Odds to Win NBA Championship

The All Star game is over and the second half of the season is set to begin. There are many questions that the second half will answer such as can the Lakers do without Andrew Bynum, can the Celtics repeat, are Denver and Portland legit, and can the Cavaliers get back to the finals? There are many other questions, as teams will either be jockeying for playoff positioning, trying to get into the playoffs, or look forward to next year.

The L.A. Lakers (+150) currently have the best odds to win the NBA Title this season, but they were dealt a blow when Andrew Bynum was lost to a knee injury. He should be back for the playoffs, as the Lakers were bullied around by the Celtics in last season's final and they need the big guy in the middle to give them some inside presence. Still, right before the break the Lakers beat both Cleveland and Boston in their houses without Bynum, so maybe this is their year.

The Celtics (+225) had the best record in the Eastern Conference at the break, but will the loss of super 6th man James Posey hurt them in the post season? The Big 3 of KG, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce are all playing great and PG Rajon Rondo has emerged as a true floor leader. It does not look as the Celtics have lost any hunger after winning it all last year, but they are 0-2 against the Lakers this year and the Cavs are right on their tails for the best record in the East.

Finally! LeBron does not have to do it all any more for the Cavaliers (+275), as Mo Williams finally is the second scorer the team lacked. The reason the Cavs are better this year is not Williams scoring, even though that is huge, but rather their defense. Currently the Cavs are allowing the fewest points per game and that all starts with King James. James is now a legit stopper on D and if they can catch the Celtics and get home court throughout the playoffs, they will be tough to beat.

The Magic (+800) were dealt a serious blow when Jameer Nelson went down with a shoulder injury. He may be out for the season and he was the front-runner for the Most Improved Player and he snagged his first All Star stop. Sure Dwight Howard is the best C in the league and Rashard Lewis and HedoTurkoglu are having great seasons, but the Magic may have to get Nelson back if they want to get past the Celtics and Cavaliers in the East.

Nobody is talking about the Spurs (+800), but they are, finally, injury free and Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are playing great. If Manu Ginobili gets back to playing like his old self, the Spurs can challenge the Lakers in the West.

The Blazers (+1800) are the feel-good story of the year with their youth and exciting style of hoops, but winning it all this year? Yeah, long shot. Greg Oden, Brandon Roy, and LeMarcus Aldridge are a formidable trio and will be for years to come, but can challenge the Lakers and Spurs for Western Conference supremacy this season?

The Nuggets (+2000) got the best of the Allen Iverson for Chauncey Billups trade, but their D is not that great and they will have a tough time beating the Lakers or even the Spurs and Blazers in a 7 game series.

The Rockets and Hornets are both at +3000 to win it all and both have major issues. For the Rockets it's the same old song and dance, as they cannot stay healthy. Even bringing in Ron Artest has not killed the injury bug that won't leave the Houston area. The Hornets have digressed from last season and were a slight disappointment in the first half. Sure, Chris Paul and David West are great, but for them to have any chance, Tyson Chandler has to have a huge second half.

The major long shots that should make the playoffs, but will probably not have the goods to get to the finals are the Pistons (+4000), Hawks (+6000), Suns, (+6000), Mavericks (+6000), and Heat (+7500).

Here are the current odds at Sportsbook.com to win this season's NBA Championship:

• Los Angeles Lakers +150
• Boston Celtics +225
• Cleveland Cavaliers +275
• Orlando Magic +800
• San Antonio Spurs +800
• Portland Blazers +1800
• Denver Nuggets +2000
• Houston Rockets +3000
• New Orleans Hornets +3000
• Detroit Pistons +4000
• Atlanta Hawks +6000
• Utah Jazz +6000
• Dallas Mavericks +6000
• Phoenix Suns +6000
• Miami Heat +7500
• Golden State Warriors +10000
• Memphis Grizzlies +10000
• Milwaukee Bucks +10000
• Minnesota T-Wolves +10000
• Charlotte BobCats +10000
• Los Angeles Clippers +10000
• New York Knicks +10000
• Indiana Pacers +10000
• Sacramento Kings +10000
• New Jersey Nets +10000
• Philadelphia 76ers +10000
• Washington Wizards +10000
• Toronto Raptors +10000
• Oklahoma City Thunder +10000
• Chicago Bulls +10000