Photo Credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images

Let The Games Begin – 2019 NBA Playoffs

The regular season is in the books and featured some unexpected surprises.

LeBron James won’t be taking part in the NBA playoffs, as the Lakers did not manage to qualify after an underwhelming an chaotic season. The Denver Nuggets were the surprise team in the Western Conference, clinching the second best record in the conference.

The East also had its surprises. While the top four, (Milwaukee, Toronto, Philadelphia and Boston) basically only played out the four best positions, as expected, the bottom part of the Eastern Conference’s playoff spots were pretty unexpected with the Brooklyn Nets, Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons reaching the post season.

What isn’t a surprise is that the Golden State Warriors had the best record in the West as well as being the heavy favorite to repeat this season, once again.

When it comes to the 2019 NBA Championship, the Warriors are a +200 favorite in the latest odds, which is a little generous considering how well the Bucks have performed this season.

But maybe it’s fair?! It seems as the team can only beat itself in their quest to become the first team in any North American pro sport to three-peat, ever since the Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal led Los Angeles Lakers did it at the beginning of the millennium.

Just to think about how much of a favorite the Warriors are in their first round matchup against the Los Angele Clippers, lets use Zach Lowe’s take on it from his latest podcast. When asked how the Clippers could win the series, he said:

“Steph’s ankle gets wrecked, Draymond & Durant fight mid-game, and Klay’s dog gets sick.”