Warriors, Cavaliers remain NBA title favorites
The Cleveland Cavaliers (19-6) and Golden State Warriors (24-4) appear to be on a collision course to be the first two teams in NBA history to square off in the Finals three times in a row. Oddsmakers in Las Vegas would certainly have you believe that's the case.
Heads and tails above all the rest, both powerhouse squads remain at the top of the heap as the favorites to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy at the end of the 2016-17 season.
NBA Championship Odds
| Team | 5/29/2016 | 12/19/2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | 3-2 | 4-5 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 5-2 | 9-5 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 6-1 | 5-1 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 8-1 | 60-1 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 16-1 | 14-1 |
| Boston Celtics | 20-1 | 30-1 |
| Miami Heat | 25-1 | 1000-1 |
| Chicago Bulls | 40-1 | 200-1 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 40-1 | 200-1 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 60-1 | 1000-1 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 60-1 | 1000-1 |
| Houston Rockets | 60-1 | 30-1 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 80-1 | 100-1 |
| Toronto Raptors | 25-1 | 25-1 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 60-1 | 200-1 |
| Washington Wizards | 100-1 | 200-1 |
| Indiana Pacers | 100-1 | 200-1 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 100-1 | 5000-1 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 100-1 | 200-1 |
| Detroit Pistons | 100-1 | 200-1 |
| Utah Jazz | 80-1 | 80-1 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 100-1 | 1000-1 |
| New York Knicks | 100-1 | 200-1 |
| Sacramento Kings | 100-1 | 1000-1 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 100-1 | 5000-1 |
| Orlando Magic | 100-1 | 1000-1 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 80-1 | 100-1 |
| Phoenix Suns | 300-1 | 5000-1 |
| Denver Nuggets | 100-1 | 500-1 |
| Brooklyn Nets | 500-1 | 5000-1 |
The most noticeable drop-offs in the latest odds belong to the Philadelphia 76ers and Dallas Mavericks, who fall from 100-1 to 5000-1. While neither franchise was considered much of a title challenger to begin with, a number of injuries to key players on their respective rosters have both teams sitting dead last in their respective conferences.
(Odds courtesy: Westgate Las Vegas Superbook)
HEADLINES
- Heat to receive 2nd-round pick from Hornets as part of Rozier trade
- Wembanyama, Fox star for Spurs in high-scoring victory over Rockets
- Doncic, Reaves combine for 60 as Lakers hold off Knicks without LeBron
- Brown scores 23, Tatum adds 20 as Celtics hold off Cavs
- Booker scores 30 as Suns halt Hornets' road winning streak at 10