The NBA restart is almost here and that means it’s time to look ahead to the NBA Finals. Below, we make our best bets for potential 2019-20 NBA Finals matchups with all odds courtesy of BetMGM.
2019-20 NBA Finals matchup picks
Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, July 21, at 9:45 a.m. ET.
Milwaukee Bucks – Los Angeles Lakers (+270)
The odds-on favorite matchup for the 2019-2020 NBA Finals features the Bucks and Lakers. Both teams currently are the No. 1 seeds in their respective conference and have talent galore on their rosters.
Each side has a potential MVP candidate from the regular season in Bucks PF Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lakers SF LeBron James. Each player has shown they can win multiple playoff series singlehandedly, but both rosters are so deep and talented that they won’t need to.
While this matchup does feel likely, there just isn’t a ton of value here. Don’t be afraid to bet on the Bucks and Lakers to reach the finals if you believe they can win their conferences.
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Milwaukee Bucks – Los Angeles Clippers (+340)
The next most likely NBA Finals matchup once again involves the Bucks coming out of the Eastern Conference. This time, it’s the Los Angeles Clippers making it out of the West. With the Clippers beating the Lakers twice in the regular season and given their talent and depth, it’s not hard to see them advancing to the NBA Finals.
The Clippers have the length and shooting to match up with anyone in the Western Conference, including the Lakers. With the Lakers missing two key guards in Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley, the Clippers feel like a better bet to get through the Western Conference gauntlet. Given the value, this is a much better bet than Bucks-Lakers.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Bucks-Clippers matchup would return a profit of $34. The same bet on the Bucks and Lakers to meet in the NBA Finals would return a profit of just $27.
Philadelphia 76ers – Los Angeles Clippers (+2800)
If you are looking for a bet with some better value, consider swapping out the Bucks for the 76ers in the Eastern Conference. In this case, the 76ers-Clippers matchup would return $280 on a $10 bet and that feels like a steal considering the talent on both sides.
While the Sixers have been up and down this season, their talent is undeniable. Nobody in the conference can match up with C Joel Embiid when he is at his peak, and with the 76ers length on defense, they could give Antetokounmpo some problems.
It wouldn’t be all that surprising if the 76ers get on a run and advance to the NBA Finals. Pairing them with the Clippers would not only be a fun matchup, but it could return value to bettors, as well.
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