Coronavirus (COVID-19) NBA Update – March 17th Edition

Coronavirus (COVID-19) NBA Update – March 17th Edition

Written by on March 17, 2020

The coronavirus (COVID-19) has wreaked havoc on the sports world. But all is not lost. A couple of days ago on March 15, rumors swirled regarding the NBA’s return to action. Will it happen? If it happens when will it happen? And what might a shortened NBA Season look like? Check out the latest updates, along with NBA Championship odds, on the National Basketball Association.

2020 NBA Championship

  • When: TBD
  • Where: TBD

2020 NBA Championship Odds

  • Los Angeles Lakers +200
  • Milwaukee Bucks +225
  • A. Clippers +300
  • Houston Rockets +1500
  • Boston Celtics +1500
  • Toronto Raptors +1600
  • Denver Nuggets +2000
  • Philadelphia 76ers +2800
  • Utah Jazz +3300
  • Miami Heat +2800
  • Dallas Mavericks +3500
  • Indiana Pacers +8000
  • New Orleans Pelicans +10000
  • Portland Trail Blazers +2000
  • Oklahoma City Thunder +10000
  • Memphis Grizzlies +50000
  • Brooklyn Nets +50000
  • Orlando Magic +50000
  • San Antonio Spurs +50000
  • Phoenix Suns +100000
  • Sacramento Kings +100000

Rumor Has It, 3 Options on the Table

Rumors swirled this weekend and into Monday about the NBA considering 3 options. The 3 options are different from each other and depend on financial considerations as well as how long it takes to flatten the coronavirus curve.

Option #1 – Cancel the Season

This is the most drastic and least likely option. Let’s discuss the ramifications for the league. If the NBA decides to cancel, the National Basketball Association might never recover. The NBA is a “players’ league”. It means that fans associate with James Harden, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, etc. The financial consequences would be untold because like every major sports league in the United States, it’s not just about the fans in the seats. It’s about the fans watching on their television sets.

If the NBA cancels their season, playoff television money flies out the window. What happens if TNT, TBS, ABC, and ESPN decide, hey, we don’t have to pay those exorbitant broadcast rights?

Also, canceling the season is a huge disservice to fans and communities. This won’t happen.

Option #2 – Restarting the Regular Season with No Fans in Arenas

Although NBA fans wouldn’t mind, this makes no sense. It takes a ton of people to run an arena. The 50 people at a time CDC rule requires that, well, this is impossible. Not only that, but it’s ridiculous. Why use a giant arena for games when nobody can show up?

Like the option of canceling the season, this won’t happen.

Option #3 – NBA Playoffs With No or Limited Fans in Small Arenas

The likeliest scenario also makes the most sense. The NBA has reached out to playoff teams to search for venues, even practice facilities, in late June or early August. Those facilities could have fans on a limited basis.

Even without fans, this could work because television broadcast teams could provide specific color commentary about the intimacy of the venues. The NBA might go to a 5-game playoff format until the NBA Championship Series. That could also drum up interest.

By doing this, the National Basketball Association could help two industries, live television as well as their own. Also, this will provide a much needed shot in the arm to U.S. sports fans.

This will happen. So, chin up, hoops’ fans.

Option #3 From a Betting Perspective

Because Option #3 is the likeliest, we should wager on teams that will make the playoffs. Check out the list:

Eastern Conference

  1. Milwaukee Bucks
  2. Toronto Raptors
  3. Boston Celtics
  4. Miami Heat
  5. Indiana Pacers
  6. Philadelphia 76ers
  7. Brooklyn Nets
  8. Orlando Magic

Western Conference

  1. Los Angeles Lakers
  2. Los Angeles Clippers
  3. Denver Nuggets
  4. Utah Jazz
  5. Oklahoma City Thunder
  6. Houston Rockets
  7. Dallas Mavericks
  8. Memphis Grizzlies

Among the favorites, the L.A. Lakers are the strongest squad. Among the underdogs, the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat both look tough. Boston has a Big 3. Miami plays great defense and can lean on Jimmy Butler.

The NBA will return in late June or early August. It’s time to start handicapping the 2020 NBA Championship.

Place your bets on What will be the first league to play? on our Coronavirus Odds.

Here in MyBookie.ag Sportsbook we will keep you informed on the status of the main leagues. We also have the NHL Coronavirus (COVID-19) Status and MLB Coronavirus (COVID-19) Status.

Or you can also access all the updates on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Sports Updates.