The NBA All-Star week is a perfect time for recouping what had been done so far in this NBA season, but also the best time to place your wagers on the NBA futures 0dds. While the preseason odds offer better prices for those foresighted, those also carry plenty of unpredictable risks. On the other hand, betting too late in the season would diminish almost any value on the teams that stand a realistic chance of winning the title.
After all, in the NBA, the cream almost always rises to the top.
If you still feel compelled to bet on these types of futures, limiting your options to the teams that have already proved that they can win is probably the smartest thing you can do. And with almost three-quarters of the season behind us, the cards are already dealt.
For an updated version of the NBA Finals odds, please visit BetDSI Sportsbook:
Odds to win NBA Finals
Golden State Warriors -160
Houston Rockets +450
Cleveland Cavaliers +500
Toronto Raptors +1200
Boston Celtics +1600
Oklahoma City Thunder +2800
San Antonio Spurs +3300
Minnesota Timberwolves +5000
Washington Wizards +6600
Milwaukee Bucks +6600
Philadelphia 76ers +8000
Utah Jazz +8000
Denver Nuggets +12500
Indiana Pacers +12500
Miami Heat +15000
Detroit Pistons +15000
New Orleans Pelicans +25000
Portland Trail Blazers +25000
Los Angeles Clippers +25000
Charlotte Hornets +25000
Warriors remain the top favorite to win it all, Cavs still the main contender from the East
Familiar names are at the top – two Finalists from the previous three seasons are leading the race. The Golden StateWarriors were the frontrunner since winning the championship in 2017, peaking at -207 on February 1st. The current offer of -160 is close to their opening day -187 odds and the decline has more to do with the rest of the pack improving their chances.
The Cleveland Cavaliers refreshment with deadline trades and the following wins clearly made an impression on the odds setters. Down to season-high +620 odds to win NBA Finals just three weeks ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers are now the top title contender in the East at +500.
The Houston Rockets are keeping pace with the duo with +450 NBA championship odds, improving on the wings of a 10-game winning streak they’ve put up prior to the All-Star. They are leading the West by the slightest of margins, but own the tiebreaker with the Warriors. Even if they don’t grab the top spot, they’re unlikely to drop to a position that would require them to face the champions before the Western Conference Finals.
Furthermore, the Rockets are an incredible 29-1 this season when Chris Paul, James Harden, and Clint Capela are all healthy and playing, making them a strong case for a bet. With Oklahoma City far off in terms of what’s required, Minnesota being too young and too bad on the road, and no signs of San Antonio getting to their full roster anytime soon, the Rockets are probably the best option in the West for all of us who are not Kawhi Leonard’s doctors.
The Eastern Conference playoff bracket could be struck with more surprises. After leading the pack for most of the season, the Boston Celtics bad stretch coming into the break affected their outlook at the books – Kyrie Irving, Al Horford and the young bunch are the biggest losers with the odds dropping to +1600. It’s still a showing faith in that they’ll turn it around, but don’t buy into Hayward’s attempted push to return in time for the playoffs – that won’t happen.
Surprisingly, the team that is leading the conference, and also the team that had shown the most consistent and balanced basketball all season, the Toronto Raptors, are still underrated at +1200. The books are probably counting on the postseason cold feet they’ve shown in the past, but this team is for real.Placing a small wager on such a positive payout could do no harm, especially when there’s an actual chance that the Cavs simply have too bad of a coach, too new of a roster and that the Celtics can’t score enough points.
Among all the Eastern Conference challengers, the Raptors are also probably built the best to match-up with the Warriors in both ways a team can threaten them. Close your right eye on the fact that the Raptors could be had at +6600 on the turn of the year, and take them before they fall further.
If you are scouting for a total surprise – something that we simply can’t advise – Portland Trail Blazers at +25000 and Miami Heat +15000 look the best gambles judged by the value of the odds and their performances on the court.
