Sports Betting News

Sportsbook.com: Miami Heat new favorite to win NBA Championship

Sportsbook.com has moved the Miami Heat to the top of the odds as favorite to win the NBA Championship.

Just over a week ago, Sportsbook.com had the Los Angeles Lakers as a +200 favorite, while the Chicago Bulls were next in line with +250 odds to win the title. Miami was slotted third at +350, but has since moved ahead of the pack with +225 odds to win the NBA Championship.

The shift has happened for a few different reasons. The Heat have grabbed a 2-0 lead in their first-round series over the Philadelphia 76ers and, although they looked a little sluggish in Game, the Heat were positively dominant in Game 2. Philadelphia never stood a chance, as Miami cruised to a 94-73 victory.

Even more impressively, the Heat are winning despite Dwyane Wade not having his A-game. D-Wade has been plagued by migraines so far in the postseason and is averaging just 15.5 points per game—10 points below his regular season scoring average. It hasn’t mattered one bit, though, thanks to LeBron James and Chris Bosh. They combined for 50 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and a blocked shot in the Game 2 win over the 76ers.

Miami’s championship odds are also given a boost by some stumbles from the other favorites. Chicago (+350 NBA Championship odds) leads 2-0 in its series with the Indiana Pacers, but the Bulls have been forced to come from behind in both games. If not for the absolutely absurd play of Derrick Rose—he’s averaging 37.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in the playoffs, and those numbers hardly do his efforts justice—Chicago could be in a bit of trouble right now.

The Lakers (+350 NBA Championship odds), meanwhile, were upset by the New Orleans Hornets in Game 1—despite sweeping New Orleans 4-0 during the regular season. Pau Gasol, who has been labeled soft by numerous opponents this season, was absolutely miserable, going 2-for-9 for just eight points.

If Gasol can’t turn his game around, it won’t matter if the Lakers beat New Orleans in the first round—they’ll continue tumbling down the Championship odds, especially since many observers believe L.A. has lost the fire after winning back-to-back titles. Los Angeles must show a little hunger before it can be considered a favorite again.