Race tightens atop NBA futures odds at Coral

With three of the four Conference semi-final series deadlocked at two games apiece, the race for the top of the NBA championship betting odds at Coral has tightened up, with the Golden State Warriors remaining slim 5/4 favourites to claim their first NBA title since 1975.

After winning a franchise-best and NBA-leading 67 games during the regular season, the Warriors entered the post-season alongside the Cleveland Cavaliers as 11/5 favourites and did not disappoint, dumping the New Orleans Pelicans in four games in the first round.

Golden State have had their hands full in the second round, however, falling behind the Memphis Grizzlies 2-1 in the first three games of their Western Conference semi-final, before righting the ship with a 101-84 in Game 4 to reclaim home court advantage.

Memphis have now tumbled to 28/1 in NBA futures betting at Coral, but have so far managed to dampen the NBA’s top offense, holding the Warriors to just 95.25 points per game, and twice to fewer than 91 points.

The surprising Los Angeles Clippers have emerged as the Warriors biggest threat on the NBA betting odds menu at Coral, with odds of 10/3.

Clippers entered the NBA Playoffs at just 18/1 to win their first NBA championship. But, following a thrilling seven-game first-round series victory over the defending champion San Antonio Spurs, LA looks to be getting stronger with each passing game.

The Clips enters Game 5 of their Conference semi-final against Houston with a commanding 3-1 lead, crushing the Rockets by an average margin of 25 points in each of their wins, and are a 20/29 moneyline favourite to wrap up the series on Tuesday night.

It has been a disappointing post-season for Houston, who also won 56 games this season, and drew much early interest as a 16/1 NBA championship betting dark horse.

The Rockets, who have now lost five of six ATS, will hit the floor in Game 5 as 66/1 longshots in NBA futures betting at Coral.

Rounding up the top three in NBA championship betting are the Cavaliers, with 7/2 odds.

Cleveland faced little resistance during their first-round sweep of the Boston Celtics, also claiming three ATS win, but saw their betting odds impacted with the loss of Kevin Love to season-ending injury and the prospect of facing the red-hot Chicago Bulls in the second round.

Tied at two games apiece, this Cavs/Bulls series has been a nailbiter, featuring game-winning buzzer-beaters in Games 3 and 4 by former MVPs Derrick Rose and LeBron James.

The Cavs get the nod as 5.5-point home favourites in Game 5 on Tuesday night, and remain strong 4/9 series betting favourites at Coral, while the Bulls are pegged as 7/4 underdogs.

However, Chicago is a solid 8-4 SU in their last 12 at Quicken Loans Arena, and a very attractive 9/1 to win their first NBA championship since the Michael Jordan era.

The Atlanta Hawks sit just ahead of the Bulls at 8/1.

Atlanta led the East with 60 wins and led the middle of the pack at the start of the NBA Playoffs with 12/1 odds. The Hawks are currently deadlocked 2-2 in their series with the Washington Wizards, with Game 5 scheduled for Wednesday night.

They have struggled on the road, however, winning just two of their last seven SU, tempering their championship odds ahead of a potential Conference final matchup with Cleveland or Chicago.

The Wizards have been heroic in keeping pace with the Hawks, despite the loss of point guard John Wall to hand and wrist injuries. But, with the necessity to win at least one more game in Atlanta, Washington now joins the Grizzlies as 66/1 betting longshots.