The weirdest and wildest NBA season in history is racing towards a conclusion as the 15 teams – plus the winner of a play-in tournament featuring the Portland Trail Blazers and the Memphis Grizzlies – are all set to battle it out to determine an NBA Champion in Orlando.
The bubble aspect of the season that saw all the contending teams shipped down to Disney World to play out the campaign has been a success and we can expect to see those teams ramp it up into another gear over the next month before one is crowned as the best neutral court NBA squad in history.
Here is a look at the two conferences with a likely winner and a few outside bet teams worth taking on at BetXChange.
Western Conference
Los Angeles Lakers – 1.60
The Lakers were a joke last season but in this wild year, they have emerged as one of the teams to beat out west. Anthony Davis has been a huge addition, while the ability of LeBron James to stay healthy – ironically aided by the enforced midseason shutdown – has the Lakers in a good position as long as Davis stays hot from the floor. Their dip in form down the stretch is something of a concern.
Los Angeles Clippers – 1.50
A battle for Los Angeles in the Western Conference Finals – ironically about as far east as you can go in the US – would make for some mouthwatering TV. This has been seen as the most likely matchup since the LA teams took over free agency in the summer. Kawhi Leonard is a proven playoff star and the Clippers also have Paul George and an outstanding supporting cast around their marquee star. This team is going to be a tough out.
Eastern Conference
Milwaukee Bucks – 0.60
In purely betting terms the Bucks are in a much better spot to progress to the Finals than their Western Conference competitors. Likely MVP Giannis Antetokempo escaped with a slap on the wrist (just a one-game ban) after headbutting Moe Wanger, so he will be back before Milwaukee even misses him. This is the team with the best record in the league and they are odds on for a reason to be the last team standing in the East.
Boston Celtics – 5.00
The Celtics are the #3 seed in the East and they are one of the biggest challengers to the Bucks based on their overall level of ability. Kemba Walker looks healthy and is he can get his scoring average up, then the Celtics will be an even tougher matchup. Their one major issue is a distinct lack of size to go up against the likes of Joel Embiid (first-round) and Giannis (Eastern Conference Finals).
NBA Champion
Milwaukee Bucks – 2.00
It’s just hard to see past the Bucks. They have the best player in the league in Giannis and they have surrounded him with complimentary players that play outstanding team basketball. This combination is going to be enough to take them to their first NBA Title in almost 50 years. For those that fancy an outside punt, look at the Raptors (9.75) or Nuggets (22.00) for value teams with the ability to make a deep playoff run.
