MIAMI to feel the Heat in 2013-14 NBA Season

Miami Heat are 9/4 (paddy Power) favourites to claim their third straight NBA title. The Heat won the title last season but were pushed to the limit and this could be a season too far for their ageing squad. Dwayne Wade looked tired, injured and old for large parts of the play-off season while Chris Bosh has a tendency to go missing. LeBron James will have to manage this team on his own which might be too much even for the greatest player in the modern game. They are still a great team on their day but 9/4 no longer represents value on them.

If not Miami then whom? Oklahoma are the 6/1 (GENERAL) second favourites and you can understand why as with Kevin Durrant and Russell Westbrook they have the best 1-2 punch in the game. The Thunder though need Jeremy Lamb to step up and fill the void left by firstly James Harden and then Kevin Martin.

San Antonio are 12/1 (GENERAL) and this might be a little disrespectful to a side that could have been NBA champions but for a late shot by Ray Allen. The Spurs will find ways to get it done though you have to wonder if they can be as lucky with injuries as last seaaon. They also have to hope that Ginobli can find a way to come back from his play-off slump.

Brooklyn Nets are 14./1 (GENERAL) and they have made great moves this season to strengthen by securing Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. If this was 2009 you would hand them the title. This though is a veteran side with a rookie coach in Jason Kidd. Kidd might find himself out thought by elite coaches like Tom Thibodeau, Frank Vogel and Erik Spoelstra.

Chicago Bulls are also a 14/1 (STAN JAMES) chance and if Derrick Rose returns healthy then they might be the strongest challenge to the Heat in the East.

Houston Rockets are 16/1 (CORAL/william hill) and they made a big move this season in securing Dwight Howard to play alongside James Harden. This is a team with really high potential though this might be a season or two too early for them.

Indiana Pacers at 16/1 (GENERAL) are my selection as they pushed the Heat to the limit in the play-offs before coming undone. The Pacers have improved their bench with good signings like CJ Watson and Chris Copeland. The return of Danny Granger who missed all but five games of last season will be a huge help. Granger can either be encorparated into the offence or moved on for another talented player at the all-star break such as Rajon Rondo.

The LA Clippers are also a 16/1 (william hill) chance and they will come on for securing Doc Rivers and grabbing some three point shooters to surround Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. This though is still mainly the same side dumped by the Memphis Grizzlies 4-2 in the opening round of the paly-offs and Chris Paul may have made a mistake re-signing here.

The New York Knicks are 25/1 (GENERAL) chances though are getting older and seemed to have missed their window. I expect Carmelo Anthony to bolt this summer for pastures new.

The second team I like the look of is the Golden State at 28/1 (boylesports). The Warriors reached the second round of the Western Conference before going out in six games to the Spurs. Stephen Curry, Harrison Barnes and Klay Thompson will continue to improve and Andre Iguodala is a great addition to a side who will get better and better over time.

One final bet I want to recommend is Kelly Olynyk in the rookie of the year market. The Boston Celtics draftee has looked a star in the summer league and he has the beauty of playing alongside an elite PG in Rajon Rondo so take the 10/1 (STAN JAMES/BWIN).

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Indiana Pacers to win the NBA Championship, 16/1 (GENERAL)
SILVER: Golden State Warriors to win the NBA Championship, 28/1 (boylesports)
BRONZE: Kelly Olynyk to be NBA Rookie of the Year, 10/1 (STAN JAMES/BWIN)

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21/07/2013     © Frixo 2026