2011 NBA Championship Odds and Predictions: Betting on Underdogs to Win 2011 NBA Title

2011 NBA Championship Odds, Predictions and Picks – NBA Playoffs Preview and Underdogs to Bet on to Win 2011 NBA Title: The 2011 NBA playoffs are fast approaching, and while the Chicago Bulls (+300) and San Antonio Spurs (+500) are close to securing the No. 1 seeds in their respective conferences, bettors that want to hit it big can’t back the favorites. Fortunately, there are a few teams lurking under the radar that have the talent to contend with the top dogs. That’s not to say the Bulls and Spurs aren’t among the safer picks, but safe rarely equals a big payout.

Topping the list of underdogs that deserve some serious consideration from bettors is the Oklahoma City Thunder (+1,000). The trade for Kendrick Perkins has transformed the Thunder from quality playoff team to legitimate title contender by solidifying the OKC defense. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are on the short list of best 1-2 scoring punches in the NBA right now, and two scoring threats and a stout defense are more than enough pieces to win the title.

The results have been showing on the court, and the Thunder have rode a wave of momentum to the Northwest Division crown. At worst, they are going to be the No. 4 seed in the playoffs, but they are only one game back of the Dallas Mavericks for the No. 3 seed. Either way, they will face a first round opponent with a sub .500 record on the road. They are younger and more athletic than the San Antonio Spurs, and they pushed the Los Angeles Lakers to six games last season without Perkins to contend with Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. Bettors won’t want to pass on one of the hottest young teams.

Another team that makes an intriguing option for bettors is the Orlando Magic (+900). Dwight Howard anchors the team, and having the best center in the NBA gives Orlando a fighting chance in almost any series. He has been nearly unstoppable in the second half of the year, hitting 60 percent from the field and blocking almost three shots a game.

As good as Howard can be, the success of the Magic will come down to the contributions of the supporting cast. A midseason trade that was supposed to make them one of the elite teams in the Eastern Conference didn’t do much to energize the Magic. Gilbert Arenas has looked lost, and Hedo Turkoglu is not the same player that helped lead the team to the finals.

Despite the inconsistencies, the Magic have knocked off the top teams in the league at various points in the season. Orlando has the No. 4 seed all but wrapped up, which should be enough to get them into the second round. From there, the Magic will presumably have to knock off some combination of the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls. Howard gives the Magic by far the best big man out of the group. If he can play at a high level and the 3-point gunners around him can hit some shots, Orlando could get back to the final this year. If that happens, bettors will want to be a part of it.

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