Giants are thought to be little better than a .500 team

Based on how the 2007-08 NFL season played out, one would think that the New York Giants would finally get some respect from Las Vegas oddsmakers after they rocked the betting world with their upset over the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.

Think again.

This week, NFL over/under total win bets for the 2008-09 season were released and the Giants’ mark is listed at 8.5 victories, which is two fewer than the Dallas Cowboys and the same as two teams that missed the playoffs last season in the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints.

According to Sportsbetting.com, a wager of $100 on the Giants (-140) going over 8.5 wins next season would pay $71.43. A bet on the Giants (+110) finishing with less than 8.5 victories would pay $110.

The over at 8.5 wins for the Vikings is listed as even and the under is -130. For the Saints, the over is -150 and the under is +120.

While the Giants, who finished 10-6 last season, have a moderate win total projected for next season, the Patriots have the league’s highest over/under total to work with at 12.

But considering that New England ran the table in the regular season and finished 16-0, 12 victories seem manageable this season. That’s why the over is -130 and under is even for the Patriots.

The Indianapolis Colts, who finished 13-3 last season, have the No. 2 over/under total at 11, followed by the Cowboys (10.5 wins) and Jacksonville Jaguars (10 wins).

Pro basketball

The home team has dominated play throughout the NBA playoffs, especially in the second round where the road team has lost 20 of the first 21 games entering Friday night’s games.

That’s not good news for supporters of the San Antonio Spurs, who will play at New Orleans in Game 7 of their best-of-seven series Monday.

Although the Spurs have won four of their last five games when facing elimination, they are 3 1/2 -point underdogs against the Hornets, who averaged 20-point victories in their three previous wins over San Antonio in the series.

Tennis

Earlier this month, Rafael Nadal lost for only the second time in his last 105 matches on clay when Juan Carlos Ferrero defeated him in the second round of the Rome Masters.

But that has not changed Nadal’s status as the favorite for the French Open.

In the latest odds at Bodoglife.com, Nadal is listed at 4-7 to win this year’s tournament. Roger Federer is 4-1.

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lonnie.white@latimes.com