Basketball playoffs betting odds still favor the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the NBA title. The Cavs are favored at +140 even though they are tied 2-2 in their series against Boston. The Celtics are getting no respect in NBA betting odds as they are 20-1 longshots to win the title.
Basketball playoffs betting probably should favor the Lakers or the Magic instead of the Cavaliers. It was the Lakers who won the title last year while Orlando was the runner-up. Cleveland didn’t even make the NBA Finals last season and they are no guarantee to make it this time. Orlando is playing better and they are going to get some rest before the Eastern Conference Finals. The Magic are the second choice in NBA betting odds to win the title at +165. The Lakers are the third choice at +185. The only other team with single digit odds is Phoenix at 5-1.
The Cavaliers have LeBron James and many people still believe that he will lead Cleveland to a title. That remains to be seen. LeBron is the league MVP but he has never led Cleveland to a championship. The Cavaliers are not even a given to get past Boston in their current series. That doesn’t seem to matter to the oddsmakers though since they still have Cleveland the favorite in basketball playoffs betting.
The Los Angeles Lakers are the defending NBA champs and yet they are the third choice in the wagering. The Lakers have done exactly what has been needed so far in the playoffs. They have not been as impressive as Orlando but the Lakers are still the champs. And until they are beaten they are a threat to repeat. They still have Kobe Bryant and a very talented team including Pau Gasol. And they have the best coach in the NBA in Phil Jackson. The Lakers should not be discounted as a threat to repeat.
Phoenix is already in the Western Conference Finals and they are also a threat to win the title this year. Their odds at 5-1 are about right since they would have to get past the Lakers to make the finals. Phoenix is a much different team than in past years though. Head coach Alvin Gentry has the team believing they can win. The Suns are an exciting team to watch and lately they have been a great team to bet.