It’s All-Star weekend, and while it’s the unofficial halfway point of the season, most teams have played around 65% of their games. Which means that money time, aka the playoffs, are right around the corner. Here are the current odds for NBA Champion at the All-Star break up at DK Sportsbook:
Since Mark Daigneault took over at the helm in Oklahoma City, the Thunder have improved every season and patiently climbed up the NBA Game of Death pagoda, going from 22 wins to 24 wins, then making the jump to 40 wins to approach the .500 mark, finally making the playoffs last season with a 57-25 record.
The Thunder lost in the Western Conference semis last season, but have used that disappointment to level up into becoming the Hulk of the NBA, smashing their way through all opponents during this regular season.
OKC is tied with Cleveland for the best record in the NBA with 44 wins. It has the number-one rated defense by a wide margin, while possessing the fifth ranked offense. And that’s without Chet Holmgren for much of the season. Oh, they also have this Shai Gilgeous-Alexander guy, who is an MVP candidate and one of the most unstoppable offensive forces in the league.
The Celtics are the defending champs, so they deserve automatic respect. The 39 wins are second-most in the NBA, while they boast the fourth-ranked offense and fifth-best defense. There have been some inconsistencies, though, but it could be just regular season malaise. They are still one of the most talented teams in the league and have the experience.
Kenny Atkinson has done wonders for the Cleveland Cavaliers, especially on the offensive end. The Cavaliers have the number-one ranked offense with arguably the best backcourt and frontcourt duos in the league. They split with the Thunder during the regular season and are 1-2 against the Celtics.
New York is fourth at +1000. While the Jalen Brunson/Karl-Anthony Towns pairing has been deadly on the offensive end, there are huge questions about the defense. In addition, the lack of depth could rear it’s ugly head in the playoffs, especially since Tom Thibodeau is running his starters out there for a ton of minutes on a nightly basis during the regular season.
You can never count out Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets, especially if Jamal Murray is healthy. Christian Braun has really stepped up, while Michael Porter Jr. can get buckets. That said, there are questions on the defensive end, an, like the Knicks, depth concerns.
The Lakers with Luka Doncic and LeBron James are scary, but there’s a gaping black hole at center while the defense will likely be a huge liability. They seem overpriced to me.
The Bucks with a healthy Giannis Antetokounmp and Damian Lillard can hang with any team in the league, but Giannis has been dealing with a calf issue and they are 12th in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Do you feel comfortable placing hard earned American dollars behind Doc Rivers in the playoffs?
I like the Grizzlies a lot. They are top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. They have shooting and size. They have depth. Their offense is tough to guard because they play fast with lots of movement. They pound the glass and are tough. The health of Ja Morant is always in question. OKC has pounded them in two games this season. Memphis may be one year away.
The Clippers are very intriguing. They have been tough defensively all season. Norman Powell has shown that he’s a professional getter of buckets. James Harden is up there in age, but he can still be an offensive force, while Ivica Zubac has manned the middle admirably. What if Kawhi Leonard gets fully ramped up for the playoffs, is healthy and starts doing Kawhi things?
The Warriors started the season scorching hot, then came tumbling down to earth like Icarus after the sun melted the wax in his wings. But like a phoenix, the Warriors have been reborn with the addition of Jimmy Butler, who gives Golden State a legitimate two-way threat, has playoff experience and can get to the free throw line and punish defenders in the midrange and paint. His offensive gravity also opens up things for Stephen Curry. The Warriors are 2-1 against the Thunder without Butler.
I’m not really feeling any other team after Golden State. I want to like the Rockets at +6000, as they play tough, disciplined defense and have tons of talent on the roster. I just worry about the offense. It’s so stale and I worry that good teams will just stifle them like an anaconda in the playoffs.
