Warriors Remain Top 5 In NBA Title Odds
Despite a middling start to the season and an 11-11 record, the Golden State Warriors have managed to remain near the top of oddsmakers’ lists to repeat as NBA champions. The Dubs currently trail the Suns, the Bucks, and the favorite Celtics, with the Clippers rounding out the last spot in the top 5 according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
These five teams are the only ones with better than +1000 odds to win the title. While only 3 of those 5 (the Celtics, Bucks, and Suns) are currently at the top record-wise and have been playing phenomenal basketball, the Clippers and Warriors are both still on the watchlist for possible contenders, largely in part due to the Warriors underperforming and the Clippers missing one or both of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard frequently. Talent-wise, these are where the odds seem to think the trophy is headed.
The Warriors have plenty of work to do to right their ship, but they’ve begun to show signs that they’re on their way there. Last night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks was a close one, and it was the first time this season that the bench looked better than the starters, largely in part due to major contributions from Jonathan Kuminga. Kuminga’s noticeable improvement comes not just on the defensive end, but with his willingness to fit into the team’s system. He’s looking like an ideal role player at this stage in his career, and while his ceiling is much higher, he’s playing the part he needs to a tee.
Things seem to be clicking for the Warriors, and with Stephen Curry playing at an MVP-caliber level (currently in 4th place, same as his team, at +700 to win the award), Golden State will be a difficult out come playoff-time as has been the case in many Warriors seasons past, including last year’s finish at 3rd in the West.
There has still not been a playoff series they’ve lost with Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Stephen Curry all fully healthy for the full length. The Warriors’ starting 5 remains the best in the league in terms of differential and total plus/minus despite a poor showing in Dallas, and a tighter rotation where they all play more could spell problems for any of their opponents.
Vegas’s sharps are the best in the business, and there’s always been the feeling that they know something we don’t. So as the Warriors continue to click as a team with their new additions and emerging talent (and some return to form for Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole), the chances those odds get better are ever-present.
Make no mistake: The Warriors are a perennial contender. The playoffs are a different game, and nobody’s been able to run them better than these guys.
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