The Miami Heat are the favorites at the online sportsbooks once again to claim the Eastern Conference title this year, with their biggest challenger missing their top player for a large chunk of the season.
The Heat are pegged at 5/8 at to get back to the NBA Finals once again in 2012/13, with the Chicago Bulls second on that list at 13/2 heading into the start of the regular season.
Miami lost just six games over their first three playoff series last season en route to a berth in the NBA Finals, and have the core of their team intact once again this time around. The Bulls, meanwhile, won't have star guard Derrick Rose in the lineup for months as he recovers from last year's knee injury.
The Boston Celtics are next at 7/1 on that odds list, with the Brooklyn Nets at 10/1, and both the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks at 14/1. The Knicks lost in the first round of last year's playoffs to Miami, while the Nets missed the playoffs in their final season in New Jersey.
The Philadelphia 76ers round out the second tier of contenders at 18/1 on the odds to win the NBA's Eastern Conference, and the Atlanta Hawks are back at 35/1 with Joe Johnson now in Brooklyn. Everyone else sits at 66/1 odds or higher to win the conference.
The complete Eastern Conference futures list at ...
Miami Heat 5/8
Chicago Bulls 13/2
Boston Celtics 7/1
Brooklyn Nets 10/1
Indiana Pacers 14/1
New York Knicks 14/1
Philadelphia 76ers 18/1
Atlanta Hawks 35/1
Milwaukee Bucks 66/1
Orlando Magic 66/1
Cleveland Cavaliers 100/1
Toronto Raptors 100/1
Washington Wizards 100/1
Detroit Pistons 125/1
Charlotte Bobcats 200/1
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The Miami Heat won the NBA's Eastern Conference last season, and they're the favorites at the sportsbooks at 1/1 odds to capture that title once again this year.
Derrick Rose is looking for another big season for the Bulls, who fell short against the Heat in a seven-game series in the playoffs last year. The Bulls are at 5/2 at to capture the Eastern Conference title. Many observers believe Chicago is well-rounded with a better coach, but so much star power in South Beach leaves them farther down on the futures betting list than the Heat.
Boston is a veteran-laden team and they could benefit the most from a shortened season. has the Celtics at 13/2 on the futures boards for a deep run at the conference championship. The Knicks will have a full season with Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire on the roster, and that should boost that team's chances as they come in at 9/1 odds on the East's futures board.
Orlando fell hard in the first round of the NBA playoffs last season but are next at at 12/1 in East futures betting. Atlanta upset the Magic in the first round last year and expect better things in a tough Eastern Conference; the Hawks are at 30/1 odds on that futures board.
The Nets also come in at 30/1 odds, while the Indiana Pacers round out the second-tier teams on the futures board at 50/1 odds to claim the East title.
The complete Eastern Conference futures list at ...
Miami Heat 1/1
Chicago Bulls 5/2
Boston Celtics 13/2
New York Knicks 9/1
Orlando Magic 12/1
Atlanta Hawks 30/1
New Jersey Nets 30/1
Indiana Pacers 50/1
Milwaukee Bucks 60/1
Philadelphia 76ers 60/1
Charlotte Bobcats 80/1
Cleveland Cavaliers 80/1
Detroit Pistons 80/1
Toronto Raptors 80/1
Washington Wizards 80/1
