NBA Playoffs 2016: Updated Bracket Results, Odds and Championship Predictions
The NBA playoffs have certainly been eventful, but the best teams are still on track to contend for a championship.
Even with the drama, the latest bracket shows the projections for the top contenders haven't changed much. The only series upset in the first round was the No. 5 Portland Trail Blazers beating the No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers, while the No. 1 seeds are currently a combined 12-1. A lot could still happen, but the top teams are still in charge.
However, subtle shifts within the elite group of contenders have altered the odds to win a title. These changes since the start of the playoffs could alter your betting strategy based on what happens going forward. Along with a look at odds for each remaining team, here is a breakdown of how things have changed for the best teams in recent weeks.
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| Golden State Warriors | -140 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +275 |
| San Antonio Spurs | +325 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | +1400 |
| Miami Heat | +3300 |
| Toronto Raptors | +7500 |
| Atlanta Hawks | +25000 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | +25000 |
Breakdown of Top Contenders
Oklahoma City Thunder (+1000 on April 14 to +1400 currently)
The Oklahoma City Thunder have had a strong season with a pair of superstars leading the way in Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. In a normal year, this would be one of the favorites to bring home a championship.
Unfortunately, they haven't been given much of a chance to win due to the presence of the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors blocking their path.
Still, Game 2 showed that this team can play with those elite squads. Sure, it took a bizarre finish with a handful of missed calls from the referees, but they were competitive throughout in a building where few road teams are successful.
Head coach Billy Donovan provided a strange quote after the Thunder lost Game 1 by 32 points, per CBS Sports:
Although he didn't say much, it's possible this relaxed attitude is exactly what Oklahoma City needs. Durant and Westbrook are putting a lot of pressure on themselves to succeed, but maybe a coach keeping things simple could be the difference that puts this team over the top.
Of course, getting three more wins against San Antonio, plus four against probably Golden State and another four against the Eastern Conference champion, will not be easy.
San Antonio Spurs (+375 to +325)
The Spurs have seen their odds improve relatively, but this is mostly based on having fewer teams in the field. They have actually fallen to third on the list of contenders and are in rougher shape than they were just a few days ago.
ESPN Stats and Info explained the difference Game 2 made in the odds of advancing:
After losing at home—a place the Spurs went 40-1 this season—San Antonio will now have to win at least one game in Oklahoma City to win this series. Even for a veteran team with tons of talent, this won't be easy.
Still, the Spurs should be able to succeed thanks to their defense, which easily led the NBA with just 92.9 points allowed per game. The Thunder know how to score, but San Antonio is usually just too disciplined to give up easy looks and it can lead to low-scoring battles throughout the series.
Considering the Thunder also don't have an answer for LaMarcus Aldridge, who has 79 points in two games so far, the Spurs should at least be able to advance to the conference finals. Where they go from there is the challenge.
Cleveland Cavaliers (+400 to +275)
If you didn't believe in the Cleveland Cavaliers as a legitimate contender heading into the playoffs, you better believe in them now.
Cleveland was at its best in a 25-point Game 2 win over the Atlanta Hawks, knocking down 25 three-pointers in the victory. The latest win continued some serious domination over the rest of the Eastern Conference, which John Schuhmann of NBA.com believes will continue:
With the Hawks putting up little fight and neither the Miami Heat nor Toronto Raptors looking dominant, it would be a major surprise to see anyone besides the Cavaliers representing the East in the NBA Finals.
Obviously, Cleveland fell short of the Warriors last year in the final round, although this was a much different team. Both Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving were injured and LeBron James was forced to do just about everything himself. A more complete team with a new coach should create a much more formidable opposition.
Anything can happen between two quality teams in a seven-game series and considering the Cavs' easy path to the Finals, this will likely be the best odds you will find.
Golden State Warriors (-150 to -140)
The Warriors have seen their odds fluctuate over the past couple of weeks, dropping all the way to +150. This means that a $100 bet will get you $150 for a win, as opposed to the other way around as it was to start the playoffs.
The reason for the movement is the injury status of Stephen Curry, who is likely to remain out for Game 3, according to Janie McCauley of the Associated Press (via NBA.com). The reigning MVP is dealing with a sprained right knee and has only played in two games all postseason.
It makes sense to be nervous about picking a team when the best player on the roster (and arguably in the entire league) is out. However, Nate Jones sums things up for the Warriors:
Golden State is clearly much better than just one man as All-Stars Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have stepped up in a big way. Meanwhile, players like Shaun Livingston and Andre Iguodala have also come into bigger roles and are taking care of business.
The all-around performance of a team that won 73 games is a reason the odds have returned back to normal. This is the right move because unless Curry can't return and there are more injuries, the Warriors should complete their dream season with another championship.
This is the best team in the NBA and it seems like nothing will stop them from winning it all.
Note: All odds courtesy of Odds Shark.
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