The defending NBA champions are currently not favored to repeat as champions. They are actually 5th on the list of odds to win it all. The odds list is showing Boston, Milwaukee, Brooklyn and Denver all above the Warriors. So, that begs the question: what is wrong with the Golden State Warriors?
Injuries
First and foremost, this is a team that cannot stay healthy. And this is nothing new. The main reason the Warriors have not won more championships in recent years is they simply cannot stay off the injured list. Steph Curry has been in and out of the lineup and even when he has been in, his shooting has been shaky at best.
Chemistry
The team doesn’t seem to be playing with any real consistency. There was an incident between Jordan Poole and Draymond Green where Green punched Poole in the face. Both players have said they are past it, but there is probably some lingering animosity.
Brightside
Even though the Warriors are currently just three games over .500, they have won 7 of their last 10. The team is shooting better and playing better. Their potential to pull it together is the only reason you see a team that is barely above .500 with as short odds as they have.
Should You Take Them?
NBA betting information website SBA says that they think this may be a good year to pass on the Warriors. Head analyst Scotty Morris says the following: “If they were paying out better than +900 I would consider betting on them. As it stands, +900 is not good enough for me to risk my hard earned money. There are much better deals on the odds board. Sacramento for instance. The Kings are 40-27 and are paying out a ridiculous +6000. They may not win it all but there is enough value in that number that the risk is worth the reward if they can pull it off.