NBA Betting – LeBron vs. Kobe in the Next Finals?

Despite the NBA betting season being months away, basketball bettors are buzzing as, in the aftermath of the sad and pompous spectacle put on by LeBron James this week, the sportsbook has recently announced some odds on the 2011 NBA Championship.

Now that Wade, Bosh and LeBron are all in South Florida playing for the Miami Heat, that team is the odds-on favorite to win it all next year. As you get set to make your basketball futures bets, let’s take a look at some of the Miami Heat odds to win:

2011 NBA Championship:

Yes (+200)
No (-300)

2011 Eastern Conference Championship:

Yes (-140)
No (EV)

The basketball world has been in a frenzy for the last week, as on Wednesday Chris Bosh announced that he’d join forces with Dwyane Wade in South Beach, with superstar LeBron James making the same announcement on Thursday.

And with the resigning of Udonis Haslem and the addition of shooting guard Mike Miller on Monday, there’s no doubt that the Eastern Conference title will- at least on paper- run through the Miami Heat.

But should they be your basketball bet?

The biggest question from Miami comes from their depth. Right now they’ve only got six players under contract, plus three second-round selections from the recent NBA Draft. What happens if a player goes down injury? What if someone underperforms? Will there be enough left with who they’ll have?

More importantly, will it be enough to contend with the defending Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics, who proved this past postseason they’ve still got a lot left in the tank, and just signed veteran Jermaine O’Neal? How about the Orlando Magic who return depth (minus perennial loser Vince Carter) on the perimeter with Jameer Nelson and Rashard Lewis, not to mention the most dominant defensive player in the league in Dwight Howard?

Whether you think the Miami Heat have what it takes to win it or all, just win the Eastern Conference or neither, let your voice be heard now by making your basketball bet.

For all the talk about LeBron James and the Heat, the two-time defending Los Angeles Lakers (+300 to win the NBA championship for a third consecutive year) might have something to say about Miami being the favorite of basketball bettors coming into next season.

The Lakers will return all five starters, including the great Kobe Bryant, who averaged 28 points per game in the NBA Finals, wrapping up his second straight Finals MVP. Veteran Derek Fisher, part of five NBA Championships in Los Angeles signed on for another season on Monday.

So should the Lakers be your NBA Championship bet? How about your Western Conference Championship bet, at +160? Make your wager now.

We’ve made the case why each of these teams is favored in their respective conferences, but will they come through and play on the NBA’s ultimate stage?

The league sure hopes so. The basketball betting odds makers think it is pretty likely as well, giving +300 odds that the two teams will fight for the next set of championship rings.

Imagine this: LeBron vs. Kobe. Bosh vs. Pau Gasol. Ron Artest vs. Dwyane Wade. All playing for an NBA championship.

It might all happen next June.

But the only place it’s happening right now is the sportsbook. Don’t wait, basketball bettors, get in on the action today!