2012 NBA Championship Odds To Win: Miami Heat Favored By Oddsmakers
By Drew Sharper
(TheSpread) – The 2011 NBA Playoffs just wrapped up with disappointment for the Miami Heat, but oddsmakers feel things will be much better for them a year from now.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bodog the Miami Heat are the favorites to win the 2012 NBA Championship with 2/1 odds to win. Other short odds to win are Chicago (6/1), while Oklahoma City, Dallas, and the L.A. Lakers each have 7/1 odds to win.
Miami came up short in the NBA Finals to Dallas, losing in six game. But, one has to consider that this was the first season together for “The Big Three” and as the group develops more chemistry, the team should be even stronger.
Chicago had the best record in the NBA this season with a rather young team. Derrick Rose was the MVP of the league and seems to be developing into a start with a nice supporting cast.
Oklahoma City reached the Western Conference Finals this year before bowing out to the Mavericks. The Thunder won a playoff series for the first time this season and seem to be getting stronger behind the play of Kevin Durant.
The Lakers had won the last two NBA Championships before losing this season to Dallas in the second round in a sweep. Though the Lakers continue to get a year older, they still have Kobe Bryant, who is looking to get his sixth NBA Title to match Michael Jordan.
Dallas won this year’s NBA Championship in a surprise run. The Mavericks had 20/1 odds to win the title entering the playoffs but Dirk Nowitzki proved he is one of the best in the league by leading to team through a tremendous run to the title. The team should be largely intact for next season.
For complete odds on the 2012 NBA Championship, see below.
Odds to win 2012 NBA Championship
Miami Heat 2/1
Chicago Bulls 6/
Oklahoma City Thunder 7/1
Los Angeles Lakers 7/1
Dallas Mavericks 7/1
Boston Celtics 8/1
San Antonio Spurs 15/1
Orlando Magic 20/1
Denver Nuggets 25/1
New York Knicks 30/1
Portland Blazers 30/1
New Orleans Hornets 40/1
Memphis Grizzlies 40/1
Atlanta Hawks 50/1
Philadelphia 76ers 60/1
New Jersey Nets 60/1
Los Angeles Clippers 75/1
Houston Rockets 100/1
Milwaukee Bucks 100/1
Indiana Pacers 100/1
Golden State Warriors 100/1
Utah Jazz 100/1
Phoenix Suns 100/1
Sacramento Kings 100/1
Charlotte Bobcats 100/1
Cleveland Cavaliers 100/1
Washington Wizards 100/1
Detroit Pistons 200/1
Minnesota T-Wolves 300/1
Toronto Raptors 300/1
I personally would not favor/pick the Miami Heat to win the championship; reconsidering the trades that the Mavericks now have ODOM and CARTER alongside DIRK... it's not a big three deal but as a team I think they would workout against the odds better. As for the LAKERS they need to get something together to make this year possible.