2013 NBA Picks and Predictions: Top Championship Value Bets

2013 NBA Picks and Predictions: Top Championship Value Bets: The NBA playoffs are fast approaching, and while the seeding is still up for grabs, the playoff contenders in each conference have pretty much separated themselves from the teams that will be picking in the lottery in the 2013 draft. As a result, it’s time to start taking a closer look at the playoff contenders, and while the frontrunners are pretty obvious, identifying potential longshots that at least have a chance at making a title run is a little more difficult. That being said, there are a few teams that have what it takes to win a championship of a few things fall in place and a few breaks go their way. With that in mind, here are three sleeper teams getting long odds that could be worth putting a small wager on before the playoffs get rolling.

Boston Celtcis (33/1): Let’s face it. The Miami Heat are the heavy favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference, but if there is any team that can find a way to knock them off, my bet is Boston. Plain and simple, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are a battle-tested duo, and more importantly, neither one is intimidated by Miami. In fact, playing the defending champs seems to bring out their best. People seem to forget that Boston had the Heat down 3-2 in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, and while they have lost Ray Allen to Miami and Rajon Rondo to injury since then, the Celtics have gained a healthy Jeff Green and a veteran shooter in Jason Terry. More importantly, Boston has been scoring more and winning more since Rondo went down with an injury, and Pierce and company just gave Miami all it could handle without having the services of Garnett. The Celtics are still one of the best teams around when it comes to scoring and defending in the half court, and they actually rank seventh in the NBA in terms of scoring defense and field goal percentage defense. Boston is going to land somewhere between the seventh and fifth seed in the playoffs, and the Celtics have the style and veteran leadership to win in the postseason.

Golden State Warriors (75/1): They have cooled off a bit since the All-Star break, and as a result, the Warriors having been swept under the rug in the conversation of potential title contenders. However, Golden State is still holding tight to the sixth seed in the Western Conference, and they have some quality pieces in place. For starters, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson comprise a young, explosive backcourt that can light it up from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, power forward David Lee is a double-double machine in the post, and guard Jarrett Jack leads an underrated bench. Overall, the Warriors rank ninth in the NBA in scoring this year, and while the defense has given up its share of points, they are holding opponents to the sixth-worst field goal percentage. Keep in mind that Golden State actually stands to improve on the defensive end if center Andrew Bogut can get into game shape in time for the playoff. Not to mention the fact that the Warriors have already knocked off some of the best teams in the NBA this year, and they own a 3-1 record against the Los Angeles Clippers, who they could meet in the first round of the playoffs. If Curry and company are scorching the nets, the Warriors could give the Western Conference frontrunners a serious run for their money.

Milwaukee Bucks (150/1): Bettors looking for a real longshot may want to throw a small wager down on the Bucks. Although they are just 34-33 on the year and currently the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, the gap between Milwaukee and the next team in the standings is so large that a playoff spot is all but locked up. Obviously, a first-round meeting with the Miami Heat isn’t ideal, but Milwaukee gave the LeBron James and company fits last year, and they are 1-2 against the defending champs this year with one of the losses coming in overtime. The Bucks’ style is as simple as it is dangerous, and the team has basically surrounded shot blocker Larry Sanders with a bunch of perimeter shooters. Monta Ellis, Brandon Jennings, Mike Dunleavy and J.J. Reddick can get hot and start knocking down 3-pointers, and when they are on, they put up a ton of points. Yes, an upset of Miami would be monumental, but don’t forget that an eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors’ team loaded with shooters like Baron Davis and Jason Richardson once overwhelmed a seemingly unstoppable Dallas Mavericks team in the first round. Milwaukee has the same type of firepower on the offensive end.

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