2012-13 NBA Title Odds: Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder Co-Favorites

The book has yet to be closed on the 2011-2012 NBA season, in fact, the NBA Finals have not even started, but the folks at the Las Vegas Hilton have seen enough to release 2012-13 NBA Title odds. The favorites to win the 2013 NBA Finals are none other than this year’s participants, the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder. Both squads are drawing 5-2 odds to win next season’s championship and at least one of the two teams, should it go on to capture the title, would do so in a defending capacity. 

Prior to the Heat’s Game 7 win over Boston, there had been talk of the team breaking up should it fail to slip past the Celtics. That seems to be an after thought now, though, with Miami securing its second consecutive trip to the NBA Finals. If General Manager Pat Riley can add a few pieces (i.e. a capable inside presence), Miami should be just as potent next season. 

The same can be said of the Thunder, who return all of their major parts next season. The trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden looks as though it could dominate in the Western Conference for quite some time. 

Joining the Heat and Thunder at the top of the odds leader board are the Chicago Bulls. Chicago, also listed at 5-2 odds to win the 2013 championship, posted a league best 50-16 record this season (tied with Spurs); however, a season ending knee injury to point guard Derrick Rose in the opening round of the playoffs ended the team’s run at this year’s Finals. San Antonio is another contender valued by the Las Vegas Hilton odds makers. The Spurs are a 7-2 play to win a fifth championship under Head Coach Greg Popovich.

ODDS TO WIN 2012-2013 NBA CHAMPIONSHIP 

HEAT 5-2
THUNDER 5-2
BULLS 5-1
SPURS 7-1
LAKERS 12-1
MAVERICKS 15-1
CELTICS 20-1
PACERS 20-1
NUGGETS 30-1
CLIPPERS 30-1
MAGIC 30-1
GRIZZLIES 30-1
76ERS 60-1
KNICKS 60-1
HAWKS 60-1
BUCKS 100-1
JAZZ 100-1
BLAZERS 100-1
WOLVES 100-1
ROCKETS 100-1
WARRIORS 100-1
HORNETS 100-1
KINGS 200-1
SUNS 200-1
NETS 200-1
CAVALIERS 200-1
PISTONS 300-1
WIZARDS 200-1
RAPTORS 1000-1
BOBCATS 1000-1

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