The Lakers are a narrow future book NBA betting favorite over the Cavaliers to win a second straight championship next summer. The matchup, which was expected but did not materialize last season when Cleveland failed to keep up its end of the bargain, would pit the game's two biggest super stars, the Lakers' Kobe Bryant, and the Cavaliers' LeBron James, against each other in a bonanza for TV ratings.
Interestingly, with the 2009-2010 season ready to tip-off Oct. 27, both the Lakers and Cavs have improved their wagering positions since future book prices first were posted last June. LA, which opened as a 3/1 favorite, was lowered to 5/2. That confidence probably comes from the re-signing of Lamar Odom, a valuable sixth man who can play any of the three positions up front. The Lakers lost small forward Trevor Ariza but replaced him with Ron Artest, who averaged more points and rebounds than Ariza last year but will test Zen master Coach Phil Jackson. Toss in frontcourt stalwarts Paul Gasol and Andrew Bynum, along with steady point guard Derek Fisher, and of course, Bryant, the league's most difficult player to guard, and you understand why LA is favored to repeat.
The Cavaliers were beaten in the Eastern Conference finals last year when they had no answer for Magic center Dwight Howard. Enter Shaquille O'Neal, obtained from the Suns during the off-season. O'Neal certainly is a force in the paint but will his sizeable presence clog up driving lanes for James? Apparently, oddsmakers don't believe that will be the case, lowering Cleveland from 9/2 to 3/1 in future book betting after the Big Diesel moved from Phoenix to Cleveland. The Cavs, with Mo Williams bringing strong play to the point guard position, led the NBA in regular season victories a year ago and could go all the way this season.
Beyond the Lakers and Cavaliers, the Celtics, Magic, Spurs and Nuggets also are single digits in NBA future book wagering. Boston, 9/2, is just a year removed its 2007-2008 championship and, seemingly, needs only a healthy Kevin Garnett, who missed the playoffs after knee surgery, to return to prominence. With Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo and Rasheed Wallace, the Celtics are deep and poised to challenge the Cavaliers.
Orlando, 5/1, is built around center Dwight Howard and forward Rashard Lewis. The return of point guard Jameer Nelson, who lost 40 games to injury last year, will be a boost. Vince Carter replaces Hedo Turkoglu as the go-to guy. This is a dangerous team.
Any team with holdovers Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili that added Richard Jefferson (19.6 PPG) and Antonio McDyess (9.8 RPG) must be taken seriously and, at odds of 6/1, that certainly is the case for San Antonio.
The presence of Chauncey Billups, acquired from Detroit a year ago, has helped turn Denver, 8/1, into a legitimate contender.
Other teams that could attract NBB future book betting support include Dallas and Utah, each 10/1; Portland and New Orleans, each 12/1; and Houston, 15/1.
In addition to NBA Championship future book betting, many books also are offering conference and division odds. In general, a team's odds of winning either the Eastern or Western Conference title are about half what their NBA Championship odds are.
While there seems to be a relative degree of parity in the NBA Championship odds, with six teams in single digits, division odds are lopsided, to say the least. In fact, each of the NBA's six divisions has an odds-on favorite.
The Lakers are 1/16 (that's right, 1/16) to win the Pacific Division while the Cavaliers are 1/4 to capture the Central Division. The Celtics are 2/5 favorites to squash the competition in the Atlantic Division while the Magic is 3/10 to do the same thing to Southeast Division opponents. There are some good teams (Dallas, Houston, New Orleans) in the Southwest Division but San Antonio still is 1/2 to take down that title. The closest race is in the Northwest Division where Denver is held at odds of 10/11, Utah is 5/2, and Portland is 3/1.
Some ambitious books also are offering odds on which player will be named MVP and which newcomer will win Rookie-of-the-year accolades. LeBron James, 2/1, rates the nod over Kobe Bryant, 3/1, in the MVP race with Miami's Dwayne Wade, who led the NBA in scoring last season, next at odds of 6/1.
Not surprisingly, No. 1 draft pick Blake Griffin (Clippers) is a 2/3 choice to win rookie honors at 2/3. James Harden figures to get plenty of minutes in Oklahoma City, which helps make him the 7/1 second choice.
The season tip-off may be weeks away but some gamblers already are making a fast-break to get started on their NBA betting.
