INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- If you're looking for a high-value wager, consider betting on the Los Angeles Clippers to win the NBA Finals. Few teams in the NBA playoff race possess as much untapped potential as the Clippers right now.
Despite winning 13 of their last 15 games and matching Oklahoma City for the best record in the NBA during that stretch, sportsbooks are still offering odds as high as +5000 for the Clippers to win the NBA Finals (ESPN Bet +5000, FanDuel +4400, DraftKings +4000). There’s significant value here for a Clippers team that’s rounding into form and has consistently exceeded expectations throughout this regular season.
Elite on Both Ends
The Clippers excel on both ends of the floor, ranking among the league’s best in key categories:
- Top 3 in Defensive Rating (109.3)
- Top 10 in Points, Rebounds, Field Goals Made, Field Goal %, 3-Point %, Defensive Rebounds, Steals, and True Shooting Percentage
This balance of elite defense and efficient offense gives them an edge.
Ivica Zubac is having the best season of his career, ranking in the Top 5 in Rebounds (12.6 per game) and Field Goal Percentage.
James Harden, who leads the team in scoring, has fully embraced his playmaking role this season, ranking Top 5 in Assists (8.7 per game).
Nicolas Batum has emerged as a reliable sharpshooter, ranking Top 5 in 3-Point Percentage this season.
And Kawhi Leonard remains the X-factor. Over the last 10 games, he’s averaging 25.4 points, 7 rebounds, nearly 2 steals per game, shooting over 40% from three and 50% from the field. Most importantly, he looks healthy—a key element for a team whose playoff runs have been derailed by his injuries in the past.
Championship DNA
Kawhi Leonard has proven his ability to deliver under the brightest lights, having won Finals MVP in both conferences. His quiet demeanor may divert headlines off the court, but on it, his grit, determination, and dominance have only been stifled by health issues.
Head Coach Tyronn Lue is also a champion, having guided a LeBron James-led Cavaliers team to a title in 2016, and he knows how to navigate the treacherous waters of the playoffs.
The Clippers don’t just have an underrated Big Three—they have a sneaky Big Four, with Norman Powell providing another scoring punch and championship experience. Powell, who was teammates with Kawhi during their title run in Toronto, has been sidelined recently but was the team’s top scorer for much of this season. Even now, he’s averaging 22 points per game and has the ability to change the course of a playoff game with a single shot.
The Path Ahead
The Western Conference is shaping up as a dogfight, and the Clippers are locked in a fierce race for playoff positioning. They’re currently in 4th place, tied with the Nuggets and Grizzlies in the loss column, with the Warriors and Timberwolves lurking just behind. With two crucial games remaining, they could secure as high as the 4th seed—giving them a significant advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Why Bet on L.A.?
Nine of the last ten NBA champions ranked in the top 10 for defensive rating, and the Clippers are currently 3rd. With stars, depth, elite metrics, and a healthy Kawhi, Vegas is underrating them—and their potential is significant. Tyronn Lue perfectly captured the mood after a dominant win over Houston last night: "I like where we’re at." His words highlight the Clippers' growing confidence as a legitimate title contender. If they stay healthy, betting on them to win the NBA Finals could yield a high return.
