Kevin O’Neill, a former head coach with 13-years of coaching experience in the NBA and college ranks, has been named coach of the USC Trojans basketball program replacing Tim Floyd who recently resigned amid severe recruiting violations. O’Neil’s most recent college job was at Arizona where he served as interim-coach of the Wildcats basketball team during Lute Olsen’s absence. The hire was made official Saturday morning by USC Director of Athletics Mike Garrett.

After a devastating Game 4 for the Orlando Magic, and those of us who had NBA Finals Picks for them to win that night, we can only state one thing, the Lakers want to win the 2009 NBA Finals. Game 5 of the NBA Finals promises nothing less then another shocker but after the way Orlando handled the end of the last game, the shock might be Los Angeles Lakers winning the NBA Title on the road.
 

NBA Finals Odds Lakers vs Magic Game 5 NBA Picks: The Orlando Magic have had some life and death battles with the L.A Lakers in the NBA Finals getting blown out 100-75 in game 1 on the road. The Magic now find themselves in a do-or-die situation heading into game 5 down 3-1 in the NBA Finals. The game 4 hero was the Lakers Derek Fisher who connected on key shots that changed the dynamics of the series. The Magic payed for their poor free-throw shooting in game 4 and must improve that part of their game if they want to stay alive.

NBA Picks - Lakers vs Magic Game 5 NBA Finals Odds 2009: When Derrick Fisher drained a trey for the Los Angeles Lakers in overtime practically killing any chance Orlando had of winning Game-4 of the NBA Finals, the clutch basket also killed any magic Orlando might have on the betting boards.
 

The series heats up in Orlando, Florida for Game 4 of the NBA Picks Finals! Amway Arena became the hottest spot in the world for Game 3 when the shooting offense of the Orlando Magic caught fire for a 2009 NBA Finals offensive shooting record of 62.5 percent. Rafer Alston who led the command on the air strike was a different man from the one that shared minutes with Jameer Nelson for the first two games.

Lakers vs. Magic Game 3 NBA Finals Odds: Orlando is in must-win mode as it hosts its first NBA Finals game in 14 years Tuesday night when they go at it with the Los Angeles Lakers  in Game 3. Games 4 and 5 (5 if needed) will also be played at Amway Arena on Thursday and Sunday. The Lakers vs. Magic Game 3 Finals odds can be found at Sportsbook.com.

The 2009 NBA Finals continue tonight with game 3 in Orlando. The Orlando Magic had a chance in game 2 to make the Los Angeles Lakers sweat and it remains to be seen if they will get another one. Courtney Lee missed a layup with less than a second remaining in Game 2 and the Magic ended up losing Game 2 in overtime. Now the series shifts to Orlando where the Magic face a must-win Game 3 on Tuesday at 9:05 PM EST live on ABC.

As the NBA Finals head into Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida for game 3 of the series between the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers, many questions arise as to what possible outcome will come forth of the final grade. Tuesday night at 9pm EST many of these questions will begin to find answers and one of them for sure will be, is the Orlando Magic a worthy opponent for the Lakers on home court advantage?

Lakers at Magic 2009 NBA Finals odds: Now that Los Angeles has taken  a 2-games lead over Orlando in the best of  seven games championship format in the 2009 NBA Playoffs finals, online oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have adjusted their Lakers at Magic 2009 NBA Finals odds prices.

The NBA Picks Experts witnessed a display of how to tear a team down on Thursday evening in Game 1. Now the Los Angeles Lakers will host the Orlando Magic at the renowned Staples Center in downtown Hollywood for a promising NBA Finals Game 2, Sunday, June 7th at 9pm EST.

NBA Picks: Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Lakers NBA Finals Game-2: The Orlando Magic got a reality check in game-1 of the NBA Finals when playing the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center in Los Angeles Thursday night. The Lakers easily handled the Magic beating them by 25 points. The Lakers have now gone up 1-games to none in the best of seven NBA Finals.

Magic vs Lakers NBA Picks Game 1 NBA Finals: It's taken seven months to get here, the beginning of the 2009 NBA Finals, a best of seven games series between the Eastern Conference champs Orlando Magic and Western Conference champions the Los Angeles Lakers. Game-1 starts tonight with tipoff set for 9 p.m. ET at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ Staple Center in downtown Los Angeles will be the opening act for a Lakers dynasty with their 30th visit to the NBA Finals against Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic newcomers. In spite of being newcomers to the Finals many sports fans believe in Magic. Make your NBA picks for tonight’s game at 9pm EST, as the Orlando Magic have a chance to try and beat the favorite L.A. Lakers on what is considered an improbable for game one.

The NBA's roller coaster playoffs are winding down and the NBA finals are set to explode. The Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers will face each other in a battle for the ages. Speculation from fans and experts alike is reaching a fever pitch on all things finals, including Jameer Nelson's status, leading scorers, leading technical-foulers, even the color of a Van Gundy tie appearance.

The first game of the 2009 NBA Finals begins tomorrow night and the NBA Finals Picks and betting trends have been pouring in and not just for game one. The NBA betting odds are available for every game of the series Finals through power house bookmakers, Sportsbook.com. Bet on game 3 in Orlando with the Magic as the 3-point favorites or if there is a Game 7 back in LA, bet the Lakers as a 6-point favorite.

Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Lakers NBA Finals Odds and Props: You know the suits in the NBA offices in New York must be disappointed they didn’t get their LeBron vs. Kobe matchup in the NBA Finals. It would have been good for sports gambling too. Just the hype would have added juice to the coffers offshore and in Las Vegas. But here’s the good new: You get Dwight vs. Kobe and from what we saw in the NBA Conference Finals, this might even be better matchup.  

The Cleveland Cavaliers backed by superstar LeBron James are not down for the count yet. Two nights back Cleveland got a huge game out of James winning Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals at home against the Orlando Magic. Now tonight at 8:35 PM EST live on TNT, the Cavs will try and even the series. In Cleveland’s 112-102 win on Thursday, James had 37 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists while Mo Williams added 24 points. SBG Global Sportsbookreports that the early NBA wagering odds see the public taking the home favorite Magic at -2 with a 193 total.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets NBA Playoffs Game-6: If the Los Angeles Lakers win tonight's Game-6 of the NBA Western Conference Finals they can sit back and wait to see who will be joining them in the NBA Championship series. If the Lakers lose Game-6 to the Nuggets, then a Game-7 will be required that would be played at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday.

On Friday night, May 29th, game 6 of the Western Conference Finals commences as the Los Angeles Lakers will attempt to finish off the Denver Nuggets. Despite outplaying the Lakers for the most part in this series, the Nuggets kept making mistakes at critical times putting, resulting with their backs to the wall, now facing elimination. "For most of the series, we outplayed them for most stretches of the game," Denver’s Chauncey Billups said.

Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Playoffs Game 5: Since sweeping the Atlanta Hawks in four straight games in the NBA Eastern Conference semi-finals, it hasn’t been a bed of roses for the conference’s top seeded team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. For that matter; gamblers backing Cleveland must be getting tired of watching Magic backers cashing their tickets as Orlando has covered the betting spread in all four games of the series. Tonight, when the Magic and Cavaliers tip-off at Quicken Loans Arena; its do-or-die for the home team as they are down 3-to-1.

NBA Picks: Magic vs Cavaliers Game 5 - 2009 NBA Playoffs: With the series heading back to Cleveland for Game 5 tonight, the Cavaliers are listed as an 8-point favorite with NBA odds makers BetUS.com.

All the Denver fans who bet the Nuggets to win the Western Conference Finals really have something to cheer about. Last night point guard Chauncey Billups evened up the series to make it two games a piece. And all the Sportsbook.com players who took the Nuggets at +500 odds to win the series are really pumped. 

2009 NBA Playoffs Picks: Cleveland Cavaliers (1-2) vs. Orlando Magic (2-1) Game 4: There’s an old saying that says that some things are better left unsaid. This could easily be applied to the Cleveland Cavaliers [-1½ or -125 ML] and their point guard Mo Williams.

2009 NBA Playoffs Picks Los Angeles Lakers (2-1) vs. Denver Nuggets (1-2) Game 4: Throughout the regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers were the best road team in the 2009 NBA posting a 29-12 record.

After giving up home court advantage to the Denver Nuggets in Game 2, LA didn’t hesitate t get it right back, winning a statement Game 3 at the Pepsi Center in the Mile High City.