Updated NBA Champion Odds at DraftKings Still Seeing Heavy Sixers Action

In Pennsylvania, basketball has been a part of the state’s rich sports history despite only having one professional franchise. This season, the Sixers could be a candidate to win the NBA Finals, despite the uncertainty surrounding Ben Simmons’ back injury. Now, do PA sports betting fans feel the same way?

DraftKings Sportsbook provides us with updated betting odds for the 2020 NBA Finals, and public betting trends and percentages on each of the teams in the betting market. The betting public certainly likes the Sixers at +1400, as you can see below.

Heavy Action on the Sixers +1400

Of all Eastern Conference teams, the Sixers have the most action at 15% of the betting handle and 16% of the total bets, making them a very popular wager for the betting public. Their odds have fluctuated all season, but coming in at +1400 to win the Finals allows for some value. The level of uncertainty surrounding the Sixers is concerning though, as there are many questions that will need to be answered. Will Ben Simmons be able to play? Can Joel Embiid stay conditioned enough to play the full playoffs? Who will take the last shot? Can Brett Brown win the big game?

As you can see, questions are aplenty. Despite all that, bettors are backing the Sixers at a 15% clip, behind only the Los Angeles Lakers taking a whopping 34% of the betting handle.

Public Action Backs the Western Conference

For years, the Western Conference has been known as the better one for basketball purposes, and this year seems to be no different. 44% of the betting handle is on two teams, both in Los Angeles in the Lakers and the Clippers. The West also has the Rockets (5%), Warriors (3%), Nuggets (2%), Jazz (2%), and Mavericks (1%) of the top 13 teams in terms of betting handle.

That leaves six teams in the East on this chart. The Sixers (15%), the Bucks (9%), the Celtics (8%), the Nets (3%), Heat (2%), and Pacers (2%) total 39% of the total betting handle. The West certainly is the more popular conference, and for good reason.

Kawhi & Paul George or LeBron & Anthony Davis?

As aforementioned, 44% of the total betting handle is on the two Los Angeles teams in the Clippers and the Lakers. Bettors certainly prefer the Lakers as they have 34% of the total betting handle, but is that the correct side of the market? Kawhi Leonard and Paul George will be well rested for the playoffs, and the Clippers certainly have a much deeper roster than the Lakers thanks to terrific roster construction and the Clippers landing Marcus Morris and Reggie Jackson mid-season.

The battle of Los Angeles will be one to watch in the playoffs, and will certainly help decide many bettors’ fate in their futures bets.