NBA

LeBron transforms Cavs into odds-on title favorites

The NBA can be simple, sometimes. The best player in the world gives you the best chance to win a championship, at least according to Las Vegas.

After LeBron James’ announcement he would be leaving the Miami Heat to return to Cleveland, the Cavaliers were made the favorite to win the NBA title in 2015 by Bovada.lv.

Cleveland, with Kyrie Irving and No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins, is now a 4-1 favorite to win the championship, just ahead of the defending champion Spurs (5-1). The Heat, likely to lose free agent Chris Bosh as well, now have 50-1 odds to win the title, tying them with the New Orleans Pelicans, while ranking behind 15 other teams including the Knicks (40-1).

Prior to James’ return home, the Heat had been 3-1 favorites to win the next championship, while the Cavaliers were given 33-1 odds.

At the Cosmopolitan sports book in Las Vegas, the Cavs’ odds fell to 3.5-1, from 6-1 on Thursday and 60-1 last week.

In four seasons with the Heat, James led Miami to an NBA Finals appearance each year, capturing the championship in 2012 and 2013.

“With the Eastern Conference being much weaker and essentially only a handful of teams that can give LeBron and the Cavs a run for their money, it would be a shock if they do not at least make the Conference Finals,” said Kevin Bradley, Bovada.lv Sportsbook Manager. “This shows how much of an impact a player like LeBron has on odds. The last comparable situation was when Peyton Manning signing with the Broncos dropped them from 75-1 to 10-1 in a blink of an eye.”