Vegas has the Boston Celtics ranked ahead of 14 teams (as of 7/15)

[Celtics18]

I actually think that Vegas' rankings look reasonably realistic.  About middle of the pack in the NBA is where I would put us as well; that's if Rondo can return to full health and play the better part of a full season at the same level he played before getting injured. 

[manl_lui]

Miami Heat
2/1

Oklahoma City Thunder
6/1

Chicago Bulls
10/1

Houston Rockets
10/1 (20/1 before Dwight Howard signing)

Los Angeles Clippers
10/1

San Antonio Spurs
11/1

Brooklyn Nets
14/1

Indiana Pacers
15/1

Golden State Warriors
16/1

Memphis Grizzlies
25/1

New York Knicks
25/1

Los Angeles Lakers
33/1

Dallas Mavericks
40/1

Denver Nuggets
40/1

Atlanta Hawks
75/1

Boston Celtics
75/1

Cleveland Cavaliers
100/1

Minnesota Timberwolves
100/1

New Orleans Pelicans
100/1

Portland Trailblazers
100/1

Toronto Raptors
100/1

Washington Wizards
100/1

Detroit Pistons
150/1

Milwaukee Bucks
150/1

Sacramento Kings
150/1

Utah Jazz
150/1

Charlotte Bobcats
200/1

Philadelphia 76ers
200/1

Orlando Magic
300/1

Phoenix Suns
300/1

Take that pro-tankers.

This team is going to win more games than some people think/want.

Wow, the Rockets have the same odds as Clippers and ahead of Spurs, Pacers and Nets...something is wrong with that list

I know they got Harden and Howard, but I don't think they are much of a threat to Spurs, OKC and even the Clippers

[Celtics18]

I might move the Pistons up a tick or two. 

[Evantime34]

Wow, the Rockets have the same odds as Clippers and ahead of Spurs, Pacers and Nets...something is wrong with that list

I know they got Harden and Howard, but I don't think they are much of a threat to Spurs, OKC and even the Clippers

Howard was returning from back surgery last year. If Houston gets pre back surgery Howard then they are combining the best offense with the best defender and a top 3 player in the league.

[RJ87]

Miami Heat
2/1

Oklahoma City Thunder
6/1

Chicago Bulls
10/1

Houston Rockets
10/1 (20/1 before Dwight Howard signing)

Los Angeles Clippers
10/1

San Antonio Spurs
11/1

Brooklyn Nets
14/1

Indiana Pacers
15/1

Golden State Warriors
16/1

Memphis Grizzlies
25/1

New York Knicks
25/1

Los Angeles Lakers
33/1

Dallas Mavericks
40/1

Denver Nuggets
40/1

Atlanta Hawks
75/1

Boston Celtics
75/1

Cleveland Cavaliers
100/1

Minnesota Timberwolves
100/1

New Orleans Pelicans
100/1

Portland Trailblazers
100/1

Toronto Raptors
100/1

Washington Wizards
100/1

Detroit Pistons
150/1

Milwaukee Bucks
150/1

Sacramento Kings
150/1

Utah Jazz
150/1

Charlotte Bobcats
200/1

Philadelphia 76ers
200/1

Orlando Magic
300/1

Phoenix Suns
300/1

Take that pro-tankers.

This team is going to win more games than some people think/want.

Wow, the Rockets have the same odds as Clippers and ahead of Spurs, Pacers and Nets...something is wrong with that list

I know they got Harden and Howard, but I don't think they are much of a threat to Spurs, OKC and even the Clippers

I def rank Houston ahead of LAC, if Howard is healthy and engaged, who's gonna defend him? Deandre Jordan and Ryan Hollins?

[Yogi]

The Brooklyn odds are against injuries, not against the rest of the league.  They are by far the most talented team in the league.  It is also highly unlikely they would make it fresh and healthy into the playoffs. 

[Redz]

...so we've got that going for us


Which is nice

[Cman]

These odds -for most teams- will change a fair bit between now and start of season. There's so much in flux right now that it doesn't even make sense to try to make sense of the relative odds.  IMHO.

[European NBA fan]

Gambling odds are based on where they think bets will come in not what they actually think will happen.  Sometimes they are the same, but often they are not.

This. Bookies tend to care more about covering their bets than actually predicting the future

[syfy9]

Wow, the Rockets have the same odds as Clippers and ahead of Spurs, Pacers and Nets...something is wrong with that list

I know they got Harden and Howard, but I don't think they are much of a threat to Spurs, OKC and even the Clippers

The Rockets aren't just Harden and Howard. They are super deep and had one of the best offenses in the NBA last season, with one of the worst defenses in the NBA.

Howard's presence alone will make them a top 10 defense. Add in the fact that Howard is a 20 ppg scorer, and you have a very, very dangerous team.

[hpantazo]

interesting, where did they have us ranked last year compared to where we actually finished?

[Yogi]

Howard's presence alone will make them a top 10 defense.

I thought Howard dispelled this myth last year. 

Parsons is phenomenal.  Lin is set for a big step forward as well.  Terrence Jones is also ready to contribute.  Rockets are young, big and dangerous.

[hpantazo]

Howard's presence alone will make them a top 10 defense.

I thought Howard dispelled this myth last year. 

Parsons is phenomenal.  Lin is set for a big step forward as well.  Terrence Jones is also ready to contribute.  Rockets are young, big and dangerous.

I think Howard get's a pass for last year. He was still recovering from his back surgery, got a shoulder injury, and with all the drama in LA his head was never in it last year.

[SparzWizard]

Miami Heat
2/1

Oklahoma City Thunder
6/1

Chicago Bulls
10/1

Houston Rockets
10/1 (20/1 before Dwight Howard signing)

Los Angeles Clippers
10/1

San Antonio Spurs
11/1

Brooklyn Nets
14/1

Indiana Pacers
15/1

Golden State Warriors
16/1

Memphis Grizzlies
25/1

New York Knicks
25/1

Los Angeles Lakers
33/1

Dallas Mavericks
40/1

Denver Nuggets
40/1

Atlanta Hawks
75/1

Boston Celtics
75/1

Cleveland Cavaliers
100/1

Minnesota Timberwolves
100/1

New Orleans Pelicans
100/1

Portland Trailblazers
100/1

Toronto Raptors
100/1

Washington Wizards
100/1

Detroit Pistons
150/1

Milwaukee Bucks
150/1

Sacramento Kings
150/1

Utah Jazz
150/1

Charlotte Bobcats
200/1

Philadelphia 76ers
200/1

Orlando Magic
300/1

Phoenix Suns
300/1

Take that pro-tankers.

This team is going to win more games than some people think/want.

Wow, the Rockets have the same odds as Clippers and ahead of Spurs, Pacers and Nets...something is wrong with that list

I know they got Harden and Howard, but I don't think they are much of a threat to Spurs, OKC and even the Clippers

The Lakers were the next favorites to win it all behind Miami Heat last summer the moment Dwight Howard signed with them and playing alongside Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant.

They got lucky making the playoffs last season because Utah lost. Then they got the broom treatment to wrap up their season.

As expected, Houston is in the top 5.

[SparzWizard]

I really don't think Miami will make it past the Eastern Conference Finals in 2013-2014 season. They'll lose to Indiana Pacers this time around. Dwyane Wade is deteriorating and they lost a sharpshooter in Mike Miller. Plus, David Stern will be stepping down as league commissioner.

That means Brooklyn will lose sometime in the playoffs. But it would be nice to see a MIA-BKN matchup!

HOU-IND NBA Finals should be an interesting one. Just my predictions!