It comes as no surprise that Sportsbook.com installed the Miami Heat as the favorites to win the championship at 1.8 to 1. They were the winners of the free-agent season by keeping Dwyane Wade, signing Chris Bosh, and bringing LeBron James to Miami. “Miami Thrice” automatically vaulted to the top of the odds makers list as the team to beat in the NBA.
The Cleveland Cavaliers lost LeBron James and owner Dan Gilbert issued a statement berating James and announcing that the Cavs would win a NBA championship before the Heat. Players Only.com disagreed, as they placed the Cavs as 100-1 long shots to win a championship next season.
With all the hype surrounding the Miami Heat in the off season it is easy to forget that there are other teams in the NBA that are very capable of winning a championship.
Here are the top five teams that can beat the Heat and win a NBA Championship in 2010-2011.
LA Lakers: Odds to win the NBA Championship is 3-1
The Lakers have to feel disrespected with the way this offseason has unfolded. They won a championship, but once Game Seven ended all of the focus and attention went to LeBron James. The Lakers signed Steve Blake as a free agent, and if they can bring back Derrick Fisher they will have all the parts from the championship team intact. The Lakers would love nothing more than to win a championship over the new “Super Team” in Miami.
Boston Celtics: Odds to win the NBA Championship is 10-1
The Celtics are the defending Eastern Conference champions, and as Doc Rivers will point out, when the starting five are healthy they have never lost a playoff series. Doc is back at head coach and Paul Pierce and Ray Allen signed on at home-town di...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers