The National Basketball Association (NBA) season has not yet started but fans are eagerly awaiting the tip-off. This one promises to be exciting and intriguing as several teams made significant moves to bolster their line-ups in hopes of bringing home the much-coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Among the favorites to win the championship are the Miami Heat (obviously), Oklahoma City Thunder, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, and San Antonio Spurs. This analysis is supported by sports commentators and Las Vegas sports bettors alike.

To have an idea of the developments in the betting scene, the NBA Basketball Point Spreads at Sin City are as follows:

• Miami Heat 3/1
• Oklahoma City Thunder 6/1
• Brooklyn Nets 10/1
• Chicago Bulls 10/1
• Houston Rockets 10/1
• Indiana Pacers 12/1
• Los Angeles Clippers 12/1
• San Antonio Spurs 12/1

As you can see, many NBA fanatics are banking on the Miami Heat to go all the way and achieve the rare three-peat. Such an accomplishment is so difficult that only three NBA teams have succeeded in carrying it out in the league’s 67-year history.

They are the Los Angeles Lakers (1952 to 1954 and 2000-2002), Boston Celtics (1959 to 1961), but the streak continued until 1966 (making it an eight-peat), the Chicago Bulls (1991 to 1993 and 1996 to 1998).

Winning this year’s championship will definitely put the Heat in the list of the greatest teams in NBA history. However, they should expect serious competition as several teams like the New Jersey Nets (with a whopping $100.4 million in salary and $80 million in luxury tax), Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Houston Rockets made significant player acquisitions to challenge King James’ supremacy.

Without a shadow of a doubt, the 2014 NBA season proves to be one of the most anticipated seasons. This is most true because of the player movement and free agent signings that took place during the offseason.