EASTERN CONFERENCE PREVIEW: The Cleveland Cavaliers remain intact — and hard to beat.
Cleveland appears a near-lock to return to Finals out of East
The apparent inevitability of another NBA Finals pitting the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Golden State Warriors has Las Vegas bookmakers suggesting the chances of a third consecutive matchup between the teams exceed even those of the legendary Lakers-Celtics battles at the height of the Magic Johnson-Larry Bird rivalry.
“There’s not too much parity in the NBA right now,” said Jay Kornegay, director of the respected Westgate Las Vegas Superbook.
LeBron James is hoping to be the first NBA player with seven consecutive Finals appearances since the Bill Russell-led Celtics teams of the 1960s.
Cleveland is a staggering 1-4 favorite at Kornegay’s book to come out of the East, with the next-best odds belonging to the Celtics at 8-1 and the Toronto Raptors at 13-1.
Cleveland shed its history of futility and heartbreak last season, as prodigal son James fueled the Cavaliers’ title run to a dramatic Game 7 victory.
Complemented by guard Kyrie Irving and forward Kevin Love, James and the Cavaliers seem bound for a stiffer title Finals test with Kevin Durant having joined the Warriors.
The Cavaliers are the 11-4 second choice to win the NBA title, behind the favored Warriors at 2-3, and Cleveland’s preseason over-under regularseason win total is an East-best 561⁄2.
“We’re approaching the territory we haven’t seen since the Lakers and Celtics, or when [Michael Jordan and] the Bulls dominated. … Is it good for the league or not? It depends on who you ask,” Kornegay said.
“The league is so popular in Las Vegas, and the moves that took place bring even more intrigue to the league. For both Golden State and Cleveland, there’s such overwhelming [title] pressure to do this.” Any concerns before then? “Barring injuries, the Cavaliers are a slam dunk to win the East,” Kornegay said.
Las Vegas bettors are turning in a bundle of future-book tickets on the Celtics, who added free agent center Al Horford from Atlanta to Coach Brad Stevens’ roster, which includes gifted point guard Isaiah Thomas.
“The coach has them playing team before individual. They have youth on their side,” said Jay Rood, race and sports director for MGM Resorts, which counts MGM Grand, the Mirage and Mandalay Bay on the Strip among its properties.
“The gamblers think there’s something to be had with Boston, that if James gets hurt … with Stevens, the Celtics are trying to mold themselves after the [San Antonio] Spurs.”
The Raptors, led by former USC guard DeMar DeRozan and point guard Kyle Lowry, took the Cavaliers to six games in last season’s Eastern Conference finals and are the third betting choice ahead of the Horfordless Hawks (20-1 to win the East) and Phil Jackson’s New York Knicks (25-1).
“Toronto seems like they’re missing a piece or two. I guess that could change, but they need more bulk underneath to compete,” Kornegay said. “The Knicks could be a surprise team, but I wouldn’t bet on it.”
The additions of Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Brandon Jennings to a roster that includes Carmelo Anthony and second-year center Kristaps Porzingis have made the Knicks the fifth-most-popular preseason pick in the East, Rood said.
“I’m not a fan of them right now. … The Zen Master [Jackson] makes it look like nothing happening. But maybe it will, quickly,” Rood said.
Otherwise, Rood said, the topheavy action reveals why “the NBA futures don’t get very good backing” from bettors.
“The NHL gets double the amount of futures bets . . . . In the NBA, realistically, I can’t go more than four deep in regard to teams that can win the title. In the NHL, I can make the case to go 20 deep when the season starts.”
While Atlanta and Miami may get some attention from bettors, Kornegay said he sees little cause to doubt the Cavaliers in the East.
“Injuries always play a role, and you have the target on your back being a defending champion. … We’re foreseeing a big revenge factor in the Warriors’ eyes, but that’s the only thing I can see stopping Cleveland,” he said.