Suns Shine In Las Vegas

I'm not sure how many of you read my piece on the NBA Summer League over at Betting Expert (with whom I do have a relationship) but it has proven to be even more profitable than usual this season.

The NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, started as recently as 2004, but it is on the verge of becoming a major event.

After a few years of finding its feet, this year is the first where the league ends with a tournament and a champion. Previous versions have been a lot looser in format with no official winner, but I think this year will be looked back at as the year it really became a mainstream event.

I stated in my article that liquidity is way down on regular season NBA games, but I am seeing some relatively big money (£2k to £3k) appearing, usually early in the second half and usually looking to back the team ahead around the 1.6 to 1.7 mark. If the team's lead is slender, this is not a value back, although value doesn't always win unfortunately.

The new format also opens up the possibility of two teams meeting up for a second time, with both games on a neutral court. For example on Saturday, the Phoenix Suns comfortably beat the Portland Trailblazers.

When the same teams meet again five days later, that's a pretty good guide to how the second game might play out. While the teams want to win, these aren't play-off games, and the emphasis is on player development. If a set of young and inexperienced players loses by a lot one night, they're not likely to turn it around in the space of a few days. Lest you doubt the unbeaten Suns commitment to this tournament, the roster features the Morris twins, who played much of last season in the NBA - Markieff featured in all 82 games - and they came from 24 points down to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. 

One more team to watch is the D-League Select team. With none of these players having an NBA contract, it doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure out why they be somewhat motivated.

The only other unbeaten team is the Golden State Warriors, who were also unbeaten in 2012.

Another example of opportunities being found in unusual places. The games I have been able to watch have been interesting. Summer League is like a hybrid of the College and NBA games. Some of the players are, to say the least, inconsistent, scoring points galore in one game, and then unable to hit the proverbial cow's bottom in the next.

In other NBA news, the Charlotte Bobcats will be no more after next season, after the NBA approved restoration of the Hornets name, recently relinquished by the now New Orleans Pelicans. I hope you're all keeping up. 

Finally, from William Hill's head of PR, Richard Thomas, via Betting Expert (with whom I still have a relationship):

Many punters complain these days about not being able to get a bet on or having their accounts restricted. Are these complaints fair?

Customer restrictions are a reflection on bookmakers being rightly focused on client betting patterns and history. Those complaining are frequently those who are unprofitable to the bookmaker, and, in a commercial world, why would any business stand losses to an individual?

William Hill adopt a philosophy of offering 'something for everyone, rather than everything for someone', meaning we want the majority of our customers to benefit from our enhanced prices or special offers, rather than a single big bet to one high-roller. With a William Hill Priority Price, we typically offer 5,000 bets at £20 a time on a selection at an enhanced price, the equivalent of laying £100,000 in one hand . Taken in this context, I hope people understand our business methodology.

To the answer that "those complaining are frequently those who are unprofitable to the bookmaker", we can probably add "or those whom we expect to become unprofitable to the bookmaker." So take it as a compliment if your account is closed or limited!