Don’t look now but the defending champion Golden State Warriors got hot at the right time improving their odds of winning the Western Conference and returning to the NBA Finals for the seventh time in nine seasons. The Dubs won their final three regular season games with the offense getting tuned up for the playoffs. They scorched Portland for 55 first quarter points in a 157-101 rout in the finale and averaged over 137 points during the winning streak. More impressively was the fact that they won four of their last five road games after going 7-29 over their first 36 away encounters.
Oddsmakers have pegged the Phoenix Suns as the team to beat, though. They finished fourth in the conference but became a trendy pick following the acquisition of Kevin Durant to team with Chris Paul and Devin Booker. And KD could be the missing piece to get the Suns over the disappointment of last postseason. Owners of the best record, the Suns were dropped in the second round by Dallas with an embarrassing 33-point home loss in Game 7. The Lakers had the second best record after the All-Star break and have the fourth-best odds. They have to escape the play-in tournament and will challenge either Denver or Memphis if successful.
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NBA Odds To Win 2023 Western Conference
Phoenix Suns +200
Golden State Warriors +380
Denver Nuggets +400
Los Angeles Lakers +600
Memphis Grizzlies +670
Los Angeles Clippers +1320
Sacramento Kings +2000
New Orleans Pelicans +7000
Minnesota Timberwolves +9500
Oklahoma City Thunder +18000
The Suns are an intriguing team as they look to make up for last season’s playoff debacle. With Paul, Booker and others missing time due to injuries and Durant having a short run after his acquisition you can’t really go off the regular season record. They finished a game better than the Clippers and Warriors at 45-37 in the congested standings. However, the Suns were 8-0 in games Durant played and you can’t overestimate his value as a two-time Finals MVP and prolific playoff scorer to a team that desperately.
Is it possible the trio of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have another run in them? If they weren’t so bad on the road I would think they do, especially the way they closed the year. They open up at Sacramento in the first round and will not have homecourt advantage in any series as long as the higher seeds advance. And though they won four of their last five road games during the regular season it’s hard to overlook their 11-30 overall away record, which was better than only Houston, San Antonio and Detroit, and we know where those clubs finished.
I’m surprised the Lakers have such short odds for a team that’s involved in the play-in tournament. They made some roster adjustments around the deadline and the additions have paid with the defense ranked among the best in that span. The Lakers also own the NBA’s second-best record over that stretch. It’s also a plus having AD and LeBron James. The last time they suited up together in the postseason the Lakers won their record 17th NBA title.
The Nuggets finished with the best record in the West and have a strong homecourt edge in the Mile High City. They faltered down the stretch, though, leaving some wondering if they have what it takes. Nikola Jokic, who averaged 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists, had another MVP-type season, but the Nuggets need Jamaal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. to flourish. And with 34 wins the Nuggets owned the second-best home record in the entire NBA.
I would have considered the Clippers a threat if Paul George was healthy. Without him there isn’t enough to carry the load in what are sure to be tight games where a clutch bucket can turn the tide. I’m happy for Sacramento ending the longest playoff drought in the NBA and their offense could be enough to overcome the Warriors in the opening round. But beyond that I just don’t think they’re ready.
And don’t waste your money on the teams at the bottom of the odds list. OKC is ahead of schedule in its rebuild and the Pelicans aren’t doing anything unless Zion Williamson emerges. There was talk he could ready once the first round starts, but that requires the Pels advancing out of the play-in tournament.
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