Wizards are 25/1 longshots to win NBA title

Published on Monday, 5/5/14, at 2:52 p.m. Eastern.

By Brian Edwards

Following one of the best first rounds in NBA postseason history, the field of 16 has been reduced to eight. The second round gets started tonight when top-seeded Indiana hosts Washington in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Most books have the Pacers favored by four with a total of 184.

Indiana and Washington faced each other three times in the regular season. The ‘under’ cashed in all three meetings. Indiana won both games at home, but Bradley Beal and Nene were both out with injuries in the first encounter. Washington won the most recent contest at home.

Most betting shops have Indiana as the -170 ‘chalk’ for the series price, with Washington at +150 on the comeback (risk $100 to win $150).

The late game tonight pits Oklahoma City and Los Angeles, with the Thunder listed as 5.5-point home favorites at most spots. The total is 212. The ‘over’ is 5-2 in the last seven head-to-head meetings between these clubs.

On Tuesday in Game 1 at Miami, the Heat is favored by seven versus Brooklyn. The Nets won all four regular-season meetings between these rivals.

Also on Tuesday, San Antonio is a 6.5-point home favorite vs. Portland.

Below are the updated future odds to win the NBA Championship at Bovada:

Heat 7/5
Spurs 3/1
Thunder 9/2
Clippers 15/2
Pacers 12/1
Nets 16/1
Trail Blazers 25/1
Wizards 25/1