The NBA just concluded its All-Star weekend on Sunday, which means the teams are gearing up for the stretch run. With the trade deadline on Thursday, expect to see a few trades as contenders try to improve their teams before the start of the playoffs.
2017 NBA Finals Odds
According to BetOnline.ag, these are the teams with the best odds of winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy this season. These odds will change as we near the end of the season. To see the updated odds head over to BetOnline.ag and click on ‘NBA Futures’ from the ‘Futures & Props’ drop down menu in the Sportsbook section.
- Golden State Warriors: -185
- Cleveland Cavaliers: +350
- San Antonio Spurs: +850
- Boston Celtics: +1600
- Houston Rockets: +2000
- Los Angeles Clippers: +2800
- Toronto Raptors: +2800
- Washington Wizards: +3300
- Memphis Grizzlies: +6600
The Warriors came into the season as favorites to win the championship despite losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the finals last season because they added former MVP, Kevin Durant, to a team that already featured three All-Stars, including reigning two-time MVP Stephen Curry.
My Picks
The NBA, unlike most professional leagues, seems to be a two horse race between Cleveland and Golden State. On paper, it seems more than likely that these two teams will face each other in the finals for the third consecutive season. Unfortunately for both teams, the games still have to be played.
In the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers have been the best team in the past two seasons, however, Cleveland is dealing with a rash of injuries that can threaten their chances of making it to the NBA Finals for the third consecutive season.
With injuries to Kevin Love and J.R. Smith, teams like Boston and Toronto have a solid chance of dethroning the Cavaliers as the Eastern Conference champions, if either team makes a big trade at the deadline, their chances will improve significantly.
In the West, the Warriors have been the cream of the crop and have been relatively healthy all season long. Defeating the Warriors in the playoffs will be tough, but the San Antonio Spurs are one of the few teams that have enough depth to give the Warriors problems. With Pau Gasol expected to return to the lineup soon, the Spurs front court will give the Warriors a tough matchup should they meet in the playoffs.
The Clippers are another team that can give Golden State a run for their money if they are healthy when the playoffs begin, and can add Carmelo Anthony, who has been rumored to be willing to play for the Clippers. With Anthony on the team, the Clippers will have enough firepower to go to-to-toe with Golden State.
When it’s all said and done, I still believe the Warriors are the team to beat, so the smart money should be on the Warriors. The Cavaliers at +350 is also a smart bet with a better payout.
Play: Cavaliers +350
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