The best online gambling sportsbooks are brimming with excitement as the National Basketball Association (N.B.A.) begins its 63^rd campaign.  Now is the time to visit the best online gambling casinos in order to secure the best odds.  The oddsmakers in Las Vegas , who have set N.B.A. odds since the league’s inception, have established both the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers as 7-2 favourites.  The best online casinos have followed suit.  Since the Celtics and the Lakers are in two separate conferences, it would surprise no one if these two teams met again for the N.B.A. Championship, as they did last year.

 N.B.A. Eastern Conference Forecast

It’s no small wonder that the oddsmakers have made the Celtics the choice to repeat in the East.  The big three (Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen) are back in good health, albeit a year older.  However, they are still in the prime of their careers, and are certainly capable of leading the Celtics to the Eastern Conference crown.

The Detroit Pistons, perennial contenders, appear to be locked into that role again this year.  They changed coaches, but even Michael Curry won’t be able to elevate this team past the second round in the playoffs.  The Philadelphia 76ers, on the other hand, made significant off-season moves to improve their club.  Elton Brand is an impact player who will be among the top power forwards in the Eastern Conference, while Kareem Rush boosts the team’s outside shooting.  Look for the 76ers to meet the Celtics in the finals of the East.  The Pistons are listed at 10-1, while the Sixers stand at 25-1 odds.

Other clubs in the East that have improved their rosters in the off-season are the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Milwaukee Bucks, although Milwaukee will have a successful campaign if they finish at .500.  The Cavs, on the other hand, are expected to compete with the Celtics for the East title.  Even though they have, arguably, the best player in the N.B.A. in LeBron James, They give a betting man no reason to believe that they will be anything else but also-rans.  At 10-1 odds, the best online gambling casino will make a bundle in their sportsbooks if anyone takes the Cavs at the 10-1 price.

N.B.A. Western Conference Forecast

While the Celtics broke the Western Conference stranglehold on the N.B.A. crown last year, the power teams in the league still reside out West.  The Los Angeles Lakers figure to be among the cream of the crop out West.  Kobe Bryant, the reigning MVP, has much to prove after last season’s disappointing performance in the N.B.A. finals.  He should have a second chance this year.  The team’s defence will improve with Andrew Bynum back at center as anchor. The best online casino gambling sportsbooks have the Lakers currently at 7-2, but look for these odds to improve.  So, grab this bet while you can.

Other contenders out West will be the San Antonio Spurs, who are listed at 8-1 odds, the Charlotte Hornets at 10-1, and the Houston Rockets at 12-1 to take the crown.  The Houston Rockets are the most interesting of all the teams, and the oddsmakers in the best online casino gambling sites will dramatically increase the chances of the Rockets as the season goes on.  The Rockets are a great long shot at their present price because the addition of Ron Artest gives them a flat-out shut down defensive player, exactly what they needed.

So, if you want my opinion, it’ll be the Celtics taking the Sixers in six games in the East, and the Lakers topping the Rockets in seven to advance to the finals, setting up a rematch.  Only in the late spring of 2009, Kobe will lead the Lakers out of La-La land and into the catbird’s seat as N.B.A.Champs.  Place your bets in the best online casino sportsbooks now before the oddsmakers realize what we already know.