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New Orleans Hornets Odds to Win the 2008 NBA Finals
The New Orleans Hornets are the new
kids on the block in terms of the Western Conference
playoff picture, but they could end up as the number one
seed as they are currently in first place in the Western
Conference with a two game lead over the competition.
Will the young Hornets, led by MVP candidate Chris Paul,
be ready to challenge for a NBA title this season? Get
Jimmy's take as he weighs the 2008 New Orleans Hornets
odds to win the NBA Finals.
Bet the New Orleans Hornets at 10/1 odds to win the NBA
Finals at BodogLife.com
Why they'll win it all:
There's one real reason and one reason only that the
Hornets will win it all and that's point guard Chris
Paul. Steve Nash made the little man relevant again
three seasons ago and since Utah's Deron Williams and
New Orleans' Chris Paul have added themselves to the
list of elite point guards in the NBA. Paul's ability to
distribute the basketball has been unmatched this season
as he leads the league with 11.5 assists per game. He
has brought forgotten players Tyson Chandler and Peja
Stojakovic back into the limelight with his great
ability to facilitate the offense. No team can be
considered a championship caliber team if it doesn't
have the ability to get stops defensively. The Hornets
rank fifth in the NBA in points allowed. While New
Orleans is currently in a position to retain home court
throughout the Western Conference playoffs, if they
don't end up winning the West it shouldn't be too much
of a setback. The Hornets are 29-11 at home this season
and nearly as good on the road at 26-12. New Orleans'
ability to win on the road makes them a tough out in any
series.
Why they won't:
This is the Hornets first rodeo with this particular
team. They won just 39 games last season and were on the
outside looking in. This team doesn't yet have the big
game experience to win it all. While the turnaround from
last season to this season has been remarkable and while
they have put together the best record in the West to
this point, Chris Paul doesn't yet know the different
beast that the playoffs is. Easier said than done, but
all opponents have to do is stop Chris Paul and New
Orleans won't even make it out of the first round. New
Orleans depends on Paul to score. His scoring often
plays second fiddle to his assists, but his points are
just as important. On April 8th, the Hornets were held
to a season low 66 points at home by Utah. The big
reason was because Paul only had four points. His nine
assists were respectable, but the Hornets cannot survive
with him shooting poorly from the floor. Teams with big
athletic defenders may be able to slow him down and as a
result slow down the Hornets.
Check out our
Spurs
Hornets series predictions and preview.
Other odds to Win the 2008
NBA Finals:
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