National Basketball Association

Are the Trail Blazers Undervalued in the Northwest Division?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Looking at NBA Championship odds, the Trail Blazers are undervalued

It is tough to find odds on winning NBA divisional odds this early in the season. However, NBA championship odds are always available. Taking a look at just the Northwest division’s chances at an NBA title should give us a look into who will be favored in the division this season… and it’s not the Trail Blazers:

Team	Odds to win NBA Championship
Oklahoma City	33-1
Minnesota	66-1
Portland	100-1
Utah	100-1
Denver	300-1

via bovada

Oklahoma City will likely be favored in the division this year. Even though the lost Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook will run the show with a decent supporting cast. Westbrook does get himself into trouble when trying to do everything. Two years ago, Westbrook attempted to conjure his own ‘beast mode’ without Durant in the lineup. The Thunder missed the playoffs that season. Sure, the role players are improved this year, but are they really a clear favorite in this competitive division?

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Minnesota seems way overvalued. The addition of head coach Tom Thibodeau and the natural progression of budding superstar Karl Anthony-Towns give reasons for optimism in Minnesota. Let’s not forget the Timberwolves last made the playoffs in 2004.

Portland and Utah are deadlocked at 100-1 odds to win the NBA championship. These teams are on a similar trajectory and are solid bets to make the playoffs. Both teams significantly improved their depth this offseason.

The Denver Nuggets are a season or two away from being a legitimate playoffs contender. They have plenty of assets and a solid coach. The Nuggets are on the right path, but need to find a star amongst a roster of role players.

Without being too biased, the Trail Blazers are the best bet on the board. Portland is a well-balanced team with legitimate playoff experience. No way does the optimism around Minnesota warrant better odds at a championship than Portland’s battle tested roster. Without Durant, the Thunder shouldn’t have much better odds than Portland.

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