The NBA is still hopeful to resume play next month in Orlando, but rising coronavirus case numbers in Florida have concerned the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) and team executives.
Today, we’re going to discuss possible 2020 NBA Finals match-ups.
Some of the possible match-ups are paying out at huge odds. With so much uncertainty and with all teams being on a lengthy layoff, could we see some surprising upsets in the NBA playoffs?
Top Contenders in the Eastern Conference
The Bucks, Raptors and Celtics are the top contenders in the East.
Milwaukee are the only team with 50+ wins in the NBA, and they have the best point differential in the NBA (+11.2). However, they were worse on the road (25-9) than at home (28-3).
Toronto were the hottest team in the NBA prior to COVID-19. They were on a four-game win streak and they’ve been just as good on the road (23-9), as they have been at home (23-9) this season.
Remember When The Toronto Raptors Won Their FIRST NBA TITLE?!
Boston are also contenders. They have three players averaging 20+ PPG this season. Tatum (23.6 PPG), Walker (21.2 PPG) and Brown (20.4 PPG) are the best trio in the Eastern Conference.
Top Contenders in the Western Conference
With teams being able to rest because of COVID-19, the Lakers and Clippers are going to be at 100% to start the playoffs. It’s unlikely a team like the Nuggets, Rockets or Mavericks will be able to pull off an upset of either LA team. I imagine the Lakers and Clippers will meet in the Western Conference finals.
The Lakers have the best record in the Western Conference (49-14). With Davis (26.7 PPG) and James (25.7 PPG) coming into the playoffs rested, I don’t see any team being able to stop them.
Leonard (26.9 PPG) and George (21.0 PPG) will need to play amazing defense to win the West, plus the bench will need to continue to lead the league in scoring (51.5 Bench PPG).
2020 NBA Finals Matchup Predictions
There’s not much point betting on the Bucks to represent the East in the NBA Finals.
The odds on Milwaukee are really low. The Raptors are my top target in the East. Toronto still aren’t getting any respect, despite playing great all season after losing Leonard to the Clippers.
My top two bets for this NBA futures market are as follows:
Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Lakers (+2100) at MyBookie
Toronto Raptors vs. Los Angeles Clippers (+2700) at MyBookie
The Bucks vs. Lakers only pays +220, while the Bucks vs. Clippers pays just +300.
The Raptors are tied for 3rd in the East in scoring (113.0 PPG), but they rank 1st in points allowed in the entire NBA (106.5 PPG). They have a lot of gritty defensive players, which is ideal for the playoffs.
Toronto also knows what it takes to win an NBA Championship after winning in 2019.
Kyle Lowry, Serge Ibaka, Fred Vanvleet, OG Anunoby, Norman Powell and Pascal Siakam are scoring 10+ PPG. Siakam leads the team in scoring (23.6 PPG) and he’ll need to try and takeover games like Leonard was able to in the 2019 NBA playoffs. It’s time for Siakam to shine on his own.
