A good time to bet NBA Playoff Futures

With the NBA playoffs coming up soon, it is a great time to take a peek at what’s going on in the playoff race. Let us see which teams are fighting for a spot in the play-in games and who is likely to clinch a playoff berth.  

Out in the wild West, it’s a fierce battle as teams like the Lakers, Kings, Pelicans, and Suns are scrambling to steer clear of the play-in tournament in these final moments of the season. The race is tight, with just a single game standing between the 6th-seeded Phoenix Suns and the 9th-seeded L.A. Lakers.  

In contrast, the Eastern Conference presents a bit more breathing room, with two teams, the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks, already securing play-in berths. Interestingly, despite their sub-.500 records, they have managed to clinch these spots. It’s worth noting that in the highly competitive Western Conference, teams with similar records would likely find themselves out of playoff contention already. 

Longshots to make the playoffs

A dark horse contender to make the playoffs is none other than the Golden State Warriors. Despite currently holding the 10th seed in the fiercely competitive Western Conference, their odds, currently at +250, hint at their potential to secure a playoff berth. Their season might have seen its share of struggles, but it’s impossible to overlook their formidable track record and the wealth of playoff and championship experience within their roster. Underestimating the Warriors would be a mistake, given their history of defying expectations. 

Turning our attention to the Eastern Conference, keep an eye on the Atlanta Hawks. They are sitting at +490 odds to snag a playoff spot, just like the Warriors in the West. Right now, they are also holding onto the 10th seed. The Hawks have been dealing with Trae Young abscence since February because of an injury, and that’s hurt their game, pushing them into the play-in mix. But if Young gets back in time for the play-in games, things could turn around. He’s been the driving force behind the team’s playoff appearances for the last three years. 

Check out the odds below from DraftKings for teams not yet clinched to make the NBA Playoffs.

NBA Finals contenders

Taking a glance at the NBA Finals odds, the Boston Celtics are leading the pack at +185, with the reigning championgets currently hold the second seed in the West, tied in wins with the Minnesota Timberwolves at 53, leaving room for some last-minute twists in the regular season’s final games.  

The Nuggets are shaping up to be the team to beat in the playoffs, largely thanks to their star player Nikola Jokic, who is currently a frontrunner for the MVP title this season. With two MVP wins in the last three seasons, Jokic’s dominance on the court is undeniable, and many argue he could have easily claimed the award for a third consecutive year. Now, he’s on track to potentially secure his third MVP in four seasons, solidifying his status as one of the league’s greatest players. If everyone can stay healthy I think they can make a deep playoff run and potentially win it all.