The tip off of the 2014/15 NBA season is set for Tuesday night, October 28th, and the Philadelphia 76ers are already mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. Sorry Philly fans, but chances are it will be your team that will be the first to hear those fateful words (In fact, their NBA betting odds to win the Championship are +25000!!!). Let’s be honest, though, we are all more concerned about who is likely to be there at the end rather than those who are in a fight for the top draft lottery pick.
Eastern Conference
We have to start off in the Eastern Conference, as that is where the majority of the buzz has been concentrated. We are on the eve of a shift in the balance of power, as the Miami Heat look set to relinquish their crown to King James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. While this seems like a pretty open and shut case to everyone, there are a few teams that might have something to say about it.
The team most likely to run the Cavs close are the Chicago Bulls. This is of course assuming that Derrick Rose can stay healthy for the season. Another team that finished strong last year, and which looks set to roll again this season are the Toronto Raptors. It helps that they play in perhaps the weakest conference in the NBA. Look at either Washington or Miami to take the 4th spot in the conference come season’s end.
Odds to Win 2014-15 NBA Championship:
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: +280
CHICAGO BULLS: +700
Western Conference
Over in the Western Conference, it looks to be the World Champion San Antonio Spurs versus the rest. This is the same group that won it all last year, and barring any major injuries, they may just repeat. Likely to be in second spot in the west are the LA Clippers. All the Donald Sterling drama is now in the rear-view mirror, allowing the team to focus on nothing but what happens on the court.
The team most likely to be occupying third spot in the west at the end of the season is the Golden State Warriors. The Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, will be leading the way, but they are also going to have to lean on center Andrew Bogut if they are to have the success we expect. The Oklahoma City Thunder were many people’s choice for the West going into the season, but the injury to Kevin Durant may be enough to drop them down a little until he returns. We still have to see how they do without their top star before
Odds to Win 2014-15 NBA Championship:
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: +600
SAN ANTONIO SPURS: +350
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS: +850
The 2014-15 NBA season kicks off tomorrow night with three games: Magic vs. Pelicans, Rockets vs. Lakers and Maverick vs Spurs. That’s plenty of action for tip off day, so clean your schedule and get ready for 5 1/2 months of basketball betting.