Those checking this Saturday’s boxing odds can watch a different type of slugfest, as Chicago is giving the defending champions from Boston all they can handle in a series that is tied at two, with three of the four games being decided by three or fewer points, and one double-overtime classic that has been the game of the playoffs so far. Much has been made of the Derrick Rose-Rajon Rondo matchup, and both young point guards have been fantastic, but the real battle comes from a pair of UConn snipers, Boston’s Ray Allen and Chicago’s Ben Gordon. This clash of snipers will be the deciding factor in these basketball betting odds.

In Game 1, Allen was only 1-of-12, and Gordon dropped 20 in an overtime win for the Bulls. In Game 2, Gordon lit up the Celtics for 42, but it was Allen’s last-second three to cap a 30-point performance to lift Boston to a win. Both had quiet games in Boston’s Game 3 romp, but they were up to their old tricks in Game 4, trading last-second shots in a double-overtime win for the Bulls. Allen had 28 to Gordon’s 22, but Gordon’s three at the end of the first overtime kept the Bulls’ basketball betting chances alive.

These two must be familiar with each other, as Allen starred at UConn between 1993 and 1996, while Gordon also spent three years at UConn between 2001 and 2004, helping the Huskies win a national title. It’s been fun to watch them go at each other, and it’s no surprise that either will be getting the game-winning shot in upcoming games in this series, so basketball betting odds and totals will depend heavily on how these two gunners play.

The defending champions still have some good basketball betting odds as they head into Game 2 against Chicago, but Game 1 was enough to worry even the most ardent Celtics fan.

The look on Kevin Garnett’s face throughout the first half of their overtime loss to the Bulls in Game 1 was enough to tell the story. The Celtics could not stop Derrick Rose from getting into the paint at will, and while most teams can’t do this, Boston has a better chance than most with KG in the lineup. Without his sore right knee, KG is one of the best help defenders in the NBA, probably of all time, and there’s no way that Rose finishes as easily as he does with KG in there (no knock on Rose either, y’all know how I feel about him. Garnett’s intensity on defense is sometimes taken for granted, but not after Game 1. He couldn’t even come back on the bench, he was so frustrated. Give Ray Allen’s awful shooting (1-of-12? Gross.) and Paul Pierce’s free-throw missed a nod as supporting actors, but KG’s knee is the star of the show, and Boston’s basketball betting chances are definitely not the same without the “Big Ticket”. Think of the Celtics as a horse trying to beat the Kentucky Derby odds with one leg. It’s not going to work. Basketball betting players will see what heart the Celtics have in Game 2.

I’ve got a busy weekend lined up with UFC 97 odds and NBA betting action for the playoffs, but there’s still some awards to give out, and it started yesterday with LeBron James’ MVP award. Today? The Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player awards.

Rookie of the Year

This draft class turned out to be quite deep, and Memphis’ O.J. Mayo, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook and New Jersey’s Brook Lopez all deserve a shoutout. But Derrick Rose was under a ton of pressure, being drafted first overall by his hometown Chicago Bulls, and the kid they call “Pooh” delivered and then some. He was probably Chicago’s most consistent player all year, playing arguably the toughest position on the court, and he never really fell off. The kicker: his team has an NBA betting chance in the postseason, not a great one, but a chance nonetheless as he’s one of only two players in the top 10 of that draft class to still be playing. Once he gets a consistent jumper, it’s over.

Defensive Player of the Year

I’ve seen some reporters (ahemESPNahem) that threw names like LeBron James and Dwayne Wade out there for DPOY, and that’s fine, that’s their opinion. The problem is, that opinion is terrible. Dwight Howard is a near-lock to earn the first of many DPOY awards, leading the league in rebounding and blocks, and if there was a stat for altered shots, he’d lead that, too. With D-12 in the middle, Orlando has a very good NBA betting chance of representing the East in the NBA finals.

I’ve been so busy with the NCAA Tournament, and this weekend’s Masters odds, that the NBA postseason has snuck up on me. There is still some stuff to sort out in terms of playoff spots, so this weekend’s games still have meaning for NBA betting players.

Charlotte essentially has to run the table with four games left to catch Chicago and Detroit in the East, and they head to Oklahoma City on Friday, while Saturday’s game in Chicago will decide their fate. The Bulls, who are playing their best ball of the seaon right now, face Philadelphia at home on Thursday before welcoming the Bobcats on Saturday.  Finally, the Pistons host New Jersey on Friday night, before heading to Indiana on Saturday. NBA betting odds should back the Bulls and Pistons to hold off the Bobcats, who nonetheless had a great season and are on the rise.

The West has all of their playoff spots locked up, and now it’s just a matter of order. Utah and Dallas hold the final two spots, and they’ll be looking to stay out of the eighth spot, as that team will take on the Lakers. Dallas hosts New Orleans on Friday, and the Hornets are only a game ahead of the Jazz and Mavericks. Utah takes their terrible road show to San Antonio to take on a Spurs team that is ailing. On Saturday, the Jazz get a gimme when they host Golden State. On Sunday, the Mavericks and Hornets complete their home-and-home with a nationally-televised contest in New Orleans. Look for the Hornets to sweep the Mavericks this weekend, while the Jazz should gain a split. Dallas should end up in the final spot, and against the Lakers, they don’t stand an NBA betting chance.