To say the Golden State Warriors are the favorites to win this year’s NBA championship would be an understatement, and it appears the oddsmakers agree wholeheartedly.
In the latest odds at sportsbooks monitored by Bovada, Golden State now is less than a scratch favorite to win the 2016 NBA title at 5-7. That’s an even further leap from about a month ago, when the Warriors, who currently own a 54-5 record, were 1-1 favorites.
The San Antonio Spurs are hot on Golden State’s tail with a 50-9 record, but since they play in the same conference, they only have the third-best title odds at 4-1. The Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers are second with 13-4 odds, while the Oklahoma City Thunder also boast strong odds at 9-1.
The remaining 26 teams appear to be long shots, but the Boston Celtics have greatly improved their standing after a very strong February.
The C’s posted a 9-3 record last month, earning Brad Stevens Eastern Conference Coach of the Month honors in the process, and now sport the seventh-best title odds at 40-1 after sitting at 75-1 on Feb. 2. They also have 10-1 odds to win the East, trailing only the Toronto Raptors (11-2) and the heavy favorites in the Cavs (1-4).
But it appears no one is catching the Warriors, thanks in large to the play of Stephen Curry, who is the clear favorite to repeat as NBA MVP. Curry has 1-30 odds to win the award, according to Bovada, while the odds for any other player are set for 15-1.
Curry’s assistant coach, Luke Walton, also is the subject of some betting lines, as there are rumors he’ll take a head coaching job after the season. Walton is the current favorite to be the New York Knicks’ head coach next season at 3-1 odds, while interim coach Kurt Rambis is second at 4-1.
Kentucky coach John Calipari is a long shot at 50-1, in case you were wondering.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
