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We are now at about the halfway point of the NBA season, so this seems like a good point to take a look at some of the movement within the NBA Championship odds since the start of the season.

We are isolating three teams whose odds have improved but are still worthy of a wager at the current prices, as well as three teams that have seen their odds shoot through the roof and should be avoided, unless you play at a shop where you can bet these teams not to win the championship.


For informational purposes, the Miami Heat remain the favorites, opening at +160 and currently at +200, and the Los Angeles Lakers remain the second choice, opening at +300 and currently at +140.

On the Rise

Boston Celtics (Open +900, Current +250): The Celtics are winning with defense as usual, as they lead the NBA in scoring defense, rank fifth in field goal percentage against and rank second in defensive efficiency. As long as they suffer no major injuries, they have an excellent chance of making a return trip to the Finals and they are worth a play at +250 odds, as you can always hedge a bit if they reach that point.

San Antonio Spurs (Open +2000, Current +400): So much for the Spurs being too old and on the decline! It is hard to resist getting 4/1 odds on a team with the best record in basketball, especially playing in the stronger of the two conferences. Now we get that they have probably overachieved a bit, but Coach Gregg Popovich has been through these wars before and knows how to keep his veterans fresh.

Dallas Mavericks (Open +2000, Current +2500): The Mavericks slumped recently while Dirk Nowitzki was injured, but he is back now and Dallas was right on San Antonio’s heels before the All Star got hurt. This team just beat the Lakers, and at 25/1 odds, the Mavericks may only need to reach the Western Conference Finals in order to lock up a profit with a hedge or two.

On the Decline

Oklahoma City Thunder (Open +1400, Current +1500): This was the darling of many NBA experts at the start of the season, but their lack of defense this year is obvious and should prove detrimental to a deep playoff run. The Thunder ranks 20th in the NBA in scoring defense, 24th in field goal percentage against and 26th in three point defense; simply not the equation of a proposed championship outfit!

Denver Nuggets (Open +2500, Current +20000): Yes, the Nuggets lead the NBA in scoring at 107.3 points per game, but Carmelo Anthony may not last the season and Denver is still lax at the defensive end. Sure, part of the reason they allow 104.2 points per game is their pace, but they also rank 17th in field goal percentage against.

Portland Trail Blazers (Open +2500, Current +20000): The Blazers will now have to battle just to make the playoffs after Brandon Roy had surgery on both of his knees. Roy is expected back in March, but it remains to be seen how much he will have in him, and if it is not much, Portland would not even be worth a play at 100/1.

Current Odds To Win 2011 NBA Finals

Atlanta Hawks
+10000

Boston Celtics
+250

Charlotte Bobcats
+20000

Chicago Bulls
+1800

Cleveland Cavaliers
+20000

Dallas Mavericks
+2500

Denver Nuggets
+20000

Detroit Pistons
+20000

Golden State Warriors
+20000

Houston Rockets
+20000

Indiana Pacers
+20000

Los Angeles Clippers
+20000

Los Angeles Lakers
+300

Memphis Grizzlies
+20000

Miami Heat
+140

Milwaukee Bucks
+20000

Minnesota T-Wolves
+20000

New Jersey Nets
+20000

New Orleans Hornets
+5000

New York Knicks
+4000

Oklahoma City Thunder
+1500

Orlando Magic
+1200

Philadelphia 76ers
+20000

Phoenix Suns
+20000

Portland Blazers
+20000

Sacramento Kings
+20000

San Antonio Spurs
+400

Toronto Raptors
+20000

Utah Jazz
+3000

Washington Wizards
+20000

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