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3 NBA Title 2020 Betting Longshots To Back As Season Resumes

Adam Thompson for Bookies.com

Adam Thompson  | 6 mins

3 NBA Title 2020 Betting Longshots To Back As Season Resumes
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The 2019-20 NBA season will have a champion.

After months away from the courts, the NBA — and NBA betting — is set to resume July 31 with all games in Orlando. Twenty-two contenders are expected to report to the Magic Kingdom on July 7.


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Since play was halted in March due to COVID-19, NBA championship futures odds haven’t shown any major movement. In other words, we still have three massive favorites and 19 on the fringe or beyond.

Odds as of Friday morning, at FanDuel:

  • Milwaukee Bucks +240
  • Los Angeles Lakers +270
  • Los Angeles Clippers +340

Only one other team on the board is lower than +2000 — the Rockets are sitting at +1200.

The Bucks, Lakers and Clippers are favored for a reason, but there is value to be had in other contenders. Bookies.com reveals three NBA title longshots to consider.

Team Title Odds Bet It At
Denver Nuggets +3000 DraftKings
Miami Heat +4000 Caesars
Brooklyn Nets +8000 Unibet

Note: Odds current as of publication. Compare the latest NBA futures betting odds here.

Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets had a dominant first half of the season but appeared to be petering out as March began, losing six of 11 before the coronavirus took hold. Still, at 43-22, Denver hit the hiatus as the third-best team in the West, just 1.5 games back of the more-admired Clippers.

But the Nuggets have all the pieces in place to be a contender and the track record to prove they belong. First, they have a star in Nikola Jokic (20.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 6.9 apg) and a rising No. 2 scorer in Jamal Murray (18 ppg). As a team, the Nuggets are ranked No. 5 in points allowed per game. Denver is as deep as anyone, with 10 players averaging at least seven points per game.

The Nuggets have also been at their best against the best. Not only did they sweep the Bucks, they’ve been successful against the other top teams in the West, compiling a 6-5 mark against the Lakers, Clippers, Rockets and Jazz. They were 6-3 before the final-month dip — this break may be just what the Nuggets needed. Bet the Nuggets at +3000 with DraftKings .

Miami Heat

3 NBA Title 2020 Betting Longshots To Back As Season Resumes 1
Jimmy Butler is averaging 20.2 points and 6.1 assists per game to lead the Heat in both categories.

The Heat have quietly had a solid season, at 41-24 and in the No. 4 spot in the East. What separates the Heat from the No. 2 Raptors and No. 3 Celtics is their success against the powerhouse Bucks.

Miami edged Milwaukee 131-126 in overtime early in season and without Jimmy Butler. The rematch wasn’t close. On March 2, the Heat held Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton to 25 points on 10-of-34 shooting in a 105-89 rout. Despite the dominant effort, Miami shot just 43% and nobody scored more than 18 points, showing it wasn’t at its best, but the Heat still rolled.

The Heat were 0-2 vs. the Celtics but a dominant 9-1 vs. the other top East contenders. If they can figure out Boston, they have a path to the NBA Finals. Bet Miami at +4000 with Caesars .



Brooklyn Nets

The Nets are fighting off the Magic for the No. 7 spot in the Eastern Conference, and as it stands right now it would be questionable to pick Brooklyn to get out of the first round. But the Nets have a pretty massive wild card in their pocket.

Kevin Durant is being paid $38 million this season to rehab his Achilles. In early May reports surfaced that the team wasn’t considering adding Durant to any resumed season. But he’s only locked in to Brooklyn for three years, including this one. With such a tight window and a clean bill of health, perhaps the Nets change their mind? General manager Sean Marks didn’t rule out anything when asked if Durant could return post-break. Durant was filmed looking pretty good in a 4-on-4 team scrimmage, even dunking over a Nets teammate.

It’s a shot in the dark for NBA Finals betting betting, but if the Nets take to the court as the No. 7 seed with Durant, the rest of the team could surround him and make a run. Kyrie Irving won’t play either way (shoulder), but remember the Nets had a better record without Irving on the court. It’s also going to take a leap of faith; if the possibility of Durant returning picks up steam, Brooklyn’s odds will plummet. So bet the Nets now at +8000 with Unibet.

About the Author

Adam Thompson for Bookies.com
Adam Thompson
Long established as one of the nation's premier handicappers, Adam Thompson joined Bookies.com in 2019 after a successful run as senior handicapper for SportsLine & CBSSports.com. He specializes in the NFL and MLB, where he's hit on well over 60% of his picks the past five years. Adam's NBA and horse racing picks have also produced consistent, major winners over the years.