Top 3 long shots to win the NBA title
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For the second straight summer, bettors have a shot at finding value in the 2019-20 futures market. While powerhouses such as the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers will be popular bets to win the title when the NBA restarts Thursday, things could get hectic in a 22-team field with so many unknown factors.
A year after the Toronto Raptors (+1850) shocked the world en route to a championship, here are the three long shots that have the best chance at winning a ring this season.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Clippers | +250 |
| Lakers | +250 |
| Bucks | +250 |
| Rockets | +1500 |
| Celtics | +1800 |
| Raptors | +1800 |
| 76ers | +2000 |
| Nuggets | +2200 |
| Heat | +2800 |
| Mavericks | +3000 |
| Jazz | +3000 |
| Pacers | +10000 |
| Thunder | +10000 |
| Pelicans | +12500 |
| Nets | +15000 |
| Blazers | +15000 |
| Spurs | +25000 |
| Wizards | +30000 |
| Grizzlies | +40000 |
| Kings | +40000 |
| Magic | +50000 |
| Suns | +50000 |
76ers (+2000)
Bettors might want a word with the 76ers. Although they're 13 games over .500 and comfortably in a postseason spot, they haven't played like a team that was going off at +775 before the campaign. Philadelphia's covered just 45.8% of its games this season and is a dreadful 10-24 straight up on the road.
However, things should turn around in the bubble.
The Sixers played one of the toughest schedules in the NBA prior to the layoff. They'll have the second-easiest slate during the restart.
There's certainly enough talent on the roster to make a run. If everything comes together, Philadelphia is dangerous.
Mavericks (+3000)
Dallas is almost too perfect a bandwagon to hop on.
Defense wins championships, but the Mavericks' offense could carry them deep into the postseason. They currently own an NBA-best offensive rating of 115.8. The scariest part is they've been even better since late January when Kristaps Porzingis made the full-time switch to center. Guards Seth Curry and Tim Hardaway Jr. can make you pay on the perimeter, as they both rank in the top 10 in 3-point percentage. Oh, and that Luka Doncic fella? All he's done this season is lead the league in triple-doubles.
If that doesn't sway you, how about investing in the league's unluckiest team? The Mavs are currently 40-27 but should be 47-20 based off point differential. They're better than their record reflects.
Pelicans (+12500)
Is there a lineup more underrated than Zion Williamson, Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday, Brandon Ingram, and Derrick Favors? Since Williamson debuted in late January, that five-man unit's plus-minus rating (+130) is more than double Milwaukee's second-best mark (+63) during that span. Also, New Orleans might be 3.5 games out of a playoff spot, but it has the easiest schedule of any team in the bubble.
The Pelicans aren't as good a bet as the two aforementioned long shots, but 125-1 deserves a small wager.
(Odds source: theScore Bet).
Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.