With four consecutive appearances in the NBA Finals totaling three championships, including the past two years and with two of the biggest names in the game (Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant), it’s understandable that the Golden State Warriors are the overwhelming betting favorite for a three-peat title run. But the trick to betting on the NBA championship, as is the case with all sports, is to bet the future rather than the past. Yet the great irony of futures betting is that gamblers more often than not do the opposite. They bet on the future based on the past. For 2019 the challenge is to find a bona fide realistic alternative to the Warriors, who are too expensive for most people’s tastes.
2019 NBA Futures Odds to Win the Championship
2019 NBA Futures Odds at BookMaker.eu: Golden State Warriors 2/5, Milwaukee Bucks 10/1, Toronto Raptors 10/1, Boston Celtics 15/1, Philadelphia 76ers 15/1, Oklahoma City Thunder 25/1, Houston Rockets 30/1, Denver Nuggets 55/1, Los Angeles Lakers 60/1, Utah Jazz 60/1, San Antonio Spurs 100/1, Portland Trail Blazers 200/1, Indiana Pacers 300/1, Detroit Pistons 750/1, Brooklyn Nets 850/1, Charlotte Hornets 1000/1, Dallas Mavericks 1000/1, Los Angeles Clippers 1000/1, Miami Heat 1000/1, Minnesota Timberwolves 1000/1, New Orleans Pelicans 1000/1, Orlando Magic 1000/1, Sacramento Kings 1000/1, Washington Wizards 3000/1, Atlanta Hawks 9999/1, Memphis Grizzlies 9999/1
Odds Analysis
It is no surprise that the Golden State Warriors are the overwhelming favorite to win the NBA championship as the proven brand that remains strong. But the riddle gamblers must solve is whether or not the Warriors are overpriced and still capable of a title run in the future rather than being based on the past. The other danger for Golden State backers is that there are many past “sure things” and forgone conclusions that never came to fruition in sports gambling.
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Anyone getting ready to step out on Golden State should remember that the Warriors were taken to the seventh game of the Western Conference Finals by the Houston Rockets last spring. Beyond that, Stephen Curry was injured at the end of the regular season and start of the post season last spring. If that happens again all bets are off. The other problem with Golden State is their terrible wagering value. Despite winning 43 out of their first 60 games straight up, the Warriors got the money in just 25 of those contests.
One up and coming team that could make for a realistic but far less expensive alternative are the Milwaukee Bucks. Indeed, forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has completely transformed the value, expectations, and ability of this long floundering franchise. Milwaukee also maintained a high level of profitability with just 22 losses against the spread in their first 60 games. In addition, the Bucks play a full court game that is difficult for opponents to beat.
For gamblers looking for a bit of a longer shot that could still deliver the goods a great price is the Oklahoma City Thunder. It begins with the tandem of Paul George and Russell Westbrook. George leads the Thunder with an average of 28.7 points per game with an additional 8.1 rebounds per outing. And then there is the former NBA most valuable player Westbrook with 22.5 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 11 assists per game. The Thunder stayed in the black all season and was ranked third in the Association for scoring offense.
The Denver Nuggets actually led the Thunder in the Northwest Division race. With first-time All-Star Nikola Jokic at the pivot the Nuggets may be the best futures value on the board and a bargain hunters delight.
Free NBA Betting Futures Odds Pick
Oklahoma City brings the best combination of ability and price. There may be plenty of Thunder heard come playoff time!
NBA Betting Odds Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder
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