NBA Championship Futures Betting Update
Here is a NBA Wagering preview along with the odds for the top NBA championship contenders for the 2010/2011 season.
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With the trade deadline over and done with, now is a perfect time to reassess NBA Championship futures.
Who got stronger? Whose stock is on the decline?
TOP CONTENDERS
Miami Heat
NBA Championship odds: +200
Every time the Miami Heat go on one of their mega hot streaks, they rocket back to the top of the NBA futures odds. However, for every big run we’ve seen from the Heat, we’ve seen a mini slump. Could Thursday’s loss to Chicago signal the start of one?
Los Angeles Lakers
NBA Championship odds: +300
The Lakers didn’t listen to Magic Johnson and make any big moves at the deadline but the All-Star break seemed to energize Kobe Bryant and the rest of the team. We should still expect L.A. threaten for a three-peat.
Boston Celtics
NBA Championship odds: +400
The Celtics were the only contender to make a major deadline move, acquiring Jeff Green in a deal that also sent Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson out of town. The Celtics had “D” to spare but were short on scoring, so adding Green could really help. You could make a case that the Celtics’ odds should be No. 1.
San Antonio Spurs
NBA Championship odds: +500
The Spurs still fly under the radar despite owning the NBA’s best record. We know this team is good enough to contend for the NBA title. But will Gregg Popovich’s boys stay healthy throughout the playoffs? Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili are well into their 30s.
STOCK RISING
Chicago Bulls
NBA Championship odds: +900
I like the Bulls more every day. Derrick Rose has as good a chance as anyone to win the league MVP and, in Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah, Chicago may have the NBA’s most deadly rebounding tandem. Don’t sleep on Chicago. This is probably my favorite sleeper NBA Championship team.
Dallas Mavericks
NBA Championship odds: +1000
The Mavs haven’t made any major recent personnel moves but Dirk Nowitzki has this team on a tear. Dallas is 14-1 over its last 15 games. The Mavs are also perhaps the emotional favorite. Knowing that they don’t have many more shots to win it all in the Dirk era, the Mavs should really leave it all on the floor this postseason.
New York Knicks
NBA Championship odds: +2000
The Knicks really need no introduction for the “risers” list. The natural perception among every oddsmaker, bettor and fan is that Carmelo Anthony makes New York an instant contender now that he’s joined forces with Amar’e Stoudemire. We’ll see. This team definitely lost depth in the Melo deal.
Portland Trail Blazers
NBA Championship odds: +10000
Good for Portland. It seemed finished after losing Greg Oden and Brandon Roy to long-term injuries but weathered the storm and won plenty of games in Roy’s absence, largely thanks to LaMarcus Aldridge elevating his game to new heights. Suddenly, they found themselves buying at the deadline. Gerald Wallace is a nice addition at both ends of the floor.
STOCK FALLING
Orlando Magic
NBA Championship odds: + 1400
The Magic just haven’t been the same since their NBA Finals run two years ago. Dwight Howard is still Superman but he needs more support. He knows it, as he showed this week when he ripped the team following a shocking home loss to Sacramento. Orlando has fallen into the second tier of contenders with the likes of Oklahoma City and Atlanta.
Utah Jazz
NBA Championship odds: +10000
A lot changed in a hurry down in Utah. This team seemed fine just a couple of months ago. Then came a tailspin in the New Year. The next thing we knew, Utah had said goodbye to its legendary coach, Jerry Sloan, and its franchise player, Deron Williams, in less than a two-week span. The Jazz are evidently hitting the reset button.
Denver Nuggets
NBA Championship odds: +10000
I’m probably alone here but I’m not completely convinced that the Melo trade made Denver worse. The Nuggets had useful role players in J.R. Smith, Nene, Chris Andersen and so on. Raymond Felton is a good addition from New York, as is Danilo Gallinari. The Nuggets no longer have a star but they’re still a deep team that could be annoying to play against if they make the playoffs.
