Can Anyone Push the NBA Title Odds Out of the Staples Center?
Another week gone in the NBA season, and the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics remain on top of the standings in each respective conference. This is the first time both teams have been at the top simultaneously since 2010, when the fierce rivals last met in the NBA Finals. Will history repeat itself? Can anybody knock off the Associations heavyweights?
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In a mini-slump since their early season run, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA Title odds have faded to +600. The early season struggles are unsurprising considering the vast roster turnover in Philly this off-season. Gone are Jimmy Butler and JJ Redick. In are veteran center Al Horford and former Miami Heat swingman Josh Richardson. Philly’s offense has looked atrocious at times in 2019, leading to losses against the upstart Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Nonetheless, the Sixers possess a stingy defense, especially on the interior. They are one of the only teams with the size and length to challenge the Lebron James, Anthony Davis duo in a Finals series. With the addition of rookie swingman Matisse Thybulle, Philadelphia now has a defensive specialist to matchup with the NBA’s best. By the time the playoffs roll around this team will be an absolute nightmare to score on. If Ben Simmons can develop even the threat of a consistent jump shot, the rest of the league is in trouble. Philadelphia has to be in the NBA title conversation, and are a great sleeper bet with their NBA Title odds at +600.
Checking on the NBA Title Odds from the East and Texas Sized Odds Out West
Betting on the Milwaukee Bucks remains an interesting proposition. Giannis Antemtoukoumpo looks very ready to assume the mantle as the league’s undisputed best player. Even with a depleted supporting cast, the Bucks sit No.1 in the league in defensive efficiency and No.1 in points per game. That’s a recipe for success. Milwaukee has had the league’s toughest schedule to this point and have dates with the Hornets, Hawks, Bulls, Pistons and Cavs on the horizon. Jump on the Bucks bandwagon now before the price goes up.
Down in Houston, the Rockets are making an interesting case for a title run of their own. Sitting second in the stacked Western Conference with a 10-3 record, Houston is off to a resounding start to the James Harden-Russell Westbrook era. Harden has been putting on an offensive clinic, averaging 39.5 (!) points and 7.8 assists per game. Even as scoring numbers have exploded this first six weeks of this 2019 season, those numbers are out of this world. If the Rockets can keep their middle of the pack defense from dismantling the squad’s Championship run, they are a fantastic bet at +900.