Well, it’s finally the time where Roy gives you his super bowl betting pick. Steelers odds have Pittsburgh as a 7-point favorite, and this offense vs. defense battle favors the team with the No.1 defense in the league. However, those playing the cardinals odds should take solace that their team will keep it close, and prevent the Steelers from covering the super bowl 43 line. So, bet on the Steelers to win, but not to cover. As for my personal preference:

Yesterday, I compared the Pittsburgh Steelers to the eventual NBA champions, the Boston Celtics. I’ve been thinking about this super bowl betting matchup, and I’ve concluded that the Arizona Cardinals are the NFL’s version of the Atlanta Hawks.

This is Mike Woodson’s fifth year coaching the Hawks, but he’s improved every season, taking the Hawks to the postseason last year when they pushed Boston to seven games, while Ken Whisenhunt has guided the Cardinals to the Super Bowl in his second season. Both teams were steadied by veteran arrivals (Kurt Warner for the Cardinals, Mike Bibby for the Hawks), and both have a ton of athletes, such as Larry Fitzgerald of the Cardinals, and Josh Smith of the Hawks, and a pair of explosive young players like Steve Breaston of Arizona and Al Horford of Atlanta. The only difference is attention to defense, in which Atlanta has the edge in. This could be the reason the Cardinals fall short in this super bowl betting matchup.

Roy’s been heavy on super bowl betting lately because, well, it’s the biggest thing in online sports betting right now. And I’ve been thinking a lot about similarities between the Pittsburgh Steelers and last year’s NBA champions, the Celtics.

Both are defensive powerhouses, and are led by veteran players (Kevin Garnett, Troy Polamalu)….Offensively, Paul Pierce would be considered the Ben Roethlisberger of the Celtics (but with fewer turnovers), while Ray Allen is the wily veteran, Hines Ward-style (although Ward blocks better than Allen screens). Mike Tomlin and Doc Rivers are both quiet coaches, but when they speak, the veteran players show them respect. Furthermore, both lead or are tied for the lead in their respective pro leagues in championships, as the Steelers can leave San Francisco and Dallas in the dust with a sixth title, while the Celtics won #17 last season. If the Steelers want more inspiration (which is doubtful), all they need to do is look over to Beantown, and follow the Celtics.

I’d like to know what they are putting in the water down in Phoenix. Cardinals odds in this Sunday’s online super bowl betting matchup are hinging on the arm of 37-year-old Kurt Warner, who was thought to be done when he left New York for the desert. Now, the Phoenix Suns are being led, not by 26-year-old Amare Stoudamire, who is still putting up solid numbers at 21.1 points and 8.1 rebounds.

No, the Suns should be favored to make the playoffs in the tough West because of a rejuvenated 36-year-old Shaquille O’Neal, who has 18.2 points and 9.1 boards as the Suns head towards the All-Star break. The most surprising aspect of Shaq’s season is that he is knocking down foul shots at an outstanding (for him) 62.8%, including a 9-of-10 performance in yesterday’s win at Washington. If Shaq can continue to knock them down from the charity stripe, the Suns could be the team no one wants to play in the postseason.

Anxious to get super bowl betting on the go? Well, it looked like Houston and Arizona were ready to battle gridiron-style during the Wildcats’ 96-90 overtime win on Saturday.

To be fair, Houston’s Aubrey Coleman apologized to Arizona’s Chase Budinger immediately after the game for treating him like they were in a line scrum, and it didn’t look intentional. Plus, the Wildcats were inspired after their star was stomped, and if the Steelers try something similar to the Cardinals on Sunday, the results could be the same.

Super Bowl XLIII betting can’t come quickly enough. The NBA is annoying me, damn it. I want trades. I want to see a Bulls firesale. It’s fun! But we’re waiting on the Brian Colangelo and Pat Riley to finish their courtship.

Pat, do you really think seeing Jermaine O’Neal playing two games looking healthy is going to “convince” you that he’s a safe target? You either want him or you don’t. It’ll be interesting to see what happens if or when the deal gets made…it could start a flurry of activity that really alters some teams’ NBA betting odds.

Until then, I’m reading up on the 2008 Super Bowl odds.

Those waiting to make their Super Bowl XLIII betting picks still have playing options this weekend on the hardwood, as a pair of Western Goliaths go head-to-head on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Lakers will host the San Antonio Spurs in a nationally-televised game at 3:30 PM ET on Sunday, and this will be the second meeting of the season between these two. The first game was a 112-111 nailbiter won by the Spurs in San Antonio, as Roger Mason Jr.’s late three-point play was the knockout blow. You can bet that the Lakers want revenge, and they have dominated San Antonio at the Staples Center of late, beating the Spurs in their last five visits out west. Kobe on TV? Expect a show, and take the Lakers in this substitute for Super Bowl betting.

Super Bowl XLIII betting should include a prop about the possibility of a streaker, or better yet, just someone who wanted to have a chat with the referee, as this guy did during last Saturday’s game at Providence between the Friars and Marquette:

Now, to be fair, Jeff Xavier’s brother was just concerned for his brother’s well-being, and he seemed like he only wanted to know why there was no foul called.

If this guy tried that at the Pittsburgh-Arizona game, Super Bowl betting would reckon that he’d get his head separated from his body by security.

Super Bowl XLIII betting is all the rage right now, and the NBA seems to be taking some pointers from the NFL in terms of advertising their game. David Stern, listen up: BOOZE SELLS! Remember this dandy that debuted on Monday Night Football in 1999?

Now, the NBA is allowing alcoholic companies to advertise at courtside, and this is a brilliant move. It will generate more money for its teams, which is crucial in this slumping economy, and it shows the NBA is willing to be more progressive in its thinking. You never know: NBA All-Star Game betting props for commercials can, possibly, someday rival Super Bowl betting for NFL commercials.

…LeBron James?

Roy’s first love is basketball, but he’s a fan of all sports, so you can guarantee that I’ll be getting in on some Super Bowl XLIII betting action. This commercial ties it all in together quite nicely.

Wow. LeBron would put the Browns in the Super Bowl betting conversation instantly, and I’m willing to bet that he’d drop less passes than Braylon Edwards.