There is a traditionally long window with futures betting in the sports books. Casinos will generate odds for the following season the day after a champion has been crowned, with the odds fluctuating throughout the year as teams make moves to improve, injuries take a toll or a star player is caught in a hotel with a prostitute. But that window does have a definite end each year, and it usually comes with the start of the postseason. Thankfully, there's still another week to pick a championship winner in the 2008 NBA Playoffs. Here are the odds, courtesy of Bodog.com, of five teams to watch.
 

BOSTON CELTICS (2/1)
Betting on Boston to win it all this late in the season is a smart move for two reasons: 1. Boston is morning-bacon good. 2. Boston won't be challenged in its half of the bracket by anybody in the East, which means it will be fresh as a daisy in the NBA Finals. And the Celtics are a shoo-in for that.

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (11/1)
The Hornets are the recipient of the “are you sh**ting me?” future of the decade. The Rodney Dangerfields of the West have the best record in the West yet are listed with long-shot odds that could produce a huge payday. Why the lack of respect? The Hornets are young, and they haven't seen the playoffs since 2004.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS (11/2)
Another nice line with some good payoff potential. Investing in the defending champs is safe. Worst-case scenario is San Antonio bowing out in the Western Conference Finals, which at the very least would provide solid suspense for your dollar. Best-case scenario is a relatively safe $100 wager turning into nearly $600.

HOUSTON ROCKETS (18/1)
The Rockets have gone a tad soggy since ripping the entire league a new hole during the months of February and March with 22 straight wins. But the fact that they could be that successful once means that the potential is there to do it again. Might be worth a small $20 flyer to return $360.

DETROIT PISTONS (13/2)
The Celtics are the likely favorite to win the East, but should they stumble, the second-best team is Detroit. Again, a possible cushy road to the Finals could end with a well-rested Detroit claiming its second league championship in five seasons.

Chuck Blount | 210SA contributor