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Bucks Still Given the Second-Best 2019 NBA Championship Odds Despite Rockets Threatening Warriors

David Golokhov

by David Golokhov in NBA Basketball

Updated Apr 1, 2020 · 3:18 PM PDT

NBA-Playoffs
Are the Golden State Warriors still a good bet to win it all? Photo By Mike D [CC License].
  • The Milwaukee Bucks will have home-court advantage in the NBA Finals
  • The Golden State Warriors are struggling to get help from their supporting cast
  • The Warriors are a -250 to beat the Rockets in their Western Conference semifinal

The Houston Rockets have tied up their Western Conference semifinal with the Golden State Warriors at two games apiece.

Even as the Warriors look threatened and the Milwaukee Bucks are comfortably ahead 3-1 in their series, the Bucks are still the No. 2 option in NBA Championship odds to win the title. Is Milwaukee a good bet at this point?

2019 NBA Championship Odds

Team NBA Championship Odds
Golden State Warriors -120
Milwaukee Bucks +300
Houston Rockets +400
Toronto Raptors +900
Philadelphia 76ers +2200
Denver Nuggets +2500
Portland Trail Blazers +3300
Boston Celtics +12500

Warriors Laboring

The truth of the matter is the Warriors should find a way to beat the Rockets.

Two of the next three games are in Golden State and it would still be a surprise to see them lose. At the same time, an upset could genuinely happen. Every single game in this series has been decided by six points or less.

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Beyond that, Golden State looks a bit fatigued. Their big three are carrying them but they aren’t getting much from everyone else.

How much do you need beyond Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson? Apparently quite a bit as this is now the second straight series that the Warriors have dropped two games.

The point is that Golden State isn’t untouchable. Many people feel that this series is the true NBA Finals but don’t underestimate the Bucks. Sure, they don’t have as many brand names as the Rockets but they were the better team this season.

Bucks Continue to Be Overlooked

Everyone keeps waiting on the clock to strike midnight on this Cinderella but that’s the wrong way of viewing this squad. They’re legit. They won the most games of any team in the regular season, including 45 by double digits.

Only seven teams in NBA history have done that and each went on to win the title.

In the playoffs, the Bucks have won seven of their eight games with six of the wins coming by double-figures.

In the playoffs, the Bucks have won seven of their eight games with six of the wins coming by double-figures. Yes, the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics are flawed opponents but Golden State is looking like they’ve got some holes too.

The Bucks are going to be very comfortable in a series with the Warriors as both teams thrive with three-point shooting and defense.

The Warriors can barely handle a Rockets team that’s built around James Harden and is getting little from Chris Paul. Guys like PJ Tucker and Eric Gordon are burning them, so why can’t the Bucks do it?

Bet the Bucks

It just feels like the Warriors dynasty is coming to an end. It could end in this round or it could end in the NBA Finals. At any rate, this squad is not as dominant as they used to be.

I would bet the Bucks for two reasons: for one, they look like a good bet to win the NBA Championship. Secondly, you should have good opportunities to hedge later if you want to back out of your bet. Remember, Milwaukee will have home-court advantage in the NBA Finals where they were 33-8. I wouldn’t be surprised if they win it all this year.

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