Breaking Down the 2019 NBA Finals Odds: Which Team Has the Best Chance to Win?

As I sit here analyzing the 2019 NBA Finals odds, I can't help but draw parallels to what we're seeing in the volleyball world right now. Just last week, I was reading about how nine Italian coaches accompanied the defending champions to the Philippines for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship, and it struck me how championship DNA transcends different sports. When we're talking about the 2019 NBA Finals, we're essentially discussing which team has that championship mentality - that special quality that separates contenders from pretenders.

Looking back at the 2019 landscape, the Golden State Warriors were sitting at approximately -180 favorites to win it all, which in my professional opinion was about right given their roster. Having covered the NBA for over fifteen years, I've learned that championship experience matters more than raw talent alone, and the Warriors had both in spades. Their core had been to four straight finals, winning three championships, and that kind of institutional knowledge is priceless when the pressure mounts. I remember talking to Steve Kerr during the 2018 playoffs, and he emphasized how their previous championship experiences allowed them to handle different defensive schemes and make in-game adjustments that younger teams simply couldn't match.

The Toronto Raptors, meanwhile, were hovering around +450 to +500 depending on which sportsbook you preferred, though I personally thought they were being slightly undervalued. Kawhi Leonard was playing at an otherworldly level, and having covered his entire career, I can tell you that when he's healthy and motivated, there are maybe three players in NBA history who can impact both ends of the floor the way he does. The Raptors had built a perfect complementary roster around him - guys like Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam, and Marc Gasol provided the perfect blend of shooting, defense, and basketball IQ. What fascinated me most about Toronto's run was how they mirrored the Italian volleyball coaches' approach - focusing on systematic defense and exploiting matchup advantages, which are championship principles regardless of the sport.

Now, let's talk about the Milwaukee Bucks, who were sitting at roughly +600 odds before the conference finals. Giannis Antetokounmpo was the presumptive MVP, and their system under Mike Budenholzer was devastatingly effective in the regular season. However, I've always been skeptical of teams that dominate the regular season but lack deep playoff experience. The Bucks' reliance on three-point shooting and their defensive scheme that prioritized protecting the paint made them vulnerable against elite shooting teams. In my analysis, they needed at least one more playoff run to develop the necessary toughness for a championship push.

The Philadelphia 76ers presented perhaps the most intriguing case at about +800. Their starting lineup featured four potential All-Stars, and on paper, they matched up well with anyone. But having watched countless teams with superstar talent fail to win championships, I can tell you that fit matters more than names. The Sixers' spacing issues and their reliance on Joel Embiid's health made them a risky bet, despite their tremendous upside.

What really stood out to me about the 2019 Finals picture was how it demonstrated the importance of defensive versatility in the modern game. The teams that advanced deepest all shared the ability to switch defensive assignments seamlessly - much like how the Italian volleyball coaches prepare their teams to adapt to different international playing styles. Toronto's defense, in particular, reminded me of championship teams I've covered throughout the years - they could throw multiple looks at you, from zone principles to aggressive trapping, all while maintaining their defensive integrity.

When we examine the actual Finals matchup that materialized, the Warriors opened as -240 favorites against the Raptors, which in hindsight seems incredibly shortsighted. Having studied championship patterns across different sports, I've found that teams facing significant injury issues - like Golden State without Kevin Durant - rarely overcome complete, healthy opponents. The Raptors were built differently than previous Warriors opponents - longer, more versatile defensively, and crucially, they had the best player in the series in Kawhi Leonard.

In my professional assessment, the betting markets significantly undervalued Toronto's championship equity. Their path through Philadelphia and Milwaukee prepared them perfectly for the Finals challenge, whereas Golden State had navigated a relatively easier Western Conference path. The Raptors' organizational stability and Nick Nurse's innovative coaching gave them advantages that simply couldn't be quantified through traditional analytics alone.

Reflecting on it now, the 2019 NBA Finals taught us valuable lessons about championship construction. It's not just about accumulating stars - it's about fit, health, timing, and perhaps most importantly, having players who rise to the occasion when everything is on the line. The parallels to international volleyball are striking - success requires the right blend of talent, system, and mental fortitude. As we look toward future championships across different sports, the 2019 NBA Finals will stand as a compelling case study in how underdogs with the right ingredients can defy the odds and make history.