One team continues to stand out above the rest when it comes to winning the NBA Championship for 2017. The Golden State Warriors are currently sitting at the league's best record, and just like last year, their team has been steamrolling opponents. While they may not break a single-season wins record like last year's squad did, they look like the perennial favorites to win it all.
However, last year's NBA Finals proved that even the team with the best record might fail to win the trophy. Three other teams are contending as of this point, with one of them surging as of late.
Golden State Warriors (47-9)
Led by four NBA All-Star players, the Warriors are the best of the best. Kevin Durant has become the team's top player and among NBA MVP favorites, which will end the two-year reign of Stephen Curry. However, the top goal of Golden State is winning the title, so the individual accolades don't mean quite as much.
According to Vegas Insider, the Warriors currently lead all teams with odds of 4 to 9 to win the NBA title this 2016-17 season.
The foursome of Durant, Klay Thompson, Curry, and Green certainly have their sights set on the ultimate goal.
Cleveland Cavaliers (39-16)
Whenever LeBron James is a part of the team and healthy, then that team will be amongst top contenders to win it all. His team did just that last year by actually defying the odds of a comeback against the league's best. Golden State held a 3-1 lead over James and the Cavs in the Finals but soon found out just how powerful "The King" can be.
While Kevin Love is currently sidelined for several weeks with an injury, the Cavs still have LeBron, Kyrie Irving, and plenty of other talents. They'll be in the hunt to defend their championship come playoff time and have current odds of 7 to 2 to win the title.
San Antonio Spurs (43-13)
Kawhi Leonard is considered one of the most humble and quiet stars in the league, and he's got the Spurs staying right on pace with the league's top team. Every year the San Antonio Spurs are a threat, thanks to a brilliant head coach Gregg Popovich who has built an amazing system for the franchise.
Even without Tim Duncan, the team has stars Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge. Veteran stars Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker are also still around, while new components have been installed to take over. This team currently carries 12 to 1 odds to win the NBA Championship.
Boston Celtics (37-20)
A team that has been under the radar, for the most part, are the Boston Celtics. Led by the league's second-best scorer, Isaiah Thomas, the Celts have become a legitimate contender to at least give Cleveland a run for their money.
Al Horford is a more recently acquired star on the team and helps with the inside-outside game. Coach Brad Stevens has been impressive since joining the league and guiding this team to postseason contention.
Don't forget the brilliance of Danny Ainge in the front office, as this team is loaded with young players and trade assets. They'll also get one of the top four picks in the upcoming NBA Draft.
Right now, the surging Celtics are fourth on the odds list at 20 to 1 odds, meaning a $100 wager on this team would pay bettors $2,000 should Boston shock the world and claim another banner for one of the top franchises in sports history.