Who Will Win the 2020 NBA Championship? Latest Odds and Predictions

2025-11-16 09:00

As we approach the climax of the 2020 NBA season, I find myself constantly refreshing betting sites and analyzing team performances with the intensity of a playoff coach. Having covered basketball for over a decade, I've developed this sixth sense for championship contenders, and this season has been particularly fascinating. The championship conversation naturally centers around the usual powerhouses - the Lakers with their dynamic duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Clippers with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and the Bucks led by the unstoppable Giannis Antetokounmpo. Current championship odds show the Lakers at +200, the Clippers at +300, and the Bucks at +350, making these three the clear favorites according to most sportsbooks.

What many fans don't realize is how international basketball developments can sometimes foreshadow NBA trends. Just last Monday, I was watching footage from the Smart Araneta Coliseum where Gilas Pilipinas mounted this incredible 103-98 comeback victory against the Macau Black Bears. The game featured this young guard Abarrientos who only played five minutes and scored two points, but his presence during that crucial comeback reminded me of how role players often make championship differences. In the NBA playoffs, it's rarely just about the superstars - it's about those bench players who provide exactly what's needed in limited minutes. That Gilas comeback demonstrated how teams can overcome deficits through collective effort, much like what we've seen from dark horse contenders throughout NBA history.

My money's actually on the Lakers, and I'll tell you why. LeBron James is playing with this veteran savvy that's just breathtaking to watch. At 35 years old, he's averaging 25.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 10.6 assists - numbers that defy normal aging curves. The Anthony Davis addition has given them this defensive anchor who can also drop 30 points on any given night. What worries me about them is their bench consistency and their three-point shooting which sits at 35.5% - good but not championship-level great historically. I've seen teams with better regular season records crumble in the playoffs because they couldn't hit clutch threes.

The Clippers present the most compelling challenge though. Kawhi Leonard is essentially the terminator of basketball - no emotion, just pure destruction of opposing teams. His playoff experience with the Raptors last season proved he can carry a team, and pairing him with Paul George creates what should be the best wing defense in the league. Their current +300 odds might actually represent value given their ceiling. The issue I've noticed is their chemistry - they've only had their full roster for about 40% of the season due to load management and injuries. Championship teams typically need that continuity, and I'm not convinced they've built it yet.

Then there's Giannis and the Bucks. The Greek Freak is putting up video game numbers - 29.6 points and 13.7 rebounds per game while likely securing his second straight MVP. Their system is beautifully engineered around his talents, and they've been dominant in the regular season with the league's best record. But I have this nagging doubt about their half-court offense in playoff scenarios. We saw it last year against Toronto - when the game slows down, they become too predictable. Until they prove they can win when teams wall off the paint, I can't confidently pick them to win it all.

The dark horses fascinate me this season. The Rockets with their radical small-ball approach could either revolutionize playoff basketball or crash spectacularly. James Harden is averaging an absurd 34.4 points, but his playoff performances have historically dipped to about 28.7 points per game. The Celtics at +1200 might offer the best value bet with their balanced lineup and Jayson Tatum's emergence as a true superstar. I've been particularly impressed with how the Raptors have maintained excellence despite losing Kawhi, coaching clearly matters in this league.

Watching that Gilas game reminded me how unpredictable basketball can be. Abarrientos contributed meaningfully in just five minutes during that comeback win, similar to how unexpected players often become playoff heroes. Remember Fred VanVleet in last year's finals? Or Robert Horry throughout his career? Championship teams always have these unexpected contributors who emerge at the perfect time.

The pandemic interruption adds another fascinating layer to this championship race. The bubble environment eliminates home court advantage, which significantly hurts teams like the Lakers and Bucks who built dominant home records. The Lakers were 29-7 at Staples Center compared to 21-13 on the road. Meanwhile, the Clippers were actually better on the road at 24-11 versus 23-10 at home. This neutral court situation might benefit certain teams disproportionately.

My prediction comes down to which team can best handle these unprecedented circumstances. The Lakers have the veteran leadership with LeBron and Rondo who've won championships. The Clippers have the top-end talent and defensive versatility. The Bucks have the regular season dominance and the best individual player. After weighing everything, I'm leaning toward the Lakers because championship experience matters most in these high-pressure situations. LeBron understands better than anyone what it takes to win in the finals, and Anthony Davis seems determined to cement his legacy. The +200 odds represent fair value for what I consider the most likely outcome.

Basketball ultimately remains beautifully unpredictable though. That's why we watch - for those moments when role players like Abarrientos unexpectedly contribute to comebacks, when underdogs defy odds, and when legends cement their status. The 2020 championship will be remembered as one of the most unique in history, and I can't wait to see which team rises to the occasion.