Updated 2020 NBA Championship Odds for All 8 Teams in Second Round Playoff Series
- The Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks are co-favorites to win the NBA Championship
- The Toronto Raptors’ odds have been shortened from +2000 to +750 after a dominant performance in the Orlando Bubble so far
- See below for the latest NBA Championship Odds and our best bet to win the title
The second round of the NBA playoffs tips-off Sunday, despite the fact that multiple first round series are still in progress.
One of those teams still battling in the opening round is the Los Angeles Clippers, who are currently the co-favorites with the Milwaukee Bucks to win the title. The Clips, who arrived in Orlando with +325 odds to win it all, have seen their price shortened to +270, the same as the Bucks, whose odds have been lengthened slightly from a month ago.
2020 NBA Championship Odds
| Player | Odds at FanDuel |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Clippers | +270 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +270 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +320 |
| Toronto Raptors | +750 |
| Boston Celtics | +1000 |
| Houston Rockets | +1500 |
| Miami Heat | +1900 |
| Utah Jazz | +4200 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | +6500 |
| Denver Nuggets | +6500 |
| Dallas Mavericks | +8500 |
Odds as of Aug. 28th.
The biggest shift in pricing among the top-four contenders belongs to the defending champion Toronto Raptors. Toronto entered the Orlando Bubble with +2000 2020 NBA Championship Odds, but that number now sits at +750. They’ve been incredible in the Bubble, posting an 11-1 record, which includes a four-game sweep of the Brooklyn Nets in the opening round of the playoffs.
Is Toronto an Attractive Championship Target?
The Raps playoff numbers are off the charts. They rank third in field goal percentage, second in 3-point field goal percentage, first in total rebounding and first in assist rate.
Poetry by the Raptors pic.twitter.com/STO9DyxokX
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) August 21, 2020
Yes, Kyle Lowry is dealing with an ankle injury that knocked him out of Game 4 versus the Nets, but one of the unintended benefits from the pause in the action this week, is that it has given him more time to heal. Even if Lowry is sidelined for a couple games, Toronto is absolutely loaded with depth. They have arguably the deepest bench in the playoffs, and the back-ups are fresh off a historic output.
150 points: Raptors franchise playoff record.
39 assists: franchise playoff record.
100 bench points: NBA playoff record.Impressive stuff.
🧹
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) August 24, 2020
What they’re doing offensively in the Bubble is incredible, but let’s not forget this is also one of the best defensive teams in the league. They ranked second in defensive rating during the regular season, and trail only the LA Lakers in that stat in the postseason. They have all the ingredients of a championship contender, and they have the most attractive title odds of any team still standing.
Fade the Lakers
Speaking of the Lakers, it may seem crazy but they appear to be a strong fade when it comes to the championship conversation. LA has been miserable on offense in the bubble, ranking 19th out of 22 teams in scoring efficiency.
The Lakers are still missing that final piece to their offense of more consistently hitting 3’s (they were 4 of 13 in the 1st half). But they have more than enough to win games by playing this type of defense and scoring at the rim while the perimeter shooting keeps coming.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) August 21, 2020
Prior to Saturday, the Lakers were last in 3-point field goal percentage (31.7%) since the restart, and were the 27th ranked jump shooting team in the regular season. Everyone on the roster, except Kyle Kuzma and Markieff Morris, has an effective field goal percentage below 50% which historically has spelled trouble in the playoffs. According to ESPN, each of the last 10 teams to make the NBA Finals has ranked top-five in jump shooting efficiency that season. It’s always scary to fade Lebron, but LA’s +320 odds just don’t seem justified.
Top of the Board
If you want to play the top of the board, the choice is either the Clippers or the Bucks. The Clips have been carried by Kawhi Leonard thus far, and up until Game 5 of their series with Dallas, had got nothing from Paul George. PG-13 has admitted to battling depression and anxiety in the Bubble, and it doesn’t seem wise to lay +270 on a team lacking a reliable second option.
"I underestimated mental health. I had anxiety. I had depression."
– Paul George pic.twitter.com/ydqHI9Lupw
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) August 26, 2020
Also working against them is Patrick Beverley’s injury concerns. LA’s starting point guard has played just four games in the Bubble, forcing the Clips to rely heavier on Landry Shamet and Reggie Jackson. No wonder they’re still battling in the opening round.
Milwaukee meanwhile, shook off a shocking Game 1 loss to the Orlando Magic, and eventually disposed of the Magic in five. They were the highest scoring team in the regular season, but so far in the playoffs they rank fifth. The Bucks are averaging three fewer points per game, and their second leading scorer Khris Middleton has been a bust.
Khris Middleton in the playoffs has gone from 50/40/90 to 5/4/9
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) August 21, 2020
The shooting guard averaged just 15 points per contest in the opening round, six fewer than in the regular season,. He was a dreadful 33.5% from the floor and 58.3% from the charity stripe. Of course Giannis was his usual dominant self, but they’ll need more than one reliable scoring option if they want to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy.
Pick: Toronto Raptors (+750)
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
