 betting, and even at 270, you could see that he had a lot of work to do to turn some of that into muscle.  Of course, he didn’t have to do that at Kentucky as he was just physically bigger than anyone he faced 90% of the time.  But Cousins won’t be able to get away with that in the league, and slimming down a bit would also help him get up and down the floor.  We all know that Cousins has tremendous footwork for a man his size, but he would be so much better if he wasn’t carrying that extra weight.  If he wasn’t in basketball, Cousins would have probably boosted the Wildcats’ NCAA football betting odds.

Another worry about Cousins is his temperament, as he was prone to sulk and get into foul trouble last year.  That won’t fly in the NBA, but unlike his weight, that’s something that Cousins has dealt with.  Early in the season, and in particular, the game against rival Louisville, Cousins had problems controlling his emotions, and he almost got ejected from that game after 45 seconds.  Coach John Calipari took him out of the game, talked to him, and Cousins ended up with 18 points and 18 rebounds.

Drafting all depends on need, of course, but you have to say that Cousins should be the first big man taken after Georgia Tech’s Derrick Favors, who is a better athlete than Cousins and has more upside.  But Cousins comes with a polished post game and a willingness to hit the glass, and if he can keep his weight and head in check, he’ll be a huge boost for some team’s betting odds in a couple years.

It has been a tale of two Boston Celtics’ sports bet teams through the first three games of the NBA Finals series, with the team in green looking like a shadow of its Game Two version in Games One and Three. Now with just two of the potential four remaining games to be played on home court, the Celtics must find an urgency to win Game Four at the BankNorth Gardens, or risk going down three-games-to-one to a talented and determined Los Angeles Lakers team.

Los Angeles Lakers @ Boston Celtics

Thursday June 10, 2010 – 9 PM ET

NBA Finals Betting Odds: Celtics – 140

No player served as a microcosm for the incredibly opposite performances of the Celtics between Games Two and Three than guard Ray Allen, who after setting an NBA Finals record for three-point baskets by hitting his first eight in a row in the second game, failed to score from not just beyond the arc in Game Three, but also from the field. Allen finished 0-for-8 from three-point range, and 0-for-13 from the field, struggling to find his legs, while finishing with the only minus rating of the five starters. The 13-year pro is not the only Celtics player to struggle in this series, and if Kevin Garnett’s bounce back performance in Game Three is any indication after how much he struggled in the last game in California, Allen should have no trouble bouncing back in Game Four.

The Celtics will however need a much better job from its bench, after Rasheed Wallace, Glen Davis, and Nate Robinson combined to go minus-30 in the 91-84 loss. Rajon Rondo played nearly the entire game, logging over 42 minutes, but was not his usual aggressive self in the loss, and will need to find his game to help both Allen and Paul Pierce become even better players.

Rondo may also have to move to covering Derek Fisher, while allowing Allen to move over to cover Ron Artest, who has been less of a threat at the offensive end. Fisher exploded for 16 points while shooting 50-percent from the field in Game Three, complementing the consistency of Kobe Bryant, who seemed to jack up shots every chance he got en route to finishing with a game-high 29 points.

NBA Betting Pick: Los Angeles + 130

Celtic Lakers Betting Line: Over/ Under 190

Despite the Celtics doing a much better job shooting in Game Two in Los Angeles, the team struggled to find its rhythm on home court, and never really got much of a flow going until the fourth quarter. Boston will have to do a much better job shooting in Game Four, especially considering that it allowed Bryant to score 29 despite shooting just 10-for-29 from the field. Bryant should be even better in the next game, and given that Pau Gasol and Artest combined for just 15 points, they will likely finish with higher totals as well.

Pick: Over 190

The NBA betting cognoscenti is mulling over its next choice. The online betting calculus is in a pronounced state of flux as Game 3 of the NBA Finals comes across the calendar. For the first time since 2004, the Finals are tied at 1-1 after the first two games. In 2004, the Detroit Pistons became the first team to win the three middle games at home since the Finals switched to the current 2-3-2 scheduling system in 1985. In 2006, the Miami Heat also defended home court in Games 3, 4 and 5. A lot of people are wondering if Boston can take the next three games at home, but if the Celtics do have to go back to L.A., it’s universally acknowledged that they must have a 3-2 lead at the very least. This means that winning Game 3 is a very high priority. The direction of this series could very well depend on what happens Tuesday night.

2010 NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers @ Boston Celtics, Game 3

Tuesday, June 8

Bookmaker Odds: No line (as of yet)

If NBA Finals betting experts are conflicted about this game, they need to identify a number of trends. First of all, Rajon Rondo is back. A 19-12-10 effort in Game 2 (points-rebounds-assists) reasserted the point guard’s prominence on the Celtics and has to have Boston in a very good frame of mind. Rondo was so good that the Celtics won by nine points, 103-94, on a night when their two old stand-bys, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, played horribly. Garnett is playing comatose, body-snatched basketball in this series. The former superstar scored only six points and snatched just four rebounds. Garnett was a liability for almost all of the game, and he just couldn’t generate any lift or jump with a body that looks 40 years old.

The other big name who isn’t delivering for coach Doc Rivers is Mr. Pierce. The MVP of the 2008 Finals hit just 2 of 11 shots on Sunday night at the Staples Center. Hounded by L.A.’s defensive specialist, Ron Artest, Pierce scored just 10 points and was a non-factor from start to finish. The idea that the Celtics could win under such circumstances is amazing enough. The fact that the deed was done in Los Angeles is even more remarkable.

Just how could the Lakers lose Game 2 when Artest was doing his typical defensive lock-down job against a credentialed scorer?

The answer comes in the form of two words: Lamar Odom.

The rangy forward crashed and burned for a second consecutive game. Odom is the barometer for the Lakers. His energy comes and goes, and he is a feast-or-famine player. When Odom is flying around the court and using his combination of quickness and length to bother opponents, L.A. is positively unstoppable. When he flatlines, however, the Lakers become mortal, and that’s what happened in Game 2. Odom picked up three fouls in the game’s first three minutes, did a lot of sitting on the pine, and never got into the flow of the contest. Odom finished with an embarrassing 3 points and 5 rebounds. Coach Phil Jackson sorely missed Odom’s production and will need it as this series shifts to Boston.

It must be said, though, that Odom tends to disappear on the road more than at home. If he couldn’t perform in Southern California, it’s not likely that he’ll play well in Boston. Odom could be viewed in much the same way that World Cup odds view France’s underachieving soccer team: not favorably.

Pick the Celtics in Game 3.

Online basketball betting pick: Boston

World Cup betting is very hot right now, as well as the NBA and NHL finals going on right now, but one of the major stories in the sports world centers around the free-agent bonanza of July 1^st, when some of the biggest stars in the NBA will hit the market, and here’s an idea of how it’ll all shake out.

LeBron James

This is the big chip that everyone is waiting to fall, even Larry King, who interviewed the two-time defending MVP for his show.   The head-coaching situation in Cleveland isn’t encouraging for James, but he’ll probably get some say in who the next one is as the Cavaliers don’t want to let him go.  If we had to make a guess, we’re guessing James stays at home in Cleveland, making them next year’s NBA playoff betting favorite.

Dwyane Wade

Wade was the one who broke the news of this “free agent summit” that is going on, but we’re betting that James and Wade wouldn’t be able to play together as both are being used to being the alpha dog.  Miami is in the driver’s seat to resign their stars (remember, teams can offer their players an extra year and more money), but don’t be surprised if Wade ends up in Chicago.  He’s a Chi-Town boy, and even though there are whispers of disloyalty at the top of the franchise, could D-Wade turn down being the next idol in his city, not to mention the chance to play with Derrick Rose?

Chris Bosh

Bosh already has one foot out the door in Toronto, so it’s best that they do a sign-and-trade so they don’t lose him for nothing.  Some say that Bosh would go to Houston or Dallas (he’s from Big D), but the Rockets don’t have much to offer, and the Mavericks have Dirk Nowitzki (more on that later).  For some reason, we’re thinking Bosh will join James in Cleveland, with the Raptors getting someone like J.J. Hickson and money/draft picks/expiring contracts.

Joe Johnson

No one’s stock fell more during the playoffs than Johnson, and virtually no one wants to pay him max money.  But someone will, and we’re thinking that will be New York as their coach, Mike D’Antoni, got Johnson to improve when they were together in Phoenix.  We also get the feeling that Johnson’s not big on winning or defense, which will make him perfect for the Knicks.

Amare Stoudemire

Stoudemire is another player who looks to be up the Knicks’ alley, but we’re thinking after his time is done in Phoenix, he’ll head to Chicago with Wade.  Stoudamire almost went to Miami to join Wade, and he may have just liked the idea of playing in Miami. But with Joakim Noah rebounding and playing defense, Stoudemire won’t have to.

Dirk Nowitzki

Odds are Nowitzki will stay in Dallas, the only place that he’s ever played.  Opting out of his final year was more just to see what he could get on the market, but Nowitzki is comfortable and feels loyal to Dallas, so they can continue their trend of being NBA betting underachievers.

If you’re betting on World Cup odds, you don’t really have to worry about homefield advantage as it would take a miracle for South Africa to get through to the next round.  Boston and Orlando must not feel like they have that much of a homecourt advantage as the road team has won three of the first games so far in their Eastern Conference finals showdown.  The Magic will try to keep that trend going in Game 6 on Friday, ironically so they can play the seventh and deciding game at home.

Bet Celtics Magic – Friday, May 28, 8:30 PM ET

The Celtics surprisingly managed to stay in the game for most of their 113-92 loss in Game 5 in Orlando, but it all fell apart in the fourth quarter when they were outscored by 12 points.  Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce netted 18 points each for the Celtics, who managed just four offensive rebounds, and were outrebounded 43-26 in total.  A lot of that may be down to their missing big men: Kendrick Perkins was ejected after his second technical foul of the first half after tangling with Dwight Howard, while Glen “Big Baby” Davis was knocked into next week by a Howard elbow and suffered a concussion.  NBA playoff betting players know that Boston can’t afford to lose their big men against Howard.

“Superman” had 21 points, 10 boards and five blocks, while Jameer Nelson notched a game-high 24 points for the Magic, who looked like they were on a mission.  Orlando hit 52.2% of their shots, and they were outlandish from long range, going 13-of-25.  Nelson and Matt Barnes combined to hit seven of those three-pointers, which really stretched the Boston defense out and allowed Howard to have his way in the post.  The Magic also got big minutes from J.J. Redick, who dropped 14 points in 22 minutes.

NBA betting odds have the Magic as a 3-point underdog in Boston in Game 6, and the Celtics will have Perkins in the lineup after his second technical was rescinded on Thursday, which is good news as Davis almost certainly won’t play on Friday night.  The Celtics looked a mess in the second half of Game 5, especially in the fourth quarter, and Boston has struggled in the final 12 minutes during this entire series.  Kevin Garnett hasn’t looked that good over the last couple of games, and you have to wonder if his knee injury is flaring up again, and Rondo and Ray Allen have been inconsistent.  You’re also seeing the Orlando team that finished second to Cleveland in the East, and was arguably the best team in the league after the All-Star break.  We’re going to lay an online sports bet with the Magic to extend this series to a seventh game.

Before making a World Cup bet on Germany, players should know that the Germans have a host of injuries to some pretty important members of the squad.  The same situation is raising its head in the NBA’s Western Conference playoffs this year as Phoenix and the Los Angeles Lakers have a couple of injury worries that could have an effect on the series.

The Lakers have had a close eye on the status of Andrew Bynum’s knee, which has gotten worse throughout the playoffs.  The young center averaged 15.0 points and 8.3 rebounds in 65 games, and he averaged 30.4 minutes during the regular season, but all of his numbers are down ahead of the Lakers’ Game 4 meeting with the Suns on Tuesday night in Phoenix as Bynum has put up 9.4 points and 7.8 boards in the playoffs, and his minutes have gone down to 24.8.  Over the first three games of the Phoenix series, Bynum has 6.3 points and 4.3 boards in 15.0 minutes of play, and he was limited to only eight minutes in Game 3.  The Lakers’ big advantage in this NBA betting matchup is their size, and even though they have enough with Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, their job would be a lot easier if Bynum was at 100%.

World Cup Group D betting players will liken Germany losing captain Michael Ballack to Phoenix losing Steve Nash, but at least the Suns will get to go through the playoffs with their star.  Nash had his nose broken when he collided with Derek Fisher in Game 3, and he will have surgery before Game 4.  This is the second blow that Nash has suffered in this postseason as he was elbowed above the eye by San Antonio’s Tim Duncan in the last round, but Nash came back in that game to score 10 points in the fourth quarter of a win.  Nash is the unquestioned leader of the Suns, and his loss to Phoenix would be far greater than that of Bynum and Los Angeles.  The two-time MVP has averaged 16.8 points and 10.2 assists in the playoffs, and his ability to drive and dish opens up the floor for the rest of the Suns, especially for Amare Stoudamire.  The power forward had 42 points in the Suns’ 118-109 win in Game 3, and a lot of those came off of running the pick-and-roll with Nash, something that the whole league has had trouble stopping all season.  The Suns are already behind the eight-ball going against the defending NBA champions, but they have a great chance to tie the series at two games apiece on Tuesday night, and their online sports betting odds are much better with Nash in the lineup.

NBA championship betting players took time away from their playoff odds for a minute to check out the draft lottery on Tuesday night, as the NBA’s worst teams were looking for a little luck to change their fate.  Washington ended up getting the right bounces, and they kick off our mock draft of the top five picks.

Washington – John Wall, Kentucky

They may need Turner more, but there’s no way the Wizards will pass on Wall, the point guard who blazed through the SEC in his only year in Lexington.  With Wall in town, they could very well buy out Gilbert Arenas’ ridiculous contract and let him go, because we don’t think Arenas and Rose could work in the same backcourt….just ask Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry over in Golden State.

Philadelphia – Evan Turner, Ohio State

If you’re doing Blackhawks Sharks betting, Turner can be compared to Jonathan Toews, a player who can do everything with room to grow.  Toews turned into a captain within two years, and the 76ers will hope that Turner can do the same with his vast skill-set.  His passing and ball-handling abilities will allow Andre Igoudala to play off the ball more often.

New Jersey – DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky

The Nets were the big losers in the lottery as they had the most balls in the draw, so instead of Wall, they’ll take his teammate, Cousins, a battering ram of a power forward who will form an excellent inside duo with Brook Lopez, the best young big man in the league.  Cousins has great footwork and post moves for his age and size, but he’s been known to have problems with his temper.  Cousins is an emotional player, but he’s going to have to learn to harness it in the NBA.

Minnesota – Wes Johnson, Syracuse

The Orangemen’s football team will never be a major NCAA football betting option, but they do know hoops at Syracuse, and they showed a lot of faith in Johnson’s potential after he transferred from Iowa State.  Johnson rewarded them by being named Big East Player of the Year.  The Timberwolves already have power forwards and point guards, and Johnson’s shooting stroke will be much appreciated at the No.3 spot.  He can play power forward in a pinch, but he’ll probably be overmatched physically.

Sacramento – Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech

The Kings need an interior presence badly, and they’ll take Favors, unless he’s gone and Cousins is available.  Favors never really got a proper chance to show what he could do as the Yellow Jackets had terrible guards, but he is an athletic freak with good technique in the post already, and his length is a major factor on defense.  The Kings’ online betting odds won’t jump too much, but Favors is a step in the right direction.

Any World Cup betting option that gets a performance from their star like the Los Angeles Lakers got from Kobe Bryant in the opening game of their Western Conference final, and they can prepare themselves for a title celebration as the Lakers’ star shredded Phoenix on Monday night.  The series resumes on Wednesday night, and the Suns have to find a way to contain Bryant.

Suns Lakers Betting – Wednesday, May 19, 9:00 PM ET

Bryant hit 13 of his 23 field-goal attempts en route to 40 points in a 128-107 win over the Suns, and he added five rebounds and five assists as well.  Pau Gasol was 10-of-13 from the field for 21 points, while Lamar Odom added 19 points and 19 boards for the Lakers, who shot an outlandish 58% from the field.  The Lakers also used their length to outrebound the Suns 42-34, and they took excellent care of the ball with only nine turnovers.  Sure, the Lakers gave up 107 points, but that comes with the territory when you play the Suns.  The Lakers kept the Suns from getting to their spots on the floor, and they were especially good in preventing Phoenix from getting out in the open floor.

The Suns were led by 23 points from Amare Stoudamire, but he had just three rebounds on the night.  Jason Richardson had 15 points, while Steve Nash added 13 points and 13 boards for the Suns, who missed 17 of their 22 attempts from beyond the arc.  The Suns tried to be aggressive, getting to the foul line 10 more times than the Lakers, and this kept it from being a total rout, but Phoenix looked overmatched in this contest.

The Lakers should be favored by NBA betting odds in this contest, as they have now won five in a row at the Staples Center over the Suns, and seven of the last 10 home games overall.  The Suns got Robin Lopez back, but he alone can’t stop the Lakers from getting into the post.  Gasol and Odom were able to do whatever they wanted in the interior, which created space for Bryant on the perimeter, and it just so happened that Bryant was feeling it from the outside on Monday night.  The Suns are going to have to ratchet up their intensity on the defensive end of the floor, or else this is going to be a short, short series.  The Lakers didn’t even need to get Andrew Bynum going, and that’s a sign of the Lakers’ superiority in this series.  It’s not looking good for the Suns to even go home tied at one game each.
Sports betting pick: Los Angeles Lakers

Those who are betting Preakness Stakes this weekend are well aware of the importance of having a good thoroughbred, and the teams in the Western Conference finals are led by a pair of horses that you would even say are MVP or Hall-of-Fame caliber.

Phoenix Suns @ Los Angeles Lakers – Game 1 on Monday, May 17, 9:00 PM ET

The Suns finally got rid of their playoff nemesis, taking care of San Antonio in a hard-fought sweep that was personified by Steve Nash, who averaged 22.0 points and 7.8 assists against the Spurs, and played the fourth quarter of their Game 4 clinching win with a swollen eye due to a Tim Duncan elbow.  They even played a little bit of defense in the series, holding the Spurs to 100.2 points, more than five points below their regular-season average of 105.3 points.  Amare Stoudamire led the way against the Lakers in four games this year, averaging 20.3 points and 8.8 boards, while the Suns are going to need Nash to look for his own shot more with 13.8 points and 9.0 assists against the Lakers this season.  Those who bet on NBA playoffs will feel more confident if Nash comes out aggressive like he did against the Spurs.  The Suns may also get Robin Lopez back from an ailing back, which will help against the Lakers’ post players.

The Lakers are coming off their own sweep of Utah, but like the Spurs pushed the Suns, the Jazz didn’t roll over for the defending NBA champions.  Kobe Bryant bounced back from a rough opening series against Oklahoma City in which he looked like he was in pain the entire time, to blast the Jazz for 32.0 points per game, shooting 52.3% from the field and looking like the guy who led the Lakers to the promised land last year.  Bryant averaged 27.5 points against the Suns this season, while Andrew Bynum was next with 17.8 points and 9.8 boards, and he’ll be essential to the Lakers after a poor series against the Jazz.

The Lakers are favored at -325 to win this series if you’re going to bet NBA, and they’ll have revenge on their minds, like the Suns had with the Spurs in the last round.  The Suns eliminated the Lakers in the first round in both the 2006 and 2007 playoffs, and you can bet that Bryant has that in the back of his mind.  The Lakers are going to have an immense advantage in the post, and they should look to get Stoudamire in foul trouble.  Lopez isn’t up to game shape just yet, which means Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom should be able to get inside at will.  We’re taking the Lakers in six games in our betting picks.

Inter Milan Bayern Munich betting features a pair of teams that aren’t that familiar with each other, but in the NBA’s Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns are very familiar with each other, both in the regular season and the playoffs.  The two will meet once again, this time in the conference finals, which tips off next Monday night in Los Angeles at the Staples Center.

The Suns swept San Antonio, a team that had taken the Suns out of the playoffs on four separate occasions in the past.  Steve Nash was the ringleader, averaging 22.0 points and 7.8 assists, and his performance in the clinching game is the stuff stories are made of.  Nash caught an errant elbow from Tim Duncan which essentially shut his right eye, then he scored 10 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter of a 107-101 win in San Antonio.  You could see that there was no way that Nash was going to let this team lose to the Spurs again, and it showed a toughness than many thought the Suns were lacking.

The Lakers also swept their opponent in the last series when they got rid of Utah in four games, and Kobe Bryant shook off his numerous injuries to average 32.5 points against the Jazz, which was 8.5 points more than he averaged against Oklahoma City in the first round.  Bryant also shot 52.3% from the field, up from 40.8% against the Jazz, and if he’s on, it keeps the opposition from doubling in the post.  NBA championship odds have had the Lakers near the top of the list all season, but some were counting out Bryant and his team after the Oklahoma City series.  They showed why they’re champions against the Jazz.

Basketball betting odds have the Lakers as a -300 favorite in this series, but it was the Suns who eliminated the Lakers in a pair of first-round matchups in 2006 and 2007.  The Lakers won three of four against the Suns this season, and they’ll have a big advantage at home where they have beaten the Suns in seven of their last 10 meetings.  On the other hand, the Lakers have won four of their last six in Phoenix.  The Suns will have to find a way to deal with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol in the post, as Phoenix isn’t known as a very physical team defensively, although they have improved.  The Lakers have had some problems with point guards so far, and now they’re dealing with a two-time MVP, but Nash averaged just 13.8 points and 9.0 assists against the Lakers this year.  We’re also going with the Lakers on the bench, as Phil Jackson’s ten rings earns him the edge over Alvin Gentry.

Sports betting pick: Lakers -300