Updated NBA Championship Odds – April 23rd
Along with tying the Cavaliers’ series against the Pacers 2-2, @KingJames became the 2nd player in NBA history with 100 30-point games in NBA playoff history. You’ve probably heard of the other guy. pic.twitter.com/VEZEa2zCI3
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 23, 2018
- Golden State Warriors -105
- Houston Rockets +185
- Toronto Raptors +850
- Philadelphia 76ers +900
- Cleveland Cavaliers +1100
- Utah Jazz +2800
- Oklahoma City Thunder +5000
- New Orleans Pelicans +5000
- Indiana Pacers +6000
- Boston Celtics +6600
- Milwaukee Bucks +10000
- Washington Wizards +10000
- Minnesota Timberwolves +10000
- Miami Heat +25000
- San Antonio Spurs +25000
Who Should Be Your Value Pick?
Your value pick to consider out west is the New Orleans Pelicans. Rajon Rondo hasn’t looked this interested in a postseason series since he won it all in Boston in 2008. Anthony Davis basically made the whole Portland frontcourt look silly in a four-game sweep that was even easier than it looked. Why should you consider the Pelicans as a value pick in that stacked Western Conference? Portland tries to do what Golden State does — run and gun, score as many points as possible, without worrying a whole lot about defense and rebounding. The Pelicans were able to shut down that approach — and made it look easy. Golden State isn’t close to 100% this year, and if New Orleans can pull off the upset against Houston in the second round, Anthony Davis suddenly becomes the face of the championship chase in the West. So how about Golden State or Houston? I still like the Rockets more than I like the Warriors — their ceiling is still higher on offense, and they have a level of hunger that Golden State hasn’t shown in some time. Neither team worries a whole lot about defense, although Harden got rave reviews for his D in Game Two, when his jump shot basically disappeared. Houston wants what Golden State has, and that will make the difference if those two teams meet in the conference finals.