Tag: NBA Picks

Houston Rockets NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds and chances of the Houston Rockets winning the Western Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Houston Rockets were tied for fifth in the Western Conference with a record of 40-24 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Rockets winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Houston Rockets season recap

Before the NBA season was suspended in March, the Rockets were actually in a bit of a slump, losing four of their last five games. They did “end” the season by beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-111 at home March 10.

The Rockets were one of the league’s most fascinating teams after the trade deadline as they completely embraced playing a small lineup. The Rockets moved P.J. Tucker, who had mostly played the power forward spot, into a starting “center” role over the last few weeks of the season. Plus, the Rockets began taking even more 3-point shots than ever before. Houston was No. 1 in the NBA in made 3-pointers per game (15.4) and 3-point attempts per game (44.3) before the league stopped play. They also were No. 2 in scoring (118.1 PG) as well a second in free throws made (20.5 PG) and free-throw attempts (26.0 PG).

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Houston Rockets NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday, June 14, at 2 p.m. ET.

The Rockets’ championship odds sit at +1200, the fourth-best in the NBA. But how realistic is it that they can climb through the difficult Western Conference and beat a team like the Milwaukee Bucks or Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals?

For that to happen, the Rockets would need to put on a shooting clinic for two straight months. While that can certainly happen, they just don’t have a big margin of error, given their lack of size upfront. SG James Harden is certainly spectacular, but will he be able to rely on the likes of PG Russell Westbrook and SF/SG Eric Gordon in big moments?

The Rockets are a talented team, but they just might not have enough size to match up with the elite teams in either conference. They still ARE NOT A BAD BET AT +1200, but consider them a much better bet to win the Western Conference, rather than take home the 2019-2020 NBA Championship, even at lesser odds.

Houston Rockets Western Conference odds

Despite having just the fifth-best record in the West, the Rockets (+700) have the third-best odds to win the conference behind the Los Angeles Lakers (+125) and Los Angeles Clippers (+175). Houston had a 3-3 record against the Los Angeles’ teams this season and given the Rockets’ shooting, they could certainly get hot enough to beat either squad in a seven-game series.

While it’s not fair to “expect” them to beat either the Lakers or Clippers this postseason, they AREN’T A BAD BET AT +700. They have the talent to match up with any team in the NBA and their 3-point shooting can be the great equalizer in any series. Don’t be afraid of betting on Houston to finally break through and make the NBA Finals this postseason.

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Utah Jazz NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds and chances of Utah Jazz winning the Western Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Utah Jazz were fourth in the Western Conference with a record of 41-23 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Jazz winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Utah Jazz season recap

The Jazz have been one of the more consistent teams in the league. Of their 41 wins, 21 were at home and 20 on the road. They were 5-5 in the Northwest Division and 5-5 in their previous 10 games before the season stopped. In terms of betting results, Utah was only 30-32-2 against the spread with a 33-31 Over/Under record.

SG Donovan Mitchell and SF Bojan Bogdanovic lead the way in scoring, averaging 24.2 points per game and 20.2 PPG, respectively. C Rudy Gobert and PG Jordan Clarkson both averaged 15.1 PPG, while Gobert led the Jazz in rebounds with 13.7 RPG.

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Utah Jazz NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday, June 14 at 4:20 p.m. ET.

Utah is not a huge long shot to win the title but definitely not a favorite. The Los Angeles Lakers (+250) are the favorites to win it. With championship odds at +2500, the Jazz are 10 times that. They are a consistently good team, but don’t really have a shot unless the Lakers, the East-leading Milwaukee Bucks (+280) and Los Angeles Clippers (+325) lose several top players.

Should you bet on the Jazz to win the title? NO.

Plus, Bogdanovic’s status is in doubt as he had surgery in May to repair a ruptured ligament in his right wrist.

Utah Jazz Western Conference odds

The same is the case for the Jazz to come out of the Western Conference to play in the NBA Finals. They are +1400, behind four other teams. The Jazz are decent, but they’re not on the same level as the top two teams in the West, being the Lakers and Clippers. A bet on the Jazz to win the West is the same as betting for a championship. I wouldn’t do it. AVOID.

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Denver Nuggets NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds and chances of the Denver Nuggets winning the Western Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Denver Nuggets were third in the Western Conference with a record of 43-22 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Nuggets winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Denver Nuggets season recap

Denver was a game-and-a-half behind the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference standings when regular-season play was halted on March. 10. An improved defensive team in 2019-20, the Nuggets had been scuffling a bit at that end of the court over the weeks leading up to the stoppage in play. Over their last 10 games, Denver went 5-5 straight up and 3-7 against the spread. Five of those seven ATS setbacks were by margins of nine or more points.

C Nikola Jokic was averaging a career-high 20.2 points per game and is part of a young group that got off to a quick start this season (10-2 over their first 12 games). Against the number, Denver was 13-16-3 on the road and 15-15-3 team at home. The Under is 35-30 (53.8%) in the team’s 65 games.

The Nuggets have been a 50-50 proposition against other top teams in the West. They are 8-8 over 16 games against teams better than .500 in their conference. They have shown a solid bounce-back ability, however, going 16-5 SU and 11-6-4 ATS after a loss.

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Denver Nuggets NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday, June 14 at 9:20 a.m. ET.

Denver is +2200 to win it all as the No. 6 favorite. That draws a NO on a play, but it also draws a watch-and-wait note. Something in the neighborhood of +2500 would have some value. The Nuggets have success in creating a slower tempo at the defensive end, and that plays well against a few of the top teams in the East.

Denver Nuggets Western Conference odds

The Nuggets are listed at +1200 to win the West. Any drift north on that price makes the conference title bid a worthy play.

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Portland Trail Blazers NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds and chances of the Portland Trail Blazers winning the Western Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Portland Trail Blazers were ninth in the Western Conference with a record of 29-37 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Trail Blazers winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Portland Trail Blazers season recap

The Blazers opened the 2019-20 season going 14-20 through December following last season’s trip to the Western Conference Finals where they were swept by the Golden State Warriors 4-0. Portland averaged a sound 113.6 points per game this season, but allowed 115.3 points per contest to rank 13th in the conference. The Blazers were 15-17 from Jan. 1 to the time the season was suspended and just 4-6 in their final 10 games.

The Trail Blazers were led, as always, by PG Damian Lillard and SG CJ McCollum. Lillard was averaging 28.9 PPG with 7.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game. McCollum averaged 22.5 PPG, 4.3 APG and 4.1 RPG. C Hassan Whiteside added 16.3 PPG and 14.2 RPG and surprise SF Carmelo Anthony was averaging 15.3 PPG.

Injuries to SF Rodney Hood (Achilles), and C’s Zach Collins (shoulder) and Jusuf Nurkic (leg) had taken a large toll.

Portland was even more disappointing to bettors. The Blazers were just 27-37-2 against the spread on the season, 37-29 against the Over/Under and topped the projected totals by an average of 2.2 PPG.

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Portland Trail Blazers NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, June 11 at 5 p.m. ET.

With the Blazers being outside of the standard playoff picture, they’ll need to play their way in under the new 22-team format in Orlando. This is reflected in their championship futures odds, as they’re just +25000, 16th of all 22 teams.

The Trail Blazers do have two of the best players for this modified end to the regular season, though. Trust in Lillard and McCollum to get Portland to the postseason. There, things should be considered to be wide open.

A young team gained some much-needed postseason experience with last season’s run and veteran depth was added in the offseason and ahead of the 2019-20 NBA Trade Deadline. The TRAIL BLAZERS (+25000) are worth at least a small wager to win the 2019-20 NBA Championship.

New to sports betting? A winning $10 bet on the Blazers to win the championship returns a profit of $2,500.

Portland Trail Blazers Western Conference odds

With the biggest championship favorites residing in the Western Conference, the Trail Blazers still have lofty odds to represent the West in the NBA Finals. Their +15000 odds rank ninth in the conference to match their position in the standings.

Bet the TRAIL BLAZERS (+15000) to win the Western Conference title. Lillard and McCollum are plenty good enough to go up against the top duos of the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets. Plus, Whiteside, Anthony and SF Trevor Ariza add quality depth.

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Los Angeles Clippers NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds of the Los Angeles Clippers winning the Western Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and bets.

The Los Angeles Clippers were second in the Western Conference with a record of 44-20 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Clippers winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Los Angeles Clippers season recap

Before the NBA season was suspended in March, the Clippers climbed to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. They were on a bit of a hot steak before the play stoppage, winning seven of their previous eight games with their only loss coming against the first-place Los Angeles Lakers.

The Clippers proved to be one of the most well-rounded teams in the NBA. They ranked fourth with 116.2 points per game, third with 48.0 rebounds per game and first with 26.2 free-throw attempts per contest. And while their defense tended to come and go, they proved to be difficult to score on when their roster was fully intact.

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Los Angeles Clippers NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday, June 13, at 1:30 a.m. ET.

At one point in the season, the Clippers were actually the favorites to win the NBA Championship. However, those odds have dropped just a little as they are now +325 to win it all. But that just makes the Clippers all the more intriguing of a bet.

The Clippers will have to navigate a difficult Western Conference before reaching the NBA Finals, but it’s worth noting that they beat the Lakers in two of their three matchups this season. The Clippers clearly have the talent and the depth to match up with anybody in the NBA and are one of the few teams where losing “home-court” advantage won’t be a significant issue. Don’t be afraid of betting on the CLIPPERS (+325) to upset the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals and then the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals.

Los Angeles Clippers Western Conference odds

The Clippers (+175) have the second-best odds to come out of the West, just behind the Lakers (+125). However, the Clippers are actually a better bet than the Lakers due to the value and their overall experience. SF Kawhi Leonard showed in the 2018-2019 playoffs how he can be the best player in any given playoff series and SG Paul George is one of the best two-way players in the NBA.

The Clippers are a great bet to come out of the stacked Western Conference due to their size, length and defensive ability. They can match up with any team and can play just about any style of basketball depending on the opponent. While the odds aren’t spectacular, back the CLIPPERS (+175) to come out of the West.

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Los Angeles Lakers NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds of the Los Angeles Lakers winning the Western Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Los Angeles Lakers were first in the Western Conference with a record of 49-14 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Lakers winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla. later this summer.

Los Angeles Lakers season recap

With the addition of PF Anthony Davis, the Lakers had become the best team in the Western Conference before play was suspended. The Lakers held a 5.5 game lead over the No. 2 ranked Los Angeles Clippers and it seemed inevitable they would wind up with the top seed in the conference.

The Lakers were on a bit of a run before the season stoped, winning 12 of their previous 14 games. That included wins over the Clippers and the Milwaukee Bucks, who held the best record in the NBA.

What makes this Lakers team so unique is their overwhelming size and efficiency. Before the season was suspended, they were No. 1 in field-goal percentage and blocks. They were also an above-average rebounding team and defended the rim well with one of Davis, JaVale McGee or Dwight Howard always on the floor.

What makes this team so dangerous is how well James was playing over the last few weeks. In his last 10 games of the 2019-2020 season, James was averaging 30.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 9.9 assists per game. LeBron was making a real run at the MVP award and Davis wasn’t far behind. You can make a strong case that before the season ended, James and Davis were two of the best five players from the 2019-2020 season.

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Los Angeles Lakers NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday, June 12, at 3:30 p.m. ET.

The Lakers (+250) are currently the favorites to win the NBA Championship in Orlando and it’s not hard to see why. With two of the best players in the NBA in James and Davis, it’s tough to see anyone beating them in a seven-game series.

It also doesn’t hurt that the Lakers have had recent success against the likes of the Clippers and Bucks, beating them both in the last week of the NBA season. That should give you confidence in them taking home the 2019-2020 title, especially at +250 odds.

Los Angeles Lakers Western Conference odds

If you aren’t quite convinced the Lakers can beat the Bucks or whoever comes out of the Eastern Conference, consider betting on them to win the Western Conference (+125). The Lakers will have to work their way through a tough conference, likely playing teams such as the Clippers, Houston Rockets and/or Denver Nuggets to reach the NBA Finals.

However, the Lakers’ success in the regular season combined with the playoff experience of players like James, Danny Green and Rajon Rondo make LA a good bet to come out of the West, even with the somewhat chalky odds.

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Washington Wizards NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds of the Washington Wizards winning the Eastern Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Washington Wizards were ninth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 24-40 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Wizards winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Washington Wizards season recap

The Wizards just made the cut for the 22-team bubble in Orlando, checking in 5 1/2 games back of the 8-seed Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards posted a 16-16 mark at home and a dismal 8-24 record on the road, worst among each of the 22 teams in the field.

The Wizards scored 115.6 points per game, while allowing 119.6 PPG, which was second-worst among all NBA teams and worst among all 22 clubs headed to the Orlando bubble. They’re -4.0 point differential is easily the worst among the 22 teams in the field, too, with just eight other teams featuring a negative differential – none worse than the Sacramento Kings’ -1.9 PPG.

The Wizards will only go as far as SG Bradley Beal can take them. He posted a team-best 30.5 PPG with 6.1 assists per game (APG), also the team high. SF Davis Bertans was second on the team with 15.4 PPG, a huge disparity between the leading scorer and second-best mark. However, Washington does have six current players scoring at least 10.5 PPG.

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Washington Wizards NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, June 10 at 6 a.m. ET.

If you’re into going to the local gas station and picking up a Powerball ticket, then a Wizards (+50000) ticket to win the NBA title might be right up your alley. You likely have a better chance of going out into your front yard and digging up priceless artifacts. The Wizards just haven’t been consistent at any point this season, and they were even worse away from home. Perhaps if PG John Wall (Achilles) was to make a miraculous and unexpected comeback, the Wizards could be a viable option, but that’s not likely. Even then, they’re the longest shot in the Eastern Conference. AVOID.

Washington Wizards Eastern Conference odds

The Wizards (+20000) are just NOT WORTH PLAYING, as there are so many better options in the Eastern Conference. The Wiz might not even win a single game in the 22-team bubble in Orlando.

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Brooklyn Nets NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds and chances of the Brooklyn Nets winning the Eastern Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Brooklyn Nets were seventh in the Eastern Conference with a record of 30-34 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Nets winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla. later this summer.

Brooklyn Nets season recap

The Nets were seventh in the East, but there was a huge drop-off from the sixth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers to Brooklyn. The Nets are 22.5 games behind the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks, while the Sixers are only 14 games back.

That was after the Nets won their last three games before play was suspended, too, and they went 5-5 in their last 10 games before the break. They were an unimpressive 12-20 on the road this season, though there will be no home or away games with every team playing in Orlando.

The Nets were led by breakout stud PG Spencer Dinwiddie, who shined with Kyrie Irving in and out of the lineup. He averaged 20.6 points and 6.8 assists per game this season. Irving was playing well when healthy, averaging 27.4 points per game, but he only played 20 of a possible 64 contests.

Against the spread, Brooklyn was only 31-33 this season before play stopped.

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Brooklyn Nets NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, June 11 at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Despite not having locked down a playoff spot yet, the Nets’ championship odds aren’t as long as you might expect. They’re +5000, which is 12th among all teams.

It seems unlikely Irving will be back for the playoffs, though he did hint at a return, which makes it hard to understand why the Nets’ odds aren’t longer.

Given the strength at the top of the Eastern Conference and Brooklyn’s lack of talent further down the roster, it’s hard to see them making much noise. I’d PASS on taking them to win the championship.

Brooklyn Nets Eastern Conference odds

Just as I would pass on taking the Nets to win the NBA Championship, I’d do the same for the Eastern Conference title. The Nets simply don’t have the firepower to compete with the likes of Milwaukee, Boston or Toronto, especially if Irving isn’t available.

The Nets have the sixth-best odds to win the East this year at +2000, but again, I’d PASS on this bet.

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Orlando Magic NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds and chances of the Orlando Magic winning the Eastern Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Orlando Magic were eighth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 30-35 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Magic winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla. later this summer.

Orlando Magic season recap

Orlando was playing solid basketball when the campaign was shuttered on March 11. From Feb. 10-March 10, the Magic went 8-4 over a dozen games. Orlando wasn’t playing a tough schedule over that stretch, but the team was shooting the ball better — especially from beyond the 3-point arc — and forcing more turnovers.

The Magic’s 106.4 points per game for the season turned into 120.8 PPG over that final stretch. The soft schedule was one-third comprised of games against the Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves, which both rank in the league’s bottom-3 in PPG allowed.

The Magic went 8-1 against the spread over their last nine games. The Over was 12-0 in the Magic’s most recent dozen contests.

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Orlando Magic NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday, June 11 at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Orlando is +25000 to win the 2019-20 NBA Championship. The Orlando-based NBA restart has the Magic pegged about right. There isn’t enough value here for a team that is 11-18-2 (37.9%) ATS at home.

The team’s most recent stretch would be more compelling from a betting standpoint if it had included more quality opponents and if it weren’t coming on the heels of going 2-10 (being outscored by a double-digit average) in the 12 games prior (Jan. 16-Feb. 8).

Orlando Magic Eastern Conference odds

The Magic are at +10000 to win the Eastern Conference. It would be reasonable to want more out of both plays; I see the overall value for hoisting the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy — unlikely as that may be — as the better of these two plays. But it’d be best to look elsewhere for third-tier darkhorse action.

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Indiana Pacers NBA Championship odds, picks and best bets

Assessing the betting odds and chances of the Indiana Pacers winning the Eastern Conference and the 2019-20 NBA Championship, with picks and best bets.

The Indiana Pacers were fifth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 39-26 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Pacers winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.

Indiana Pacers season recap

The Pacers were playing well when play was suspended, winning seven of their last 10 games and rising to fifth in the East. That was helped by the return of SG Victor Oladipo, who came back right at the end of January and was ramping up his playing time before play was halted.

SF T.J. Warren and PF Domantas Sabonis were leading the team in scoring at 18.7 and 18.5 points per game, respectively, with Sabonis averaging 12.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, too. PG Malcolm Brogdon has also had a really good season, while Oladipo averaged 13.8 points per game through just 13 games.

For bettors, the Pacers were 33-28-4 against the spread, including a 19-13-1 ATS record on the road.

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Indiana Pacers NBA Championship odds

Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, June 10 at 7:30 a.m. ET.

The Pacers are a long shot to win the NBA title this year, with their odds sitting at +12500. That’s 14th in the league and seventh in the East, which is a sign of little faith from the oddsmakers.

While the East doesn’t have the top-end teams of the West, the Celtics and Bucks appear to be on a crash course for the Eastern Conference Finals. It’ll be hard for the Pacers to beat out any team to make the NBA Finals, let alone beat a team like the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets or L.A Clippers.

Indiana has good depth down its roster, but unless Oladipo erupts in the playoffs or Warren steps up even more, the Pacers are going to be left behind. PASS on this bet for the Pacers.

Indiana Pacers Eastern Conference odds

The Pacers’ odds to win the East are obviously better than their chances to win the NBA title, but they’re still long shots to win the conference. They’re seventh in the East at +4000, ahead of only the Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards.

Unless the Pacers finish with one of the top seeds in the East and draw the Nets, Wizards or Magic, they’re going to have a tough matchup to start the playoffs. The Philadelphia 76ers aren’t an easy out, nor are any of the four teams ahead of the Pacers in the East.

I’d also PASS on this bet.

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