It’s still early in the NBA betting season, but there’s really only a handful of teams with a legitimate shot: Boston, Cleveland, Orlando, the Los Angeles Lakers and possibly San Antonio or Denver. Here are the best picks from both conferences.
East – Boston
The move of Shaquille O’Neal isn’t enough to put LeBron James and Cleveland over the hump, and it may end in James leaving his hometown team. The Magic may regress this year, and an early-season injury to Jameer Nelson isn’t helping. Therefore, look for the Celtics to reach the Finals again behind their veteran core of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, and the team badly missed Garnett’s intensity during the second half of last year, especially on defense. Rajon Rondo re-signed with Boston, so there are no distractions. Rasheed Wallace adds depth and experience to the bench, and Glen Davis will return to the lineup as well.
West – Los Angeles Lakers
With all due respect to San Antonio and Denver, they’re not good enough to hang with the Lakers. San Antonio is old and beat up, and the Nuggets can’t be trusted in clutch situations (except for Chauncey “Mr. Big Shot” Billups” and maybe Carmelo Anthony). Kobe Bryant looks more focused than ever at the beginning of this year, and you can’t say that he’s been softened by last year’s win. Pau Gasol just came back to the lineup after injury, and he should be fresh for the end of the year. Ron Artest is catching on to the triangle offense, and he can now guard the opposition’s best perimeter player, instead of Bryant. The X-factor is the health of Andrew Bynum, the young and talented center who has battled injuries throughout his career. If he stays healthy, the Lakers will run away with the West.
