Bucks and Lakers Favored to Meet in 2020 NBA Finals

• Oddsmakers expect the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers to meet in the 2020 NBA Finals
• There could be good value with a Toronto Raptors-Denver Nuggets showdown at +3400
• Denver won 54 games in 2018-19 and appears to be on the cusp of breaking through

Now that we’ve made it through the NBA Finals and the NBA Draft, oddsmakers have shifted their focus to next season. Online sportsbooks have posted an NBA Finals matchup prop focused on which two teams will duke it out for the league title, and there’s some excellent value on the board. Let’s take a closer look.

2020 NBA Finals Matchup Odds

*Odds taken 06/21/19

Who is the Best in the East?

As of right now, that question seems easy to answer but a lot can change. With the rosters in their current form, the team to beat is the Toronto Raptors. They just won the NBA Championship and ran through the team’s expected to be their toughest opponents next season: the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks.

More importantly, both of those teams could be significantly weaker next year. The 76ers have to figure out what to do with free agents like Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris, and JJ Redick. Keeping all of them will be challenging. As for the Bucks, they have to re-sign Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon, Brook Lopez, and Nikola Mirotic.

Of course, it’s possible those teams run it back, but what’s more likely is that they feel the squeeze of the salary cap and lose at least one of their key assets. As for the Raptors, we’re assuming that Kawhi Leonard is coming back but, of course, everything changes if he’s not.

There’s a chance that the Boston Celtics sign someone in free agency or the Indiana Pacers rise up, but the Raptors are the team to beat right now. If they bring back Leonard, they’re the top choice from the East.

Western Conference is Wide Open

As we look at the Western Conference right now, it’s wide open. That’s what makes this bet quite tricky.

The Los Angeles Lakers are the favorite but they have virtually nothing on their roster beyond Anthony Davis, LeBron James, and Kyle Kuzma. That’s a concern as they need help. Will they spend the rest of their cap on a max contract? And are they going to make smart signings or are they going to blow their bank on guys like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Michael Beasley?

With the Lakers being a wild card, I’m willing to take a flier on some other teams. The Golden State Warriors are not of interest to me as they’ve lost two key stars for most – if not all – of next season. Then there’s the Houston Rockets, who seemingly have all sorts of chemistry issues, so I’ll pass there.

Don’t forget that the Nuggets have Michael Porter Jr., who essentially redshirted last season.

The one team that intrigues me is the Denver Nuggets. They won 54 games last season – the second-most in the West – but they’re a very young squad. It was mostly a learning experience for them. With a year of seasoning, they should be much better. And don’t forget that they have Michael Porter Jr., who essentially redshirted last season.

By all accounts, Porter Jr. is a star in the making and could put this team over the top.

What’s the Best Bet?

At this point, we’re just taking fliers, so I’ll take a shot with a Toronto-Denver NBA Finals at +3400. The best advice here, though, is to wait until after the dust settles after free agency. A lot can and will change.

Pick: Toronto Raptors vs Denver Nuggets (+3400)