Odds to Win the NBA Championship
The 2009 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers have the lowest odds to win the NBA title at (+150 at Sportsbook.com). The Lakers are stacked and Ron Artest has proved to be a good pickup for them. Kobe Bryant does not have to do it all, as LA. Has a strong supporting cast, but one key for the Lakers repeating is staying healthy, especially Pau Gasol, who has missed many games with a hamstring injury this season.
The Cavaliers (+175) have the best odds out of the Eastern Conference and LeBron James is having another MVP season. The Cavs have learned to integrate Shaq into their offense and the Diesel will really help on D if they face Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic in the post-season.
The Celtics (+700) are in the same boat as the Lakers, as they have a legit shot to win the title, but they need to stay healthy. Last season Boston flamed out of the playoffs since Kevin Garnett was out with an injury and this season in the games he has missed the Celtics are under .500. The Big 3 is still in tact and it may be the Big 4 now with first time All Star Rajon Rondo.
The Magic (+700) are currently back in the lead in the Southeast Division and have gotten over a recent slump. Dwight Howard is still the most dominant big man in the game, but to win the title they will need Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis to bury the J so Howard can operate in the paint.
The Nuggets (+1200) are having another great season, Carmelo Anthony may be a good MVP candidate, and they currently have the best home record in the league. However, Denver is, pretty much, the same team that was schooled by the Lakers last season in the playoffs, so the big question is can the Nuggets beat the Lakers in a playoff series?
The Mavs (+1500) are flying under the radar this season, but they lead the Southwest Division and Dirk Nowitzki is having another great season. The Mavs do have a great team, but they are not the best team inside so if they face any teams with good big men they may be in trouble.
The Hawks (+1800) are currently in the fourth position in the Eastern Conference and they have a solid core of young players in Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, first time All Star Al Horford, and super 6th man Jamaal Crawford. However, even though Atlanta has a high scoring team they are thin inside and if they play Shaq and the Cavs or Howard and the Magic winning a 7-game series is a long-shot.
Many thought the Spurs (+2000) had a good shot to challenge the Lakers in the West, but Tim Duncan and Tony Parker has dealt with injuries this season and off-season pick-up Richard Jefferson is not scoring like he has in the past couple of seasons.
Here are the odds to win the NBA title at Sportsbook.com. as of February 3, 2010.
- Los Angeles Lakers +150
- Cleveland Cavaliers +175
- Boston Celtics +700
- Orlando Magic +700
- Denver Nuggets +1200
- Dallas Mavericks +1500
- Atlanta Hawks +1800
- San Antonio Spurs +2000
- Portland Blazers +4000
- Utah Jazz +4000
- Phoenix Suns +5000
- Chicago Bulls +6000
- Miami Heat +7500
- Sacramento Kings +10000
- New Orleans Hornets +10000
- Golden State Warriors +10000
- Charlotte BobCats +10000
- Detroit Pistons +10000
- Toronto Raptors +10000
- New York Knicks +10000
- Houston Rockets +10000
- Indiana Pacers +10000
- Milwaukee Bucks +10000
- Los Angeles Clippers +10000
- Washington Wizards +10000
- Minnesota T-Wolves +10000
- Oklahoma City Thunder +10000
- Memphis Grizzlies +10000
- Philadelphia 76ers +10000
Future Betting Odds
NBA Handicapping
Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics 5-28
The Magic have won 2 games in a row in this series and look to tie the series tonight, as the Boston Celtics hosts Orlando in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. The Magic have got back in this series and look to become the first team ever in the NBA to come back from a 3-0 deficit. The Celtics are small 3.5 point favorite at Bodog tonight when they try to close out this series at home.