(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
With some of the first-round series of the NBA playoffs almost decided, it’s pretty safe to assume that the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns won’t be lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy in the next couple of months.
Both teams are down 0-3 and have looked overwhelmed and overmatched from start to finish, and no team has ever been able to come back from that kind of deficit.
With that in mind, oddsmakers have chosen two clear-cut favorites to be the next NBA Champions.
According to ESPN Bet, the Boston Celtics have the best odds (+135), followed by the Denver Nuggets (+2000).
After them, we find the Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
An updated look at the odds to win the NBA Championship
Who ya got taking the Larry O’Brien trophy home? pic.twitter.com/aaHEzcxgxu
— ESPN BET (@ESPNBet) April 27, 2024
This is kind of curious, particularly considering that the Celtics are 1-1 in their series vs. the Miami Heat, so it’s not like they’re even in the second round already.
Also, the Orlando Magic and Heat aren’t even listed above.
On top of that, the fact that the reigning NBA champions aren’t the leading candidate to win again despite being up 3-0 in their series is also a bit of a head-scratcher.
Right now, the Celtics seem to be the team to beat on paper, as they have the most talent around the league.
Still, they have a long history of shortcomings in the postseason, and we’ve seen talented teams fall short of their goals time and time again in this league, so they still need to prove themselves.
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