The NBA season is reaching its pivotal stage, as just a handful of teams are left standing in the respective Western and Eastern Championships.
The odds have constantly been changing throughout the post-season, with the biggest movement coming after the Los Angeles Lakers were knocked out in the early stages by the Phoenix Suns.
However, which teams have the most likely chance of winning the NBA according to the latest odds?
Brooklyn Nets
The team at the top of the betting for the NBA hasn’t changed that much since the early months of the regular season, as the Brooklyn Nets have always been strongly supported.
The Nets moved to favorites in the betting after signing James Harden from the Houston Rockets, and it would be hard to bet against them winning the NBA Championship should they have all their biggest hitters on the court at the same time.
However, injury concerns will likely be at the root of the issue that gamblers will have when assessing whether to support the Nets. James Harden has missed much of the semi-final series against the Milwaukee Bucks, while Kyrie Irving also limped off in their most recent game with a nasty-looking ankle injury.
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz have also been strong in the betting throughout the regular season, and that hasn’t really changed much in the post-season to this point. Utah won more games than any other side in the NBA during the regular season, while they had a win percentage of .722.
They were stronger at home, as they lost just five of the 36 games that they played when finishing top of the Western Conference. They have continued to look strong and ready throughout the playoffs, as they eased past the Memphis Grizzlies despite losing the opening game of the series.
The Jazz have been involved in a much more intense series in their most recent series against the Los Angeles Clippers, as the Clippers have come back from two games down to level the series.
Game five in the series will take place in Utah, before Los Angeles hosts game six. Should the final game be needed, the Jazz will once again have home court advantage.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have a semi-final showdown with the Brooklyn Nets ongoing at present, but the tide has certainly turned in their favour ahead of game five. In a strange set of circumstances, the Bucks are now the favourite to edge past the Nets in the series, but the Nets remain the favourites in the outright betting to win the NBA Championship.
Injuries to the Nets have certainly improved the Bucks chances, as the side at the top of the betting could have to play the remaining games of the series without both Irving and Harden.
The Bucks have fought back from 2-0 down to level the series, and it certainly looks as though the momentum is with them. It is always hard to rule the Bucks out of contention, as they have one of the leading players in the world in Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Greek will be pivotal to their chances, and that has been evident throughout the series against the Nets.
He recently scored 34 points in their game four victory. Giannis was excellent throughout the regular season, as he averaged 28.1 points per game. He has certainly flourished since the arrival of Jrue Holiday, and the Bucks may be one of the biggest market movers if they get past the Nets.
There you have it, the favourite teams to win the NBA Championship in July. If you love basketball, check out some other cool facts, like this list of the shortest players in NBA history, by TwinSpires Edge. Check it out!
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