Warriors, Cavaliers remain NBA title favorites
The Golden State Warriors (32-6) and Cleveland Cavaliers (28-8) are both still leading their respective conferences and considered the top two title favorites.
As we approach the midway point of the 2016-17 campaign, oddsmakers in Las Vegas are giving the Dubs the best chance of coming out of the West, while the defending champion Cavs are expected to win the East. In what would be the third consecutive Finals series featuring Golden State and Cleveland, the Warriors are the odds-on favorite to reign supreme.
NBA Championship Odds
| Team | Preseason | Current |
|---|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | 3-2 | 4-5 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 5-2 | 7-5 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 6-1 | 6-1 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 16-1 | 20-1 |
| Houston Rockets | 60-1 | 20-1 |
| Boston Celtics | 20-1 | 25-1 |
| Toronto Raptors | 25-1 | 25-1 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 8-1 | 60-1 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 80-1 | 80-1 |
| Utah Jazz | 80-1 | 80-1 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 80-1 | 100-1 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 100-1 | 100-1 |
| Chicago Bulls | 40-1 | 200-1 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 40-1 | 200-1 |
| Washington Wizards | 100-1 | 200-1 |
| Indiana Pacers | 100-1 | 200-1 |
| Detroit Pistons | 100-1 | 200-1 |
| New York Knicks | 100-1 | 200-1 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 60-1 | 500-1 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 60-1 | 500-1 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 60-1 | 1000-1 |
| Sacramento Kings | 100-1 | 1000-1 |
| Orlando Magic | 100-1 | 1000-1 |
| Denver Nuggets | 100-1 | 1000-1 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 100-1 | 2000-1 |
| Miami Heat | 25-1 | 5000-1 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 100-1 | 5000-1 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 100-1 | 5000-1 |
| Phoenix Suns | 300-1 | 5000-1 |
| Brooklyn Nets | 500-1 | 9999-1 |
The defensively challenged Los Angeles Lakers and injury-ravaged Miami Heat's title chances have fallen from 1000-1 to 5000-1 since the last update, while the woeful Brooklyn Nets find themselves alone at the bottom with 9999-1 odds.
In the opposite direction, the Houston Rockets' championship odds improved from 30-1 to 20-1 to reflect their eight-game win streak and climb to third in the West. Meanwhile in the East, the Philadelphia 76ers are showing some life, and their chances - from 5000-1 to 2000-1 - have improved, however slight.
(Odds courtesy: Westgate Las Vegas Superbook)