Not even twenty-four hours ago the Dallas Mavericks downed Lebron James and the Miami Heat to win the NBA Title 105-95 behind twenty-seven points from Jason Terry. With the champagne probably still flowing, oddsmakers already have posted the 2012 NBA Championship Odds with the Miami Heat being the favorite at 2-1 ($100 wager would win you $200). Despite the Mavericks being the reigning champions they are listed not only behind the Miami Heat (2-1), but also sit behind or on par with the Chicago Bulls (6-1), Los Angeles Lakers (7-1) and Oklahoma City Thunder (7-1) at 7-1 to repeat in 2012.
When breaking down all the teams we have to agree that going into next season the Miami Heat is once again the best team on paper. With that being said, we can't justify tying up money for an entire year on a team only getting 2-1. Before the start of the NBA Playoffs this year Miami was 13/4 or +3.25, which woud pay more over the 2-1 you would be getting this far in advance. At this point it would make more sense to take a shot o a team that you feel could drastically improve before the regular season instead of getting poor odds that are based on public perception.
The 2011 NBA Draft is on June 23, 2011 from Newark, New Jersey (7pm on ESPN/ESPN3) at the Prudential Center and any surprises or big trades could alter the odds listed below. Handicapping changes a team could make between now and the start of the upcoming season could offer some great value for sports bettors. Most experts have the top five picks in their NBA Mock Draft as follows: #1 Kyrie Irving (G, Duke) to Cleveland, #2 Derrick Williams (PF, Arizona) to Minnesota, #3 Brandon Knight (PG, Kentucky) to the Utah, #4 Jan Vesely, (SF, Partizan Belgrade) to Cleveland and #5 Bismack Biyombo (PF, Baloncesto Fuenlabrada) to Toronto.
2012 NBA Championship - Odds to Win
Atlanta Hawks +5000
Boston Celtics +800
Charlotte Bobcats +10000
Chicago Bulls +600
Cleveland Cavaliers +10000
Dallas Mavericks +700
Denver Nuggets +2500
Detroit Pistons +20000
Golden State Warriors +10000
Houston Rockets +10000
Indiana Pacers +10000
Los Angeles Clippers +7500
Los Angeles Lakers +700
Memphis Grizzlies +4000
Miami Heat +200
Milwaukee Bucks +10000
Minnesota T-Wolves +30000
New Jersey Nets +6000
New Orleans Hornets +4000
New York Knicks +3000
Oklahoma City Thunder +700
Orlando Magic +2000
Philadelphia 76ers +6000
Phoenix Suns +10000
Portland Blazers +3000
Sacramento Kings +10000
San Antonio Spurs +1500
Toronto Raptors +30000
Utah Jazz +10000
Washington Wizards +10000
Discussion: Who is your early prediction to win the NBA Title in 2012? Will Lebron James and company rebound and win the title next season?
Betting Strategy - NBA Playoffs with Vegas Runner
Vegas Runner discusses his NBA Playoff betting strategies with analysis from host RJ Bell.