2017 NBA Championship Odds: The Warriors are favorites to win the title
Celtics, Timberwolves surprisingly strong odds according to Las Vegas oddsmakers
By
Matt Moore
•
2 min read
The Westgate Las Vegas Superbook released its odds on the 2017 NBA championship Monday, before the Western Conference champion had even been decided Monday night in Game 7 between the Warriors and Thunder.
The Warriors, a 7.5-point favorite in Game 7 Monday, headlined the list, predictably, at 3-2 with the Cavs, again predictably, coming in 2nd at 5-2. The Spurs take the third spot and the Thunder, despite toppling San Antonio in the semifinals, come in behind San Antonio at 8-1 to the Spurs' 6-1.
The drop-off from there is dramatic with the Clippers coming in at 16-1. The most interesting odds come in immediately after, however.
The Boston Celtics, a first-round out, are 20-1 to win the 2017 NBA championship, ahead of the Hawks that beat them, the Miami Heat, the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference finalist Toronto Raptors, and other big-name teams. The easiest conclusion to draw here is that Kevin Durant may very well land in Beantown. In fact, most of the teams in consideration for Durant, reportedly, are at the top of this list. The Warriors. Spurs, obviously, Thunder, and Celtics are considered to be the leaders in the clubhouse with Miami (right behind Boston at 25-1) rounding out the projected suitors.
It makes you wonder just how much oddsmakers consider Boston a real threat to land a big talent upgrade this summer, whether it's Durant or someone else.
Some other notes:
- The Memphis Grizzlies, as always, are a tier below their standings, as every year there are horrible odds on them relative to the teams that typically surround them, and this year is no different at 80-1.
- The Portland Trail Blazers would have been the biggest surprise at 60-1, were it not for the Minnesota Timberwolves, also 60-1. That is a shocking figure, even with the odds being so low. A team built around three sub-25-year-olds usually doesn't make the playoffs, let alone compete. Shows you the impact of Karl-Anthony Towns.
- The Bulls being 40-1 shows you how bad of shape they're in. They're usually way higher, just based on public money alone.
- Vegas apparently does not think that the Wizards (100-1) are getting KD.
- The Nets have the worst odds of any team in the league at a staggering 500-1 mark. Brutal.
Here are the complete odds, via Westgate:
| Team | 2017 Championship Odds |
| Golden State Warriors | 3-2 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 5-2 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 6-1 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 8-1 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 16-1 |
| Boston Celtics | 20-1 |
| Miami Heat | 25-1 |
| Toronto Raptors | 25-1 |
| Chicago Bulls | 40-1 |
| Atlanta Hawks | 40-1 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 60-1 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 60-1 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 60-1 |
| Houston Rockets | 60-1 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 80-1 |
| Utah Jazz | 80-1 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 80-1 |
| Washington Wizards | 100-1 |
| Indiana Pacers | 100-1 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 100-1 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 100-1 |
| Detroit Pistons | 100-1 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 100-1 |
| New York Knicks | 100-1 |
| Sacramento Kings | 100-1 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 100-1 |
| Orlando Magic | 100-1 |
| Denver Nuggets | 100-1 |
| Phoenix Suns | 300-1 |
| Brooklyn Nets | 500-1 |
