Sweep, Cleveland Injuries Put Vegas 'Favorite' Target Squarely On Backs Of Warriors
OAKLAND (CBS SF) - If the Golden State Warriors are going to win their first NBA Title in a generation, they'll have to carry the title of favorite with them all the way.
Just two weeks ago, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers overtook Stephen Curry and company as the odds-on favorites to claim the crown. But with the Warriors sweeping New Orleans in round one and the Cavs losing Kevin Love - one of their "big three" - Cleveland has slid back behind the Warriors, according to the latest odds from the gaming site Bovada.
The Warriors are now 8/5 to win The NBA title. That means $100 bet wins $160. Two weeks ago that bet would have won you $220. Back then the Cavs payed $210 on a $100 bet, but you can now win $240 by making risking a Benjamin. Despite being a number six seed in their conference, the defending champion San Antonio Spurs remain the third most likely victor at 13/2 ($100 bet wins $650).
The Warriors were expected to be a playoff team before the NBA season began, but were not among the teams ticketed for the Finals, based on the odds at the time. A scorching start by the Dubs established the Warriors as the favorite by mid-season, even though they do battle in the highly-competitive Western Conference.
The Warriors are now 5/8 (that's almost 2-1 y'all) to win the Western Conference.
The NBA would likely be thrilled to see the Cavs and Dubs meet in the Finals, creating a matchup between Curry and James, two of the league's most popular players and MVP favorites.
