The 2020 NBA Finals
Amanda Campbell provides an insight into the five favourites to reach the 2020 NBA finals.
The NBA betting odds are constantly changing as the finals draw closer. Every decision the team makes and every point they score could be what makes or breaks a team's chances for the Championship.
Although anything could change the game, there is currently a front-runner. But you should watch all five favourites if a shock injury levels the playing field.
Phoenix Suns
Looking at last year's season is enough to tell you that the Suns have risen. Phoenix has Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Jae Crowder this season, which means it is bursting at the seams with talent.
As the season has not started yet, all we can do is judge last season’s performance and the off-season practices. Last year, Phoenix battered away top condensers for the Championship, including the Clippers, Lakers, and Nuggets.
When it came to the finals, the Suns were in the lead for the first half, but could not keep hold of it in the second half. They were inches away from winning, and this season they are coming back with a punch!
With Chris Paul back from injury, we would not be surprised to see the Phoenix Suns reach the finals again.
Currently, Fanduel puts the Suns at +280 to win, almost double the likelihood of the next best team.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks were another surprise team last year. No one had predicted the Suns or Bucks reaching the final, and when they were there, the Bucks were dismissed. Yet in their 50 years of playing, the Milwaukee Bucks finally won their first NBA title during the 2020-2021 season. Astonishing.
We don't want to make the same mistake this time, so we decided to look deeper into what the Bucks offer this season. In the Eastern Conference, the Bucks knocked down rivals such as the Hawks, Heat, and Nets. They reached the finals again with a record of 46-26.
Both of these title wins were because of new blood, such as Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, but we cannot ignore Giannis! This player won the Most Valuable Player award twice last season due to his amazing scoring and play-making tactics.
Fanduel puts the Bucks at +500, which is accurate as of today. There is a big gap from the favourite to the second favourite, but the Bucks could surprise us again.
Brooklyn Nets
Without a doubt, the Brooklyn Nets thought last year was their year. And yet something didn't add up when the ball landed in their court.
Ignoring the outcome, we want to focus on the players. Blake Gryphon, Ben Simmons, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving proved they were the best five players in the league. Their teamwork, skill, organization, and practiced mentality were on point. But the eventual winners of the season knocked them while they were rising in a challenging game, to say the least.
Since then, the Nets have played in the Eastern Conference and came second to the Bucks again. Although some people think the Nets are more likely to reach the finals this season, their constant knockoff from the Bucks tells us something different.
Their main rival this season will be Milwaukee, as they have a score to settle. Fanduel rates the team as +700.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics' stats have jumped in the last week alone. Since the new year, the Celtics have been battling it out for the East Conference title. But with the Nets and Bucks rivalry brewing, no one saw the power they were building.
Their three leading players, Brown, Smart, and Tatum, are one of the most efficient trios of the season. With just one game between the Celtics and the Heat, they won 9 in the last 10 off-season matches.
As long as the managers do not push this trio too hard, they could reach the finals.
These players need to worry about injury. If Brown, Smart, or Tatum miss games, the dream of the Finals will also be lost.
Fanduel rates the Boston Celtics as +950 as of today.
Golden State Warriors
With Durant out of the Golden State Warriors, their likelihood of reaching the finals has dropped too. But that does not mean the journey is impossible.
The Warriors know how to play without a key player and still do a fantastic job. Klay Thompson was out for the whole season due to an injury, yet the Golden State didn’t shy away from some great matches.
With Thompson back in action and Steph Curry on board this season, their odds are constantly getting better.
As of right now, Fanduel rates the Golden State Warriors at +950. But keep watching, as anything could change those numbers.
Summary
With the first match around the corner, we can only guess what the teams and players will be like. But judging by the off-season and last NBA finals, we have a good idea of what to expect from these outstanding players.
The real match to look forward to is the Bucks vs. the Nets, with the Nets trying to bring back their glory.
Page Reference
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- CAMPBELL, A, (2022) The 2020 NBA Finals [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article693.htm [Accessed
About the Author
Amanda Campbell is a freelance journalist.