Bucks Narrowly Favored to Win NBA Eastern Conference in 2020
- The Milwaukee Bucks had the most regular season wins of any team last season
- They lost in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals to the eventual NBA Champion Toronto Raptors
- Giannis Antetokounmpo is nominated for both the league MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards
There are two schools of thought when it comes to NBA futures – play it safe and wait until free agency passes or roll the dice and take advantage of the value on the board before the chess pieces move around the table.
NBA 2020 Eastern Conference Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee Bucks | +220 |
| Toronto Raptors | +225 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +400 |
| New York Knicks | +750 |
| Boston Celtics | +750 |
| Brooklyn Nets | +800 |
| Indiana Pacers | +2800 |
| Orlando Magic | +4500 |
*Odds taken 06/19/19
I like to gamble (don’t we all) so it’s always fun to try and find the value before the odds take a big swing shortly after July 1st. For my money, the Bucks are a great pick at +220 for two very simple reasons.
With the 15th pick, the Milwaukee Bucks select… pic.twitter.com/i0ScjFzc04
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) June 17, 2019
The MVP Resides in Milwaukee
The winner of this years’s MVP award hasn’t been named yet but it’ll be a shock if it isn’t Giannis Antetokounmpo. He averaged 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists all while playing defense so good he’s been nominated for, and may just win, the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Giannis may want Horford on the Bucks. https://t.co/krzFIkl5X4
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) June 19, 2019
Kawhi Leonard was amazing en route to winning the Finals MVP, and Kevin Durant had a great run before his injury as well, but the best player in the league resides in Milwaukee.
Antetokounmpo will continue to add to his repertoire and distance himself from the other stars in the game. If the Bucks add Al Horford or any other key contributors in free agency, it makes their case even stronger.
Very Few Contenders in the East Next Year
The Toronto Raptors may very well lose Kawhi Leonard after one championship run, which would move them from contenders to a likely lottery team. The Boston Celtics are facing a mass exodus with Al Horford and Kyrie Irving both moving elsewhere, and while the New York Knicks may sign Kevin Durant, he won’t play until 2021. Even the Philadelphia 76ers are surrounded by question marks as they could lose all three of Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris and JJ Reddick.
HE’S A FUN GUY! pic.twitter.com/oKiMp9uzKw
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 17, 2019
If Leonard leaves, it’s really tough to find out who can even compete with the Bucks from the Western Conference. If he does stay, it’s still not impossible to see Milwaukee winning the East with some roster improvements and another year of growth under Mike Budenholzer.
Bet the Bucks and Bet Them Now
The final verdict? It’s tough to find a path where the Bucks aren’t a great bet to win the East. Get your money in before the oddsmakers wise up and take away any value that’s left.
Pick: Milwaukee Bucks (-220)
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.
