Tag: NBA Playoffs Picks

Phoenix Suns NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

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

The Phoenix Suns were 13th in the Western Conference with a record of 26-39 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Suns winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Phoenix Suns season recap

The Suns surprised everyone to start the season, jumping out to a 5-2 record with wins over very good teams (Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers) and two one-point losses (at the Denver Nuggets in OT and vs. the Utah Jazz). However, after C Deandre Ayton was suspended for 25 games (tested positive for a banned substance) and other injuries set in, they couldn’t keep up the pace. An eight-game losing streak and a pair of four-game skids dropped them near the bottom of the Western Conference.

They have dealt with injuries to PG Ricky Rubio, SF Kelly Oubre and C Frank Kaminsky. Meanwhile, SG Devin Booker has had a great season, averaging 26.1 points per game and doing so with the greatest efficiency of his career.

Their record against the spread is close to their actual record, going 29-35-1, while posting a 33-32 Over/Under mark.

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Phoenix Suns NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, June 19 at 3 a.m. ET.

The Suns (+100000) are the biggest long shot among the 22 teams headed to Orlando. They will have eight games to gain 2.5 games in the standings just to get to the ninth seed and earn a shot to actually get into the playoffs to take on the No. 1 seed.

While the Suns are capable of beating virtually anyone in the league, nothing they have done all season suggests they can put it together long enough to even make playoffs much less win a title.

Should you bet on the Suns to win the NBA title? NO.

Phoenix Suns Western Conference odds

The Suns are also the longest shot to win the West at +50000. While the odds are half of their +100000 to win it all, it still is a foolish bet. Even if they manage to get to a play-in series and even if they make it into the playoffs, they would have to face the No. 1 seed, currently LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers, whom they have not beaten this season (0-3). A bet on the Suns in the West is an equally bad bet. AVOID.

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Sacramento Kings NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

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

The Sacramento Kings were tied for 10th in the Western Conference with a record of 28-36 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Kings winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Sacramento Kings season recap

Sacramento benefits from their being close enough to compete and move up to the eighth or ninth spot in the conference. They are in a virtual tie with the Portland Trail Blazers and New Orleans Pelicans for the ninth seed.

They have had some rough patches during the season, including an eight-game losing streak and two five-game skids as well. They are under .500 both at home (14-17) and on the road (14-19). They have eight players averaging double figures in points this season, led by PG De’Aaron Fox’s 20.4 points per game and SG Buddy Hield’s 19.8 PPG.

In terms of betting, they were just above .500 against the spread, going 33-29-2, while posting a 34-30 Over/Under record.

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Sacramento Kings NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, June 18 at 4:50 a.m. ET.

The Kings are one of the longest shots to win the title at +50000. They aren’t even a sure thing to even make it to the playoffs or even the play-in series to earn a chance to play the No. 1 seed. They are a nice young team, but NOT WORTH A BET AT ALL. This is a straight PASS.

Sacramento Kings Western Conference odds

The Kings’ odds to win the Western Conference and play in the NBA Finals aren’t much better than their odds to win the title. Their odds to win the West are +30000. Since they aren’t even a sure bet to actually be in the playoffs, they ARE NOT A GOOD BET to be conference champions.

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San Antonio Spurs NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

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

The San Antonio Spurs were 12th in the Western Conference with a record of 27-36 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Spurs winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

San Antonio Spurs season recap

Over the years we’ve come to expect more from coach Gregg Popovich’s group, but it was four games out of a playoff spot when the NBA pause button was pressed, struggling to stay in the postseason picture.

The Spurs were a respectable 16-14 at home, but a dismal 11-22 away from The Alamo. With a minus-1.7 point differential, they’re one of six Western Conference teams invited to the bubble allowing more points than they have scored this season. The Spurs went 4-6 inside the Southwest Division, while going 15-21 against the Western Conference this season.

As if things weren’t bad enough for the Spurs, PF LaMarcus Aldridge will miss the rest of the season. He was injured in a game Feb. 21, played two nights later, but then sat out the next six contests before returning to score 24 points in a Spurs home win against the Dallas Mavericks March 10 – one night before the NBA suspended play due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, during the pause, it was decided the 14-year veteran wouldn’t return until next season. He was averaging 18.9 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game, so his production will certainly be missed for a team which wasn’t that good with him on the floor.

With Aldridge out, the Spurs will rely on SF DeMar DeRozan more than usual – he leads the team in points (22.2 PPG) and assists (5.6 APG).

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San Antonio Spurs NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, June 16 at 7:25 a.m. ET.

The Spurs (+50000) are tied with the Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards for the second-longest odds to hoist the Larry O. Only the Phoenix Suns (+100000) are thought of less by the bookmakers. The loss of Aldridge hurts a team which was already below average, and frankly, San Antonio doesn’t have a chance to win more than a game or two inside the bubble, and that might even be a bit generous. AVOID.

San Antonio Spurs Western Conference odds

The Spurs (+30000) are simply NOT WORTH PLAYING, as the Western Conference is stacked. It’s a three-horse race in the West with the Los Angeles Lakers (+125), Los Angeles Clippers (+175) and Houston Rockets (+700) leading the way. There are a few other mid-level contenders who could make trouble for the big three, but the Spurs don’t even fall into that group.

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New Orleans Pelicans NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

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

The New Orleans Pelicans were tied for ninth in the Western Conference with a record of 28-36 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Pelicans winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

New Orleans Pelicans season recap

The Pelicans were locked in a three-way tie for the ninth spot in the Western Conference with the Portland Trail Blazers (29-37) and Sacramento Kings (28-36), 3 1/2 games back of the eighth-place Memphis Grizzlies (32-33), while maintaining a half-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs (27-36). That’s why there is a heavy Western Conference feel in the 22-team bubble at the Walt Disney Wide World of Sports in Orlando as the season resumes.

What the other teams mentioned above do not have is super rookie PF Zion Williamson. The Pelicans patiently waited for the rookie out of Duke to make his NBA debut after he recovered from surgery to repair a torn meniscus. He made his first NBA appearance Jan. 22, a loss to the Spurs, but the team posted a 10-9 record with him on the floor, including two key wins over the Blazers Feb. 11 and Feb. 21. In 19 games, Williamson averaged 23.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, while shooting 46.2 percent from behind the 3-point line.

The Pellies are anything but a one-trick pony, however, and that’s what makes them a team most contenders do not want to see in the bubble, especially with no home-court advantage to lean upon.

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New Orleans Pelicans NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, June 16 at 7:45 a.m. ET.

The PELICANS (+20000) are worth a roll of the dice at this price level. I mean, toss a buck on Zion and the Pellies for a potential return of $200. With Zion, SF Brandon Ingram (24.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.3 APG), SG Jrue Holiday (19.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 6.9 APG), SG JJ Redick (14.9 PPG), PG Lonzo Ball (12.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 7.0 APG) and C Derrick Favors (9.2 PPG, 9.9 RPG), as well as SF Josh Hart (10.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG) off the pine, this team has quite a bit of depth and will give someone fits. The Pelicans might not win it all, and might not come close, but they’ll make folks sweat, and they’re a GREAT VALUE at this price point.

New Orleans Pelicans Western Conference odds

The PELICANS (+10000) are the team no one wants to see in the bubble. Sure, they’ve had a losing record overall, but a winning mark (by one game) since Williamson joined the fray. They can give people fits, and are worth a roll of the dice at this price level in case some of the higher-seeded teams struggle, do not show up or just exhibit plenty of rust. Don’t go crazy, but some people choose to throw their money away on fancy coffee or streaming service subscriptions to watch tiger shows. Here, you could spend that money more wisely and win a few bones if the Pellies get hot in O-Town.

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Dallas Mavericks NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

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

The Dallas Mavericks were seventh in the Western Conference with a record of 40-27 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Mavericks winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Dallas Mavericks season recap

Dallas has one of the bright, young stars in the league in PG Luka Doncic, who was averaging 28.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game before the season was suspended. He is joined by C Kristaps Porzingas, averaging 19.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per contest.

The Mavs were better on the road (21-12) than at home (19-15), but they dominated their division, going 10-3 against Southwest Division rivals.

Dallas was also one of the best teams in the league against the spread. The Mavericks are tied for the seventh-best ATS record in the NBA at 35-29-3. Meanwhile, their 40-27 Over/Under mark is tied for the third-best Over record this season.

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Dallas Mavericks NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, June 16 at 3:20 a.m. ET.

Dallas is a long shot to win the NBA title at +3000. The Mavericks are solid and would do well against any team in the Eastern Conference. The problem is their road to the NBA Finals is just too hard. Betting against anyone other than the Los Angeles Lakers (+250) or Los Angeles Clippers (+325) in the West – barring an injury to a key player – seems like a waste.

Should you bet on the Mavs to win the title? NO.

Dallas Mavericks Western Conference odds

To win the Western Conference, the Mavs are also a long shot at +1800 behind five other teams. As mentioned previously, the issue with the Mavs isn’t their NBA Finals odds, it’s the fact they have to come out of the West. Betting on the Mavs to win the West is no better than betting on them to win the NBA title. AVOID betting on Dallas here, too.

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Memphis Grizzlies NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

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

The Memphis Grizzlies were eighth in the Western Conference with a record of 32-33 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Grizzlies winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Memphis Grizzlies season recap

The Grizzlies were one of the best stories in the NBA through the early portion of the 2019-20 season. A young and newly-rebuilt team was sitting inside of the playoff picture and looking for the franchise’s first postseason appearance since 2016-17. Memphis was 18-15 at home and a respectable 14-18 on the road. They averaged 112.6 points per game and allowed 113.7 PPG.

PG Ja Morant, the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year frontrunner, was averaging 17.6 PPG, 6.9 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game. PF Jaren Jackson Jr. was the Grizzlies’ second-leading scorer at 16.9 PPG, followed by SG Dillon Brooks‘ 15.7 PPG. 2018-19 trade-acquisition (in exchange for former face-of-the franchise C Marc Gasol) Jonas Valanciunas, was averaging 14.9 PPG, 11.2 RPG and 1.1 blocks per game.

The Grizzlies were a strong 34-30-1 against the spread. They covered the number by an average of 2.5 PPG. However, Memphis games often fell short of point projections, as the Grizzlies were just 30-35 against the Over/Under.

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Memphis Grizzlies NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, June 11 at 5:20 p.m. ET.

The break may have come at a convenient time for the Grizzlies, as Morant and his young teammates have now had some time to reflect and work on possible areas of weakness in their own time amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Their +50000 odds to win the 2019-20 NBA Championship are enticing, but the young and talented core is still lacking in needed experience. PASS on the NBA Championship bet for the Grizzlies, as there is still plenty of value available in the odds to win the Western Conference.

Memphis Grizzlies Western Conference odds

While top NBA Championship contenders in the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers and Houston Rockets all reside in the Western Conference, the Grizzlies will be able to use their youth to their advantage in any potential Western Conference Finals matchups amid the unique 2019-20 playoff structure.

Memphis is +30000 to make it out of the West, tied for the 10th-best odds (out of 13 teams) in the conference. This lofty number warrants a play on the GRIZZLIES (+30000) to win the Western Conference Finals and play in the 2019-20 NBA Finals.

New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on the Grizzlies to win the West returns a profit of $3,000.

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Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

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

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

Oklahoma City Thunder season recap

The Thunder were the hottest team in the NBA at the time of the shutdown, winning eight of their last 10 games, including their last three before the break. It helped them jump all the way to the fifth seed, which guarantees them a playoff spot in the West.

This isn’t the star-studded Thunder team of years past, with SG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the team in scoring at 19.3 points per game, closely followed by PF Danilo Gallinari at 19.2 PPG and PG Dennis Schroeder at 19.0.

PG Chris Paul is averaging 17.7 points and 6.8 assists per game, too, helping lead a relatively young Thunder team in the gauntlet that is the Western Conference.

Against the spread, the Thunder were great, going 40-24, including 23-8 away from home.

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Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, June 15 at 11 a.m. ET.

The Thunder may have been one of the hottest teams in the league before play was halted, but that doesn’t mean they’re among the favorites to win the NBA title this year. They’re currently +10000 to be the last team standing, 13th among all teams left in the mix. The Houston Rockets, who have the same 40-24 record, are +1200, for comparison, which is fourth-best.

The oddsmakers just don’t see the Thunder being legitimate contenders, especially with how tough the path to the NBA Finals in the West will be. They have to go through too many good teams in order to even reach the Finals, and then they’ll have to beat someone like the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics or Toronto Raptors, most likely.

I’d PASS on this bet because the Thunder simply don’t have the top-end talent to knock off the top teams in the league.

Oklahoma City Thunder Western Conference odds

The Thunder have the seventh-best odds to win the Western Conference at +6000, but there’s a big drop-off from the fifth-ranked Mavericks (+1800) and Oklahoma City. That suggests a real lack of confidence in the Thunder heading into the playoffs.

If they finish in the bottom half of the conference’s playoff seeding, they’ll have to face a team such as the Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, or possibly the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round.

It just isn’t shaping up to be a long playoff run for the Thunder, which is why they’re NOT worth a bet to win the West.

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Houston Rockets NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

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

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

Houston Rockets season recap

Before the NBA season was suspended in March, the Rockets were actually in a bit of a slump, losing four of their last five games. They did “end” the season by beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-111 at home March 10.

The Rockets were one of the league’s most fascinating teams after the trade deadline as they completely embraced playing a small lineup. The Rockets moved P.J. Tucker, who had mostly played the power forward spot, into a starting “center” role over the last few weeks of the season. Plus, the Rockets began taking even more 3-point shots than ever before. Houston was No. 1 in the NBA in made 3-pointers per game (15.4) and 3-point attempts per game (44.3) before the league stopped play. They also were No. 2 in scoring (118.1 PG) as well a second in free throws made (20.5 PG) and free-throw attempts (26.0 PG).

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Houston Rockets NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday, June 14, at 2 p.m. ET.

The Rockets’ championship odds sit at +1200, the fourth-best in the NBA. But how realistic is it that they can climb through the difficult Western Conference and beat a team like the Milwaukee Bucks or Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals?

For that to happen, the Rockets would need to put on a shooting clinic for two straight months. While that can certainly happen, they just don’t have a big margin of error, given their lack of size upfront. SG James Harden is certainly spectacular, but will he be able to rely on the likes of PG Russell Westbrook and SF/SG Eric Gordon in big moments?

The Rockets are a talented team, but they just might not have enough size to match up with the elite teams in either conference. They still ARE NOT A BAD BET AT +1200, but consider them a much better bet to win the Western Conference, rather than take home the 2019-2020 NBA Championship, even at lesser odds.

Houston Rockets Western Conference odds

Despite having just the fifth-best record in the West, the Rockets (+700) have the third-best odds to win the conference behind the Los Angeles Lakers (+125) and Los Angeles Clippers (+175). Houston had a 3-3 record against the Los Angeles’ teams this season and given the Rockets’ shooting, they could certainly get hot enough to beat either squad in a seven-game series.

While it’s not fair to “expect” them to beat either the Lakers or Clippers this postseason, they AREN’T A BAD BET AT +700. They have the talent to match up with any team in the NBA and their 3-point shooting can be the great equalizer in any series. Don’t be afraid of betting on Houston to finally break through and make the NBA Finals this postseason.

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Utah Jazz NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

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

The Utah Jazz were fourth in the Western Conference with a record of 41-23 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Jazz winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Utah Jazz season recap

The Jazz have been one of the more consistent teams in the league. Of their 41 wins, 21 were at home and 20 on the road. They were 5-5 in the Northwest Division and 5-5 in their previous 10 games before the season stopped. In terms of betting results, Utah was only 30-32-2 against the spread with a 33-31 Over/Under record.

SG Donovan Mitchell and SF Bojan Bogdanovic lead the way in scoring, averaging 24.2 points per game and 20.2 PPG, respectively. C Rudy Gobert and PG Jordan Clarkson both averaged 15.1 PPG, while Gobert led the Jazz in rebounds with 13.7 RPG.

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Utah Jazz NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday, June 14 at 4:20 p.m. ET.

Utah is not a huge long shot to win the title but definitely not a favorite. The Los Angeles Lakers (+250) are the favorites to win it. With championship odds at +2500, the Jazz are 10 times that. They are a consistently good team, but don’t really have a shot unless the Lakers, the East-leading Milwaukee Bucks (+280) and Los Angeles Clippers (+325) lose several top players.

Should you bet on the Jazz to win the title? NO.

Plus, Bogdanovic’s status is in doubt as he had surgery in May to repair a ruptured ligament in his right wrist.

Utah Jazz Western Conference odds

The same is the case for the Jazz to come out of the Western Conference to play in the NBA Finals. They are +1400, behind four other teams. The Jazz are decent, but they’re not on the same level as the top two teams in the West, being the Lakers and Clippers. A bet on the Jazz to win the West is the same as betting for a championship. I wouldn’t do it. AVOID.

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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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