LAS VEGAS - NBA players can soon hit the hard wood again now that players and owners have reached a tentative agreement to end the lockout.
Fans have their favorite teams, and they have opinions about the basket-brawl between the owners and players.
"To me, they need to stop being greedy - to be honest," a Chicago Bulls fan named Lamar said.
Basketball is big business, and a betting town like Las Vegas felt the fallout from the lockout.
"The NBA represents anywhere from about 10 to 15 percent of out total handle, so it's a big chunk of our overall business," said Las Vegas Hilton Race and Sports Book Operations Vice President Jay Kornegay. "We're certainly glad to see it back."
Gambling - including sports betting - is the silver state's bread and butter. The American Gaming Association says bettors wagered $2.76 billion in Nevada sports books last year.
"We thought, without the NBA, a lot of it would transfer to the college game, but the early numbers indicate that really wasn't happening," Kornegay said.
Players and owners bickered for 149 days, resulting in a shortened season. The end of the lockout could be a slam dunk for sports books.
"With the NBA back, with college basketball - we're approaching the (NFL) playoffs - it's going to be a good time to be in the Las Vegas sports book," Kornegay said.
The Las Vegas Hilton took future bets for the NBA championship throughout the lockout. Odds makers consider the Miami Heat the favorite to win the championship this summer.
