Odds to Win the 2011-2012 NBA Title
As we do before the start of any new season, it's time to take a look at the odds to win the upcoming 2011-2012 NBA title.There are several surprises, but not at the very top, where the Miami Heat are tabbed to be holding up the championship trophy at the end of the NBA Finals.
The odds listed were taken from The Greek, which is consitently one of the top-rated online sportsbooks there is. The odds are listed in money line format, so if the concept of money line wagers are unfamiliar to you, be sure to read Understanding the Money Line
The Odds
Miami Heat +195Los Angeles Lakers +425
Oklahoma City +595
Chicago Bulls +625
Dallas Mavericks +1025
Los Angeles Clippers +1050
New York Knicks +1650
Boston Celtics +1750
Memphis Grizzlies +2250
Orlando Magic +2450
San Antonio Spurs +2650
Portland Trailblazers +3250
Denver Nuggets +5250
New Jersey Nets +5025
Atlanta Hawks +6550
Houston Rockets +8550
Indiana Pacers +8550
Golden State Warriors +9250
Phoenix Suns +15500
Utah Jazz +15500
Milwaukee Bucks +15500
Philadelphia 76ers +17500
Charlotte Bobcats +20500 Minnesota Timberwolves +20500
Washington Wizards +22500
New Orleans Hornets +25500 Detroit Pistons +25500 Sacramento Kings +25500 Toronto Raptors +32500 Cleveland Cavaliers +32500
When dealing with futures bets it's extremely important to shop as many sportsbooks as possible in order to find the best odds. While sportsbooks tend to be faily consistent with the odds on any particular game, the odds will fluctuate more on futures bets. A team that is 3-to-1 odds at one establishment may be 9-2 at another, so it pays to do some legwork.
The Teams
Very few people probably ever thought they would live to see the day where the Los Angeles Clippers were the sixth choice to win the NBA title. These are the Clippers we're talking about, the team that has set the standard for ineptness like no other over the past 20 years.Still, the Clippers are a team on the upswing, but bettors have over-reacted to the Chris Paul trade and the team is a poor bet at those odds.
The Miami Heat probably deserve to be the favorites, although the odds on them aren't very enticing. Getting slightly lower than 2-to-1 odds will make them a no-play for most people.
Kobe Bryant is beginning to get up there in years, but any team with him on it deserves serious consideration for the title. What may hurt the Lakers is how Pau Gasol will react after being traded by the team and then having it vetoed. Lamar Odom, who was also in the botched attempt for Paul, voiced his displeasure and was shipped to the Mavericks.
Among the logical contenders, the Dallas Mavericks look a bit enticing at slightly better than 10-to-1 odds. Yes, it's always difficult to repeat, but the Mavericks have plenty of top-notch talent, although they are a bit thin after the top six. A determined Odom could be huge for the Mavericks.
The loss of DeShawn Stevenson will hurt the team defensively and we'll get to see how much right out of the gate, as the Mavericks play the Heat on Christmas Day.
Those looking for a longshot may want to take a look at the Boston Celtics. No other team will be helped as much by the shortened season as the aging Celtics, who will have the "Big Three" of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce one final time.
They may come up short in the end, but don't expect to see the Celtics go down for the final time without a solid fight.
Best of luck with whoever you take.
