Any talk about the NBA Championship this season has started and ended with the defending champion Miami Heat, which are right there on top of the Eastern Conference and ready to make another sports betting run. Lebron James is breaking both franchise and NBA records, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have stayed healthy, and Ray Allen, Mario Chalmers, and now Chris Anderson have all been able to provide a spark at one point or another. However, there are a number of teams that feel they are ready to take on a challenge from the Heat this season, beginning in the Eastern Conference with the New York Knicks.
The Knicks came out on top in each of their two meeting with Miami so far, and seem to play their best basketball when going up against the defending champions. That ability to take their game to the highest level has convinced some online betting fans, while others still worry about their lack of consistency. The truth is that New York has many of the pieces they will need to take down the Heat, especially with the veteran additions of Jason Kidd and Raymond Felton at the point. The Knicks are averaging an NBA-high 23 three-point shots per game, and their ability to play both big and small has made Carmelo Anthony one of the most versatile weapons in the NBA. Miami’s potential road to the Finals will likely include a stop in New York, and the Knicks will give them a tough run.
Still the 5Dimes favorites in the East, the Heat will face a much tougher challenge from whichever contender emerges out of the West, with the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Los Angeles Clippers all getting a ton of attention. The Spurs are the first team in the NBA to reach 40 wins for the fourth time under head coach Greg Popovich, Tony Parker has playing the best basketball of his career, and he and Tim Duncan have a ton of weapons to work around them. The Thunder came up short last year, but Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka and Russell Westbrook each have another year of experience and have a ton of playmakers around them. As for the Clippers, well they may be the best suited to take on the Heat if they can land another star presence in side. Rumors out of Los Angeles are that the Clippers are in the market for a superstar big man, and that will be the final online sportsbook piece that makes Chris Paul and Blake Griffin championship contenders.
With the trade deadline right around the corner, a number of temas are looking to make moves to solidify themselves as contenders, and better prepare themselves for a shot at a championship. The Heat are undoubtedly the favorites at this point in the year, but there are a number of legitimate contenders that have stepped up their games and are ready for the challenge. For all of the latest NBA news and future betting odds, be sure to check out the best online betting sites.
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