2019 NBA Finals Possible Matchups

LeBron is in La La Land, Kawhi has gone to Jurassic Park, and the Boston Celtics are healthy. Too early to consider some early predictions for the  2019 NBA Finals? Nope! The timing is perfect for this often overlooked NBA future prop wager. Keep reading for 3 betting strategies to tackle these possible matchups for the 2019 NBA Finals.

2018-19 NBA Finals Possible Matchups

The Golden State Warriors, depending on the day, could be at -175 to -200 to win the 2019 NBA Finals. Just by adding another team, by wagering on the 2019 NBA Finals Possible Matchup prop instead of betting on Golden State, we can bump up odds. Let’s start with Golden State and study the matchups that make sense.

Strategy #1:  Golden State Warriors Win the Western Conference

• 76’ers vs Warriors                +400
• Celtics vs Warriors               +120
• Raptors vs Warriors            +650

The lowest odd pairing is Celtics vs Warriors. Looks crazy, right? Not really. Think about it this way, the Celtics are easily the top team in the Eastern Conference now that LeBron has taken his GOAT status to the Lakers in the Western Conference. The key for Celtics will be for everyone to remain healthy. If that happens, the +120 odds could be a gift. They’re much better than the -200 odds on Golden State to win the NBA Finals. The 76’ers should improve enough to challenge the Celtics in the Eastern Conference. Philly has one of the top guard/frontcourt player combos in the NBA, maybe the best in the NBA, in Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. 4 to 1 odds are great. If the Raptors improve with Kawhi (how could they not?), they could offer immense value to face the Warriors at +650. Who knows? Sometimes, it only takes a single player to bolster the chemistry on an NBA team.

Strategy #2: Houston Rockets Win the Western Conference

• 76’ers vs Rockets                   +2000
• Celtics vs Rockets                  +900
• Raptors vs Rockets               +3000

If you believe the Rockets beat the Warriors and win the Western Conference, you can make a lot more dollars by handicapping among the 76’ers, Raptors, and Celtics. The main question is whether Houston is good enough to beat Golden State for the Western Conference. Are they? Tough call. Supposedly, the Rockets are in line to sign Carmelo Anthony. Putting Melo on the same team as Chris Paul and James Harden could work to perfection. Or, it could destroy any chemistry the Rockets have. Do your own handicapping. If you believe Melo helps the Rockets get past the Warriors, Houston did push Golden State to 7 games last season, then pairing them with the Celtics, Raptors, or 76’ers offers great value.

Strategy #3: The King Leads to the Lakers to the NBA Finals

• 76’ers vs Lakers                    +2300
• Celtics vs Lakers                   +900
• Raptors vs Lakers                +3300

Notice the odds on Celtics vs Lakers is the same as odds on Rockets vs Lakers? Why? Sure, it’s all about LeBron. But, it’s not all about LeBron. The Lakers have a fantastic, young, nucleus made up of Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball. L.A. is already one of the deepest teams in the NBA. You’re definitely deep when Lance Stephenson, Luol Deng, Rajon Rondo, and Josh Hart come off the bench. What it means is that the Lakers can play a second starting 5:  Kuzma, Ivica Zubac, Stephenson or Deng, Rondo, and Hart. LeBron’s never played for a team this deep. Yes, he played for a team with a couple of other major stars, but he never played for a team as deep as this one. Not only that, but Ingram, Kuzma, and Ball could develop into NBA stars this season. There you have it, 3 strategies to attack the 2019 NBA Finals Possible Matchups props. As always, do your own handicapping before plopping down bucks.