[SBR_John]

The Spurs won their last champinoship at the expense of the Pistons. It was a grueling series that went the distance as I recall.

[Razz]

Jazz -140
Pistons +120

If the Spurs do happen to beat the Jazz, they'll obviously be the clear choice. The Spurs are bigger than 2-1 favorites to win the NBA Championship currently, they'll be about least 3-1 to beat the Pistons.

[Dark Horse]

Winner of Suns-Spurs wins NBA.

Jazz no contest for Spurs.
Cavs no contest for Pistons.
Pistons no contest for Spurs. The Pistons are softer than I thought.

[rjt721]

Jazz -140
Pistons +120

If the Spurs do happen to beat the Jazz, they'll obviously be the clear choice. The Spurs are bigger than 2-1 favorites to win the NBA Championship currently, they'll be about least 3-1 to beat the Pistons.

You still think Utah is going to pull this off?

If Utah did get by SA (which they won't) they wouldn't be favored over Detroit in the finals. I think it would be the other way around - Pistons -140, Jazz +120.

[BigBollocks]

The Spurs will be roughly a -160 to -180 favourite...

[Wheell]

The Spurs almost by definition have to be at least a 2-1 favorite over the Pistons.

[SBR_John]

The Spurs almost by definition have to be at least a 2-1 favorite over the Pistons.

If we are talking a price of +170ish for detroit then they are the play. Take a look at the last 7 game series they had. Nearly the same players (yes i know big ben is gone). The Spurs have some problems with the Billups/Wallace duo.

I was actually thinking -120/+100 would be a good line.

[bigboydan]

I was actually thinking -120/+100 would be a good line.

I'd lay -120 with the Spurs if that was indeed the line.

[LT Profits]

John,

-120/+100? Are you insane? LOL

But seriously, I think best line available would be -180/+160, with -200/+170 more likely. I am not saying that the Spurs are really that much better than the Pistons, but that is the line that will see more balanced action.

[jjgold]

Spurs -270 or so

[SBR_John]

If it opens at +170 or higher then I will bet anyboby even money that line is scalpable befor the series ends. Thats just too high. Yea, Detroit is sleep walking through Clev but they will give SA fits. SA has played 3 defensive cupcakes so far.

[gridironguy]

So much depends on how both teams look as they finish off their respective series'.

Right now, the Spurs are clicking on all cylinders and peaking at the right time.

The Pistons are barely getting by Cleveland in each game.

I believe the Spurs will beat Utah in 5, and the Pistons will beat the Cavs in 7 (just like last year).

Hence, I would make San Antonio about a -175 fav to win the Finals. Remember that they also have the HC advantage in the Finals with the 2-3-2 format.

[jjgold]

Spurs have too much offense for Detroit, maybe Detroit is going through the motions against Cavs but I doubt it.

[ion]

Spurs are currently -208 and the Pistons +221 to win it all at Pinnacle. To make the Spurs less favorites than -208 in the final versus Pistons is not logical. I would say Pinnacle will open a Spurs Pistons series prices around -225/+205.

The Greek has Spurs now at -225 and and the Pistons at +205 to win the NBA. I expect them to open the finals series prices -235/+195.

[wrongturn]

Agree with Grid. Currently SA plays great and DET struggles to win. SA is also 2-0 in regular season. So SA will be at least -150. By the way, does anybody think the 2-3-2 format is worse than 2-2-1-1-1 for the home court adv team? Like last year MIA, if the dog team wins 3 straight at home, the momentum shifts and the pressure is on the fav team in game 6.

[LT Profits]

I think ion is dead on, so I actually underpriced the Spurs earlier at -180 to -200. Let me move MY line before the sharps bet into it!

Revised Line:

Spurs -225
Pistons +195

[gridironguy]

does anybody think the 2-3-2 format is worse than 2-2-1-1-1 for the home court adv team? Like last year MIA, if the dog team wins 3 straight at home, the momentum shifts and the pressure is on the fav team in game 6.

Historically, the 2-3-2 has not been a problem for the HCA team. I'm 95% sure, not 100%, that only Detroit in 2004 and Miami 2006 have managed to win the middle 3 games at home.

I guess historically the HCA team is so much better that they can steal at least 1 of the middle 3 games and finish it out at home. Often times they have won in 5 games on the opponents home floor.