Updated NBA Championship Odds – April 16th Edition

We’ve seen the first games of the opening round of the National Basketball Association’s playoffs come and go, and we’ve seen some surprises — such as New Orleans’ upset win in Portland, and the trouble that Houston had dispatching Minnesota. We saw Indiana demolish Cleveland in the first period and hold on for a convincing win, and we saw Philadelphia rout Miami by 27 points. Can the Cavaliers escape the first round? Will Golden State hold firm against San Antonio? Take a look at the latest NBA Championship odds for teams to win the Finals and our perspective on the contenders.

Updated NBA Championship Odds – April 16th Edition

NBA championship rings through the years 💍 pic.twitter.com/ttyWiJhLJR

— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) April 16, 2018

Golden State

• 2018 NBA Championship Odds: 5/4

The Golden State Warriors rolled to a 21-point win over San Antonio in Game One of their opening-round series, as the Warriors’ having to play without Stephen Curry was more than compensated by the absence of Kawhi Leonard for the Spurs. San Antonio has gone 42-31 without Leonard on the floor for them, but they have an uphill road against Golden State, who got a terrific game out of Kevin Durant and offensive balance in Game One. Can the Warriors go all the way? It’s hard to say, and these odds have a lot to do with history as well as this season, but they have the upper hand in their opening round. 

Houston

• 2018 NBA Championship Odds: 8/5

Houston took care of business against Minnesota in their opener, winning by a 104-101 score, but the young Timberwolves gave the top-seeded Rockets all they could handle. The return of Jimmy Butler (who only played one full game of the four meetings between the two teams) pushed the Rockets’ defense. A big Houston win in Game Two should reassure those who think Houston will win the whole thing. 

Toronto

• 2018 NBA Championship Odds: 10/1

Yes, Toronto won Game One of a postseason series for just the second time ever. Should you believe in the Raptors to go all the way? They have it in their heads that they can’t beat Cleveland, so they wouldn’t beat the Cavs, and Philadelphia is playing better than the Raptors too. So I wouldn’t put my money on Toronto at this point. 

Philadelphia

• 2018 NBA Championship Odds: 12/1

The Sixers last raised a championship banner in 1983, when Dr. J and Moses Malone still patrolled the Spectrum. Now, even without Joel Embiid on the floor, the Sixers have now won 17 games in a row, including a 130-103 demolition of Miami in the series opener. Youth will always have its day, but as the lights get brighter with each round, can Philadelphia keep going? I definitely have this crew down as a value bet. 

Cleveland

• 2018 NBA Championship Odds: 15/1

The Cavaliers couldn’t climb out of the hole that Indiana shoved them into in the first period. They got back within seven points in the fourth quarter before falling by double digits. Can the Cavaliers find their shooting touch at home? Absolutely. But can they stop Houston, Golden State or Philadelphia? 

Oklahoma City

• 2018 NBA Championship Odds: 35/1

Paul George is now calling himself “Playoff P,” after dropping 36 points on Utah in his postseason debut with the Thunder. This team has the second-highest ceiling in the West, after Houston, so if you want a value bet from the West, this is definitely a team I’d consider. 

Boston

• 2018 NBA Championship Odds: 80/1

Yes, the Celtics escaped Milwaukee at home in overtime in Game One. But without Kyrie Irving, this team can’t beat Toronto, Philadelphia or Cleveland in the East, and they might not knock out the Bucks. 

Utah

• 2018 NBA Championship Odds: 85/1

This is the league’s hottest team since January 22. If they can even the series up with Oklahoma City, things get really interesting. 

Portland

• 2018 NBA Championship Odds: 100/1

Can Portland’s guards outplay New Orleans’ frontcourt? That’s the question that will define this series. 

New Orleans

• 2018 NBA Championship Odds: 110/1

See above. 

Indiana

• 2018 NBA Championship Odds: 125/1

The Pacers showed how to slow Cleveland down in the first period of Game One (helped by some ice-cold shooting). However, the Pacers ripped away some timely turnovers, and Victor Oladipo showed why he might be the league’s Most Improved Player.

Milwaukee, Minnesota, Washington

• 2018 NBA Championship Odds: 250/1 

These teams have flashes of promise….but just flashes. Take a lead in your first-round series, and we’ll talk. 

San Antonio

• 2018 NBA Championship Odds: 300/1

The Spurs don’t even know how Kawhi Leonard’s rehab is going, let alone how to beat the Warriors.

Miami

• 2018 NBA Championship Odds: 500/1 

Your odds are going to plummet when you take a 27-point whipping in Game One. How will the Heat respond?