NBA season tips off: Bet on Miami Heat, L.A. Lakers props and more online

Has an NBA defending champion ever been so underrated going into the following season – especially considering the improvements made to the roster in the off-season – as the Los Angeles Lakers are going into 2010-11?

Lakers fans and detractors alike are sure to be betting on NBA futures at BetUS, Bookmaker and Bodog online sportsbooks as the season tips off tonight.

The favorite to take the title is of course the Miami Heat, who (in)famously retooled the roster with LeBron James and Chris Bosh: They’re getting short 5/4 odds at Bookmaker online sportsbook against the Lakers' next-closest 27/10, seemingly the best bet on the board. Another good bet if you’re a Lakers believer is Phil Jackson in the “Coach of the Year” proposition bet at BetUS. If the Lakers take the championship this season, how will the retiring greatest coach of all-time *not* win this award?

If you’re one of those who believe the Lakers and Heat are overrated going in – attention, fans in Boston, Orlando and Oklahoma – Bodog online sportsbook has some interesting lines for the conference championship winners. While L.A. is 37/20 to take the West, those upstarts in Oklahoma City are 13/2. Meanwhile, the Celtics and Magic trail the favored Heat (at 5/3 odds to the win the East) at 5/1 and 6/1, respectively.

Take your talents to our recommended online sports betting sites Bodog, Bookmaker and Bet US this NBA season – and maybe you can bring home a big bonus, too!