NBA Title Odds 2016: Warriors In Class Of Their Own; Celtics Could Surprise
After the best regular season in NBA history, the championship is the Golden State Warriors’ to lose.
The Warriors achieved immortality Wednesday by notching their 73rd victory, passing the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls for the most wins in a single season. Not surprisingly, Golden State enters the 2016 NBA playoffs as a heavy favorite: Stephen Curry and Co. have 2-3 odds to win the title, according to Bovada.
But the Warriors could face stiff competition in their quest to repeat as champs. The San Antonio Spurs, who posted their best season in franchise history at 67-15, come in at 15-4 odds to win it all. Close behind them are the Cleveland Cavaliers, who after finishing with the Eastern Conference’s best record at 57-25 are slated at 4-1 odds.
Vegas isn’t giving many other teams outside that trio much of a shot. The Oklahoma City Thunder are pegged at 10-1 title odds, while the Los Angeles Clippers are next at a distant 28-1 odds, followed by the Toronto Raptors at 33-1.
Bovada has given the Boston Celtics surprisingly strong odds, as the No. 5 playoff seed in the Eastern Conference has the third-best title odds among East contenders at 66-1. Boston sits at 14-1 odds to reach the NBA Finals, tied with the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks in a crowded conference.
The Cavs are heavy favorites to win the East at 5-13 odds, while the Warriors boast 1-2 odds to emerge from the West.
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Thumbnail photo via Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports Images
