NBA Western Conference Futures Update
It will be a surprise to the oddsmakers if someone other than the Golden State Warriors or Phoenix Suns end up winning the Western Conference championship this season.
In the latest Western Conference championship futures odds at Bovada Sportsbook, the Warriors and Suns are co-favorites at +180 to represent the West in the NBA Finals.
Red-hot Suns lose star point guard to injury
The Suns own the best record in the NBA coming out of the all-star break, but they’re about to get a big test with point guard Chris Paul sidelined for six to eight weeks with a broken thumb. Somewhat luckily for the Suns, there are seven weeks left in the regular season, so their floor general should be back in time for the playoffs. It will be up to Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges to carry the load for a Suns team that has won 18 of its last 19 games.
Golden State stumbled into the all-star break by losing four of its last five games. The Warriors have been even worse for bettors lately at 0-6-1 against the spread in their last seven. That may just be a slight blip, though; before their short skid, the Warriors had won nine straight with a 4-3-2 ATS record.
Warriors still awaiting reunion of big three
The Warriors can hope that Stephen Curry comes out of the break hot after lighting up the all-star game for 50 points. One thing that the Warriors could really use is a healthy Draymond Green. He’s missed the Warriors’ last 20 games with a back injury that is expected to keep him out until near the end of March. Since Klay Thompson returned from a two-year layoff in early January, Curry, Green and Thompson have only appeared in one game together, and that doesn’t really count as Green logged only seven seconds in a cameo appearance in Thompson’s first game back.
For those wondering, the Suns and Warriors have met up three times this season with Golden State taking two of three. That includes a Warriors’ win in Phoenix, where the Suns have only lost five games all season.
After the Suns and Warriors, the odds rise quickly with the Utah Jazz next in line at +700, followed by the Memphis Grizzlies at +1000.
Grizzlies offer good value to win West
Utah exits the all-star break 6-1 in its last seven games. That includes a 111-85 blowout win over Golden State as a 1-point home favorite. Despite that win, the Jazz are a combined 1-4 this season against the Suns and Warriors, and they’ve lost six straight against Phoenix overall.
The Grizzlies may be the best value in the Western Conference odds right now and come out of the all-star break 6-1 in their last seven games. Memphis hasn’t had much playoff success lately and has won only one playoff series in the past eight seasons.
The odds on a few other notable teams in the West include the Denver Nuggets at +1500, the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers at +2000, and the Los Angeles Clippers at +3000.