The NBA will return later this summer with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds to win the Western Conference once play resumes and make our NBA futures picks and best bets.
NBA Western Conference picks: Favorite
Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, June 8 at 12:30 p.m. ET.
In this shortened run to the championship, experience matters. Two players you can count on are Los Angeles Lakers SF LeBron James and Los Angeles Clippers SF Kawhi Leonard, as both have led multiple championship runs, so the real favorites are the betting favorites — the L.A. Lakers at +125 and the L.A. Clippers at +175.
The Houston Rockets (+700) just can’t be trusted in the postseason and the Denver Nuggets (+1200) aren’t proven enough to bet on.
Between the Clippers and the Lakers, the Lakers are the best bet. They have LeBron and PF Anthony Davis. The time off will allow James, once he is back in shape, to play at his highest level for the entire postseason. The favorite is and should be the LAKERS at +125.
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NBA Western Conference picks: Contender
After the Lakers, the obvious contenders are the Clippers, as already stated; however, if you are looking to the middle-tier teams, you have to look at the Rockets at +700. Their playoff failures are well documented but they are the most talented team of the contenders not in L.A. Between Gs James Harden and Russell Westbrook, they have the two best players on the court against any team except the Lakers or Clippers, and they are pretty much on par with the top duoes from both those teams.
If you aren’t going with the Lakers or Clippers, the ROCKETS at +700 are the best choice.
NBA Western Conference picks: Long shot
Of the teams with odds greater than +10000, you have to look at only two teams. The first are the Portland Trail Blazers at +15000 because of their backcourt combo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.
Then you have to look at the New Orleans Pelicans because of SF Zion Williamson. His impact since returning from injury has been great. No team is a real good bet to take the conference title outside of L.A., but if you are looking for a long shot, look at those two teams for a huge payout. Take the BLAZERS at +15000 or the PELICANS at +30000.
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