in NHL Free Picks

Which set of fans are best positioned to celebrate a double championship next spring? Here’s a look at the current odds to win the 2006/07 NBA Championship and the 2006/07 Stanley Cup for each of the 20 cities (areas) with both teams.

Dallas Mavericks +450 --- Dallas Stars +1000

The best chance for a double-shot, according to the oddsmakers, is in Big D, where the Mavs (despite a bad start) are solid, and the Stars are always a threat.

Detroit Pistons +1000 --- Detroit Red Wings +1000

The Pistons aren’t as highly regarded as they once were, but they’re certainly no stranger to championships. And the Red Wings are always a Stanley Cup threat.

Los Angeles Clippers +2200 --- Anaheim Mighty Ducks +750

L.A.’s secondary clubs are grouped together here - with both getting good odds to win a title. They also wouldn’t mind grabbing the Los Angeles sports spotlight.

New Jersey Nets +1600 --- New Jersey Devils +1400

The Nets only have to win a weak Atlantic Division to get a high seed in the NBA playoffs. The Devils just need strong play by Martin Brodeur to be in contention.

Miami Heat +625 --- Florida Panthers +5000

Shaquille O’Neal and Dwayne Wade leading the Heat to another title? Very possible. The Panthers, however, aren’t even a strong playoff candidate in 2006.

Denver Nuggets +4500 --- Colorado Avalanche +3000

The Avalanche no longer have much beyond Joe Sakic, so their days as an elite team are drawing to a close. The Nuggets have started the season in a big hole.

Chicago Bulls +1000 --- Chicago Blackhawks +7500

The Bulls are the pick of many NBA analysts as the team most likely to surprise. The Hawks are the pick of many NHL analysts as the league’s worst franchise.

Orlando Magic +5000 --- Tampa Bay Lightning +4000

Not exactly the same city, but there’s gotta be some fan crossover there. It’s the Lightning, though, that look like they have the better shot at winning this season.

Minnesota Timberwolves +8500 --- Minnesota Wild +600

The Wild have gotten off to a strong start this season, which has seen their Cup odds go down significantly. The T-Wolves, though, still have a lot of work to do.

Cleveland Cavaliers +1200 --- Columbus Blue Jackets +9000

Can LeBron James skate? The Blue Jackets are still having problems turning their team into a contender, while the Cavs have King James to lead the charge.

Golden State Warriors +10000 --- San Jose Sharks +1100

If the Bay Area wants to have a parade in the spring, they’d better direct their support down the road to the Sharks; the Warriors aren’t going to be a title threat.

Los Angeles Lakers +2400 --- Los Angeles Kings +9000

You think either of these teams wants to be the second-tier contender in their market? The Lakers are at least looking like they’ll be in the postseason picture.

Phoenix Suns +550 --- Phoenix Coyotes +12000

The Coyotes have been the worst team in the NHL this season, so their odds might as well be +1000000. The Suns have started slow too, but will get better.

Washington Wizards +6500 --- Washington Capitals +7000

The nation’s capital has had two mediocre teams so far this season (and in many seasons past). Both will be in a fight to make the playoffs in their leagues in ’06.

Toronto Raptors +12000 --- Toronto Maple Leafs +1800

The Leafs were supposed to be terrible this year, but haven’t looked half bad. The Raptors were supposed to be improved, but the jury’s still out on that one.

Philadelphia 76ers +9000 --- Philadelphia Flyers +5000

The 76ers are probably New Jersey’s only real threat in the Atlantic, if AI can get through the season. The Flyers have already ditched their head coach and GM.

Boston Celtics +8000 --- Boston Bruins +8000

Not a great time to be sports fan in Beantown unless you’re focusing your attention completely on the Patriots. Neither winter club looks like a title threat.

New York Knicks +14000 --- New York Rangers +2200

The Knicks haven’t been the worst team in the league yet this season, but it’s still early. Their fellow MSG team hasn’t been great, but they still have Jaromir Jagr. 

Atlanta Hawks +20000 --- Atlanta Thrashers +1000

Those Hawks odds will go down if they continue to play the way they are right now - but don’t hold your breath. The young Thrashers might have finally arrived.

Charlotte Bobcats +25000 --- Carolina Hurricanes +1400

The Hurricanes could streamroll through the NHL playoffs again this season and take home another Cup, but the Bobcats are a long way from being a contender.