It was a bit more difficult to get to this point than many imagined, but the end result is far from a surprise.
The 2018 NBA Finals are set and it’s another year where we get Golden State vs. LeBron James. It’s the fourth consecutive year that we will see this matchup, and while some fatigue is setting in, this may be the final year we see these two teams square off in the Finals.
James is getting older and the East will be more competitive next year. And the likelihood that James is donning a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey next season is in doubt.
So when this fourth incarnation of the rivalry hits the hardwood, it will be historic in one major sense — oddsmakers are sure the Warriors will win.
According to Sportsoddhistory.com, the Warriors are the biggest Finals favorite in 16 seasons at -1,000 to win the championship. Cleveland opened as a +650 underdog.
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It’s not a mystery why oddsmakers are in line with the Warriors. Golden State dismantled Cleveland last season in five games, and it’s not outrageous to believe that the Warriors are better than last year, and the Cavs have taken a step back.
On a bright note in terms of odds, those who believed in the Warriors before the season are reaping the benefits of much better value. Golden State opened the regular season at +100 to win the NBA championship.
Unfortunately for those who have endured the rocky season of the Cavs, they’re actually bigger underdogs now than at the beginning of the season, creating less value for all the headaches.
Cleveland opened the regular season at +500.
