Rockets improve Finals odds
After making a big splash this week, are the Houston Rockets making a push to win the 2018 NBA Finals?
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Clippers announced that they sent Chris Paul to the Rockets in exchange for seven players and a first-round pick in 2018. The trade obviously pairs two of the league’s best guards in Paul and James Harden. There is also some discussion that the Rockets are also working on trying to acquire Paul George from the Pacers.
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Warriors still remain the favorite to win the NBA Finals next season at -180. The Cavaliers are listed with 4/1 odds while the Celtics sit at 10/1. The Rockets now join the Spurs with 20/1 odds.
NBA Quick Links: Free Matchup Reports | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Scoreboard | Betting Trends
Paul is coming off a 2016-17 season where he averaged 18.1 points, 9.2 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game. He carried the Clippers to a 51-31 record and the fourth seed in the West. They lost in the first round of the playoffs after the Clippers lost Blake Griffin during the series. For his career, Paul averages 18.7 points and 9.9 assists per game.
Joining the Rockets puts Paul with Harden, who is coming off a season where he averaged 29.1 points, 11.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game. Coached by Mike D’Antoni, Houston has a very fast-paced offense, but media pundits are wondering how this pairing will work since both Harden and Paul are accustomed to running their respective offenses.
The Clippers’ odds to win the NBA Finals are now at 150/1. The team is still trying to re-sign Griffin, but they added Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams, Sam Dekker, Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Wiltjer, DeAndre Liggins and Darrun Hilliard in the trade.