Too early to look at the NBA playoff picture for some good ‘ol basketball betting? Hardly. Out West, I’ll start at the bottom. If Phoenix was nipping at Utah’s heels for that eighth and final spot, the injury blow to Stoudemire has all but closed that door. With the Suns’ points leader sidelined for two months, the Jazz can start to sing a happy tune and focus on climbing up to a higher seed without having to look over their shoulders as much. The top of the West, while the top seed it set, isn’t so clear cut. Lakers will take that #1 spot, but I wouldn’t bet the house they’ll climb out of the West to face the Celtics (I’ll get to that in a minute).

The dark horse for this online basketball betting season (and it’s crazy to call a 36-17 team a dark horse) is the Spurs. They’re always there, and they’re never talked about. I wouldn’t worry about the Nuggets, they don’t scare anyone. In fact, I’d almost take the underdog bet that they won’t make it out of the first round. Watch that as an upset with some money-making opportunities.

Last season the Celtics were the bullies, the beasts, the tyrants of the East. Even after 30 games or so this year, everyone thought they were an early threat to beat the Bulls 72-10 record (yeah, right). Still, they rebounded from a down spell and are the team to beat in their conference. Orlando’s too fragile and Cleveland is too top heavy. The Celtics have too much depth, talent and experience to be seriously challenged for the East crown – this year, and a team that every sports gambling enthusiast should look at closely. LeBron will get some poster shots, and possibly a game-winning shot, but in the end it’ll be green leading the way to the NBA Finals.

For the finals, put your money on Spurs vs. Celtics, with the Spurs squeaking it out in seven games. Both teams have the experience, veterans, depth and egos in check to make for a series to remember.

The Spurs current NBA Odds are at 5-1 to win the finals. Behind only the Cavs and Celtics at 2-1, and the Lakers are EVEN money. I like the odds on the Spurs. A fairly safe $500 bet at AbsolutePoker could turn a nice profit come June.

And, speaking of the Bulls, they won’t be making the playoffs this year. The Brad Miller trade, if it doesn’t immediately hurt them, will prove to be largely inconsequential. The Bulls are a mess anyway, don’t deserve to be in the playoffs, and would just get trounced by the Celtics in the first round. Funny, the Bulls are 40-1 odds to win the title, but it might as well be 1,000 to 1 at FullTilt because they don’t have a chance.