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The 2015 NBA Playoffs resemble a particular Bon Jovi hit. Two rounds down, we can officially say, “We’re halfway there!” Here’s a look at the NBA title odds with two rounds down and two round to go.
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Golden State Warriors
Championship Odds: 4/7
The Golden State Warriors have three things going for them at this point in the process. For starters: Health. This team may be missing Marreese Speights for Game 1, but no one from the starting lineup in hurt, and that’s crucial considering this NBA season has been defined by major injuries.
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The second thing this team has going for it is depth. This isn’t a team that relies on its starting lineup and loses hope when the second unit takes the floor. It’s true that the first five have the biggest impact on the game, but which group can’t say that at this point in the process? Guys such as David Lee, Sean Livingston and Andre Iguodala make this group arguably the deepest left in the postseason.
There’s also rest. A six-game series is far from a sweep, but going up against a Rockets crew that just battled back from down 3-1 to force a Game 7 means Golden State is rested compared to its Western Conference foe at this point in the process.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Championship Odds: 13/5
LeBron James may not be the MVP, but he’s still arguably the best player on the planet. Any team with him on the roster stands a chance, but the Eastern Conference Championship could very well come down to the health of one superstar point guard.
Whether or not Kyrie Irving can perform at his highest could be the difference in a series against the Atlanta Hawks. Irving is an All-Star, but his presence on the court is even more important with Kevin Love absent for the remainder of the postseason.
Also on the hierarchy of importance is the performance of J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert, Tristan Thompson and Timofey Mozgov. The Cavaliers need more than just LeBron to show up, and if the previous series versus the Chicago Bulls is any indication, Cleveland should get that the rest of the way this postseason.
Atlanta Hawks
Championship Odds: 9/1
The Atlanta Hawks need to get back to what got them here in the first place. That would be depth, teamwork and solid perimeter shooting.
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The bad news is that we haven’t seen much of this throughout the playoffs. Atlanta has struggled to escape two series against the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards, and now a series awaits against a true heavyweight champion with superstars ready to strike.
If the Hawks stand a chance against the Cavs, they will need players like Dennis Schroeder to step up. The role players on this roster are greatly needed without a superstar in place, and that means the bench will need a great showing against one of the best teams remaining in the postseason.
Houston Rockets
Championship Odds; 10/1
The Houston Rockets have defied all odds. Down 3-1, everyone counted them out. There was “no chance” they could win two straight to force a Game 7, let alone three straight to actually win the series 4-3.
As it turns out, the Rockets rallied, and they moved past the Los Angeles Clippers to make the Western Conference Finals.
Going up against the Warriors is going to be no small task. Not only do the Rockets lack the depth that the Warriors have, but their game is reliant upon hitting the three-pointer and getting to the foul line on a regular basis.
While Golden State is also able to “win by the three” this team’s defensive identify sets it apart.
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Houston must do what the Memphis Grizzlies tried to do, which is run three-point shooters off the arc, as stopping the three-pointer is going to be the main theme in this series.
4* Free NBA Pick: Golden State
The pick here is the Warriors. They don’t have the experience, but at this point in the process, almost nobody has the experience. This means the most talent team deserves the nod, which is Golden State at this juncture.
That said, if you’re looking for a sleeper, look Cleveland’s way. The Cavaliers have the best player in the game — and a proven winner — in LeBron James, and if you’re looking for a pick that some might overlook, take a glance at the unhealthy Cavaliers who just might defy all odds to get Cleveland a Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end of the 2015 NBA season.
Check out our Updated NBA Betting Odds.
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