NBA Finals Predictions 2/19/20, Three longshots to consider

NBA Finals Longshot Picks

We know the favorites for the NBA Finals this year, but which teams with longer odds have good betting value to possibly claim the championship this season?

According to the latest oddsmakers, the Milwaukee Bucks are favored right now, as they are getting odds of +250 to win. Other short odds to prevail are the Los Angeles Lakers (+275) and the Los Angeles Clippers (+350).

22208 Denver Nuggets +2000

The Nuggets have consistently found ways to win basketball games during the last few regular seasons, but haven’t found the right recipe for winning in the postseason. Those previous defeats could be a learning experience for a team that is pretty deep and has a good balance of defense and offense. Nikola Jokic is a great facilitator of offense for a big man and the Nuggets have the shooting to still be dangerous. Currently second in the West, Denver is likely to put itself in position to have home court for at least the first few rounds of the playoffs. They also have played the Lakers tough and I think they have really good value at 20/1.

22228 Toronto Raptors +2000

The defending champs were expected to have a down year after Kawhi Leonard left, but Toronto is playing just as good as it did last season. The Raptors are 40-15 right now and in second in the East. They have a 6-game edge on the fifth seed, so Toronto is likely going to find itself in a good spot come playoff time. Last year’s championship run should still pay off for its veteran players like Kyle Lowry and Pascal Siakam. Their defense remains strong and their shooting has been much improved from its 2018 version before Leonard. I think Toronto brings a lot of value at 20/1. Being overlooked will do a lot for them come playoff time.

22229 Utah Jazz +2000

Another team with the 20/1 odds that I think brings good value is the Jazz. Utah had a stretch where it went 19-2 over 21 games during a 6-week stretch in late December through January. They showed an ability to score that they have lacked in the past, while maintaining a high level of defense that we have come to expect from them. The Jazz have a deep roster. Donovan Mitchell hasn’t earned megastar status yet, but he continues to improve. Rudy Gobert is an underrated center that can dominate a game defensively. They are in the thick of the West right now, sitting fourth. They are 1.5 games behind Denver for the second seed, so could still make a run for a top spot. It feels like a matter of when, not if, the Jazz will breakout. It may not be this season, but I wouldn’t put it past them.