2012-2013 NBA Predictions: Top 5 Sleepers to Win the NBA Title

2012-2013 NBA Predictions: Top 5 Sleepers to Win the NBA Title: Let’s face it. There haven’t been many surprise teams to win the NBA title in recent years. Outside of the Dallas Mavericks two years ago, there really hasn’t been a surprise champion since the Detroit Pistons brought about an end to the Shaq-Kobe era in Los Angeles. This year is no exception as Miami, Oklahoma City and Los those aforementioned Lakers look like the class of the NBA. However, there are few sleeper teams lurking if injuries were to impact the frontrunners. Keep in mind that a knee injury to Derrick Rose ended Chicago’s season in the first round of the playoffs after the Bulls had compiled the best record in the NBA during the regular season. If something similar were to befall this year’s title favorites, here are a few teams poised to take advantage.

2012-2013 NBA Predictions: Top 5 Sleepers to Win the NBA Title

1.      Brooklyn Nets, 28/1 odds

While most of the attention is being paid to Brooklyn’s new backcourt of Deron Williams and Joe Johnson, the Nets’ entire starting five is solid. Gerald Wallace is an intense, do-everything player at small forward, and power forward Kris Humphries is one of the better rebounders in the game. Meanwhile, Brook Lopez is healthy again, and he is one of the best scoring centers in the NBA. Throw in a proven scorer in MarShawn Brooks coming off a bench, and the Nets have enough firepower to make a run if all the new parts can gel quickly.

2.      Denver Nuggets, 28/1 odds

Denver has as much speed and athleticism as any team in the NBA. Point guard Ty Lawson is the engine that drives the Nuggets’ up-tempo offense, and Andre Iguodala, Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler are just a few of the options he will be dishing the ball to in transition. Meanwhile, JaVale McGee, Kenneth Faried, Kosta Koufos and Timofey Mozgov form a deep frontcourt that has a nice balance of size and athleticism. If Iguodala can be the defensive stopper on the perimeter that Denver has been missing in recent years, the Nuggets have enough speed and weapons on the offensive end to outrun and outscore just about anyone.

3.      Memphis Grizzlies, 35/1 odds

Memphis has made the playoffs two years in a row, but the Grizzlies have been unable to break through in playoffs in the loaded Western Conference. However, there is a chance that could change this year with all the core players back from one of the more balanced teams in the NBA. Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph comprise a hard-working frontcourt that is reliable on the offensive end and physical on the boards. Meanwhile, Rudy Gay is emerging as a potential star and 20-plus point scorer. If Mike Conley Jr. can provide consistent play at the point guard spot and Jerryd Bayless can replace the scoring punch off the bench lost when O.J. Mayo departed in free agency, there is no reason the Grizzlies can’t be right back in the playoff mix this year with a puncher’s chance of upsetting the top dogs.

4.      Philadelphia 76ers, 35/1 odds

There are a lot of young, inexperienced parts on Philadelphia’s roster, but there is also a ton of talent. Grabbing Andrew Bynum in the offseason instantly gives the 76ers the best center in the Eastern Conference, giving them a mismatch every single night. If the young backcourt of Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner can come into its own playing alongside Bynum, this team suddenly becomes very formidable. Keep in mind that Dorell Wright, Jason Richardson and Nick Young were also acquired in the offseason, giving the 76ers a ton of perimeter firepower. Surrounding Bynum with a bunch of 3-point shooters is a potential recipe for success.

5.      Golden State Warriors, 150/1 odds

The Warriors are definitely the deepest sleeper on this list by a wide margin, but if their roster stays healthy, they can be dangerous. The backcourt of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson can score in bunches from the perimeter, and power forward David Lee is proven, high-percentage scorer in the post. Center Andrew Bogut is probably the most important player for Golden State, but he could provide the presence on the boards and on defense that the Warriors have been lacking. Meanwhile, rookie Harrison Barnes should plug a hole at the small forward spot, and Richard Jefferson, Brandon Rush, Carl Landry and Jarrett Jack should bolster a bench that has been paper thin in years past. Golden State quietly made a lot of moves in the offseason, and the retooled roster is the best the Warriors have had in more than a decade.

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