NBA HOOPS BETTING TONIGHT? LOOKING FOR THE BEST NBA PICKS IN THE BUSINESS? CLICK HERE —–><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nIn a somewhat wacky 2009-10 season to date, our usual suspects are still ruling the league, but they\u2019re joined by handful of surprise contenders.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how the futures break down at the moment.<\/p>\n
FAVORITES<\/h3>\n
Los Angeles Lakers<\/strong>
\nThe defending champs have given us little reason to doubt their chances of returning to the NBA Finals. At first, it may not seem that way, as the road hasn\u2019t been easy. Ron Artest is concussed, Pau Gasol\u2019s hammy keeps acting up, Andrew Bynum isn\u2019t delivering on his promise, Lamar Odom isn\u2019t sniffing last year\u2019s production\u2026yet the Lakers are still 25-6 and reigning atop the Western Conference. Championship teams find ways to win. The Lakers may take a while to hit their stride as they try to shake that lingering Finals hangover but we can count on them to be at their best come spring time.<\/p>\nBoston Celtics<\/strong>
\nNobody buys into the \u201cteam\u201d concept like the Celtics, who are once again the NBA\u2019s top defensive squad this season. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen are aging before our eyes and aren\u2019t averaging anywhere near 20 points per game apiece but it doesn\u2019t matter. Pretty much everyone plays at both ends of the floor and the Celts still have that ability to come through in the clutch. And who knew two years ago that Rajon Rondo would be this team\u2019s X-factor today?<\/p>\nCleveland Cavaliers<\/strong>
\nHaving won 10 of 11, the Cavs are showing us nothing we didn\u2019t expect from them this season. It\u2019s the LeBron show but the addition of role players like Anthony Parker makes a subtle difference. Still, as solid as guys like Mo Williams can be for stretches, Cleveland still may not have the secondary scoring options to compete with the big boys. It doesn\u2019t have a Pau Gasol or Vince Carter or Manu Ginobli, does it?![\"Sports](\"http:\/\/www.bodogaffiliate.com\/resources\/banners\/sportsbook\/square\/250x250\/250x250g-sportsbook.gif\")
<\/p>\nOrlando Magic<\/strong>
\nAre the Magic disappointing at 22-8? The record is fine but the Magic aren\u2019t winning big games. They fell to Phoenix, Portland, Miami and Boston this month and the Boston game was particularly concerning, as the Celtics dominated them defensively. It\u2019s far too early to count Orlando out, however. It has great scoring depth and offers decent sportsbook value on its futures odds.<\/p>\nSLEEPERS<\/h3>\n
San Antonio Spurs<\/strong>
\nThink of the Spurs\u2019 season as one big, long rope-a-dope. They\u2019re not wasting energy, not overplaying their stars, waiting until it matters before they start a run. It seems the time to win has arrived, as Gregg Popovich\u2019s boys are 8-2 in their last 10. One alarming stat is the Spurs\u2019 2-8 record against the Western Conference teams currently in playoff positions but this team has too much talent not to make noise in playoff time.<\/p>\nPhoenix Suns<\/strong>
\nThere are a handful of teams you could place in this tier \u2013 Atlanta, Portland, Denver, Dallas \u2013 but the Suns get my vote because they\u2019re unique. At 109.8 points per game, they have basketball\u2019s top offense. Defense may win championships but an offense as far above the other contenders as Phoenix\u2019s could shake up the playoff picture. Steve Nash isn\u2019t done yet and the Suns are back running like they did in the D\u2019Antoni era.<\/p>\n <\/strong>
\n***click on odds to bet…
\n <\/strong><\/p>\n