NBA Best Underdogs of the 2019-20 Season

Looking into the NBA's best underdogs of the 2019-20 season, we examine which teams beat the odds most frequently and yielded the top profits.

Many bettors, new and old, love to bet on the underdog for many good reasons including NBA underdogs giving a bigger payout and because they have a bit more leeway, especially in the point spread. But betting on every underdog is reckless and some are just more profitable than others.

Looking into the NBA's best underdogs of the 2019-20 season, we examine which teams beat the odds most frequently and yielded the top profits.

Many bettors, new and old, love to bet on the underdog for many good reasons including underdogs giving a bigger payout and because they have a bit more leeway, especially in the point spread. But betting on every underdog is reckless and some are just more profitable than others.

Inside the NBA Underdog: the best teams of 2019-20

If we look at an NBA underdog betting system, like many underdog systems, you only need for underdogs to win 40% of the time or less to get a return on your investment. This means you only need to nail two out of every five underdog bets or even less depending on the size of the underdog.

But not all NBA underdogs are good bets. So we look inside the NBA underdog and track the best teams that performed when the odds were against them in two ways: the moneyline and against the spread.

Moneyline: the best NBA underdog picks

The moneyline is the straight-up betting of the NBA. This is when you bet on a team to win, without any additional conditions. Underdogs then would return more than a 1:1 ratio hence how these three teams made their backers a lot of cash:

Los Angeles Lakers

Record: 8-2 (80%)

Pierre puts the ball to bed 😴 pic.twitter.com/Jaf7rREKDh

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 23, 2019

The Lakers were golden in more ways than one this season. They have only been underdogs ten times this season, but have cashed in all but two games. As the main cog in any NBA underdog betting system, the Lakers would've returned upwards of +12.0 units.

This included cashing out as 4.40 underdogs against Oklahoma City when both LeBron James and Anthony Davis sat out. You'll rarely find the Lakeshow as dogs, but when you find them at plus-money, take them quickly.

Toronto Raptors

Record: 13-12 (52%)

BOUCHER OVER GIANNIS! 😲

(via @Raptors)pic.twitter.com/okmIVK2Qlb

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 26, 2020

Toronto continues to the trend of defying expectations including the betting lines. Despite losing Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors have improved on their winning percentage and continue to roll against both elite teams and sub-.500 teams (Toronto also had the best record as a favourite at 81%).

Their most impressive win, outside of the bubble, came early when they exorcised the ghost of "LABronto" by beating the Lakers at Staples. The Raptors cashed out as 5.30 underdogs. Laying money on Toronto as dogs would yield at least +7.0 units.

Boston Celtics

Record: 12-12 (50%)

Another Atlantic Division team that slightly overachieved are the Celtics. Losing Kyrie Irving and gaining Kemba Walker improved Boston's chemistry and they rattled several impressive upsets. These included wins over Milwaukee (2.40), Utah (2.80), and the Lakers (2.30).

Boston was also 3-1 as a home underdog marking the TD Garden as "green for cash". As a mid-tier contender, the Celtics can often be found as a small underdog in many nights and even at a 50% win ratio, the Celtics would be rewarding its backers handsomely.

Against the Spread: the best NBA underdog bets

Winning isn't everything for underdogs. In fact, the best thing about underdogs is they get additional leeway thanks to the point spread. Let's look at the NBA underdog picks that cashed out against the spread:

Los Angeles Lakers

Record: 8-2 (80%)

The Lakers had an identical record against the spread as their moneyline making them the best among NBA underdog picks. Most of their spread has been less than +3.5 points so it was more convenient to bet them straight.

As a title favourite, it was surprising seeing the Lakers as underdogs ten times in the year. There was concern about their lack of depth, but everyone underestimated their defense and veteran savvy. Frank Vogel isn't a bad coach either. It was easy money in hindsight to keep betting on LeBron and AD with an additional payout.

Boston Celtics

Record: 18-6 (75%)

Jayson Tatum has been one of the 10-15 best players in the NBA since December. He’s blossomed finishing at the rim and Celtics lean on him for more shot creation. Looks for real. Boston’s title hopes rise dramatically if he continues to be its best player. pic.twitter.com/T9zqmN17ek

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 23, 2020

Boston green means money on the spread. The Celtics converted on three of every four times they were lined as underdogs on the spread. What made Boston more impressive was how they dealt with a rash of injuries particularly to Walker and Gordon Hayward.

The Celtics are still young and continuously growing. The window to bet them as underdogs keep growing smaller as they begin establishing themselves as an elite team and possibly as the team to beat in the East, especially if Giannis Antetokounmpo leaves Milwaukee.

Oklahoma City

Record: 31-14 (69%)

FINAL: Celtics 112, Thunder 111

Marcus Smart sealed the win with a game-winning steal on SGA during the final seconds. Boston has now won 10 out of 11 after downing OKC, which had won nine out of 10 itself. pic.twitter.com/51BXgnDnjh

— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) February 9, 2020

The NBA's biggest surprise team converted against the spread as an underdog the most, an impressive 69% in 45 games. The Thunder were supposed to be a rebuilding team, but led by Chris Paul they even improved on their previous season's win percentage.

The Thunder also won 21 times as an underdog although only converted on 47%, which is still impressive and would yield positive returns on backers.

But this season's success puts the Thunder in an awkward position on the NBA underdog betting system as management will now contemplate on how to proceed. The Thunder are stuck in the same spot they used to be with Westbrook: good enough to make the playoffs, but not good enough to go anywhere.

These were the best NBA underdog picks for the 2019-20 season. Some were surprises and some were obvious. Whatever the case, there are always opportunities to find a money train of an underdog every NBA season. Find them from the top online sportsbooks along with more NBA markets.