Odds to Win Eastern Conference 2008 NBA Playoffs

The Boston Celtics are overwhelming favorites to win the NBA championship according to the latest Vegas betting odds as well as the more accurate offshore betting line.

Curt Thomas is Chief NBA Analyst for GodsTips of OffshoreInsiders.com. He is also the only full-time NBA handicapper in sports betting. The fact Boston is the favorite is no surprise, but Thomas expressed shock at how relatively little respect Detroit gets at 9/4.

"With Richard Hamilton, Antonio MyDyess, Chauncey Billips, Richard Hamilton, and Tayshaun Prince, the Pistons are the better team (than Boston) from top to bottom," says Thomas, though conceding that Boston's Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen are the "league's best threesome."

Last year's conference titlist Cleveland is next at 9/1, tied with Orlando, even though the Magic finished a full seven games ahead of the Cavs in the standings.

Explains Grandmaster sports handicapper Joe Duffy, "We look back no further than last year to see that LeBron James can carry the Cavaliers, plus the blockbuster mid-season trade in which they got Ben Wallace should pay off."

At 25/1 Washington is given little chance, but they at not as big of a dark horse as the Toronto Raptors at 30/1 or the Philadelphia 76ers at 50/1. Coming up the rear are the Atlanta Hawks at 75/1.

"Athletic teams like Atlanta give Boston trouble," warns Cy McCormick of the online betting syndicate MasterLockLine.com