2013/14 NBA outright odds preview

2013/14 NBA outright odds preview

By Michael Gales Oct 11, 2013

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The Heat are huge favourites at Pinnacle Sports to win a third consecutive NBA title, however we look at the chances of the main contenders aiming to cause an upset. Can Garnett inspire the Nets, will the Spurs last the distance and is it too early for the Rockets?

Heat huge favourites to win third consecutive title

With minimal player turnover in the offseason – losing just Mike Miller – unsurprisingly the Miami Heat are the huge 2.830* preseason favourites to secure a third consecutive NBA title. Since the arrival of the Big 3 – LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh – the Heat have reached three straight NBA finals, losing one and winning two.

After dominating the NBA in the last two years, one may question their motivation to win another title. However, you need to look no further than the Heat’s executive Pat Riley who is aiming to match Phil Jackson’s run of three-peats in the modern era at the LA Lakers (2000-2002).  James would also like to match the games greats such as Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant in being the teams focal point for three straight NBA title successes.

If the Heat are going to secure a third successive title they will rely on the genius of James, who last season secured his fourth MVP award in five seasons. Wade also had a strong season last time out but struggled once more with injuries, so his variable health on the court is a cause for concern.

The Heat won 66 Regular season games last year, however they are offered at 1.746* to go over 61 wins in 2013/14, which highlights expectation is lower.

Can Garnett inspire the Nets?

Brooklyn have improved their roster on paper in the offseason with the triple trade of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry from the Boston Celtics, In addition to Andrei Kirilenko. The additions make for a strong top seven, which is reflected in their Eastern Conference winner odds 6.250* and their outright NBA title odds at 12.790*.

Garnett (37) and Pierce (35) will bring their competitive fire and playoff experience, but question marks remain over their fitness as they aren’t getting any younger, so it may be a case of managing their court time.

However the biggest unknown is how well Jason Kidd will perform? Kidd retired last season and was hired almost immediately as the Nets’ head coach. He was a talisman for the Nets during his 19 years, however as an inexperienced coach, managing big names like Garnett and Pierce could make or break his tenure. How he adjusts to the job will play a major part if the Nets are to be successful this year.

Defense key to Pacers challenge

Last season the Pacers came within one game of the NBA Finals – falling in seven games to the eventual champions Miami Heat. They have much the same core, but have improved their role players to improve the roster, which could prove to be the missing piece in the jigsaw.

The Pacers key is in defence – a physical throwback, which is why they almost beat the Heat last year because they counteracted Miami’s small, athletic lineups with their bruising play.

One negative is the loss of assistant coach Brian Shaw who has taken the top job at the Denver Nuggets. Will his loss be more influential than it appears, or are the Pacers good value at 12.380* to lift the NBA title?

Sweet smell of Rose for the Bulls , but where are the Knicks at?

The return of leader Derrick Rose – out injured for a year – sees the Chicago bulls offered at 10.070* to lift the NBA title this year. They progressed to the Conference final last year without their talisman, the question remains whether or not his return can make a significant difference as they go in search of a first NBA title since 1998.

Last season the Knicks put together their best regular season since 1996-97 – winning 54 games – and won their division for the first time since 1994. This offseason saw the addition of Metta World Peace (yes that is his name) who should form a solid partnership with Tyson Chandler. However the main challenge will be how well coach Mike Woodson can maximize his lineup rotation, as on talent alone they are strong but as a team, who knows? The Knicks are a longshot for the title at 30.530* with Pinnacle Sports.

Oklahoma City second favourites for second-ever title

With the expected return of Russell Westbrook only a few weeks into the campaign, he will join up with Kevin Durant to form one of the most intimidating and athletic duos in NBA. However with Kevin Martin now gone, the Thunder may lack shooting prowess off the bench. The Thunder are at 7.820* to win just their second NBA title, however a run to the NBA final could be determined by how well coach Scott Brooks manages his bench.

Can the ageing Spurs last the distance?

The ‘timeless’ Spurs reached the NBA finals last year, and have surprised many by continuing to perform at such a high level – they were minutes away from beating the Heat last year. However they are another year older. In every sport athletes reach an age when decline sets in, could this be the year the Spurs fall off the cliff?

The problem is not their ability as the core three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are all still quality the players, the problem is injury’s are more common the older you get. Last season the Spurs were incredibly lucky in regards to injuries, is their squad good enough this year to cover if one, two or three of the core players are sidelined? While a return to the NBA Finals will be a tough road, this squad continues to find a way to win and odds of 12.600* for the title suggest this.

Can Doc Rivers inspire the Clippers?

The Clippers registered their first 50-win season and division championship in their 44-year history last year, and have made a coaching change by bringing in Doc Rivers to replace Vinny Del Negro. In addition to the staff changes, on the court they re-signed Chris Paul, and brought in J.J. Redick, Darren Collison and Antawn Jamison.

Nonetheless, it could take time for Rivers to implement his new regime and improve a team who are coming in off the back of their best season. He will look to improve DeAndre Jordan and keep Chris Paul healthy – which is always a problem.

The Clippers are offered at 13.500* but do they have enough this time? While they can be backed at 2.180* to complete a second 50-win season by going over 57.5 Regular season wins.

Is it too early for the Rockets?

Houston beat the competition to sign Dwight Howard – three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year. However one superstar, even if he blends well doesn’t necessarily guarantee success.

With a number of other additions to the roster the jury will be out to see if they can gel quick enough to challenge this season. One major draw is that Howard feels at home with coach Kevin McHale, but it may be another 1-3 years until they become a formidable force. However, they are offered at 13.650* to win their fits NBA title since 1995.

Can the Golden State Warriors shine?

The Warriors will aim to push the Clippers all the way in the division. They were everyone’s second team last year as they ousted the Nuggets in Round 1 before falling in six to the eventual Western Conference champions.

They have also signed the 2012 All-Star Andre Iguodala, while keeping all their main assets. The key will be the health of both Stephen Curry and Andrew Bogut. Keeping Curry fit will be key behind their success this season. He set an NBA record with 272 3-pointers and combined with Klay Thompson for 483 makes from behind the arc—the most by any tandem in NBA history. Odds of 21.000* suggest they are outside challengers for the NBA title.

Can Joerger get his Grizzlies to roar?

Memphis 28.000* were just one series short of the NBA finals last year, and they return this year in an attempt to go one better. The Grizzlies have a solid starting five, but the depth of the squad will determine how far Memphis can go this year, while new coach David Joerger – previously their defensive coach – who takes over from Lionel Hollins, will hope to get his ideas across early.

The Nuggets have a new look

The Denver team has a completely different look about it than five months ago. Player wise they lost Iguodala, center Kosta Koufos and Corey Brewer and replaced them with JJ Hickson and Nate Robinson. However, one of the biggest changes it on the bench as Brian Shaw has replaced George Karl.

So what does that mean for a Nuggets team coming off a 57-win season? (They are 1.781* to win more than 45.5 games this season)

The loss of Iguodala will be huge defensively, while the loss of Karl means a loss of in-game experience and offensive inventiveness. However he was replaced for his postseason record – seven of eight successive playoff appearances ended in first-round exits.

Under Shaw – highly coveted coach – this young squad will have new leadership. They may now have a different look and style, but they have a solid nucleus of youth. Odds of 59.960* suggest this years championship has come a tad early.

 Click here for the latest NBA futures odds.

*Odds subject to change

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