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Dallas Mavs Odds to Win the 2008 NBA Finals
The Dallas Mavericks went from being
the best in the West in 2007 to finding themselves
battling for one of the last three playoff slots in
2008. The Mavs have done enough to get back to the
postseason, but is this a team destined for an early
exit after such a disappointing season by the standards
they have set. Jimmy Boyd lists the 2008 Dallas
Mavericks odds to win the NBA Finals below, and then
lets you know what their chances of raising a banner are
this postseason.
Bet the Dallas Mavericks at 18/1 odds to win the NBA
Finals at BodogLife.com
Why they'll win it all:
The Mavs are a very experienced team and that's one of
the most important things to have on your side this time
of year. After blowing a big series lead in the NBA
Finals in 2006 and going home early in the first round
in 2007, the Mavs have all the motivation in the world.
While the numbers may not show it, I can assure you that
the addition of Jason Kidd makes the Mavs a more viable
title contender right now than they were before picking
him up. Devon Harris was not near the playmaker Kidd is.
Kidd also brings the experience of having played in the
NBA Finals and shares the same sour taste of defeat that
has been driving this Mavs team. Kidd's presence also
enables Jason Terry to take on less of a playmaking roll
and to do what he does best – shoot. Defensively, the
Mavs are still about as tough as they come. Dallas ranks
sixth in the league in points allowed, fourth in field
goal percentage defense, fifth in three-point percentage
defense, and seventh in defensive rebounding. The Mavs
are also the best free throw shooting team in the league
at 81.3 percent. This gives them a big edge in close
games. The Mavs' record isn't as good as several other
teams in the West, but because of their experience, they
are an excellent value bet at 18/1 odds.
Why they won't:
Perhaps this current Mavs team has missed its window. As
I mentioned above, I think they will use each of the
past two seasons of playoff disappointment to fuel their
fire, but we at least have to consider that the
limelight may have passed them by. The Mavs really
struggled with the uptempo Warriors in the first round
of the playoffs a year ago. Teams who look to push the
ball, such as the Suns, could prove very problematic for
the Mavs. Also, when the Warriors upset Dallas last
season, Don Nelson's strategy was to take Dirk Nowitzky
out of the game. Teams which are able to double Dirk
successfully stand a great chance to beat the Mavs as he
is not yet a good enough passer to kill you consistently
when passing out of double teams. The Mavs are an
excellent home team at 33-7 this season, but they have
struggled on the road and will not have home court
advantage in the playoffs. That could be enough to keep
the Mavs from getting back to the Finals for a chance to
win it all.
Other odds to Win the 2008
NBA Finals:
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