Spurs Leap Warriors As Favorites To Win NBA Title

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Ever since the 2015-16 NBA season got underway back in October, the reigning champion Golden State Warriors were considered to be the team to beat. Stephen Curry and company didn’t miss a beat after beating the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games during the NBA Finals, and no one seemed to be able to find an answer on how to stop them, even with Luke Walton coaching in place of Steve Kerr to start the season.

After dominating the league in convincing fashion throughout 82 games, the Warriors headed into the NBA playoffs with the best record in NBA history (73-9) and the top seed in the Western Conference. Although the San Antonio Spurs had an impressive season as well, the Warriors were still the clear-cut favorite to win it all.

Following two injuries to superstar Stephen Curry, a sprained ankle and sprained MCL in his right knee; things have changed for the Warriors. Curry will miss the next two weeks with the MCL sprain, and that injury has sent shockwaves felt in Las Vegas.

According to ESPN, the Spurs have now leaped the Warriors as favorites to the title this year:

The San Antonio Spurs moved into the role of favorites Monday at the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas after it was announced that Warriors star Stephen Curry will miss at least two weeks with a sprained right MCL. The Spurs are now the favorites at 3-2, followed by the Warriors at 9-4 and Cleveland Cavaliers at 3-1.

With so much basketball left to be played, the odds will likely continue to change in the coming weeks. The Spurs and Warriors will remain the top-tier teams in the West regarding being the favorites to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June, but injuries can quickly change things with the Oklahoma City Thunder potentially rising the ranks.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Warriors can maintain their dominance without their leader and if Curry can bounce back after consecutive injuries after being able to stay healthy throughout the regular season.