The era of the Big Three could potentially be over in Miami, but apparently their reputation precedes them.
Despite getting dismantled by the San Antonio Spurs in this year’s NBA Finals, the Miami Heat are favorites to win the 2015 title at 5-2 odds, according to RJ Bell of Pregame.com.
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all can opt out of their contracts when free agency begins next month. Shane Battier announced his retirement on Sunday, while Ray Allen said he’s strongly considering hanging them up, as well.
Still, four consecutive NBA Finals appearances was enough to make Miami the favorites ahead of the Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are tied for second with 7-1 odds to take home the title.
Rounding out the top five are the Los Angeles Clippers at 10-1 odds and the Indiana Pacers at 15-1 odds. In a sign of how much things have changed in Los Angeles, the Lakers’ odds of winning the title are five times worse than the Clippers’ at 50-1.
Boston Celtics fans have little reason to gloat, however, as their team is an even longer shot to win at 70-1 odds. Of course, the chances of lottery teams like the Celtics and Lakers are likely to change dramatically after the 2014 NBA draft on June 26.
Until then, Milwaukee Bucks fans will have to live with their team’s whopping 300-1 odds to win it all.
Check out the full odds below.
Miami Heat 5-2
Oklahoma City Thunder 7-1
San Antonio Spurs 7-1
Los Angeles Clippers 10-1
Indiana Pacers 15-1
Chicago Bulls 15-1
Houston Rockets 20-1
Golden State Warriors 25-1
Portland Trail Blazers 30-1
Washington Wizards 32-1
Brooklyn Nets 45-1
Memphis Grizzlies 45-1
Dallas Mavericks 45-1
New York Knicks 50-1
New Orleans Pelicans 50-1
Los Angeles Lakers 50-1
Denver Nuggets 55-1
Toronto Raptors 55-1
Minnesota Timberwolves 60-1
Cleveland Cavaliers 60-1
Boston Celtics 70-1
Phoenix Suns 70-1
Charlotte Hornets 70-1
Atlanta Hawks 70-1
Utah Jazz 110-1
Sacramento Kings 110-1
Detroit Pistons 110-1
Orlando Magic 110-1
Philadelphia 76ers 225-1
Milwaukee Bucks 300-1
