Go West Young Man For the Best NBA Title Odds
We have almost reached the quarter mark of the NBA season. In other words, the contenders are starting to distance themselves a bit from the pretenders. During the offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers acquired Anthony Davis via a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans. The team also surrounded this duo with a group of perimeter shooters that can get hot at any given moment. Meanwhile, the LA Clippers, who won 48 games a year ago, signed Kawhi Leonard and traded for Paul George.
Based on the moves these two teams made, it is easy to understand why they are considered the frontrunners to win it all in 2020. Despite that narrative, there are a few other teams that may have something to say about that before it’s all said and done. So, without further delay, here’s a look at the top three teams with the best odds of being crowned NBA champion in 2020, based on their performances from a week ago (11/18 – 11/24).
No. 3 Spot This Week in NBA Title Odds Race: Milwaukee Bucks (+550)
The Milwaukee Bucks were the best team in the NBA last year and were two wins away from an NBA Finals appearance. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be, as they were defeated by the eventual champion Toronto Raptors.
But if you thought last season was a fluke, you’d be mistaken. Not only did the Bucks post a perfect 4-0-mark last week, they currently sit atop the Eastern Conference at 13-3, thanks in part to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 29.9 points, 13.9 rebounds and 6.4 assists per outing. When Kawhi Leonard opted to join the Clippers during the offseason, many expected the Bucks to represent the east in the Finals next season. So far, they are off to a very good start.
Bet online on POINTSBET—> Bet Now
No. 2 Spot This Week in NBA Title Odds Race: Los Angeles Lakers (+350)
When you have two of the top five players on your roster, you instantly become one of the favorites to compete for an NBA title. Last season, the Lakers had the fourth-best record in the western conference, winning 20 of their first 34 games. Could they get off to an even better start this season? You believe it.
Just like the Bucks, the Lakers won all their games last week, going 3-0. Not only that, but they have won six in a row and they have the best record in the league at 14-2 behind one of the more formidable duos in the league in LeBron James and Anthony Davis. James leads the team in assists with 10.8 per outing, while AD leads the team in rebounds (8.8), blocks (3.0) and steals (1.5). One of the goals set by this team was to be one of the best defensive ball clubs in the league. Considering they have the second-best defensive rating in the NBA, they are well on their way to accomplishing that goal.
Will the Lakers win it all in 2020? That remains to be seen. What is a certainty is that, if healthy, this team will be difficult to beat in a seven-game playoff series.
No. 1 Spot This Week in NBA Title Odds Race: LA Clippers (+300)
Like the other two teams on this list, the LA Clippers had a pretty good week as well. Although they won three of their last four outings by a combined eight-point margin, they still went 4-0. Behind a quartet of players averaging better than 19 points per contest, the Clippers have jumped out to 12-5 start, good enough for the third-best record in the western conference.
What is a surprise is even though they haven’t enjoyed the same level of success as the other team that plays its home games at the Staples Center, the Clippers remain the odds-on favorite to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy in 2020. I guess that is what having two of the best two-way players in the league on your roster will do for you in terms of betting odds.
