Best of the West to be decided in 2007 NBA Playoffs

The Western Conference always has been the stronger side of NBA Basketball.

With consistent powerhouse teams like the San Antonio Spurs, the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns, the West always have the big boys. Additionally, the Western Conference finals, more often than not, becomes more exciting than the NBA Finals itself.

However, when it comes to the West representatives facing East representatives in a best-of-seven series to decide an NBA champion, the whole idea that the West is stronger is thrown out the window.

Why? Well just consider this, the East beat the West twice in the last three years for the NBA title. The Detroit Pistons did it to the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2004 and the Miami Heat did it to the Dallas Mavericks last year.

This year in the Western Conference playoffs, the BIG THREE secured the top three spots in the West side of the postseason. The Dallas Mavericks is your No.1 seed, Phoenix Suns No.2 and the San Antonio Spurs No.3.

The Utah Jazz, probably making a comeback now after their glory days with John Stockton and Karl Malone, have the No.4 spot while Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets will face them in the first round at No.5.

Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony and the rest of the Denver Nuggets will come in the 2007 NBA Playoffs as the No.6 seed while Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom were able to bring the Los Angeles Lakers to No.7.

As for the West's last and final playoff spot, the Golden State Warriors just edged the Los Angeles Clippers in their little foot race for the postseason. If both teams finish with identical 41-41 records, the Clippers will advance since they won their season-series with Golden State. The Warriors took care of that by finishing 42-40.

Who will win the 2007 NBA Championship? Here are some odds from Bodog:

Chicago Bulls 7/1

Detroit Pistons 9/1

Dallas Mavericks 7/2

Miami Heat 4/1 (boo!)

Want more odds? Visit OddsHQ for more NBA basketball odds and the best betting lines on some of today's biggest sporting events.

2007 NBA Playoffs Western Conference