NBA Finals 2019 Betting Odds: Warriors Heavy Favorites, But Rockets Rise Up Rankings

giannis suns — Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena on March 04, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors are the kings of the NBA until proven otherwise, at least in the eyes of Las Vegas oddsmakers. The latest round of NBA Finals championship betting odds from Vegas Insider have the Warriors as heavy favorites to win their fourth title in five years.

Golden State has held the top spot for about as long as 2019 Finals betting odds have been available, with ½ odds currently. The Warriors have not been invulnerable this regular season, with a 5-5 mark in the past 10 games. Some of those losses include dropped contests against the lowly Miami Heat and Orlando Magic, as well as a 33-point home thrashing at the hands of the then-struggling Boston Celtics.

That said, they are still 45-20 and two games ahead of the Denver Nuggets for the top seed in the Western Conference. Oddsmakers are not especially confident in the upstart Nuggets, who only have 30/1 odds to win the Finals.

Behind the Warriors, little has changed in recent weeks. The Eastern Conference-leading Milwaukee Bucks are second with 8/1 odds. Milwaukee has been virtually flawless since the All-Star Break, with the only blemishes being road losses to the playoff-bound Utah Jazz and the recently competitive Phoenix Suns.

The Toronto Raptors are behind them with 12/1 odds. Kawhi Leonard has taken Toronto to another level compared to previous years, but they could suffer from a lack of homecourt advantage in a playoff series against the Bucks. That said, Toronto has more postseason experience than Milwaukee.

The most interesting development in recent Finals odds is the ascension of the Houston Rockets. Houston moved from seventh a few weeks ago to fourth this week, with 15/1 odds. They passed the Oklahoma City Thunder (25/1 odds) in the process. James Harden’s MVP-caliber play and quality contributions from Eric Gordon have Houston on a league-best seven-game winning streak.

Betting odds to win the NBA Finals ( Vegas Insider )

Golden State Warriors 1/2

Milwaukee Bucks 8/1

Toronto Raptors 12/1

Houston Rockets 15/1

Oklahoma City Thunder 25/1

Philadelphia 76ers 25/1

Boston Celtics 30/1

Denver Nuggets 30/1

Utah Jazz 50/1

Portland Trail Blazers 75/1

Los Angeles Lakers 150/1