Some things have barely changed in the NBA since the early days of the season. The Golden State Warriors are staying switched to God-mode, the San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers are playing to the true potential of their loaded rosters, and the Philadelphia 76ers remain as the ultimate laughing stock of the league.
[sc:NBA250 ]But have the odds of these teams to win the NBA title changed? Let’s take a look at some of the league’s faves, sleepers, and long shots through the halfway point of the NBA season below. Also, check out our NHL midseason futures update here.
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2015-16 NBA Midseason Futures Update
Favorites: Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs
[sc:NBA240banner ]The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ record for most wins in a season is in serious peril of getting broken by the Golden State Warriors. So far this season, the Dubs have looked terrifyingly unbeatable. You could even make an argument that they would’ve been undefeated up to this point of the season if it weren’t for injuries.
Still, 36 wins in their first 38 games was an amazing feat that has helped solidify their stronghold of the top spot in NBA power rankings everywhere. The Warriors are making a mockery out of their opponents each game with Stephen Curry leading a freewheeling offense that leads the NBA with 114.4 points per game.
Curry, along with Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are all expected to make the All-Star game, which would make it just the first time since 1976 that the Dubs sent three of their platers to the event. Life is great for the Warriors, who are +140 to win repeat as NBA champs this year.
The Spurs, meanwhile, aren’t too far behind Golden State in the standings with a 34-6 record, but somehow are flying under the radar. The Spurs couldn’t care less, of course, as they’re gunning for a title and not nightly headlines. The addition of LaMarcus Aldridge and the rapid ascension of Kawhi Leonard towards superstar status have definitely brightened the Spurs’ future, not to mention their present. They are priced at +275 to win it all this year.
We’re not going finish talking about the favorites without a mention of Cleveland. After all, the Cavs are currently riding the longest win streak in the league and still have arguably the best player in the world in LeBron James. We’ve all seen how the Cavs gave Golden State a run for its money in last season’s Finals series despite suffering various injuries to their key players.
With a healthy Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving and a supposedly deeper bench, the Cavs are given short odds of +280 to accomplish what they didn’t last June: take home the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Sleepers: Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat
If you’re looking for value, you might want to consider laying some action on the Bulls (+2,500) and the Heat (+3,000). Chicago’s in the thick of the race to the top of the suddenly competitive East, only 5.5 games behind conference-leading Cleveland. When healthy, the Bulls present a hefty challenge for any team they’ll play in the playoffs. So far this season, the Bulls are 13-8 against .500 teams.
The Heat, on the other hand, are in the midst of an arduous 16-game span of their schedule that features 14 road contests. They’ve already faced the Warriors early in that stretch and fared decently despite playing without Hassan Whiteside. They’re about to take on the likes of LA Clippers, Toronto, Chicago, and Dallas along the way, which should be excellent gauge of Miami’s true grit.
Long shots: Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers
Philadelphia sports fans don’t need another reason besides the Eagles’ disastrous season to seek psychiatric help, but don’t tell that to the Sixers, who are embarrassing themselves one loss at a time. Currently facing very long odds of +200,000 to win the NBA Championship, the Sixers are on track to finish the regular season with another losing record.
For now, the Sixers are more concerned on stacking on young talents and collecting future draft picks from other teams. God help the Sixers. That being said, the Sixers have shown some semblance of being an actual NBA team ever since they acquired Ish Smith via a trade with New Orleans last December.
Smith appears to be on a mission to restore some measure of sanity in Philly and so far, he’s doing a great job as the Sixers are 3-6 since his arrival to the team. (For a team lost 18 games to start the season, that’s success.) Either way, betting on the Sixers sounds just as good as a Bernie Madoff investment scheme.
Like the Sixers, the Lakers are going nowhere this season. It’s all about Kobe Bryant’s farewell tour for now for the Lakers, who are +100,000 to win the franchise’s 17th championship this June.
