NBA Eastern Conference odds, picks and best bets

Looking at the betting odds to win the NBA’s Eastern Conference, with NBA futures picks and best bets.

The NBA will return later this summer with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds to win the Eastern Conference once play resumes and make our NBA futures picks and best bets.

NBA Eastern Conference picks: Favorite

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, June 8 at 1:30 p.m. ET.

If you are looking for a favorite, look no further than the Milwaukee Bucks, who are by far the betting favorite at -159. They were a freakishly good team before the season’s stoppage and no longer have Kawhi Leonard in the conference to stop them from getting to the NBA Finals.

The Toronto Raptors were on a four-game winning streak and playing good basketball in pursuit of their second straight NBA title, but it would be almost foolish to put your money on anyone other than Milwaukee.

They are the favorite for a reason. Take the BUCKS at –159.


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NBA Western Conference picks: Contender

After the Bucks, you have the Boston Celtics and Raptors at +750 and the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers at +1000.

Miami plays great team basketball. Philly is unstoppable at home but can’t win on the road for some reason. Boston and Toronto are almost identical statistically.

Given their championship run from a year ago, the best bet among the contenders are the RAPTORS at +750.

NBA Eastern Conference picks: Long shot

Only two teams have odds of at least  +10000 to win the Eastern Conference — the Orlando Magic (+10000) and the Washington Wizards (+20000). If John Wall were going to return for the Wizards, then they might be a fun team to bet on. However, even though Bradley Beal is exciting if you must pick a longshot, go with the MAGIC at +10000. After all, Washington is 16 games under .500.

Get some action on NBA futures bets by signing up and betting at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @senorjessroot on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook. Please gamble responsibly.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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NBA Western Conference odds, picks and best bets

Looking at the betting odds to win the NBA’s Western Conference, with NBA futures picks and best bets.

The NBA will return later this summer with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds to win the Western Conference once play resumes and make our NBA futures picks and best bets.

NBA Western Conference picks: Favorite

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, June 8 at 12:30 p.m. ET.

In this shortened run to the championship, experience matters. Two players you can count on are Los Angeles Lakers SF LeBron James and Los Angeles Clippers SF Kawhi Leonard, as both have led multiple championship runs, so the real favorites are the betting favorites — the L.A. Lakers at +125 and the L.A. Clippers at +175.

The Houston Rockets (+700) just can’t be trusted in the postseason and the Denver Nuggets (+1200) aren’t proven enough to bet on.

Between the Clippers and the Lakers, the Lakers are the best bet. They have LeBron and PF Anthony Davis. The time off will allow James, once he is back in shape, to play at his highest level for the entire postseason. The favorite is and should be the LAKERS at +125.


Looking to place an NBA futures bet? Get some action on it at BetMGM. Bet Now!


NBA Western Conference picks: Contender

After the Lakers, the obvious contenders are the Clippers, as already stated; however, if you are looking to the middle-tier teams, you have to look at the Rockets at +700. Their playoff failures are well documented but they are the most talented team of the contenders not in L.A. Between Gs James Harden and Russell Westbrook, they have the two best players on the court against any team except the Lakers or Clippers, and they are pretty much on par with the top duoes from both those teams.

If you aren’t going with the Lakers or Clippers, the ROCKETS at +700 are the best choice.

NBA Western Conference picks: Long shot

Of the teams with odds greater than +10000, you have to look at only two teams. The first are the Portland Trail Blazers at +15000 because of their backcourt combo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum.

Then you have to look at the New Orleans Pelicans because of SF Zion Williamson. His impact since returning from injury has been great. No team is a real good bet to take the conference title outside of L.A., but if you are looking for a long shot, look at those two teams for a huge payout. Take the BLAZERS at +15000 or the PELICANS at +30000.

Get some action on NBA futures bets by signing up and betting at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @senorjessroot on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook. Please gamble responsibly.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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