Warriors vs The Field: Field Given +170 Odds to Win 2019 NBA Championship
- Golden State seeking third straight NBA Championship
- Thunder, Rockets, strong East quartet could challenge Warriors
- What is the best bet to make?
With first place in the West theirs for the taking, an homage to the final regular season game ever at Oracle Arena, and some iconic “We Believe” throwback jerseys on for good measure, the Golden State Warriors finally showed their teeth, blasting the Clippers out of the Bay.
Now, with the path to the Finals going through Oakland, is it worth betting anyone other than the overwhelming favorite in the 2019 NBA Championship odds?
2019 NBA Championship Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | -210 |
| THE FIELD | +170 |
*Odds taken 04/08/19
Forget Any of the Warriors’ Regular Season Issues
It’s hard to imagine that a team as talented as the Warriors was drubbed by at least 20 points in eight games this season.
But this is a team that was on high-quality cruise-control.
The Warriors are starting to look scary ?
(via @warriors )pic.twitter.com/rqX1mvmsgs
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 5, 2019
The All-Star starting five of Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and DeMarcus Cousins missed a total of 94 games this season, and were on the court together as a unit for a grand total of 268.4 minutes over 21 games.
Curry, Durant, Thompson, Green, and Cousins were on the court together as a unit for just 268.4 minutes over 21 games.
And add in the fact that no player on the roster logged over 35 minutes a contest (Klay and Durant were at 34+), and this is a team that is seemingly ready to be unleashed on the opposition.
It's incredible that Kevin Durant can move like this at his size…crazy pic.twitter.com/VmWpc90iQU
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) April 3, 2019
With their best players amping up playing time to somewhere near 40 minutes, expect to see the Warriors have two to three members of their devastating star five, with proven contributors Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston on the court at all times. That’s something no other NBA team in the playoffs is going to be able to compete with.
Who from the Field is Capable of Knocking them Off?
Golden State may enjoy home court advantage out West, but if the Bucks advance to the Finals, they would enjoy the home court. The Bucks split the regular season series, with each visiting team victorious.
Since the NBA Playoffs expanded to 16 teams in 1984, 51 of 66 (77.3%) of finalists won at least 56 games (82-game seasons only). In that context, only the Warriors, Bucks and Raptors should feel great about their conference title hopes. #NBAPlayoffs
— Scott Fontana (@Scott_Fontana) April 8, 2019
The Raptors, meanwhile, swept the season series. They have a roster that has the athleticism, shooting, and variety of defenders that could battle the Warriors, but they’ll have to shake their own playoff demons first before worrying about the Finals.
Kawhi, Raptors are best suited to beat the Warriors – Stephen A. | First… https://t.co/pVCymOU3r8 via @YouTube
— Dr. Webber Stan Account (@ThatDudeMCFLY) April 4, 2019
Out West, there are only two teams that will prove resistance against the Warriors: the Rockets and the Thunder, teams led by Durant’s former OKC buddies James Harden and Russell Westbrook.
Harden will have to show that he’s ready to take his team and his game to the next level over a long series. If this regular season is any indication, he’s prepared. Meanwhile, Westbrook will be dynamic and explosive, but he’ll need Paul George to shake off his end of season malaise and a lingering shoulder injury if the Thunder have a chance.
What’s the Best Bet?
I’ve said this all season long, and I’m not backing down now: barring injury, the Warriors are going to rain holy hell on anybody they play en route to a three-peat and their fourth title in five years.
DeMarcus Cousins leads the NBA with most the most games played (563) without a playoff appearance.
Cousins is one week away from making his playoff debut with the Golden State Warriors, though! pic.twitter.com/eYxI1gcGjI
— Major Sports Alerts (@sports___alerts) April 8, 2019
Cousins is properly inspired, having not played a playoff game in his career, and the trio of Curry (27.1 ppg, 43.7% 3pt), Durant (26.1 ppg, 52% FG) and Thompson (21.6 ppg. 40.1% 3pt) is just too much potent scoring to account for.
The field offers more value, and while placing wagers on OKC, Toronto (and hell, maybe Philly too) will win you more, these are all losing bets.
Pick: Golden State Warriors (-210)
Having worked in and around sports since 1997, Eric is truly a knowledgeable expert. The two-time journalism grad specializes in all things NBA and NFL. From TSN.ca to CTV's Olympic Broadcast Consortium, Eric's work has appeared in local and national publications alike.
