The 2018 NBA playoffs are upon us which means it’s time to pick an NBA champion. For some, it’s also time to try to make some money. Now that the match-ups are set, let’s take a look at some of the best value to win the NBA Title.
Value Betting in the 2018 NBA Playoffs
This year, the NBA has two teams head and shoulders above from the rest of the pack. It’s no surprise that the Golden State Warriors have the best odds to win, while on the other end, the Miami Heat have the worst odds to win.
Note: If a team is 1/1, this means for every $1 wagered, you would net $1. If a team is 2/1, this means for every $1 wagered you would net $2.
The Favorites
The aforementioned Warriors come into the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference but have the best odds of repeating as NBA champs at 1.35/1. With Stephen Curry‘s return a question mark for Golden State, this could be the first time we see them face adversity on the West side of the playoff draw. Can the Warriors make it to their fourth straight NBA Finals? Or will the wear and tear of the post-season finally catch up to them?
Next up is the Houston Rockets at 1.60/1. The Rockets have been the talk of the NBA for pretty much the entire season, and once they grabbed the top spot in the Western Conference, there was no looking back. Thanks to its 65-17 record, Houston will enjoy homecourt advantage throughout the entire playoffs (something that might backfire on them if they meet Cleveland in the Finals). A major part of the success that Houston enjoyed this season was the 42-3 record it had when James Harden, Chris Paul, and Clint Capela all played together this season. If the Rockets can stay healthy, they might go all the way.
Viva la value
Coming in at 6.50/1 are the Cleveland Cavaliers. Death, taxes, and LeBron James representing the East have been the three sure things in life over the last eight years. So, with the Cavs having James once again, it’s almost impossible to rule them out. With no Kyrie Irving, look for Kevin Love to take on a bigger role in the playoffs as he and James try to guide an inexperienced group of players to the Finals. James and the Cavs have struggled this year but James has shown in the past his ability to step up his game come playoffs and play at a level where no one can slow him down.
The top-seeded Toronto Raptors come after Cleveland at 8.50/1, the Raptors have once again set a franchise record for wins in a season and did so while boasting a 34-8 record at home. Thanks to the success of the Raptors’ bench and locking up the No. 1 seed with some time to spare, Toronto’s stars have come into these playoffs more rested then they have ever been. Is this the year the Raptors get over the hump and claim the East, earning a chance to play for the NBA title? Or will the bright lights of April and May basketball be too bright for this cast again?
Rounding out the group of three is the Philadelphia 76ers at 15/1. The young group in Philly comes into these playoffs as the No. 3 seed, showing that one can truly “Trust the Process.” Philadelphia came into the playoffs on a 16-game winning streak. However, with only four of those wins coming against playoff teams, one can question the legitimacy of that run. The statues of Joel Embiid will hang over this 76ers team throughout the entire playoffs. If they can get him back at full health, they could challenge any team in the East and give the representative of the West a hard time in the NBA Finals.
The Longshots
The Oklahoma City Thunder come in at 25/1. This could be a very tough team to beat in these playoffs if Russell Westbrook and Paul George can get going at the same time. We have seen Westbrook find success in the playoffs before with a superstar alongside him, so it wouldn’t be too far-fetched to see OKC have some success this spring. This is Carmelo Anthony‘s first trip to the playoffs in five years, so let’s see if that will elevate his game.
There is definitely some value with the Portland Trail Blazers at 33/1, Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum can match any other backcourt in the league. Lillard has already had a few big playoff moments in his career, and if he can recreate some of his magic, it’s possible that Portland finds itself in a spot playing for the NBA title.
Because why not…
It took the Minnesota Timberwolves until overtime of Game 82 to make the playoffs, which explains why they come in with odds at 90/1. However, a team with Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, and Jimmy Butler isn’t one to take lightly. Sure, they’re playing Houston in the first round, but crazier things have happened…right?
Finally, the Milwaukee Bucks sit at 100/1. In Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks will have the best player in many of their potential match-ups. In a few years, Antetokounmpo will own this Eastern Conference. Why not start in 2018 by shocking the league?
All odds courtesy of Bodog.
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Embed from Getty Images
