NBA betting action does not stop when the season ends.
With the Los Angeles Lakers having dispatched the Orlando Magic in a mere five games in the 2008-09 NBA Finals, BetUS NBA sports betting fanatics may be going through a bit of basketball withdrawal.
True, to bet on NBA games, betting enthusiasts will have to wait until late October but until then they can get another dose of NBA regular season hoops wagering action with the recently-released 2010 NBA Championship Odds in the BetUS Sportsbook.
While the upcoming NBA Draft and offseason free agent player movement will play a huge role in the direction that every NBA franchise takes during the 2008-09 NBA regular season, this look at the bettor-friendly 2010 NBA Championship Odds will go a long way toward helping BetUS NBA sports betting members separate the contenders from the pretenders in the chase for next season’s NBA title.
While Kobe Bryant and the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers bask in the glow of their title victory, let’s get started.
Legitimate Contenders (all odds BetUS)
Los Angeles Lakers +225 (9/4)
L.A. will almost assuredly be right back in the hunt for another title next season with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol leading the way. If Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza come back next season – and young center Andrew Bynum, who was a non-factor this postseason, continues to blossom, the Lakers could be even scarier.
Cleveland Cavaliers +300 (3/1)
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers are favored to win the Eastern Conference is a bit of a mystery seeing as how they fell completely apart in the Eastern Conference Finals this year. Unless LeBron gets some serious help, particularly down low, the Cavaliers won’t win the Eastern Conference.
Boston Celtics +450 (9/2)
While the Celtics have some free agent issues they need to address and are rumored to be involved in several trade talks revolving around the upcoming NBA Draft, a rejuvenated Kevin Garnett will lead the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals at the very least.
Orlando Magic +700 (7/1)
If Hedo Turkoglu comes back, the Magic should appear opposite the Celtics in the conference Finals next season. If not, the Magic will miss his contributions immensely.
Denver Nuggets +1200 (12/1)
The Nuggets will be a legitimate contender again next season and could surprise even further under the veteran leadership of point guard Chauncey Billups who led a resurrection for the Nuggets this season that hasn’t been seen since Lazarus last walked the earth.
Houston Rockets +1500 (15/1)
The Rockets have a blossoming star in lightning-quick point guard Aaron Brooks and should be a factor in the Western Conference again next season if they can get everyone on the same page – and the perpetually-injured Tracy McGrady out of a Rockets uniform.
San Antonio Spurs +1500 (15/1)
The Spurs will contend next season as they always do, but they’ve clearly lost their championship ‘mojo.’ With an aging Tim Duncan, overworked Tony Parker and oft-injured Manu Ginobili the subject of trade rumors, the Spurs are a big question mark right now.
Close To Championship Caliber
These teams are likely playoff participants next season that are just behind the top championship contenders.
Utah Jazz +2000 (20/1)
One name should suffice for the Utah Jazz and their respective championship hopes here NBA sports betting fanatics and that name is Jerry Sloan. Although power forward Carlos Boozer is almost certainly out the door, the Jazz do have a solid roster led by point guard Deron Williams and one of the best head coaches in any sport in Sloan.
Portland Trail Blazers +2000 (20/1)
The Blazers have a boatload of talent, a flat-out superstar in Brandon Roy and a great head coach in Nate McMillan.
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