NBA betting players strive to find the best value for their sportsbook bucks, and now that the hardwood season has tipped off, hoops betting sharps can make a more educated selection in their NBA picks. Here is a look at some teams with solid NBA betting value, and some others that may be a bit overrated by online wagering odds.

Best Value:

Phoenix - +1800

The Suns are still getting used to Terry Porter’s halfcourt system after playing under Mike D’Antoni’s uptempo game for five years. But the Suns still have Steve Nash at the point, and Amare Stoudamire looks like he is ready to take his game to the next level under the tutelage of Shaquille O’Neal. Phoenix will remember how to score points; if they can play defense, the West will be even more interesting this year.

San Antonio - +2000

Yes, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are out, and the bench is not producing, leaving Tim Duncan to carry the team on his 32-year-old shoulders. But the Spurs can still play defense with the best in the league, and if they can stop the bleeding until their guards get back, NBA betting players would do well to consider them. Remember: this is still a team that has won four titles in an 11-year span, so it would be foolish to count them out yet.

Toronto - +2500

Boston is still the hoops betting favorites in the East, but Toronto’s acquisition of Jermaine O’Neal in the offseason announced the Raptors’ intentions. O’Neal has been improving game by game, which is opening up the lane for Chris Bosh, who is off to an outstanding start. Jose Calderon could be the best point guard in the East this year, but the bench will be key to the Raptors’ NBA futures.

Worst Value:

Cleveland - +700

Yes, they have the game’s most physically talented player in LeBron James, and they got Mo Williams from Milwaukee, but something just doesn’t sit right with the Cavaliers. They still have the distraction of James’ impending free agency in 2010, and the bench doesn’t seem to have improved. The East has improved drastically, and “King James” will not be able to drag the team by himself anymore.

Utah - +800

The Jazz are still playing well without Deron Williams, who has been bothered by a bad ankle since preseason. Utah will get their customary 50 wins in the regular season and make the playoffs easily, but they don’t have that consistent third option for when Williams and Carlos Boozer have off-nights. Andrei Kirilenko is emotionally fragile, and Mehmet Okur has declined in recent years. Stay away from the Jazz in your long-term NBA betting odds.

Orlando - +1600

The Magic are in a similar situation to the Jazz, meaning they don’t have competent role players to support Dwight Howard and Hedo Turkaglu. Rashard Lewis, given the giant contract he signed before last season, has been a disappointment, and their point-guard play has been sketchy, at best. They’re in a weak division, so they should make the playoffs, but don’t put your NBA betting hopes on the Magic.