Blazers NBA Championship Odds at 67-1 After Nurkic Injury; Are They Worth Betting?

• The Trail Blazers (46-27) sit fourth in the Western Conference
• They have clinched a playoff birth and would face the Utah Jazz if the playoffs started today
• Portland lost Jusuf Nurkic for the season after he suffered a gruesome leg injury last night

The gruesome injury suffered by Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic was one of those injuries that turns your stomach. He’s out for the year with compound leg fractures.  Of course, we wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on the floor next year.

With Nurkic gone, the Blazers’ 2019 NBA Championship odds are likely to get longer, but I want to make the case why they could still be a great value play in what appears to be a wide open title race.

2019 NBA Championship Odds

*Odds taken 03/26/19. Click on the link in the table above to see odds for all available teams. 

The Trail Blazers have officially entered Cinderella territory, finding themselves behind nine other teams on the board. Usually that would be curtains and you would be right in turning the page on Portland’s 2019 season, but this year isn’t like the others.

Many of the top contenders have question marks, and Portland may not be down and out just yet. At the wild odds they’re currently receiving, here’s the case why you should take advantage of all the over-reaction and sprinkle some action on the great value bet.

Blazers' Jusuf Nurkić carried off on stretcher after gruesome, catastrophic lower leg injury: https://t.co/qbK6bwbXIW pic.twitter.com/E3LZJ7JYA3

— Deadspin (@Deadspin) March 26, 2019

The Trail Blazers Will Go as Far as Damian Lillard Takes Them

Nurkic was a really nice piece for Portland, averaging 15.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. He wasn’t quite what Nikola Jokic is to the Denver Nuggets, but he was a poor man’s version. At his best, he could score the ball, rebound at a high clip, and pass well enough to keep things moving on the offensive end. That said, he isn’t the Blazers’ star player. That title belongs to Damian Lillard.

⌚️ @Dame_Lillard goes off for 31 PTS, 12 AST against BKN as the @trailblazers secure #NBAPlayoffs berth! #RipCity pic.twitter.com/0LYwGhtTRt

— NBA (@NBA) March 26, 2019

Lillard is one of the NBA’s most exciting players, and is averaging 26.4 points, which ranks ninth in the league. If you subscribe to the belief you need at least one superstar to win an NBA title, the Trail Blazers thankfully still have theirs on the court.

Lillard not only scores the ball but he does so in clutch moments, making him the perfect player to have on a playoff roster. The bright lights don’t cause him to wilt in the same way they do other stars like Russell Westbrook.

Portland’s Playoff Path Could Be Easier than Expected

The Trail Blazers locked up a playoff spot and currently sit fourth in the Western Conference. If they hold their position they’ll open the playoffs with home court advantage, likely against the Utah Jazz or Los Angeles Clippers. Would you bet against them in that series? I wouldn’t.

We love you, @bosnianbeast27 ❤ pic.twitter.com/x7JRRtsR7I

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) March 26, 2019

Looking down the road, it’s possible that the Denver Nuggets end up with the top seed and could be the Blazers’ second round opponent. Playing four out of seven in Denver is nobody’s idea of a treat, but if it means putting off Golden State until a Conference Final the Trail Blazers would take it.

At that point, all bets are off and who knows what could be in front of them. The Warriors may or may not be waiting, but at the long shot odds Portland is offering it seems like it could be a fun ride to be on doesn’t it?

Never underestimate a team trying to win one for a fallen teammate.

One other thing to consider is Nurkic, even though he won’t be on the floor. Never underestimate a team trying to win one for a fallen teammate.  Sometimes the rallying cries work and leave us with unbelievable stories to tell for years to come.