The NBA Playoffs are upon us and for the next 6 weeks or so, 16 teams will battle it out for the right to be called NBA Champions. In this segment we will taker a quick look at the NBA Eastern Conference, with odds for each team in both their chances to win the East and the NBA title.
Odds To Win The Eastern Conference and NBA Title-- NBA Title Odds in ( )-- Miami Heat -160 (+210)... Indiana Pacers +210 (+800)... Brooklyn Nets +1200 (+3000)... Chicago Bulls +1500 (+6500)... Toronto Raptors +2500 (+10000)... Washington Wizards +6000 (+12500)... Charlotte Bobcats +7500 (+20000)... Atlanta Hawks +25000 (+50000)
The favorite to take home both the Eastern Conference title and the NBA title are the Miami Heat, but how well is this team playing right now and can they turn on the switch when needed. Miami is the 2nd seed in the East, but come in having won just 11 of their last 25 games overall and just 1 of their last 6 games to close out the year. That late slide cost them the Number 1 seed in the East. Clearly not a team playing well, but was it all a rouse? Miami is still the team to beat in the East but the gap is closing.
Next in the East is the Indiana Pacers. They come in as the #1 seed, but are 2nd in the Eastern Conference as far as the odds go. Indiana had an amazing first half of the year and and clearly looked like the best team in the East, but then they had some real struggles and won just 10 of their last 23 games down the stretch. Indiana has won 3 of their last 4, but still this is a team in disarray and just may be ripe for an early exit.
A real sleeper in the East just may be the Brooklyn Nets, who shook off an early slow start to be one of the hotter Eastern teams in the 2nd half of the year. The Nets may have lost 4 of their last 5 down the stretch, but still they have won 34 of their last 51 games, dating back to Jan 2nd. This team is experienced and just may make things Uncomfortable for the rest of the East.
The Chicago Bulls round out the top 4 as far as odds go in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls are without Derrik Rise once again for the playoffs and their leading scorer is Carlos Boozer, who averages just 13.7 ppg, but defense wins titles and the Bulls have the best on in the league and that makes them a threat in the East.
Toronto is actually a higher seed than the Nets, but Im just not sure this team can make a whole lot of noise in the playoffs. Charlotte, Washington and Atlanta should all bow out rather easily in the 1st round.
$10,000 Match Marco Baseball Challenge--- During the 2010 MLB season, Pregame Pro Marco D'Angelo won an unheard of 25 straight baseball games, never laying more than -$120! This contest replicates Marco's feat--- CLICK TO JOIN
-$25 of picks FREE! No Obligation - No Credit Card Required - Becoming a member is Fast and Free!
Stay on top of the latest odds and line moves for NBA Playoffs with our real-time odds from Las Vegas and offshore!
NBA 1st Round Playoff Preview
Pregame.com's Ken Thomson & Marco D'Angelo preview each series in the 1st round of the NBA playoffs.