Tag: NBA Championship Bets

Denver Nuggets NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds and chances of the Denver Nuggets winning the Western Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Denver Nuggets were third in the Western Conference with a record of 43-22 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Nuggets winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Denver Nuggets season recap

Denver was a game-and-a-half behind the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference standings when regular-season play was halted on March. 10. An improved defensive team in 2019-20, the Nuggets had been scuffling a bit at that end of the court over the weeks leading up to the stoppage in play. Over their last 10 games, Denver went 5-5 straight up and 3-7 against the spread. Five of those seven ATS setbacks were by margins of nine or more points.

C Nikola Jokic was averaging a career-high 20.2 points per game and is part of a young group that got off to a quick start this season (10-2 over their first 12 games). Against the number, Denver was 13-16-3 on the road and 15-15-3 team at home. The Under is 35-30 (53.8%) in the team’s 65 games.

The Nuggets have been a 50-50 proposition against other top teams in the West. They are 8-8 over 16 games against teams better than .500 in their conference. They have shown a solid bounce-back ability, however, going 16-5 SU and 11-6-4 ATS after a loss.

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Denver Nuggets NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday, June 14 at 9:20 a.m. ET.

Denver is +2200 to win it all as the No. 6 favorite. That draws a NO on a play, but it also draws a watch-and-wait note. Something in the neighborhood of +2500 would have some value. The Nuggets have success in creating a slower tempo at the defensive end, and that plays well against a few of the top teams in the East.

Denver Nuggets Western Conference odds

The Nuggets are listed at +1200 to win the West. Any drift north on that price makes the conference title bid a worthy play.

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Portland Trail Blazers NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds and chances of the Portland Trail Blazers winning the Western Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Portland Trail Blazers were ninth in the Western Conference with a record of 29-37 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Trail Blazers winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Portland Trail Blazers season recap

The Blazers opened the 2019-20 season going 14-20 through December following last season’s trip to the Western Conference Finals where they were swept by the Golden State Warriors 4-0. Portland averaged a sound 113.6 points per game this season, but allowed 115.3 points per contest to rank 13th in the conference. The Blazers were 15-17 from Jan. 1 to the time the season was suspended and just 4-6 in their final 10 games.

The Trail Blazers were led, as always, by PG Damian Lillard and SG CJ McCollum. Lillard was averaging 28.9 PPG with 7.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. McCollum averaged 22.5 PPG, 4.3 APG and 4.1 RPG. C Hassan Whiteside added 16.3 PPG and 14.2 RPG and surprise SF Carmelo Anthony was averaging 15.3 PPG.

Injuries to SF Rodney Hood (Achilles), and C’s Zach Collins (shoulder) and Jusuf Nurkic (leg) had taken a large toll.

Portland was even more disappointing to bettors. The Blazers were just 27-37-2 against the spread on the season, 37-29 against the Over/Under and topped the projected totals by an average of 2.2 PPG.

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Portland Trail Blazers NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, June 11 at 5 p.m. ET.

With the Blazers being outside of the standard playoff picture, they’ll need to play their way in under the new 22-team format in Orlando. This is reflected in their championship futures odds, as they’re just +25000, 16th of all 22 teams.

The Trail Blazers do have two of the best players for this modified end to the regular season, though. Trust in Lillard and McCollum to get Portland to the postseason. There, things should be considered to be wide open.

A young team gained some much-needed postseason experience with last season’s run and veteran depth was added in the offseason and ahead of the 2019-20 NBA Trade Deadline. The TRAIL BLAZERS (+25000) are worth at least a small wager to win the 2019-20 NBA Championship.

New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on the Blazers to win the championship returns a profit of $2,500.

Portland Trail Blazers Western Conference odds

With the biggest championship favorites residing in the Western Conference, the Trail Blazers still have lofty odds to represent the West in the NBA Finals. Their +15000 odds rank ninth in the conference to match their position in the standings.

Bet the TRAIL BLAZERS (+15000) to win the Western Conference title. Lillard and McCollum are plenty good enough to go up against the top duos of the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets. Plus, Whiteside, Anthony and SF Trevor Ariza add quality depth.

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Los Angeles Clippers NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds of the Los Angeles Clippers winning the Western Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and bets.

The Los Angeles Clippers were second in the Western Conference with a record of 44-20 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Clippers winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Los Angeles Clippers season recap

Before the NBA season was suspended in March, the Clippers climbed to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. They were on a bit of a hot steak before the play stoppage, winning seven of their previous eight games with their only loss coming against the first-place Los Angeles Lakers.

The Clippers proved to be one of the most well-rounded teams in the NBA. They ranked fourth with 116.2 points per game, third with 48.0 rebounds per game and first with 26.2 free-throw attempts per contest. And while their defense tended to come and go, they proved to be difficult to score on when their roster was fully intact.

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Los Angeles Clippers NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday, June 13, at 1:30 a.m. ET.

At one point in the season, the Clippers were actually the favorites to win the NBA Championship. However, those odds have dropped just a little as they are now +325 to win it all. But that just makes the Clippers all the more intriguing of a bet.

The Clippers will have to navigate a difficult Western Conference before reaching the NBA Finals, but it’s worth noting that they beat the Lakers in two of their three matchups this season. The Clippers clearly have the talent and the depth to match up with anybody in the NBA and are one of the few teams where losing “home-court” advantage won’t be a significant issue. Don’t be afraid of betting on the CLIPPERS (+325) to upset the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals and then the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals.

Los Angeles Clippers Western Conference odds

The Clippers (+175) have the second-best odds to come out of the West, just behind the Lakers (+125). However, the Clippers are actually a better bet than the Lakers due to the value and their overall experience. SF Kawhi Leonard showed in the 2018-2019 playoffs how he can be the best player in any given playoff series and SG Paul George is one of the best two-way players in the NBA.

The Clippers are a great bet to come out of the stacked Western Conference due to their size, length and defensive ability. They can match up with any team and can play just about any style of basketball depending on the opponent. While the odds aren’t spectacular, back the CLIPPERS (+175) to come out of the West.

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Washington Wizards NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds of the Washington Wizards winning the Eastern Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Washington Wizards were ninth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 24-40 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Wizards winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Washington Wizards season recap

The Wizards just made the cut for the 22-team bubble in Orlando, checking in 5 1/2 games back of the 8-seed Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards posted a 16-16 mark at home and a dismal 8-24 record on the road, worst among each of the 22 teams in the field.

The Wizards scored 115.6 points per game, while allowing 119.6 PPG, which was second-worst among all NBA teams and worst among all 22 clubs headed to the Orlando bubble. They’re -4.0 point differential is easily the worst among the 22 teams in the field, too, with just eight other teams featuring a negative differential – none worse than the Sacramento Kings’ -1.9 PPG.

The Wizards will only go as far as SG Bradley Beal can take them. He posted a team-best 30.5 PPG with 6.1 assists per game (APG), also the team high. SF Davis Bertans was second on the team with 15.4 PPG, a huge disparity between the leading scorer and second-best mark. However, Washington does have six current players scoring at least 10.5 PPG.

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Washington Wizards NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, June 10 at 6 a.m. ET.

If you’re into going to the local gas station and picking up a Powerball ticket, then a Wizards (+50000) ticket to win the NBA title might be right up your alley. You likely have a better chance of going out into your front yard and digging up priceless artifacts. The Wizards just haven’t been consistent at any point this season, and they were even worse away from home. Perhaps if PG John Wall (Achilles) was to make a miraculous and unexpected comeback, the Wizards could be a viable option, but that’s not likely. Even then, they’re the longest shot in the Eastern Conference. AVOID.

Washington Wizards Eastern Conference odds

The Wizards (+20000) are just NOT WORTH PLAYING, as there are so many better options in the Eastern Conference. The Wiz might not even win a single game in the 22-team bubble in Orlando.

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Brooklyn Nets NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds and chances of the Brooklyn Nets winning the Eastern Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Brooklyn Nets were seventh in the Eastern Conference with a record of 30-34 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Nets winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla. later this summer.

Brooklyn Nets season recap

The Nets were seventh in the East, but there was a huge drop-off from the sixth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers to Brooklyn. The Nets are 22.5 games behind the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, while the Sixers are only 14 games back.

That was after the Nets won their last three games before play was suspended, too, and they went 5-5 in their last 10 games before the break. They were an unimpressive 12-20 on the road this season, though there will be no home or away games with every team playing in Orlando.

The Nets were led by breakout stud PG Spencer Dinwiddie, who shined with Kyrie Irving in and out of the lineup. He averaged 20.6 points and 6.8 assists per game this season. Irving was playing well when healthy, averaging 27.4 points per game, but he only played 20 of a possible 64 contests.

Against the spread, Brooklyn was only 31-33 this season before play stopped.

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Brooklyn Nets NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, June 11 at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Despite not having locked down a playoff spot yet, the Nets’ championship odds aren’t as long as you might expect. They’re +5000, which is 12th among all teams.

It seems unlikely Irving will be back for the playoffs, though he did hint at a return, which makes it hard to understand why the Nets’ odds aren’t longer.

Given the strength at the top of the Eastern Conference and Brooklyn’s lack of talent further down the roster, it’s hard to see them making much noise. I’d PASS on taking them to win the championship.

Brooklyn Nets Eastern Conference odds

Just as I would pass on taking the Nets to win the NBA Championship, I’d do the same for the Eastern Conference title. The Nets simply don’t have the firepower to compete with the likes of Milwaukee, Boston or Toronto, especially if Irving isn’t available.

The Nets have the sixth-best odds to win the East this year at +2000, but again, I’d PASS on this bet.

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Orlando Magic NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds and chances of the Orlando Magic winning the Eastern Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Orlando Magic were eighth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 30-35 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Magic winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla. later this summer.

Orlando Magic season recap

Orlando was playing solid basketball when the campaign was shuttered on March 11. From Feb. 10-March 10, the Magic went 8-4 over a dozen games. Orlando wasn’t playing a tough schedule over that stretch, but the team was shooting the ball better — especially from beyond the 3-point arc — and forcing more turnovers.

The Magic’s 106.4 points per game for the season turned into 120.8 PPG over that final stretch. The soft schedule was one-third comprised of games against the Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves, which both rank in the league’s bottom-3 in PPG allowed.

The Magic went 8-1 against the spread over their last nine games. The Over was 12-0 in the Magic’s most recent dozen contests.

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Orlando Magic NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, June 11 at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Orlando is +25000 to win the 2019-20 NBA Championship. The Orlando-based NBA restart has the Magic pegged about right. There isn’t enough value here for a team that is 11-18-2 (37.9%) ATS at home.

The team’s most recent stretch would be more compelling from a betting standpoint if it had included more quality opponents and if it weren’t coming on the heels of going 2-10 (being outscored by a double-digit average) in the 12 games prior (Jan. 16-Feb. 8).

Orlando Magic Eastern Conference odds

The Magic are at +10000 to win the Eastern Conference. It would be reasonable to want more out of both plays; I see the overall value for hoisting the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy — unlikely as that may be — as the better of these two plays. But it’d be best to look elsewhere for third-tier darkhorse action.

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Indiana Pacers NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds and chances of the Indiana Pacers winning the Eastern Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Indiana Pacers were fifth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 39-26 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Pacers winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Indiana Pacers season recap

The Pacers were playing well when play was suspended, winning seven of their last 10 games and rising to fifth in the East. That was helped by the return of SG Victor Oladipo, who came back right at the end of January and was ramping up his playing time before play was halted.

SF T.J. Warren and PF Domantas Sabonis were leading the team in scoring at 18.7 and 18.5 points per game, respectively, with Sabonis averaging 12.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, too. PG Malcolm Brogdon has also had a really good season, while Oladipo averaged 13.8 points per game through just 13 games.

For bettors, the Pacers were 33-28-4 against the spread, including a 19-13-1 ATS record on the road.

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Indiana Pacers NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, June 10 at 7:30 a.m. ET.

The Pacers are a long shot to win the NBA title this year, with their odds sitting at +12500. That’s 14th in the league and seventh in the East, which is a sign of little faith from the oddsmakers.

While the East doesn’t have the top-end teams of the West, the Celtics and Bucks appear to be on a crash course for the Eastern Conference Finals. It’ll be hard for the Pacers to beat out any team to make the NBA Finals, let alone beat a team like the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets or L.A Clippers.

Indiana has good depth down its roster, but unless Oladipo erupts in the playoffs or Warren steps up even more, the Pacers are going to be left behind. PASS on this bet for the Pacers.

Indiana Pacers Eastern Conference odds

The Pacers’ odds to win the East are obviously better than their chances to win the NBA title, but they’re still long shots to win the conference. They’re seventh in the East at +4000, ahead of only the Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards.

Unless the Pacers finish with one of the top seeds in the East and draw the Nets, Wizards or Magic, they’re going to have a tough matchup to start the playoffs. The Philadelphia 76ers aren’t an easy out, nor are any of the four teams ahead of the Pacers in the East.

I’d also PASS on this bet.

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Philadelphia 76ers NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds of the Philadelphia 76ers winning the Eastern Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Philadelphia 76ers were sixth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 39-26 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the 76ers winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Philadelphia 76ers season recap

The 76ers were 13 games above .500 when the NBA pressed the pause button on the regular season in mid-March, and it was a tale of two teams. The Sixers were unstoppable at the Wells Fargo Center, posting an NBA-best 29-2 home record. However, they were a complete and unmitigated disaster on the road, limping to a 10-24 mark, second-worst among all teams invited to the Orlando bubble. Only the Washington Wizards’ 8-24 record was worse on the road – at least among the 22 teams headed to Central Florida.

Philly won’t have its home fans to fall back on for energy, so it’s going to have to find a way to win in strange and unfriendly environs. On a positive note, the other teams won’t have their fans there, either, so it will be a true neutral-site feel where the most talented teams should stand out … and Philly certainly has plenty of talent.

The good news is that PG Ben Simmons (back) is expected to be healthy after suffering an injury in late February. If the season had proceeded regularly, his status for the playoffs would have been in question. But with the extra recovery time, he should be fine, and that’s a big boost for the Sixers. With a roster featuring a playoff-tested PF Al Horford, although his fit is still a bit of a question even now, along with C Joel Embiid, SF Tobias Harris and SG Josh Richardson, this team has the chance to make noise and plenty of it.

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Philadelphia 76ers NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, June 9 at 10 a.m. ET.

The 76ERS (+2500) are listed with the eighth-best odds in the NBA to lift the championship hardware, the same odds as the Eastern Conference’s Miami Heat. Philly was a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde team before the pause, as it was unstoppable at home and a mess on the road. This team has the roster talent from top to bottom to make a run to a title, but will it? Cohesiveness is a big issue, but PHILLY (+2500) IS WORTH A SMALL-UNIT WAGER, as the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks could very well stumble in the East.

Philadelphia 76ers Eastern Conference odds

The 76ERS (+1000) are a rather attractive play with a chance to multiply your initial stake by 10 even if they just make the NBA Finals and flame out. After the Bucks (-159), who are the clear-cut favorite in the East, it is wide open. Why not the 76ers? They have plenty of inside presence and a roster built for the playoffs. They’re going to be healthy, and that’s a huge plus, obviously. Philly is a NICE VALUE at this price point.

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Boston Celtics NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds of the Boston Celtics winning the Eastern Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Boston Celtics were third in the Eastern Conference with a record of 43-21 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Celtics winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Boston Celtics season recap

The Celtics were one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference when play was suspended, sitting 22 games over .500. They weren’t all that hot heading into the break, though. They were only 5-5 in their last 10 games and 7-6 overall in the division.

Against the spread, Boston was excellent. It was 38-23-3 ATS before play was halted, including a stellar 20-10-2 ATS mark on the road. Of course, there will be no home-court advantage or road games with everything being played in Orlando.

Boston was led by SF Jayson Tatum, who was tops on the team in scoring (23.6 PPG) and second in rebounding (7.1 RPG). PG Kemba Walker has been the key to getting the offense in motion, though, averaging 21.8 PPG and 4.9 assists. SG Jaylen Brown and PF Gordon Hayward also chipped in as the third- and fourth-leading scorers, respectively.

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Boston Celtics NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, June 9 at 10:50 a.m. ET.

The Celtics currently have the fifth-best odds to win the NBA title this season, sitting at +2000 – behind the Los Angeles Lakers (+250), Milwaukee Bucks (+280), Los Angeles Clippers (+325) and Houston Rockets (+1200). Boston benefits from playing in the much more favorable Eastern Conference, with the biggest hurdle being Milwaukee.

With everyone healthy, Boston has a good chance to win the championship in this modified season. They don’t have a superstar like Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, but with four players who are capable of scoring 30 on any given night, the Celtics are as well-rounded as anyone.

The CELTICS are DEFINITELY WORTH A BET AT +2000.

Boston Celtics Eastern Conference odds

To no surprise, the Celtics have the second-best odds to win the East, behind only the Bucks. Milwaukee is the overwhelming favorite at -159, with the Boston sitting at +750 – Toronto is also +750.

It’s a safer bet than taking the Celtics to win the NBA Championship, but the reward is far lower, paying 7.5 to 1. That’s because if Boston were to reach the Finals, it would likely have to play the Lakers, Clippers or Rockets – all among the best in the NBA.

I would PASS on taking the Celtics to win the East, and instead, go for the bigger payoff, putting the money on them to win the NBA Finals.

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Miami Heat NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds of the Miami Heat winning the Eastern Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Miami Heat were fourth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 41-24 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Heat winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Miami Heat season recap

The Heat sat atop the Southeast Division when play was paused. They were likely going to be in good shape as far as home-court advantage was concerned in at least a round or two of the playoffs.

Miami featured a sparkling 27-5 record at home, the third-best mark in all of the NBA. But now, there will be no home-court advantage as the 22 teams will be playing in the O-Town bubble. So, the absence of Miami’s raucous fans at the American Airlines Arena will be sorely missed for the Heaters.

Miami was also fourth in the Eastern Conference in terms of point differential, posting 112.2 points per game offensively, while yielding 108.9 defensively. That was good for a plus-3.3 differential, eighth-best overall in the league, too.

PF Bam Adebayo and SF Jimmy Butler proved to be quite a nice, and unexpected, one-two punch for Miami. Add in the fact that this team is deep with young talent in the form of SF Derrick Jones Jr. and SGs Tyler Herro, Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson, and the Heat are a bit of a wild card in the East. They also have playoff-tested SG Andre Iguodala, added at the trade deadline, to give the younger players guidance and leadership.

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Miami Heat NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, June 9 at 9:30 a.m. ET.

The Heat (+2500) are listed with the eighth-best odds in the NBA to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy, tied with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Heat definitely have a strong corps of young players, but the lack of playoff experience will work against them. However, the fact that NBA players are creatures of habit, and some of the veterans on others teams might be thrown off their game from the unconventional restart and strange situation might negate some of that newness. Still, it’s best to AVOID betting on Miami winning it all.

Miami Heat Eastern Conference odds

The HEAT (+1000) have rather short odds in the East, which is considered wide open after the heavily favored Milwaukee Bucks (-159). If the favorite should stumble, then why not the Heat? They have a good mix of rookies and veterans, and the leadership of Iguodala will be beneficial. The HEAT (+1000) ARE WORTH A SMALL-UNIT PLAY, just don’t get carried away.

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