NBA Playoffs 2012 Predictions: Breaking Down Each Team's Odds to Win Finals

The 2012 NBA regular season is finally over and the playoffs are set to begin on Saturday.

There are 16 teams hopeful that this is their year and that they will make it all the way through the first round to the finals and hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end of their journey.

Let’s take a look at the odds for each one (courtesy of Bovada.lv)

The Favorites

Miami Heat – 21/10

Chicago Bulls – 15/4

Oklahoma City Thunder – 15/4

San Antonio Spurs – 9/2

The top two seeds in each conference are understandably the faves. They have, on paper, the easiest road to reach the Finals.

However, it’s highly likely that the Heat and Bulls meet in the Eastern Conference Finals and somewhat probable that the Thunder and Spurs do battle in the West.

Feisty Veterans

Los Angeles Lakers – 14/1

Boston Celtics – 16/1

Don’t tell either of these two teams that their window has closed and their players are past their primes. Both firmly believe they can win and would love to have a rubber match of the 2008 (Celtics over Lakers) and 2010 (Lakers over Celtics) finals.

Fringe Contenders

Los Angeles Clippers – 25/1

Memphis Grizzlies – 25/1

Dallas Mavericks – 30/1

New York Knicks – 30/1

Indiana Pacers – 35/1

These franchises all believe they have a shot at the title, but the reality is they are too young, too old, too inexperienced or missing a key piece that would make them true contenders.

With the possible exception of the Mavericks, these franchises will all be dangerous and perennial postseason powers in the near future. It’s just not their year, unless they get extremely lucky.

No Chance

Atlanta Hawks – 75/1

Orlando Magic – 75/1

Philadelphia 76ers – 75/1

Denver Nuggets – 80/1

Utah Jazz – 125/1

These teams either backed into the playoffs, do not have the personnel to win a championship or some combination of both.

It would be a straight-up miracle if any of these teams were to raise a "2012 NBA Champions" banner in their arena.