Warriors' Health Boosts Value to Win NBA Championship Over Heat, Celtics
By Peter Dewey
The Golden State Warriors are up 3-0 on the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals, but that isn’t the only reason they're favored to win the NBA title this season at WynnBET.
With the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics dealing with injuries to key players, the Warriors’ health may be the deciding factor in who is favored in a potential NBA Finals matchup.
Latest Odds to Win NBA Championship
- Golden State Warriors: -140
- Boston Celtics: +275
- Miami Heat: +300
- Dallas Mavericks: +7000
Golden State Warriors Playoff Injuries
Golden State isn’t completely healthy, as it will likely be without star defender Gary Payton II in the NBA Finals, and the Warriors also lost Otto Porter Jr. to a foot injury on Sunday night in Game 3 against Dallas.
However, those injuries do pale in comparison to the ailments plaguing the Heat and Celtics.
Miami Heat Playoff Injuries
The Heat have spent a good chunk of the 2022 postseason without guard Kyle Lowry due to a hamstring injury, although he did return in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Still, Miami lost Jimmy Butler (right knee inflammation) in that game, and while he is set to play in Game 4, it’s a situation worth monitoring for the rest of the playoffs. Butler has already missed a game this postseason with the knee issue.
In addition, the Heat enter Game 4 on Monday without Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro, who is dealing with a groin injury. Miami’s scoring depth is questionable if Herro or Butler can’t suit up, so this could be a serious cause for concern for Miami moving forward.
The Celtics have moved to 7-point favorites against the Heat at @WynnBET with Tyler Herro out.
— BetSided (@BetSided) May 23, 2022
Herro is averaging 13.5 points per game this postseason. https://t.co/YF83osV5dp pic.twitter.com/yDSvKISwv8
Boston Celtics Playoff Injuries
The Boston Celtics were banged up in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals as well, as Robert Williams missed yet another game with a knee injury and Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart both missed portions of Game 3 with separate injuries.
Smart has missed games in these playoffs due to injury already, and Boston’s rotation only goes about eight deep when it is fully healthy, so any injury significantly changes the team’s game plan.
Should You Bet Warriors to Win NBA Finals?
At the moment, there is little value in taking Golden State at -140 to win it all this season.
However, for those holding a future on Golden State from earlier this season, things are shaping up pretty well for Steph Curry and company as the NBA Finals approach.
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.