The first half of the season is almost complete, and NBA betting players have witnessed some surprises and disappointments so far. Here is a list of what has raised some eyebrows this season, mostly good, but with a bad to end the list.

New Jersey Nets

The Nets are currently at .500, and outside of Devin Harris, Vince Carter, and rookie Brook Lopez, the rest of the squad is a mash of journeymen. Not to mention the Nets are better on the road than they are at home. If they figure out how to win in front of their fans this year, expect their NBA betting stock to rise dramatically.

Orlando Magic

The Magic were always good, but now they can be mentioned with Boston and Cleveland as the class of the East. Dwight Howard is, far and away, the best center in the league, but no one saw Jameer Nelson becoming one of the best point guards in the league. If Nelson can continue to impress, the Magic’s NBA betting chances will be very favorable.

Denver Nuggets

The trade that sent Allen Iverson to Detroit for Chauncey Billups was a godsend for the Nuggets, as it put them smack in the middle of the NBA betting race. Billups brought stability and defense to a Denver team that had Carmelo Anthony battling with Iverson for shots, and he’s a proven championship winner. They are in the wild, wild West, but with Billups at the helm, the Nuggets would be a good play for hoops betting players.

Miami Heat

The Heat were simply awful last year, but what a difference one player makes. Dwayne Wade has played like a man possessed, becoming an MVP candidate with his sparkling play on both sides of the ball. The Heat suddenly aren’t so bad of an NBA betting pick to make the playoffs, and that would make this season a massive success.

Toronto Raptors

The Raptors had high hopes after acquiring Jermaine O’Neal from Indiana, but they got off to a terrible start, which ended with Sam Mitchell being fired. O’Neal has been hurt as usual, but the Raptors didn’t see Jose Calderon going down, leaving a point-guard duo of Will Solomon and Roko Ukic. That will put a dent in any team’s hoops betting chances.