BULLS and PACERS the best bets to win the NBA title

Despite the presence of the best player in the game the Miami Heat do not look value at 9/4 (paddy Power) to win the NBA title for the third successive season. The signs were in place in the second title win that this was a team just hanging on. Dwayne Wade looked a shadow of himself in the play-offs, Mike Miller has left to return to Memphis and while the Heat are getting older, weaker and the teams around them have improved.

If not Miami then who looks the value to win the NBA title? Oklahoma are the second favourites for the title at 7/1 (888 SPORT/unibet/YOU WIN) and in Durrant and Westbrook they combine the best 1-2 punch in the NBA right now and two of the top five players in the game. The trouble is the supporting cast is not good enough and it is asking a lot of Jeremy Lamb or Thabo Sefolosha to fill that third scorer role.

San Antonio came so close to winning the title this season and some might consider them value at 12/1 (GENERAL). While it is crazy to underestimate the Spurs a lot things fell right for them last season including the Thunder losing Westbrook to injury. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker seem to be deying time but Manu Ginobli does not. It was a shock to see the Spurs give him a big deal in the summer market and this along with the overpayment of Thiago Splitter means San Antonio missed the chance to freshen up their roster.

Brooklyn Nets have amassed a big three of their own in Deron Williams, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce to go alongisde Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez and Andrei Kirilenko. Brooklyn are legit contenders though with an unproven head coach in Jason Kidd, question marks over the fitness of Williams 14/1 (SKYBET/sportingbet/william hill) looks too short.

A pair of Western Conference sides could also contend with the Rockets (CORAL/william hill) and the Clippers (STAN JAMES/WILLIAM HILL) both available at 16/1. Both sides made good moves in the summer with Houston adding Dwight Howard to James Harden and their exciting young corp while LA added coach Doc Rivers and a strong bench to work with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin. I could not put anyone off backing them at these prices.

The selections though are the Central division pair of Chicago and Indiana. The Bulls welcome back Derrick Rose who was a huge miss last season and alongside Noah, Deng, Butler and coach Tom Thibodeau this is a side who are equipped to win the title.

The Pacers meanwhile ran the Heat so close in the Eastern Conference last season taking them to a game seven. Indiana have moved to strengthen their bench and will welcome back Danny Granger who missed most of last season may make his return soon.

Both teams can be backed at 14/1 though be sure to do so with BETVICTOR who (along with STAN JAMES) are the only firm to be paying ½ the odds each-way.

At a bigger price also take the 25/1 (BETVICTOR/STAN JAMES) on Golden State. The Warriors lost to the Spurs in six games last season in the Conference semi-finals and should improve this season with the signing of Iguodala while the development of Stephen Curry, Harrison Barnes and Klay Thompson should continue. Throw in a healthy Andrew Bogut and the Warriors will give you a good run for your money.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Chicago Bulls to win the NBA title, EW, 14/1 (BETVICTOR)
SILVER: Indiana Pacers to win the NBA title, EW, 14/1 (BETVICTOR)
BRONZE: Golden State Warriors to win NBA title, EW, 25/1 (BETVICTOR/STAN JAMES)

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31/10/2013     © Frixo 2026