Blogs > Pistons' Point

An inside look at the Detroit Pistons and the NBA.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

THE OTHER EYE OF THE HAWK

Well, now the Pistons don’t look so bad in comparison to the Celtics, do they?
Boston’s aura of invincibility was shattered over the past two games by the young, athletic, carefree Hawks, a team that nearly everyone thought would get swept in the first round. Josh Smith has earned himself a large, long-term contract with his performance and Mike Woodson’s job might have been spared.
In all probability, the Celtics and Pistons will put away their pesky underdogs before reaching an all-or-nothing Game 7. Boston and Detroit are teams that are supposedly built for the playoffs but they’re built to play the serious contenders, not quicker understudies with experienced point guards who have nothing to lose.
At halftime of Game 4 in the Pistons-Sixers series, one of the other beat writers turned to me and asked if I was going to bury them. I said, ‘I’ll give them one more half.’ I couldn’t believe they would keep playing that way and that Billups and Hamilton would continue to shoot like Big Ben on tranquilizers.
After watching the first two minutes of the second half from my press row seat, I said out loud to no one in particular, ‘That’s the team I’ve been covering all season.’ I knew after seeing back-to-back 3s by Billups and Sheed, their confidence was back and they were going to win.
Other musings:
Looks like McDyess is a sixth man again but I don’t know if they can do that in the conference semis (OK, if they MAKE the semis). Orlando’s big frontcourt might require a bigger body than Maxiell’s from the start.
Conventional wisdom in the Western Conference playoffs has held up in the first round (Of course, I was a contrarian and picked the Suns). The Lakers and Spurs appear to be on a collision course and that would be a terrific slugfest.
The only surprise has been the poise of the Hornets, who are playing just as effectively as they were during the regular season. Explosive, frisky Chris Paul has destroyed Jason Kidd, reinforcing the stupidity of the Mavs’ trade with the Nets. At least with Devin Harris, Dallas might have had a fighting chance of defending Paul.
The only Western playoff club that has more issues than the Mavs are the Nuggets, who were easily swept out of the playoffs. The Melo-AI-Karl trio is a toxic mix and needs to be broken up.
Anthony is the league’s most fraudulent superstar - gets pulled over for allegedly drinking and driving right before the playoffs, calls everyone on his team and his coach quitters when they go down 3-0 and blows layup after layup. I’m still wondering how he led Syracuse to a national championship as a freshman.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

JUST GIVING IT AWAY

Heading into downtown Philadelphia Thursday night, I
saw a huge tractor pushing around a huge pile of junk
just off the highway.
The stench wasn't nearly as bad as the Pistons' Game 3
stinker here Friday nght.
How bad was it? The team that made the fewest
turnovers this season in the entire league had 25.
Their regular-season high was 18. They surpassed that
by the end of the third quarter, which was easily the
worst quarter I've seen them play in a meaningful game
since I started covering these guys in 2000.
They didn't make a two-point basket in the quarter;
They hit two 3s early on and that was it.
Just inexcusable. Chauncey Billups denied his team
lost composure but if it looks like a skunk and smells
like one, well, you know the rest.
Bottom line: Game 4 is pivotal in the direction this
franchise will head over the coming years. If the
Pistons go down 3-1, I can't see them recovering. And
if they lose this series, they HAVE to change the
core.
We'll find out more later today on Antonio McDyess,
who had his nose broken in the third quarter Friday.
If he can't play, Jason Maxiell will probably start.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

CHAUNCEY HURTING?

The last thing the Pistons need after losing Game 1 is
an injury to one of their regulars. That's why it was
alarming to see Chauncey Billups walking slowly and
flexing his right knee after practice.
According to Billups and Flip Saunders, it was just
some minor soreness. Billups attributed it to a tough
practice while walking to his car after leaving the
practice facility, though he was held out of a
practice last week because of soreness.
"I'm all right," he said several times.
Saunders didn't act concerned, either.
"Chauncey's always in a situation where he gets hit a
little bit but he's OK," he said.
It doesn't look like a major development but it's
obviously something to monitor in the coming days.

BACK IN THE ZONE

You've got an opponent that can't make 3-pointers.
Their offense is predicated on pick-and-rolls and
penetration. What to do?
The obvious answer is to zone them up and dare them to
shoot outside. I fully expect Flip Saunders and the
Pistons to do just that in Game 2 of their Eastern
Conference series.
My gut reaction to the Pistons' defensive strategy was
that they felt they could stop the Sixers without
resorting to any junk defenses. Time to try Plan B.
The Sixers got 44 points in the paint in Game 1.
Zones leave teams suspectible to offensive rebounds
but the Sixers get those anyway. If guys like Andre
Miller, Willie Green and Andre Iguodala are forced
into a steady diet of 20- and 25-footers, the Sixers'
offense will be a mess.

Friday, April 18, 2008

ODDS AND ODDS AND ENDS

What are the chances that the Pistons will win the NBA
championship?
Las Vegas oddmakers believe there's a decent chance of
that happpening. They're the fourth choice behind the
Celtics, Lakers and Spurs to win it all.
According to Bodog.com, Boston is the 3-2 choice,
followed by the Lakers at 3-1, San Antonio at 11-2
(5.5-1) and the Pistons at 13-2 (6.5-1).
It's somewhat surprising to me that the Pistons have
longer odds than the Spurs, who have a much tougher
road to make the Finals. They have to beat
fifth-choice Phoenix (8-1) just to get out of the
first round.
Other Pistons' related odds - chances of winning the
Eastern Conference title - 5-2, with Boston the 1-2
choice. Philadelphia, the Pistons' first-round
opponent, is a 50-1 proposition to reach the Finals.
The most likely outcome in their first-round series is
a 4-1 Pistons victory (5-2 odds).
Chauncey Billups is a 15-1 shot to win the Finals MVP
while Richard Hamilton is 20-1 and Rasheed Wallace is
50-1.
The Pistons practiced Friday after taking the day off
Thursday. Everybody's healthy and available for
Sunday's opener.
Flip Saunders wouldn't say who would be on the 12-man
active list for Game 1.
Cheikh Samb and Walter Herrmann will surely be
deactivated; The other will be Lindsey Hunter or Juan
Dixon.
I don't think Hunter will play much in this series;
he's a defensive specialist and the Sixers are
probably the worst offensive team in the playoff
field.

ODDS AND ODDS AND ENDS

What are the chances of the Pistons winning the NBA championship?

 


I thought these NBA Playoff odds may be of interest to you…They’re courtesy of Bodog, www.BodogLife.com... I also have extensive player odds for each series if you’re interested.


 


NBA Playoff Odds


Odds to win the 2007-08 NBA Championship:


Boston Celtics                           3/2


Los Angeles Lakers                   3/1


San Antonio Spurs                     11/2


Detroit Pistons                           13/2


Phoenix Suns                            8/1


New Orleans Hornets                 11/1


Utah Jazz                                  12/1


Dallas Mavericks                        20/1


Cleveland Cavaliers                    25/1


Houston Rockets                       25/1


Orlando Magic                           25/1


Denver Nuggets                         40/1


Washington Wizards                  65/1


Toronto Raptors                         80/1


Philadelphia 76ers                      100/1


Atlanta Hawks                           150/1


 


Odds to win the 2007-08 Eastern Conference Championship:


Boston Celtics                           1/2


Detroit Pistons                           5/2


Cleveland Cavaliers                    9/1


Orlando Magic                          9/1


Washington Wizards                  25/1


Toronto Raptors                         30/1


Philadelphia 76ers                      50/1


Atlanta Hawks                           75/1


 


Odds to win the 2007-08 Western Conference Championship:


Los Angeles Lakers                   7/4


San Antonio Spurs                     3/1


Phoenix Suns                            9/2


New Orleans Hornets                 11/2


Utah Jazz                                  6/1


Dallas Mavericks                        9/1


Houston Rockets                       12/1


Denver Nuggets                         28/1


 


2008 NBA Final Matchups:


Lakers vs Celtics                       7/2


Lakers vs Pistons                      8/1


Lakers vs Magic                         30/1


Lakers vs Cavaliers                    30/1


Hornets vs Celtics                      10/1


Hornets vs Pistons                     22/1


Hornets vs Magic                       70/1


Hornets vs Cavaliers                   70/1


Spurs vs Celtics                         5/1


Spurs vs Pistons                        11/1


Spurs vs Magic                          40/1


Spurs vs Cavaliers                      40/1


Jazz vs Celtics                          10/1


Jazz vs Pistons                         20/1


Jazz s vs Magic                         65/1


Jazz vs Cavaliers                       65/1


Rockets vs Celtics                     18/1


Rockets vs Pistons                    40/1


Rockets vs Magic                      125/1


Rockets vs Cavaliers                  125/1


Suns vs Celtics                          7/1


Suns vs Pistons                         16/1


Suns vs Magic                           50/1


Suns vs Cavaliers                       50/1


Mavericks vs Celtics                   14/1


Mavericks vs Pistons                  28/1


Mavericks vs Magic                    85/1


Mavericks vs Cavaliers                85/1


Nuggets vs Celtics                     40/1


Nuggets vs Pistons                    80/1


Nuggets vs Magic                      250/1


Nuggets vs Cavaliers                  250/1


Field                                         150/1


 


NBA Playoff First Round Series Odds


Boston Celtics                -2800


Atlanta Hawks               +2000


 


Detroit Pistons                -900


Philadelphia 76ers          +700


 


Orlando Magic                -240


Toronto Raptors             +220


 


Cleveland Cavaliers         -180     


Washington Wizards      +170


 


LA Lakers                      -400


Denver Nuggets             +360


 


New Orleans Hornets       -160     


Dallas Mavericks            +150


 


San Antonio Spurs          -160     


Phoenix Suns                +150


 


Utah Jazz                       -200


Houston Rockets           +180    


 


Exact Series Results:


 


Best of Seven Series Result – Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics


Atlanta to win 4-0           99/1


Atlanta to win 4-1           75/1  


Atlanta to win 4-2           35/1


Atlanta to win 4-3           14/1


Boston to win 4-0           7/4


Boston to win 4-1           6/5


Boston to win 4-2           9/2


Boston to win 4-3           7/1


 


Best of Seven Series Result – Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons


Philadelphia to win 4-0    40/1


Philadelphia to win 4-1    20/1


Philadelphia to win 4-2    8/1


Philadelphia to win 4-3    5/1


Detroit to win 4-0            9/2


Detroit to win 4-1            5/2


Detroit to win 4-2            4/1


Detroit to win 4-3            4/1


 


Best of Seven Series Result – Toronto vs. Orlando


Toronto to win 4-0          16/1


Toronto to win 4-1          17/2    


Toronto to win 4-2          7/2


Toronto to win 4-3          8/1


Orlando to win 4-0         11/1


Orlando to win 4-1          7/2


Orlando to win 4-2          5/1


Orlando to win 4-3          4/1


 


Best of Seven Series Result – Washington vs. Cleveland


Cleveland to win 4-0       11/1


Cleveland to win 4-1       4/1


Cleveland to win 4-2       9/2


Cleveland to win 4-3       7/2


Washington to win 4-0    14/1


Washington to win 4-1    8/1


Washington to win 4-2    4/1


Washington to win 4-3    9/2


 


Best of Seven Series Result – Denver vs. Los Angeles Lakers


LA Lakers to win 4-0      4/1


LA Lakers to win 4-1      2/1


LA Lakers to win 4-2      7/2                


LA Lakers to win 4-3      13/2                 


Denver to win 4-0           40/1          


Denver to win 4-1           18/1          


Denver to win 4-2           8/1                       


Denver to win 4-3           7/1          


 


Best of Seven Series Result – Dallas vs. New Orleans


New Orleans to win 4-0               12/1


New Orleans to win 4-1               9/2


New Orleans to win 4-2               5/1


New Orleans to win 4-3               7/2


Dallas to win 4-0                        12/1


Dallas to win 4-1                        7/1


Dallas to win 4-2                        7/2


Dallas to win 4-3                        4/1


 


Best of Seven Series Result – Phoenix vs. San Antonio


Phoenix Suns to win 4-0             12/1     


Phoenix Suns to win 4-1             15/2


Phoenix Suns to win 4-2             4/1


Phoenix Suns to win 4-3             7/2


SA Spurs to win 4-0                   9/1  


SA Spurs to win 4-1                   4/1 


SA Spurs to win 4-2                   9/2  


SA Spurs to win 4-3                   7/2 


 


Best of Seven Series Result – Utah vs. Houston


Utah Jazz to win 4-0                   8/1     


Utah Jazz to to win 4-1               3/1 


Utah Jazz to to win 4-2               4/1      


Utah Jazz to to win 4-3               4/1     


Houston Rockets to win 4-0        20/1   


Houston Rockets to win 4-1        11/1                   


Houston Rockets to win 4-2        5/1


Houston Rockets to win 4-3        9/2


 


Sixers vs. Pistons Player Odds


Who will lead the series in Scoring?


Andre Igoudala                           3/2


Chauncey Billups                       3/2


Richard Hamilton                       2/1


Tayshaun Prince                        5/2


Andre Miller                               4/1


Rasheed Wallace                       9/2


Field                                         7/2


 


Who will have more assists in the series?


Chauncey Billups          


Andre Miller                  


 


More Bench Points – Head to Head


Detroit Pistons              


Philadelphia 76ers         


 


Miscellaneous Playoff Player and Team Odds


Who will win the 2008 NBA Finals MVP Award?


Kevin Garnett (BOS)                               3/1


Kobe Bryant (LAL)                                 4/1


Tim Duncan (SAS)                                 10/1


Chris Paul (NO)                                     15/1


Lebron James (CLE)                               15/1


Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)                                15/1


Chauncey Billups (DET)                          15/1


Manu Ginobili (SAS)                               20/1


Tony Parker (SAS)                                20/1
Tracy McGrady (HOU)                            20/1


Amare Stoudemire (PHX)                        20/1


Richard Hamilton (DET)                          20/1


Carlos Boozer (UTA)                              25/1


Steve Nash (PHX)                                  25/1


Paul Pierce (BOS)                                 25/1


Ray Allen (BOS)                                    30/1


Pau Gasol (LAL)                                    35/1


Jason Kidd (DAL)                                   40/1


Dwight Howard (ORL)                             40/1


David West (NO)                                    45/1


Deron Williams (UTA)                             45/1
Gilbert Arenas (WAS)                             50/1


Shaquille O'Neal (PHX)                           50/1


Josh Howard (DAL)                                50/1


Rasheed Wallace (DET)                         50/1


Lamar Odom (LAL)                                60/1


Field                                                     10/1


 


Who will average more Points in their 1st round series?


Kobe Bryant      +150


Lebron James     -200


 


Who will average the most assists in the 1st round?


Steve Nash        +130


Chris Paul         +165


Jason Kidd        +185


Deron Williams  +250


 


How many games will the Boston Celtics lose in the Playoffs?


Over      6.5


Under    6.5


 


Average Margin of Victory for Celtics wins


1-5                    +375    


6-10                  +150


11-15                +125


16-20                +275


21 or more         +500


 


Will any player be suspended during the Series between the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns?


Yes      +300


No         -600


 


Who will average the most Rebounds in the series?


Shaquille O’Neil    Even 


Tim Duncan          -130


 


Over/Under Flagrant Fouls in the Washington vs. Cleveland Series


Over      2.5


Under    2.5


 


Over/Under Technical Fouls in the Washington vs. Cleveland Series


Over   3


Under 3


 


Who will have more Points in the Series?


Chris Bosh         -165    


Dwight Howard   +125


 


Will Andrew Bynum return for the 2nd Round of Playoffs?


Yes      Even


No        -130


 


Awards Odd


Who will win the 2007-2008 NBA MVP?


Kobe Bryant                  1/2


Chris Paul                      3/1


Kevin Garnett                  3/1


LeBron James                6/1


Field                              10/1


 


Odds to win the 2007-08 NBA Coach of the Year:


Byron Scott                   3/2


Doc Rivers                     5/2


Mo Cheeks                    7/2


Rick Adelman                9/2    


Phil Jackson                  5/1


Jerry Sloan                    6/1


Stan Van Gundy            7/1    


Field                            8/1


 


Thanks for taking the time to read these…Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.


 


Regards,


 


Jimmy Shapiro


Sports Publicist


Riptown Media


425-292-0425 (o)


206-852-4605 (c)

ODDS AND ODDS AND ENDS

What are the chances of the Pistons winning the NBA championship?
Courtesy of Bodog.com, I've got a bunch of odds
 


NBA Playoff Odds


Odds to win the 2007-08 NBA Championship:


Boston Celtics                           3/2


Los Angeles Lakers                   3/1


San Antonio Spurs                     11/2


Detroit Pistons                           13/2


Phoenix Suns                            8/1


New Orleans Hornets                 11/1


Utah Jazz                                  12/1


Dallas Mavericks                        20/1


Cleveland Cavaliers                    25/1


Houston Rockets                       25/1


Orlando Magic                           25/1


Denver Nuggets                         40/1


Washington Wizards                  65/1


Toronto Raptors                         80/1


Philadelphia 76ers                      100/1


Atlanta Hawks                           150/1


 


Odds to win the 2007-08 Eastern Conference Championship:


Boston Celtics                           1/2


Detroit Pistons                           5/2


Cleveland Cavaliers                    9/1


Orlando Magic                          9/1


Washington Wizards                  25/1


Toronto Raptors                         30/1


Philadelphia 76ers                      50/1


Atlanta Hawks                           75/1


 


Odds to win the 2007-08 Western Conference Championship:


Los Angeles Lakers                   7/4


San Antonio Spurs                     3/1


Phoenix Suns                            9/2


New Orleans Hornets                 11/2


Utah Jazz                                  6/1


Dallas Mavericks                        9/1


Houston Rockets                       12/1


Denver Nuggets                         28/1


 


2008 NBA Final Matchups:


Lakers vs Celtics                       7/2


Lakers vs Pistons                      8/1


Lakers vs Magic                         30/1


Lakers vs Cavaliers                    30/1


Hornets vs Celtics                      10/1


Hornets vs Pistons                     22/1


Hornets vs Magic                       70/1


Hornets vs Cavaliers                   70/1


Spurs vs Celtics                         5/1


Spurs vs Pistons                        11/1


Spurs vs Magic                          40/1


Spurs vs Cavaliers                      40/1


Jazz vs Celtics                          10/1


Jazz vs Pistons                         20/1


Jazz s vs Magic                         65/1


Jazz vs Cavaliers                       65/1


Rockets vs Celtics                     18/1


Rockets vs Pistons                    40/1


Rockets vs Magic                      125/1


Rockets vs Cavaliers                  125/1


Suns vs Celtics                          7/1


Suns vs Pistons                         16/1


Suns vs Magic                           50/1


Suns vs Cavaliers                       50/1


Mavericks vs Celtics                   14/1


Mavericks vs Pistons                  28/1


Mavericks vs Magic                    85/1


Mavericks vs Cavaliers                85/1


Nuggets vs Celtics                     40/1


Nuggets vs Pistons                    80/1


Nuggets vs Magic                      250/1


Nuggets vs Cavaliers                  250/1


Field                                         150/1


 


NBA Playoff First Round Series Odds


Boston Celtics                -2800


Atlanta Hawks               +2000


 


Detroit Pistons                -900


Philadelphia 76ers          +700


 


Orlando Magic                -240


Toronto Raptors             +220


 


Cleveland Cavaliers         -180     


Washington Wizards      +170


 


LA Lakers                      -400


Denver Nuggets             +360


 


New Orleans Hornets       -160     


Dallas Mavericks            +150


 


San Antonio Spurs          -160     


Phoenix Suns                +150


 


Utah Jazz                       -200


Houston Rockets           +180    


 


Exact Series Results:


 


Best of Seven Series Result – Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics


Atlanta to win 4-0           99/1


Atlanta to win 4-1           75/1  


Atlanta to win 4-2           35/1


Atlanta to win 4-3           14/1


Boston to win 4-0           7/4


Boston to win 4-1           6/5


Boston to win 4-2           9/2


Boston to win 4-3           7/1


 


Best of Seven Series Result – Philadelphia 76ers vs. Detroit Pistons


Philadelphia to win 4-0    40/1


Philadelphia to win 4-1    20/1


Philadelphia to win 4-2    8/1


Philadelphia to win 4-3    5/1


Detroit to win 4-0            9/2


Detroit to win 4-1            5/2


Detroit to win 4-2            4/1


Detroit to win 4-3            4/1


 


Best of Seven Series Result – Toronto vs. Orlando


Toronto to win 4-0          16/1


Toronto to win 4-1          17/2    


Toronto to win 4-2          7/2


Toronto to win 4-3          8/1


Orlando to win 4-0         11/1


Orlando to win 4-1          7/2


Orlando to win 4-2          5/1


Orlando to win 4-3          4/1


 


Best of Seven Series Result – Washington vs. Cleveland


Cleveland to win 4-0       11/1


Cleveland to win 4-1       4/1


Cleveland to win 4-2       9/2


Cleveland to win 4-3       7/2


Washington to win 4-0    14/1


Washington to win 4-1    8/1


Washington to win 4-2    4/1


Washington to win 4-3    9/2


 


Best of Seven Series Result – Denver vs. Los Angeles Lakers


LA Lakers to win 4-0      4/1


LA Lakers to win 4-1      2/1


LA Lakers to win 4-2      7/2                


LA Lakers to win 4-3      13/2                 


Denver to win 4-0           40/1          


Denver to win 4-1           18/1          


Denver to win 4-2           8/1                       


Denver to win 4-3           7/1          


 


Best of Seven Series Result – Dallas vs. New Orleans


New Orleans to win 4-0               12/1


New Orleans to win 4-1               9/2


New Orleans to win 4-2               5/1


New Orleans to win 4-3               7/2


Dallas to win 4-0                        12/1


Dallas to win 4-1                        7/1


Dallas to win 4-2                        7/2


Dallas to win 4-3                        4/1


 


Best of Seven Series Result – Phoenix vs. San Antonio


Phoenix Suns to win 4-0             12/1     


Phoenix Suns to win 4-1             15/2


Phoenix Suns to win 4-2             4/1


Phoenix Suns to win 4-3             7/2


SA Spurs to win 4-0                   9/1  


SA Spurs to win 4-1                   4/1 


SA Spurs to win 4-2                   9/2  


SA Spurs to win 4-3                   7/2 


 


Best of Seven Series Result – Utah vs. Houston


Utah Jazz to win 4-0                   8/1     


Utah Jazz to to win 4-1               3/1 


Utah Jazz to to win 4-2               4/1      


Utah Jazz to to win 4-3               4/1     


Houston Rockets to win 4-0        20/1   


Houston Rockets to win 4-1        11/1                   


Houston Rockets to win 4-2        5/1


Houston Rockets to win 4-3        9/2


 


Sixers vs. Pistons Player Odds


Who will lead the series in Scoring?


Andre Igoudala                           3/2


Chauncey Billups                       3/2


Richard Hamilton                       2/1


Tayshaun Prince                        5/2


Andre Miller                               4/1


Rasheed Wallace                       9/2


Field                                         7/2


 


Who will have more assists in the series?


Chauncey Billups          


Andre Miller                  


 


More Bench Points – Head to Head


Detroit Pistons              


Philadelphia 76ers         


 


Miscellaneous Playoff Player and Team Odds


Who will win the 2008 NBA Finals MVP Award?


Kevin Garnett (BOS)                               3/1


Kobe Bryant (LAL)                                 4/1


Tim Duncan (SAS)                                 10/1


Chris Paul (NO)                                     15/1


Lebron James (CLE)                               15/1


Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)                                15/1


Chauncey Billups (DET)                          15/1


Manu Ginobili (SAS)                               20/1


Tony Parker (SAS)                                20/1
Tracy McGrady (HOU)                            20/1


Amare Stoudemire (PHX)                        20/1


Richard Hamilton (DET)                          20/1


Carlos Boozer (UTA)                              25/1


Steve Nash (PHX)                                  25/1


Paul Pierce (BOS)                                 25/1


Ray Allen (BOS)                                    30/1


Pau Gasol (LAL)                                    35/1


Jason Kidd (DAL)                                   40/1


Dwight Howard (ORL)                             40/1


David West (NO)                                    45/1


Deron Williams (UTA)                             45/1
Gilbert Arenas (WAS)                             50/1


Shaquille O'Neal (PHX)                           50/1


Josh Howard (DAL)                                50/1


Rasheed Wallace (DET)                         50/1


Lamar Odom (LAL)                                60/1


Field                                                     10/1


 


Who will average more Points in their 1st round series?


Kobe Bryant      +150


Lebron James     -200


 


Who will average the most assists in the 1st round?


Steve Nash        +130


Chris Paul         +165


Jason Kidd        +185


Deron Williams  +250


 


How many games will the Boston Celtics lose in the Playoffs?


Over      6.5


Under    6.5


 


Average Margin of Victory for Celtics wins


1-5                    +375    


6-10                  +150


11-15                +125


16-20                +275


21 or more         +500


 


Will any player be suspended during the Series between the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns?


Yes      +300


No         -600


 


Who will average the most Rebounds in the series?


Shaquille O’Neil    Even 


Tim Duncan          -130


 


Over/Under Flagrant Fouls in the Washington vs. Cleveland Series


Over      2.5


Under    2.5


 


Over/Under Technical Fouls in the Washington vs. Cleveland Series


Over   3


Under 3


 


Who will have more Points in the Series?


Chris Bosh         -165    


Dwight Howard   +125


 


Will Andrew Bynum return for the 2nd Round of Playoffs?


Yes      Even


No        -130


 


Awards Odd


Who will win the 2007-2008 NBA MVP?


Kobe Bryant                  1/2


Chris Paul                      3/1


Kevin Garnett                  3/1


LeBron James                6/1


Field                              10/1


 


Odds to win the 2007-08 NBA Coach of the Year:


Byron Scott                   3/2


Doc Rivers                     5/2


Mo Cheeks                    7/2


Rick Adelman                9/2    


Phil Jackson                  5/1


Jerry Sloan                    6/1


Stan Van Gundy            7/1    


Field                            8/1


 


Thanks for taking the time to read these…Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.


 


Regards,


 


Jimmy Shapiro


Sports Publicist


Riptown Media


425-292-0425 (o)


206-852-4605 (c)

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

DEEP-FIVING THE SIXERS

The Pistons didn't have to wait until the last day of the season after all to learn of their first-round opponent. Toronto's win over Miami Monday night, couple with Philadelphia's controversial, last-second loss to Cleveland, assured a Pistons-Sixers matchup.
That's not the best-care scenario. The Pistons likely would have swept the Raptors, who slumped in the second half and got beat by Detroit's 'B' squad at The Palace Sunday. Philly defeated the Pistons in the last two meetings, though the last one was a throwout because the starters played limited minutes and Rip Hamilton didn't play at all.
Andre Miller is a much tougher matchup for Chauncey Billups than the Raptors' point guards and the Sixers have a lot of young athletes who can run the break and crash the boards. Andre Iguodala is a borderline All-Star, much like his counterpart, Tayshaun Prince. And the Sixers have an improved bench, led by rookie Thad Young, Louis Williams and Rodney Carney.
But most of the Sixers don't have any playoff experience. The Pistons can also turn it up several notches in the playoffs, while the Sixers were playing at max level during their second-half surge.
Philly might steal one at home but that's about it. The Pistons have way too much talent and depth to get a serious challenge from the Sixers.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

DEGREES OF IMPROVEMENT

Like other beat writers around the NBA, I received my postseason ballots last week. Since there are four papers that cover the Pistons home and away, the ballots are split up. I'm voting on the Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man and Most Improved Player. The latter is by far the toughest to select.
The Lakers' Andrew Bynum would have won that award hands-down if he hadn't injured his knee midway through the season.
There is no set criteria, so it's basically a judgment call. Do you include high lottery picks who got more chances to play in their second or third year - or should they be downgraded by the fact they're SUPPOSED to excel? Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge has put up much better numbers in his second season but that's because Zach Randolph got traded.
How many years can you be in the league and still win the award? The Orlando Magic are touting Hedo Turkoglu, who's enjoying a career year but has been around since the 2000-01 season.
Indiana's Mike Dunleavy, who has thrived in Jim O'Brien's free-flowing attack, is both a high lottery pick and a guy who's been around awhile.
Minnesota's Al Jefferson is putting up imipressive stats on a bad team but he did that on a slighly smaller scale in Boston last year.
Should an unheralded player be given extra credit? There's plenty of those around, including Washington's Andrey Blatche, Dallas' Brandon Bass, Sacramento's Beno Udrih, Toronto's Jose Calderon, Utah's Ronnie Brewer, Philadelphia's Louis Williams and Denver' Linas Kleiza.
Which player did I pick? I'll reveal my choices for all the postseason awards in my weekly column in Sunday's Oakland Press.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

FIRST-ROUND INTRIGUE

For a while there, it seemed a pretty safe bet the Pistons would play Philly in the opening round. The Pistons are going to finish second but the No. 7 seed, their first-round opponent, is very much up in the air. The possibilities have stretched to four teams.
Toronto's tumble in March, coinciding with a knee injury to Chris Bosh, brought it back to the pack. Washington has a three-game losing streak but the first two were at the tail end of a West Coast trip. The Sixers are playing better than either of those teams and now tied with them for the fifth-best record.
Suddenly jumping into the picture is eighth-seed Atlanta, which has won five straight and need only catch one of the above to play the Pistons instead of the Celtics in the first round.
The Sixers and Hawks play a home-and-home this weekend; Otherwise, the Hawks have a soft road schedule the rest of the way (Indiana, New York, Miami).
The Raptors' entire remaining schedule, except for a road game at The Palace, is extremely squishy. They've got 2 vs. New Jersey and singles vs. Charlotte, Milwaukee, Miami and Chicago.
With games vs. the Eastern Conference's top 3 - Boston, Detroit and Orlando - Washington has the toughest remaining road. The Sixers still have to play the Pistons and Cavs. The Wiz and Sixers also have a biggie against each other on the 12th.
Bottom line: The Pistons may not know who they're playing until the regular season shuts down on the 16th.