Before the online NBA betting season began, online sportsbooks were hesitant to paint the Cleveland Cavaliers as favorites to repeat and win this year’s title. Part of it had to do with the fact that the Golden State Warriors went out and snagged Kevin Durant, but some lingering doubts the bookies had about the Cavaliers also contributed to the futures odds.
But now that we’ve past the season’s halfway point, it’s clear that the bookmakers knew what they were doing. In their last ten games, the Cavs have been dealt 7 losses. Saying that Cleveland has hit a rough patch would be an understatement, and by the general atmosphere the team is exuding, it doesn’t seem like they’ll be able to pull out if at any time soon.
Nevertheless, the Cavs will get a chance to prove the pundits – Charles Barkley in particular – wrong when they take to the court Wednesday night to face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Considering that Minnesota has a .396 win percentage, the Timberwolves are a good matchup for the struggling Cavs. Against a lesser team, Cleveland might be able to start February off on a good note, something the team desperately needs. Let’s see what the sportsbook odds have to say about Wednesday’s contest.
ONLINE NBA BETTING ODDS – REGULAR SEASON – Wednesday, February 1st
Minnesota Timberwolves +7 (-110) 213½ (-110) +245
Cleveland Cavaliers -7 (-110) 213½ (-110) -290
Expectedly, basketball betting sites have come out in Cleveland’s favor. Despite their recent struggles, LeBron James and company have been able to maintain the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. However, the Celtics have been able to close in on the Cavaliers lead and are currently just 2 games behind Cleveland.
The Boston Celtics will also be competing this online NBA betting Wednesday night. The Celts will face off against the Toronto Raptors in Boston’s backyard. If the Cavs are unable to pick up a win against the lowly Timberwolves, the Celts will come one step closer to dethroning King James from atop the East.
The Cavaliers will be coming into this contest with a 32-15 record that ranks them 1st in the Central Division as well as the East. Cleveland last took to the court Monday night when they faced off against the Mavericks at Dallas. The Cavaliers ended up losing that bout 104-97 prompting James to fire some digs at Charles Barkley – who had recently been critical of the superstar for what Barkley perceived to be a whiny attitude.
“Inappropriate. Whiny. All of the above,” Barkley, the star of TNT’s Inside the NBA, said last week. Barkley’s statements came as a response to James’ recent decision to go public with his frustration regarding what #23 believes to be complacency on behalf of the organization.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers, they have given him everything he wanted,” Barkley continued. “They have the highest payroll in NBA history. He wanted JR Smith last summer, they paid him. He wanted Shumpert last summer. They brought in Kyle Korver. He’s the best player in the world.”
“He don’t want to compete?”
While most sportsbook fans would expect the face of a franchise to bite his tongue when dealing with analysts, James chose another approach.
“I’m tired of biting my tongue,” James stated. “There’s a new sheriff in town.”
“He’s a hater,” James said speaking of Barkley. “What makes what he says credible? Because he’s on TV?”
“I’m not the one who threw somebody through a window. I never spit on a kid. I never had unpaid debt in Las Vegas.” James spoke referring to many of Barkley’s previous missteps.
“All I’ve done for my entire career is represent the NBA the right way. 14 years, never got in trouble. Respected the game.”
“Print that.”
