NBA Championship Odds: Celtics Remain Top Favorites
As the new NBA season tips off, the Boston Celtics are once again the team to beat, with the shortest preseason title odds in three years. Despite significant roster enhancements by the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, the Celtics remain the consensus betting favorites to win the championship.
Bettors Backing Celtics in Droves
According to FanDuel, a staggering 43% of the money bet on their NBA championship odds has been placed on the Celtics. This is no surprise, given the team’s impressive track record: preseason favorites have won nine of the past 16 NBA championships. The Celtics’ title odds currently stand at +290 at ESPN BET.
Western Conference Challengers Emerge
The Oklahoma City Thunder, favorites in the Western Conference, have the second-best title odds at +675, closely followed by the Knicks (+700) and 76ers (+825). The Thunder and Celtics have attracted the most handle from bettors, but other teams are also generating interest.
Knicks’ Title Odds Shorten with New Additions
The Knicks’ offseason signings of Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns have led to a significant shortening of their title odds, from +1800 to +700. This has made them the second-most popular team among bettors at ESPN BET, behind only the Celtics.
Lakers and Warriors Pose Biggest Liability
Caesars Sportsbook’s David Lieberman notes that the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors pose the biggest liability in their NBA titles futures markets. With both teams being popular and having relatively high odds (33-1 and 40-1, respectively), it’s not surprising that they’re attracting significant attention from bettors.
76ers’ Title Odds Improve with Paul George Addition
The 76ers’ signing of veteran Paul George has led to an improvement in their title odds, from +1600 to +825. These are the shortest preseason title odds the 76ers have had since 1986, according to ESPN Research.
Long Shots Look for Upsets
At the other end of the spectrum, the Brooklyn Nets begin the season as one of the biggest long shots to win the title at 1,000-1. While their chances may seem slim, Caesars Sportsbook reported taking a $750 bet on the Nets to win the title at 1,000-1 odds in June.
Leave a Reply