The blue and yellow ticker tape is still being swept off the streets of San Francisco, and Klay Thompson is probably still searching the waves of the San Francisco Bay for his championship hat, but even though the 2021-2022 NBA season just came to a close, it’s never too early to look ahead to next year’s NBA season.
Next season doesn’t tip-off until October, however, the odds for the 2023 NBA Championship have already been released by major sports betting sites in the US, all of which can be found on UnitedGamblers, and looking at the early odds, it appears that we are in for an exciting race next season! Let’s get right to it and look at the top five favored teams to win the NBA Championship in 2023.
1. Boston Celtics (+550)
Fresh off of falling short to the Golden State Warriors in the 2022 NBA Finals, this young Celtics squad should be hungrier than ever to bring home a championship next year. With young superstars like Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart, and Jaylen Brown highlighting an already stacked lineup, Boston really should be considered as a championship contender for not just next year, but for many years to come. Vegas currently has them as the most likely challengers for next year’s title at +550 odds.
2. Golden State Warriors (+600)
Who said the dynasty was done? In an unexpected turn of events, the Warriors have returned to the top of the NBA, defeating the Boston Celtics through six games in the 2022 NBA Finals. Following their epic run of five straight NBA Finals appearances between 2015 and 2019, the Warriors’ dynasty appeared to be over after suffering defeat in the 2019 NBA Finals to the Toronto Raptors and subsequently enduring an NBA-worst 15-50 season the following season. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson both spent a significant amount of time on the disabled list during the two seasons between their most recent Finals appearances, and as a consequence, the Warriors scarcely looked like a shadow of their former selves without the Splash Brothers working their long-distance magic on the court. But the past is the past now. With the return of both Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, the Warriors were able to start up precisely where they left off and now have their fourth title in the last eight years. It’s rare to witness a franchise go from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows and then instantly return to the top in the NBA, much alone in sports in general. The Warriors’ winning DNA is undeniable at this point, and with a fully healthy group, they could be even more dangerous next season. Odds makers in Vegas might have written them off last year, but rest assured they aren’t making that mistake twice, as they currently have the Golden State Warriors listed as second-favorites to bring home the Larry O’Brien trophy next June.
3. LA Clippers (+600)
Tied with the Golden State Warriors is another dangerous west-coast team, the LA Clippers. When the lines first opened, the Clippers were listed at +700 to win it all next year, but the recent rumors that John Wall may likely be joining Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in Southern California next season has shortened their odds to be top contenders to bring home what would be the first title in franchise history.
4. Phoenix Suns (+600)
The 2021-2022 NBA regular season was dominated by Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns, however, CP3 continued his run of unluck in the playoffs and failed to make it past the second round, falling to the Dallas Mavericks in game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals. However, rumors swirling around that Kevin Durant is looking to land in either Phoenix or Miami next season has given the Suns odds to win it all next year a serious shot in the arm. If Kevin Durant does end up signing with the Suns, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them surpass the Boston Celtics and be the stand-alone odds leaders to win the NBA Finals next year.
5. Milwaukee Bucks (+650)
With a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo (who is arguably the best player currently in the NBA), the Bucks are more than a fair shout to win it all next year. Even after being somewhat surprisingly knocked out of the NBA playoffs by the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals this past year, the Milwaukee Bucks are still one of the elite teams in the East and will be back in full force next season without a doubt. Don’t be surprised for even a second if you see the Bucks and Celtics meet in the Eastern Conference finals for the second year in a row.
Odds are subject to change
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