2013 Playoffs – NBA playoff odds
We’re mere weeks away from the coveted Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy being presented to one lucky team. With only four clubs still in contention for that honor, let’s take a look at the case for each club to take home the title.
Miami Heat -300
They’re certainly the favorites. The defending champs are firing on all cylinders, needing only nine games to get past the Bucks and Bulls.
Extra rest before the Eastern Conference Finals will afford Dwyane Wade some time to heal his injured knee, and a healthy Dwyane Wade is the last thing Miami’s opponents will want to contend with. With the Big Three rolling along, Miami is correctly installed as heavy favorites to win it all.
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San Antonio Spurs +550
The favorites to come out of the West, the Spurs are no strangers to winning big games. The team is 5-1 on the road in the postseason. Tim Duncan continues to defy the aging process, averaging 19.6 points and 11.2 rebounds against the Warriors.
A ton of criticism was fired Gregg Popovich’s way for resting his star players during the regular season, but those moves are paying dividends now. The Spurs are as healthy as they’ve been all season and looking like a club that’s poised to win a fifth NBA title under Coach Pop.
Memphis Grizzlies +600
Grizzlies fans and players alike weren’t shy about voicing their criticisms of the team’s midseason trade that saw Rudy Gay leave town, but no one is questioning the Grizz’s new brain trust now that the team is competing in the Western Conference Finals for the first time. [ad-6571516]
No team has made in-series adjustments better than Lionel Hollins and the Grizzlies have. The team is a combined 8-1 after series-opening games through two rounds. With Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol leading a physically imposing defense, Memphis could bully their way to the franchise’s first NBA title.
Indiana Pacers +1600
With the longest odds of the bunch, it’s easy to overlook the Pacers. However, the team took two of three from the Heat in the regular season, with each of those wins coming by double digits. Miami needed six games to get past Indiana last season, and this year the Heat are dealing with an ailing Dwyane Wade, and have had trouble shooting from distance.
The Pacers were tops in the Association at defending the three-point line in the regular season.
The Pacers haven’t lost a single game in Indiana in the postseason, going 6-0 in their own building.
If they can continue to hold serve on their home court, they have as good a chance as anyone to be the last team standing when the dust settles.
It’s important to remember that the Heat were stopped by a crafty Mavericks squad in the NBA Finals two years ago. While the Heat are positioned well to claim a second consecutive NBA title, alert bettors will likely look for value elsewhere.
