2012 NBA Predictions: NBA Championship Odds, Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers

2012 NBA Predictions – NBA Championship Odds, Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers: The 2012-13 NBA season is fast approaching, and after an offseason full of speculation, rumors and big trades, some new contenders have emerged. However, some of the same old faces are still loaded and prepared to contend for the title once again. With that in mind here is an early look at which teams are the frontrunners for this year’s NBA title and which teams are in the conversation.

The Favorites – 2012 NBA Championship Odds and Predictions

Coming off a championship last season, the Miami Heat only added more firepower in the offseason. Sharpshooter Ray Allen will make defenses pay if they choose to double team the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, and while he doesn’t boast the credentials of Allen, Rashard Lewis is another quality perimeter shooter waiting to knock down open 3-pointers. Not to mention the fact that James might be even better now that he has the pressure of winning a title off his back, and Wade should be back at 100 percent following offseason surgery. Miami has the best player in the NBA in James, two other All-Stars in Wade and Bosh and an arsenal of perimeter shooters led by Allen. The Heat have too much talent, too much athleticism and too much star power not to make another title run.

Although the loss in the NBA Finals was no doubt disappointing, the Oklahoma City Thunder have shown in the past that they can bounce back from adversity. In each of the last three seasons, they have advanced one round further in the playoffs. Needless to say, the only step left to take is to win a championship. With three-time reigning scoring champ Kevin Durant leading the way and coming off his best year, the Thunder could do just that this season. Durant is backed by the speedy point guard Russell Westbrook who also ranked in the top five in scoring last season. Meanwhile, James Harden is the defending Sixth Man of the Year, and Serge Ibaka has led the NBA in blocked shots in each of the past two seasons. Oklahoma City has the talent to win it all, and the experience gained in last year’s defeat in the NBA Finals could prove to be the missing piece to the puzzle.

The Dark Horses – 2012 NBA Championship Odds and Predictions

On paper, the Los Angeles Lakers look like a championship contender after adding point guard Steve Nash and center Dwight Howard. However, the Miami Heat know better than anyone that it can take stars a year to gel. Still, Nash gives the Lakers the point guard they have been lacking for years, and Howard will be the presence on the boards and on defense that Pau Gasol never consistently seems to be. With all the added talent, Kobe Bryant will be able to go back to doing what he does best – closing out games. Expect some growing pains in the early going, but the Lakers should hit their stride when it matters most. A showdown between Los Angeles and Oklahoma City could be looming in the Western Conference.

It seems like it is a yearly tradition for the San Antonio Spurs to get overlooked. After all, Tim Duncan keeps getting older, and Manu Ginobili keeps getting hurt. However, point guard Tony Parker keeps getting better, and no matter the supporting cast, San Antonio finds a way to win games. In fact, the Spurs have won the most games in the Western Conference two years in a row. At the very least, Duncan and company should have a puncher’s chance in the postseason, and if San Antonio’s young role players continue to improve, the Spurs have the best chance to surprise the top dogs out west,

In each of the last two seasons, the Chicago Bulls have won the most games in the NBA during the regular season. Coach Tom Thibodeau and his defensive-oriented philosophy deserve a lot of the credit for resurrecting the franchise, but point guard Derrick Rose has played a huge role, as well. It is still unclear when Rose will return following offseason knee surgery, but while Chicago won’t win a title without him, the Bulls did prove they were still a top-five team in the Eastern Conference even without the former MVP. Chicago’s stifling defense will keep them in playoff contention, and if Rose can get healthy in time for the playoffs, the Bulls will resume their role as the main challengers to the Miami Heat.

The Sleeper – 2012 NBA Championship Odds and Predictions

After coming within one win of playing for a title last year, the aging Boston Celtics clearly still have a slight opening in their championship window. Point guard Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce are all back to make up one of the most playoff-tested cores in the NBA. Meanwhile, the addition of Jason Terry goes a long way to covering for the departure of Ray Allen. Boston also gets a lot of athleticism back as forwards Jeff Green and Chris Wilcox return from injury, and rookie Jared Sullinger will be able to contribute immediately. Granted, Boston’s title chances still hinge on the aging legs of Pierce and Garnett, but Rondo and the other young players on this year’s roster gives the Celtics a nice balance. More importantly, the Celtics pushed Miami to the brink last year and always seems to be at their best in the postseason. Pierce and company have enough left in the tank to make one more championship push.

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