Sportsbook odds calling for Kobe and LeBron

This year’s NBA odds has a couple of familiar teams on the top of the list of favorites for the upcoming season. But it won’t be easy to line up this massive superstar matchup in the Finals, as the East will be fiercely competitive at the top.

Good Plays

Los Angeles Lakers (+180): Can Crazy Ron Artest focus his intensity and help Kobe Bryant win a second straight title? A healthy Andrew Bynum would also do wonders.

Cleveland Cavaliers (+300): The Cavs picked up Jamario Moon, Anthony Parker and Shaquille O’Neal to support

Boston (+500): The Celtics’ repeat run was ruined by Kevin Garnett’s ailing knee. Rasheed Wallace brings some championship experience, but his prediction of 72 wins may come back to haunt him.

San Antonio (+800): Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili apparently look healthy, and the Spurs can make one more push for a ring with Richard Jefferson on the board.

Orlando Magic (+1200): Even with no Hedo Turkoglu or Courtney Lee, the Magic should have enough to challenge in the East. Vince Carter and Dwight Howard may stage their own personal dunk contests.

Possible Darkhorses

Portland (+1500): The pickup of Andre Miller may prove to be the sharpest of the offseason, meaning Brandon Roy doesn’t have to handle the ball as much. Now, if Greg Oden can stay healthy and/or out of foul trouble.

Miami (+4000): Dwayne Wade led a young team to the playoffs. A healthy Jermaine O’Neal back at his All-Star form would be a huge boost for the Heat.

Denver (+1200): Chauncey Billups changed the culture of the Nuggets’ locker room, and now he has a training camp to further school the young Denver players.

Utah (+2500): Carlos Boozer is pretty much gone at the end of the season, but coach Jerry Sloan won’t let it be a distraction.

Toronto (+7500): This is the biggest reach in the league. This is either a playoff team, or last in the East. Chris Bosh has to prove he’s worth $20 million a year to someone, and Turkoglu gives them a new dimension.

Don’t Even Think About It

Memphis (+10000): It’ll be funny to see Allen Iverson, O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay fight over shots. Marc Gasol is never going to see the ball.

Los Angeles Clippers (+10000): Poor Blake Griffin, gets drafted and gets stuck in Clipperland. He needs to stay far away from Ricky Davis.

Phoenix (+5000): Amare Stoudemire is probably gone after this season, meaning his indifferent defense may be worst than usual. This could be the worst defensive team in the league.

The rest of the East (various): After the top three and maybe Miami, Atlanta and Chicago, no one else has a chance.