NBA Odds – Rookies Have Major Weapon At Their Disposal For Battle With Sophomores

If you’re looking at the NBA odds for the All-Star weekend, you know that in the Rookie Challenge, the rookies have a major weapon at their disposal – one who is competing in the "main event" as well. Is that enough to drive them to a win over the super Sophomores? The NBA odds have the sophs as the favorites by six points, in this game that begins at 9 PM ET at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

NBA Odds

[Off topic: by the way, do you want to get a 55% bonus on your first deposit here at BetOnline? Find out more exciting details HERE.]

NBA ROOKIE CHALLENGE

Rookies vs. Sophomores

Live at Staples Center

Los Angeles, CA

Friday, February 18 — 9 PM ET

NBA Odds:   Sophomores -6, Rookies +6, Total 253

The Rookies won it last year, and that was a talented bunch, but indications are that this group is a little better, because it has the best rookie we have seen in the NBA since LeBron James.

John Wall was the first selection in the NBA Draft this past year, and a lot of people tend to forget that, since Blake Griffin is also a rookie. Obviously Griffin has lit it up as a rookie this year, but he missed all of last year after going first in the 2009 Draft. His presence on the rookie squad gives them a much better chance of winning in the NBA odds. He also pulls double-duty, as he’ll be a participant in the All-Star Game.

You’re going to see DeMarcus Cousins in this game for the rookies as well. Cousins has had by far the most tumultuous season of any rookie. He came into the NBA, as a draftee of the Sacramento Kings, with a reputation for being immature, and he has, for the most part, lived up to his billing. Cousins started to fight with his coaches right from the start, and has been part of a revolt against preferential treatment for Tyreke Evans that many of Sacramento’s players have joined.

 It came to a head this past week in a game against Oklahoma City (in a game they covered in the NBA odds), when Donte Greene inbounded on the last play to Evans at the top of the key, and not to Cousins, who had position near the lane. Cousins had an outburst that continued in the locker room, when he threw punches at Greene. He was benched for a game, then reinstated.  No one denies his talent, though, as he has the ability to be a 20-10 guy (20 points, ten rebounds) if he grows up.

Other rookies have played key roles for their teams, and certainly enhance their team’s chances of beating the NBA odds in this game. Landry Fields has become a starter in New York and his all-around game has been crucial in helping Mike D’Antoni implement the system that has established the Knicks as playoff contenders. Greg Monroe is a center who may be a bit undersized for the position, but is a block around which the Detroit Pistons will presumably rebuild. Gary Neal has become a key guy off the bench for the San Antonio Spurs. Then there’s Wall, who can take it coast-to-coast and just needs a better supporting cast around him.

The sophs are good – don’t make any mistake about it – even without Tyreke Evans, who won’t be playing due to injury. With Brandon Jennings, Stephen Curry and Wesley Matthews, they have a trio of guards who could someday find themselves in the "main event" of All-Star Weekend. Serge Ibaka of the Thunder is a guy with a lot of upside, and up front, Taj Gibson provides shot-blocking ability, while DeJuan Blair offers bulk. And we haven’t even mentioned DeMar DeRozan, the athletic swingman from Toronto by way of USC (like Gibson). But I’m not sure this collection of talent powers them by the rookies, at least not in covering the spread that is set forth in the NBA odds. You see, they just don’t have Blake Griffin. And that means a lot here.

JAY’S PLAY:  ROOKIES +6 ***

(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

Bet the NBA odds on All-Star Weekend at BetOnline Sportsbook!