The NBA 2010/2011 Western Conference Odds, Preview & Predictions
The start of the 2010/2011 NBA betting season is right around the corner so it is time to take a look at which teams in the Western Conference have the best chance to make it all the way to this season’s NBA Finals.
The Los Angeles Lakers are the defending champions and have given no indication that they are about to abdicate the throne, but there are a few other teams out there that believe they still have a good chance to take their place.
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Here is a look at the top teams in the West along with their odds from Bodog.com to win the Conference.
The Odds-On-Favorite
Los Angeles Lakers 5/6
The formation of the ‘Dream Team” in Miami was enough motivation for Los Angeles Head Coach Phil Jackson to return for at least one more season to prove that his team is still the best in the NBA. Last year’s championship roster remains intact and the addition of Matt Barnes and Steve Blake provides some depth to an already extremely deep team.
The Lakers should once again cruise through the regular season in preparation for another deep playoff run. Barring any disastrous injuries to Kobe Bryant or any of their other starters, LA looks like a lock to win the West.
The Contenders
Oklahoma City Thunder 6/1
Oklahoma City, led by budding superstar Kevin Durant, clearly has the best collection of young talent in the league. Durant is joined by the likes of Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden along with first round draft pick Cole Aldrich to assemble a lineup that has a legitimate chance to shake up the balance of power in the West.
If the Thunder can come together quickly and play at a high level night after night, they can be a real thorn in the side of the Lakers. Win or lose, this team is going to be fun to watch this season.
Dallas Mavericks 8/1
The good news for Dallas is that the only significant change from last year’s roster is Tyson Chandler is in and Eric Dampier is out as the Maverick’s reserve center. The bad news is that this is the same roster that plays well all season long and then continually falls short in the playoffs.
You have to believe it will be pretty much more of the same for the Mavericks this season with basically the same results. Given the age of players like Jason Kidd and Shawn Marion, this team could actually end up taking a step backward this year.
The Best of the Rest
Denver Nuggets 10/1
Denver is still one of the perennial contenders in the West, but will now have the added burden of playing all season with the uncertainty surrounding the future of its best player; Carmello Anthony. Chauncey Billips remains the glue that holds this team together, but Anthony provides the juice that makes it go.
The challenge for the Nuggets is to keep this situation from being a drain on the team’s championship aspirations this season, while Anthony is still with the team.
Prediction:
There is little to stand in the way of Los Angeles once again running away with the conference. Oklahoma City has the best chance to make things interesting, but the Lakers are not about to miss their opportunity to tangle with Lebron and the Heat in the NBA Finals.
2011 Western Conference Champion: Los Angeles Lakers
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