What a difference a week makes betting NBA futures. This season’s trade deadline produced a few deals here and there that had an immediate impact on the betting odds, especially when it comes to winning the Eastern Conference Championship.
All the online sportsbooks took their NBA futures off the board last week in anticipation of pending trades. Once last Thursday came and went, the numbers were retooled and reposted on the board. Here is a look at the updated odds to win the NBA Eastern Conference at 5Dimes online sportsbook.
2019 NBA Eastern Conference Futures - Top Favorites
Toronto Raptors +230
The Toronto Raptors were at the top of the list for most of the season and, with a few key moves to add some depth for a deep playoff run, their odds to win the East are set at +230. They remain in a tooth and nail battle with the Milwaukee Bucks for the top spot in the standings in a race that probably will not be decided until the final few games of the regular season.
Led by the addition of Kawhi Leonard this offseason, the Raptors believe they are poised to finally end a string of early exits in the playoffs. They should be able to lock up one of the top two seeds in the conference to ensure home court advantage up until the best-of-seven conference finals.
Milwaukee +240
The Bucks are the other team in this category at +240 betting odds to win the East. They have been the best team in this conference heading into the annual All-Star break behind MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo. Picking clean the remaining pieces of Cleveland’s recent dynasty in the East, Milwaukee added George Hill and Matthew Dellavedova ahead of last week’s deadline.
Right now, the Bucks have the slight edge against Toronto with the better value in their odds. I also see Milwaukee as the better all-around team.
Betting the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Futures - Top Contenders
Boston Celtics +350
Before the NBA regular season began, the Boston Celtics’ odds to win the East this season in the absence of LeBron James were set at -110. Both Kyrie Irving and Eric Gordon were not in the postseason lineup last season that lost to Cleveland in the conference finals. A slower than expected start and continuing issues with consistency have the Celtics now listed as +350 third-favorites to win the East.
Boston remained quiet last week and obviously decided that its current lineup was strong enough to beat out any of the other teams in the East for a trip to the NBA Finals. Health issues are still a concern, especially when it comes to Kyrie Irving as its top scorer. The Celtics will be right in the mix in the playoffs, but they would not be my top choice to win the conference.
Philadelphiaq 76ers
Philadelphia made the biggest splash in the East last week with the addition of Tobias Harris from the Los Angeles Clippers. Many NBA experts believe he could be the missing piece that carries this team all the way to the NBA Finals. The value in the +375 odds is there as the fourth-favorite on the list.
The 76ers’ chances to battle their way past the top three teams ahead of them on this list all hinges on how well their starting five play with that much talent on the court. As the old adage states; there are five players but just one ball. If the first two games together that resulted in wins against Denver and the Los Angeles Lakers at home are any indication, all the value in these conference futures shifts in Philadelphia’s direction.
The numbers on the board at 5Dimes take a nose dive after the top four teams with Indiana fifth at +7350.
NBA Eastern Conference Championship Odds
(Posted at MyBookie Sportsbook UPDATED 03/04/2019)
- BOSTON CELTICS +330
- TORONTO RAPTORS +200
- PHILADELPHIA 76ERS +320
- MILWAUKEE BUCKS +220
- INDIANA PACERS +5000
- WASHINGTON WIZARDS +6000
- MIAMI HEAT +6000
- DETROIT PISTONS +5000
- NEW YORK KNICKS +200000
- CLEVELAND CAVALIERS +200000
- ORLANDO MAGIC +7000
- CHARLOTTE HORNETS +6000
- BROOKLYN NETS +6000
- CHICAGO BULLS +200000
- ATLANTA HAWKS +60000