Awaiting Another Warriors Championship



An opportunity to cash in on a very short future play on the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA Championship was sitting right there, all season long. Now, its too late.

 A “golden opportunity” to cash in on a very short future play was sitting right there

One of my greatest joys enjoying online horse race betting and watching the TVG (Television Games Network is allowing me the comfort, convenience and quiet of being alone.  That may seem anti-social but after years of listening to irate guys scream obscenities on-site at the track, it is a very welcome change for me and many others. 

Golden State Warriors NBA betting tipsThe other noteworthy difference is NOT listening to handicapper’s brag to strangers in the crowd how brilliant they are after every race they pick a winner.  Now I am going to be a huge hypocrite here in boasting how smart I was begging everyone to get on the Golden State Warriors boat anywhere from eight months to as short as only two weeks ago.

Yes, I realize the Golden State Warriors haven’t hoisted up another Larry O’Brien trophy just yet, but doesn’t it seem a matter of time.  While the Vegas Golden Knights 500-1 NHL future book suspense is a great story, this one is a complete opposite.  Bettors simple couldn’t embrace a “golden opportunity” at an unpopular but very fair price.

Looking back to November 2017, the Warriors opened as likely the largest favorite ever to begin an NBA season.  Most preferred sportsbooks had them listed anywhere from -150 to -180.

Here’s how leading sportsbook BetOnline had the top four NBA contenders on the board back then:

Golden State Warriors - 165

Cleveland Cavaliers     +300

Houston Rockets        +1000

San Antonio Spurs     +1200

Interesting, that in moving forward to the NBA semi-finals, three of these four teams advanced. It proved once again that favorites are always the play in pro basketball and another “told you so”.  Note that the Boston Celtics were listed at +1600, only because of Gordon Hayward’s immediate injury.  Despite all the trials and tribulations of the long NBA season, it was assumed back then that the Warriors and Cavaliers would meet again in the June NBA Finals.  Keep in mind the Cavs began the season with a very different roster and the Spurs were thought of a minor threat in the Warriors way. 

Many GS bettors had to patiently wait through 82 regular season games and two playoff series before the Warriors played a very tough and challenging Houston Rockets team in the NBA semi-finals.  Because the Rockets owned the home court advantage the price was tilted a bit, but the Warriors remained the favorite to win.

Looking not that far ahead to who would then win the NBA Finals championship, BetOnline listed the four remaining teams with these odds: 

NBA Championship futures Golden State WarriorsOdds to Win the NBA Championship
(courtesy of BetOnline.ag)
 
Boston Celtics +1600

Cleveland Cavaliers +550

Golden State Warriors -150

Houston Rockets  +240

Amazingly, the Warriors could have been purchased at -150 on May 16th, a better price than November 2017!!  OR if indeed you did believe in the Rockets, they were listed at +240.  Had they gone on to defeat the Warriors, they likely would have been approximately -160 favorites over the Cavs in the Finals, while again owning the home court advantage. 

It’s was quite disturbing this week to view Golden State as favorites over the Cavaliers anywhere from -860 to -1100 to win the series at most preferred sportsbooks.  I felt like that old dude bragging to anyone who would listen that Justify was as a lock to win the Kentucky Derby.  And no, win or lose, you won’t get 5-2 on him in the Belmont either.  That horse is out of the barn and it’s too late now to cash in on the Warriors future. 

But, did I mention a month ago BOTH the Red Sox and Yankees were listed at 1-1 Even odds in the April MLB futures at most sportsbooks to win the AL East.  That you could instantly forget about the other teams in the division and just pick who you like.  Is their any doubt that either the Red Sox or Yankees are going to win that division.  Told you so!!  OK, I promise I will stop doing that. 

Glenn Greene covers the games from a betting angle every week exclusively at OSGA.com. For weekly betting insights, inlcuding previews and picks from Glenn, click here.


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