Bucks still favored to win NBA Finals
The NBA is currently in an indefinite hiatus, but oddsmakers and the league still anticipate a 2020 champion being decided at some point, and they see three teams as top contenders.
According to the latest oddsmakers, the Milwaukee Bucks remain the NBA Championship favorite, as they are getting odds of +225 to win. Other short odds to prevail are the Los Angeles Lakers (+250) and the Los Angeles Clippers (+300).
The Bucks entered this suspension as the league’s top team in regards to record. Milwaukee sits at 53-12 on the year with a 28-3 record at home and 25-9 record on the road. They have a 6.5-game lead in the East right now and a 3-game lead on the Lakers for the top record in the NBA. It definitely seems likely that the Bucks will have the home-court advantage entering the playoffs. This stoppage will allow Giannis Antetokounmpo to heal up from a knee injury that had forced him to miss the last two games. The Bucks had lost four of their last five going into the break and this stoppage could allow them to heal up and get re-focused on reaching the Finals.
The Lakers have the top spot in the West going into the suspension. Los Angeles is 49-14 on the season, 23-8 at home and 26-6 on the road. Los Angeles has a 5.5-game lead over the Clippers in the standings right now. Anthony Davis was dealing with a few lingering injuries, as was LeBron James. This suspension will allow both veterans to heal up, but a month away from the game for veterans also could have a negative impact.
The Clippers are second in the West and fourth overall in the NBA. Los Angeles is 44-20 on the season, 25-7 at home and 19-13 on the road. L.A. has a 1.5-game lead on the Nuggets for the second seed in the West. This suspension comes at a tough time for the Clippers, as they had won seven of their last eight to surge up to second in the West. Lou Williams was dealing with a calf injury, but was nothing serious and he could have returned soon.