NBA Betting Odds 2015: How Derrick Rose's Injury Weakens Chicago Bulls' Championship Chances

A healthy Derrick Rose had helped spread optimism around Chicago as the Bulls entered the 2014-2015 season as one of the top contenders to reach the NBA Finals. The recent news that the former MVP is set to undergo another surgery on his knee has dampened expectations in the Windy City, as their odds to win their first title since Michael Jordan left the team in 1998 have plummeted.

At the All-Star break, the Bulls’ championship odds were set at 8/1, tying them for fourth overall with the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. Now that Rose is hurt again, Chicago’s odds are 20/1, tying them for eighth among title contenders. Rose hasn’t played at an All-Star level like he did a few years ago, but his 18.4 points and 5.0 assists per game helped give the Bulls 36 wins in 57 games. There is no timetable set for his return.

"You don't see NBA teams win without their franchise player," said ESPN's Michael Wilbon.

With Rose out, the top teams in the Eastern Conference are expected to have a much easier path to the Finals. The Cleveland Cavaliers only had worse odds than the Golden State Warriors at the All-Star break, and now they are the betting favorites to win it all. After a slow start, the Cavs have won 36 of 58 games and are just 1.5 games out of the No.2 seed.

Since James returned from an injury in mid-January, Cleveland has been nearly unbeatable. They’ve gone 17-2 in their last 19 games, and with Rose out, the Cavs appear poised to take hold of first place in the Central Division.

The Atlanta Hawks have all but clinched the No.1 seed in the East, and they might face the Bulls in the second round of the playoffs. The Hawks are 44-12 through 56 games, and their odds have remained the same, since the All-Star break. Though Mike Budenholzer's squad has proven to be the best regular-season team, the Hawks lost in the first round of last year’s playoffs and have failed to win a postseason series since 2011.

While the Warriors still have the best odds in the West, the second best odds are given to their likely first-round opponent. The Oklahoma City Thunder have found their way into the playoffs as the No.8 seed, and they seem poised to remain in the postseason. Having traded Goran Dragic at the trade deadline, the Phoenix Suns no longer seem to be much of a threat, losing eight of their last nine contests.

The Thunder’s odds haven’t been affected by Kevin Durant’s latest injury. The All-Star recently underwent surgery on his right foot, and there is no timetable for his return. However, the forward is expected to be back sometime in the regular season. Even without Durant, Oklahoma City hasn’t lost a step, winning eight straight games, including three without Durant, behind the stellar play of star guard Russell Westbrook.

Below are the betting odds to win the 2015 NBA championship, courtesy of Bovada.lv.

Cleveland Cavaliers 11/4

Golden State Warriors 7/2

Oklahoma City Thunder 6/1

Atlanta Hawks 15/2

Memphis Grizzlies 9/1

San Antonio Spurs 9/1

Dallas Mavericks 18/1

Chicago Bulls 20/1

Los Angeles Clippers 20/1

Toronto Raptors 20/1

Houston Rockets 25/1