NBA Playoffs: Finding the Favorite To Win the NBA Championship

At the start of the season the Los Angeles Lakers were the defending champions and the favorites to win another NBA Championship.

Now the Lakers are in serious trouble and that leaves a void for which team is now the favorite to win an NBA Championship this year.

Here is a look at the rest of the field and the team most likely to win the championship.

Miami Heat

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BOSTON, MA - MAY 07: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat heads for the basket as Rajon Rondo #9 and Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics defend in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 7, 2011 at the TD Garden in B

When LeBron James went to South Beach, the Miami Heat had too many question marks to be considered favorites to win the title. They had no true point guard and were missing a big man in the middle to take down some of the best teams in the league.

A few months later, the Heat is on the brink of eliminating the Boston Celtics and is the favorites to win the NBA Championship.

Odds To Win the NBA Championship: 1.6 to 1

Dallas Mavericks

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 04: Tyson Chandler #6 of the Dallas Mavericks dunks the ball in the first quarter while taking on the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on May 4, 2011 in L

The Dallas Mavericks have not eliminated the LA Lakers yet, but they look very good. They have veteran leadership in Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd and size to play with any team in the league.

Beating the LA Lakers would make them the favorites out of the West by default.

Odds To Win the NBA Championship: 3 to 1

Boston Celtics

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BOSTON, MA - MAY 07: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics heads down court after he scored on a break away in the second half against the Miami Heat in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 7, 2011 at the TD Garde

The Boston Celtics are in a hole against the Heat, but still have a chance at a title. The Big Three is looking old and without help in the middle, this could be the last round for the Celtics. 

It will be a sad day for NBA Commissioner David Stern when both the Lakers and the Celtics are eliminated from the playoffs.

The Celtics are devastated by injuries, and even if they are able to pull out the series against the Heat, it will be tough to bring home another ring.

Odds To Win the NBA Championship: 20 to 1

Oklahoma City Thunder

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 03: Forward Kevin Durant #35 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2011 at Oklahoma City Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklah

The future looks bright in Oklahoma City and if they make it to the finals, they could very well win a title this year. Kevin Durant is one of the best players in the NBA and his supporting cast is getting better by the minute.

The loss against the Grizzlies in overtime, proved that they still have some growing up to do. The Thunder may not win it this year, but will be favorites to win it in years to come.

Odds To Win the NBA Championship: 4 to 1

Memphis Grizzlies

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MEMPHIS, TN - MAY 07: Zach Randolph #50 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on May 7, 2011 in Memphis, Tenne

The Memphis Grizzlies pulled off the biggest upsets in the playoffs by making quick work of the San Antonio Spurs. They are the feel-good story of the NBA postseason, and Zach Randolph is finally getting credit as an elite player in the NBA.

The overtime comeback win showed incredible persistence by the Grizzlies.  If the Grizzlies get by the Thunder, it could be one of the best stories in the NBA Playoffs.

Odds To Win the NBA Championship: 20 to 1

Atlanta Hawks

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ATLANTA, GA - MAY 06: Marvin Williams #24 of the Atlanta Hawks dunks against Derrick Rose #1, Joakim Noah #13 and Carlos Boozer #5 of the Chicago Bulls in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Phillips Arena on May 6

The Atlanta Hawks were not supposed to beat the Orlando Magic and should have been eliminated early. Yet here they are playing a very interesting series against the Chicago Bulls.

The fact that they won a game in the Windy City makes them dangerous, but overall they are the longest shot to win a NBA title.

Odds To Win the NBA Championship: 100 to 1

Chicago Bulls

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ATLANTA, GA - MAY 06: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls drives against Joe Johnson #2 and Al Horford #15 of the Atlanta Hawks in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Phillips Arena on May 6, 2011 in Atlanta, Geor

The Chicago Bulls have yet to play a complete game in the NBA playoffs. All of their playoff games have been somewhat close, and Carlos Boozer has yet to emerge as the productive player in the post. Derrick Rose is playing like an MVP and if Boozer starts making shots they could easily be the favorites to win an NBA title.

Odds To Win the NBA Championship: 3 to 1

LA Lakers

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DALLAS, TX - MAY 06: Guard Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during a 98-92 loss against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2011 at American Airlines Center in Dal

The Lakers have to do the impossible and come back from a 0-3 deficit if they want a shot at the title. If any team can do it, it’s the Lakers.

Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson have a can’t-lose attitude, but Bryant will need help from the other cast members on the team.  The rest of the squad has not been consistent enough to keep the Lakers afloat and betting on the Lakers to win the title is a huge risk.

However, the odds are just tempting enough to get a look from some Lakers fans.

Odds To Win the NBA Championship:  20 to 1

NBA Champsionhip Prediction

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 04: Dirk Nowitzki #41 and Jason Kidd #2 of the Dallas Mavericks celebrate late in the fourth quarter while taking on the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center

This is an exciting year in the NBA playoffs and anything can happen with the remaining teams.

Although the Miami Heat are the favorites to win the title, the team that looks destined to win it all just may be the Dallas Mavericks.

Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews and predictions. Feel free to contact Matt at [e-mail].