It hard to believe that the start of a new season in the NBA is just days away since it only seems like yesterday Golden State was celebrating its incredible run the 2015 world title. Bovada has set the futures odds for this year’s run to the NBA Championship to get you ready for all the action.
NBA 2016 Championship Futures Odds
BetOnline has recently updated its futures odds to win the 2016 NBA Championship and while the elite teams in the league are once again at the top of the list, there is some value to be found with a few up-and-coming contenders that are in a good position to join the mix.
Top Favorites
Despite the fact that they came up short in the NBA Finals against Golden State in a 4-2 series loss, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been listed as +240 favorites to get the job done this time around. The cast in Cleveland remains basically the same with LeBron James leading the way. The key to winning the title this season will be the health of King James’ supporting staff, which was a major reason why the Cavaliers came up just short in last year’s run. The recent signing of hold-out Tristin Thompson was pricey, but he could be the missing piece that seals the deal.
The San Antonio Spurs appear to open every new season near or at the top of this list and this year is no different with +400 betting odds to win another championship after laying claim to a world title in 2014. Age is always an issue with such a veteran team, but the Spurs are still a legitimate threat especially with the addition of free agents LaMarcus Aldridge and David West to an already talented cast of a few future Hall of Famers.
The Golden State Warriors got off to a blazing start last season and never looked back en route to an NBA-best regular-season record of 67-15, which was a full 11 games ahead of Houston in the Western Conference standings. The Warriors have basically retained the roster that made that run led by league MVP Stephen Curry. While it is always a tall task to repeat as champions in the NBA, I believe there is some solid value in their +500 betting odds to once again get the job done.
Top Contenders
The betting odds drop off from there with the Oklahoma City Thunder next on the list at +800 to win this season’s NBA Championship. Health issues plagued this team all season long and the Thunder still managed to win 45 games. You would have to believe that if Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook can stay healthy for the bulk of the regular season that Oklahoma City will be at or near the top in the West this time around. My concern with this duo has been their inability to seal the deal deep in the playoffs.
The fifth-favorite to win a world title this season is the Los Angeles Clippers at +1000. This is another team that always wins its fair share of games in the regular season only to come-up short in the playoffs. Last year they tied the Rockets for second-place in the West with a record of 56-26, but they could not get past the conference semifinals. The year before Los Angeles won 57 games and fell in the same round. Keeping DeAndre Jordan in the fold after he almost bolted for Dallas was huge, but I am not sure the Clippers have what it takes to get past the elite teams in the West like San Antonio and Golden State.
Top Longshot
Betting odds of +1600 does not necessarily qualify a team as a longshot, but in the highly competitive West, there is quite a bit of value in the Houston Rockets’ current odds to win this season’s championship. I liked this team last season in their run to Western Conference Finals, but the Rockets ran into a buzz saw in Golden State. The only loss of notice from last year’s roster is Josh Smith and they have added Ty Lawson to the fold. James Harden is still a MVP-type player and if Houston can get a solid effort from Dwight Howard when it needs him the most, this team has what it takes to go all the way.
Here are the 2016 NBA Championship Odds provided by Bovada as of Oct 24 2015.
- Cleveland Cavaliers +275
- San Antonio Spurs +350
- Golden State Warriors +500
- Oklahoma City Thunder +800
- Los Angeles Clippers +1000
- Houston Rockets +1600
- Chicago Bulls +1600
- Miami Heat +3300
- Memphis Grizzlies +3300
- New Orleans Pelicans +4000
- Atlanta Hawks +5000
- Indiana Pacers +5000
- Milwaukee Bucks +5000
- Toronto Raptors +5000
- Washington Wizards +5000
- Dallas Mavericks +6600
- Boston Celtics +10000
- Los Angeles Lakers +10000
- Detroit Pistons +15000
- Phoenix Suns +15000
- Portland Trail Blazers +15000
- Utah Jazz +15000
- Brooklyn Nets +20000
- Minnesota Timberwolves +20000
- New York Knicks +20000
- Sacramento Kings +25000
- Denver Nuggets +25000
- Charlotte Hornets +25000
- Orlando Magic +25000
- Philadelphia 76ers +25000
