Blazers Given Worst Odds to Win 2019 NBA Championship Entering Conference Finals; Is There Value at 17-1?
- The Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Toronto Raptors are the final four teams remaining in the 2019 NBA Playoffs
- Kawhi Leonard became the first player in NBA history to sink a Game 7 buzzer beater
- Kevin Durant has been ruled out for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals
Your 2019 NBA Champion will be one of the Warriors, Bucks, Raptors or Trail Blazers. That said, one of those franchises lags behind all the others when you take a deep dive into the NBA Championship Odds.
2019 NBA Championship Odds
| Team | 2019 NBA Championship Odds |
|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | -165 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +230 |
| Toronto Raptors | +750 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | +1700 |
*Odds taken 05/13/19
Portland isn’t getting any love after disposing of the Denver Nuggets in seven games to reach the Western Conference Finals. Should they be? Probably not. They face a juggernaut in Golden State. The Warriors proved they are a force to be feared with or without Kevin Durant.
On my list I’ve crossed off the Blazers because I think their Cinderella run ends here, and I’ve crossed off the Warriors because there just isn’t any value in a -165 price tag. The team I think is the best bet resides in the North.
KAWHI CALLED SERIES! pic.twitter.com/V4AIuMULNO
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) May 13, 2019
Raptors vs Bucks Breakdown
Kawhi Leonard became the first player in NBA history to sink a Game 7 buzzer beater, sending the city of Toronto into an absolute frenzy. We can put the speculation over him re-signing with the Raptors on pause for now and just focus on the fact this team definitely has business in the next round.
Leonard ranks second in postseason scoring at 31.8 points per game, and is a legitimate late game threat, as he proved last night.
Leonard ranks second in postseason scoring at 31.8 points per game, and is a legitimate late game threat, as he proved last night. The Bucks have the likely MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 27.4 points per game, giving Milwaukee an answer in that one-on-one match up.
"Ended up finding a spot that I like, that I work on…"
Kawhi breaks down the Game 7 #TissotBuzzerBeater to advance the @Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals! #ThisIsYourTime #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/yML1dYDjeJ
— NBA (@NBA) May 13, 2019
Assuming both stars live up to their billing, it could be a series that comes down to which supporting cast comes up biggest. The Raptors have Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, and Serge Ibaka as secondary scoring options while Milwaukee will lean on Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe, and George Hill. Either team could win that battle.
When you look at the price tag and see the Bucks are paying only +230 and the Raptors +750, it’s easy to see why they are the best value play.
Can the Eastern Conference Champion Beat the Warriors?
The value is really only relevant if you believe the winner of the Bucks-Raptors series could ultimately win the championship. For my money, I believe either Milwaukee or Toronto would have a decent chance.
Kevin Durant has been ruled out for at least game one of the third round and there’s no clear indication when he’ll be healthy. Even if he can return, the loss of DeMarcus Cousins has left Golden State with a rotation that only goes about seven players deep. They are still a team to be feared, but if you’re playing them with possibly the best basketball player on the planet right now you have a chance to win.
Kevin Durant will miss Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals with a calf strain.
Durant is averaging 34.2 PPG this postseason, his most in a single year in his career; that is also the highest scoring average by any player this postseason. pic.twitter.com/uUrIAGq5oW
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 13, 2019
You’d need help, and possibly a little luck, to upend the Warriors, but it could happen. With the Raptors getting +750 to win the championship I believe they have the best combination of chance and value.
Take the team up North to win their first franchise title and enjoy cheering along with the thousands of fans outside the Scotiabank Centre in Jurassic Park.
Pick: Toronto Raptors (+750)
Ryan has been working at TSN for over eleven years, and is now a lead writer and content producer at That's Hockey. Over the years, he's launched and hosted TSN's first NCAAF podcast, The College Football Show, and been featured on the likes of TSN 1050, Sportscentre, and That's Hockey 2Nite.
