After a whirlwind offseason, the Los Angeles Clippers opened up as the favorites to win the 2020 NBA name. But when you look at the 2020 NBA Championship chances at the moment, it is the Lakers who have moved into the role of the favorite.
Which group is the best bet at this point?
Odds as of 12/08/2019.
After Kawhi Leonard made his choice to join with the Clippers instead of the Lakers, the Purple and Gold needed to move quickly to round out their roster. The moves they’ve made are probably what’s pushed them forward concerning the betting odds (although the Clippers remain favored at +350 at BetOnline).
The Lakers picked up Danny Green, Quinn Cook, Troy Daniels, Jared Dudley, Avery Bradley and DeMarcus Cousins. They now have a lineup of players who can spot up around the arc, and that is critical. Given LeBron James’ capacity to break down guards, the supporting cast needs to include powerful perimeter shooting.
The registering of Cousins was also a shrewd pickup, because he didn’t cost the group very much and still has a upside down. Cousins had an up and down year with the Warriors however really is a former All-Star. As a cheap beginner or a seat guy who will step into begin and provide Anthony Davis nights away, this is a good pickup.
The struggle with overhauling a roster is we don’t understand how the pieces will fit together. Usually, it’s not something that you worry about with James because he elevates the play everyone around him. However, that did not happen last time as the group collapsed.
It is very likely that James makes guys like Green, Bradley, Cousins, Rondo and Daniels improve. At the identical moment, when this team is the odds-on favored, you’ve got to be considering the downside risk and there’s some here.
Don’t forget that there’s an entirely new coaching team. That just increases the element of doubt. For all these reasons, I wouldn’t bet on this group to win it all. At this price.
The Clippers look like a better chance to win it as they have far more roll up consistency. Not only is head coach Doc Rivers back, this is a group that brings forth Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams along with Montrezl Harrell, that had been the core of the year’s unit. Landry Shamet and Ivica Zubac also spent half of the year with the team.
Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are leading defensive players as well as Beverley, you simply know this group will be a lock-down unit . With the Lakers, that side of this courtroom gets you wonder.
Of both Los Angeles teams, I would earlier wager the Clippers than the Lakers.
Two groups whom I enjoy are the two at +800: the Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers.
The Rockets have two MVP-caliber players Russell Westbrook and James Harden. And remember they nearly beat the Golden State Warriors in each of the past couple of years from the playoffs with Chris Paul. How much better can they be with Westbrook? They also made great moves, obtaining Austin Rivers and Tyson Chandler.
As for the 76ers, they are a tiny wild card but in my head they have the best starting lineup in the Eastern Conference. This was a group that has been a basket away from beating the Toronto Raptors in Game 7 of their second round of the match.
The Western Conference playoffs will be quite a gauntlet whereas the East is much simpler. Philadelphia may be good enough to beat whomever they confront, but with a much easier path to the final is crucial to winning this brace. That is why I enjoy Philadelphia in +800, Too.
Let’s have fun and keep it civil.
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