2014 NBA Finals Betting Odds Change After Dwight Howard, Paul Pierce And Kevin Garnett Change Teams Through Free Agency And Trades

Just 10 days into the start of free agency in the NBA, a lot has changed around the league. Player movement has drastically shifted the title odds for teams that have made big moves this offseason.

When the 2013 season ended, the Houston Rockets were given 20/1 betting odds to win the 2014 NBA Finals. One free agent signing, however, has made them one of the favorites to win next year’s championship. After landing Dwight Howard, Houston’s odds have improved to 9/1, putting them behind only the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference.

This past season, the Rockets barely made the playoffs as the eighth seed. With Howard and James Harden on the same team in 2014, though, they are expected to be one of the best in the NBA.

The Brooklyn Nets didn’t make any major free agent signings, but their championship odds have increased more than any other legitimate contender. The trade that landed Brooklyn both Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett has helped move their odds from 40/1 to 14/1.

Acquiring the two veterans helped the Nets leapfrog the New York Knicks, whose odds changed slightly from 18/1 to 22/1. New York added Andrea Bargnani, while losing Marcus Camby, Chris Copeland and Steve Novak.

The Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors have both improved this summer, according to the oddsmakers. After keeping Chris Paul, L.A.’s odds went from 18/1 to 12/1. Signing Andre Iguodala put the Warriors at 16/1.

While the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are usually contenders, neither team is perceived to have a good chance of winning the NBA Finals. The loss of Howard and Metta World Peace has set the Lakers odds back from 22/1 to 40/1. By getting rid of two of their star players, the Celtics are extreme longshots to win the title. Once at 33/1, Boston’s betting odds have fallen all the way to 100/1.

The Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder remain the favorites to represent the East and West. Neither team has made a significant free agent signing, thus far.

Below are the updated betting odds for the 2014 NBA Finals. All of the numbers come from the online betting Web site Bovada.lv.

Miami Heat 2/1

Oklahoma City Thunder 6/1

Houston Rockets 9/1

Chicago Bulls 12/1

Los Angeles Clippers 12/1

San Antonio Spurs 12/1

Brooklyn Nets 14/1

Indiana Pacers 14/1

Golden State Warriors 16/1

New York Knicks 22/1

Memphis Grizzlies 22/1

Los Angeles Lakers 40/1

Denver Nuggets 40/1

Dallas Mavericks 40/1

Cleveland Cavaliers 66/1

Atlanta Hawks 75/1

Detroit Pistons 75/1

Minnesota Timberwolves 100/1

Portland Trailblazers 100/1

Boston Celtics 100/1

New Orleans Pelicans 100/1

Toronto Raptors 100/1

Washington Wizards 100/1

Sacramento Kings 150/1

Milwaukee Bucks 150/1

Utah Jazz 150/1

Charlotte Bobcats 250/1

Philadelphia 76ers 300/1

Phoenix Suns 300/1

Orlando Magic 300/1