The Golden State Warriors boast the best record in the league right now, making them the obvious and deserving favorite to dethrone the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers, the next favorite heading into the second half of the 2016-17 NBA regular season.
We also included a sleeper and a worthy long shot in this piece. Check them out below, and start readying yourselves—and predictions—for an action-packed and drama-filled conclusion to the season.
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2016-17 NBA Futures Odds Update
FAVORITES
Golden State Warriors (-225)
If you still doubt or hate the Warriors, you better start thinking twice before it’s too late. This team, as we all expected since Kevin Durant entered the picture, is owning every opponent this season. The Dubs lead the NBA in scoring (118.2), assists (31.0); field goal shooting (50.1%) and in offensive efficiency to extensively separate themselves from the rest of the competition.
Golden State is 47-9 as of this writing, which is on pace for potentially another historical 73-win season. This domination is the anticipated success for a team that has four future Hall of Famers on its starting unit, not to mention three MVP trophies combined from Stephen Curry and Durant.
This leaves us with the still-unanswered question: is there anybody who can stop the Warriors?
Cleveland Cavaliers (+325)
For the past couple of years, Cleveland has eased its way atop of the Eastern Conference. It won’t be as easy this season, though. The Cavs carry a conference-leading 39-16 record, but only have little breathing room to work with as the Celtics and Wizards suddenly turned into serious threats, including the Raptors who just made a major splash in acquiring Serge Ibaka via trade with the Magic.
Don’t get me wrong, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving or Kevin Love—once he’s back and healthy—are still as formidable as ever. Those three are averaging at least 20 points per game this season, with James personally adding 7.7 rebounds and a team-best 8.8 assists per contest.
Again, however, it’ll take a different kind of effort, like probably adding a new playmaker as per James’ demands, in order for Cleveland to maintain supremacy over the east.
HONORABLE MENTIONS (as favorites): San Antonio Spurs (+725), Boston Celtics (+1,000)
SLEEPER
Houston Rockets (+1,600)
Houston is all about scoring—something that the team will continue to live up to especially with the recent acquisition of Lou Williams, the league’s leading bench scorer (18.6 PPG).
The addition of the former Lakers guard gives James Harden another sharp-shooting, play-making machine that he can pass to with zero hesitation. The Rockets are averaging around 118 points per game, and that mark will likely soar more than ever. You could even say that there won’t be a game that they won’t finish with at least 120 points from now on.
The Rockets currently sit at the third spot in the Western Conference, carrying a 40-18 record. They should be able to secure that position or, if we’re being too optimistic, potentially find themselves in a neck-and-neck battle with the Spurs and Warriors for the best record in the league.
HONORABLE MENTIONS (as sleepers): Toronto Raptors (+2,500), Los Angeles Clippers (+2,800), Washington Wizards (+3,000)
LONG SHOT
New Orleans Pelicans (+8,000)
It’s too early to say that New Orleans has transformed into perennial title contenders with DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis forming the most dominant frontcourt ever in the history of basketball. Nevertheless, that duo should be enough to lead the Pelicans to a playoff berth this season, which could set up a fascinating opening-round series with Golden State.
New Orleans is 23-34 on the season, just 2 ½ games behind Denver for the final postseason spot in the west.
HONORABLE MENTIONS (as long shots): Atlanta Hawks (+6,000), Utah Jazz (+6,000), Memphis Grizzlies (+6,600)
Complete 2016-17 NBA Championship Futures Odds Table
| Golden State Warriors | -225 | Cleveland Cavaliers | +325 |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio Spurs | +750 | Oklahoma City Thunder | +15,000 |
| Boston Celtics | +1,000 | Los Angeles Clippers | +2,800 |
| Miami Heat | +20,000 | Toronto Raptors | +2,500 |
| Atlanta Hawks | +6,000 | Chicago Bulls | +15,000 |
| Houston Rockets | +1,600 | Minnesota Timberwolves | +50,000 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | +8,000 | Portland Trail Blazers | +30,000 |
| Charlotte Hornets | +25,000 | Los Angeles Lakers | +200,000 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | +6,600 | Utah Jazz | +6,000 |
| Dallas Mavericks | +100,000 | Denver Nuggets | +50,000 |
| Detroit Pistons | +25,000 | Indiana Pacers | +5,000 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +50,000 | New York Knicks | +75,000 |
| Orlando Magic | +200,000 | Philadelphia 76ers | +50,000 |
| Sacramento Kings | +100,000 | Washington Wizards | +3,000 |
| Phoenix Suns | +200,000 | Brooklyn Nets | +200,000 |
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