We do know that the 2019-20 NBA season is going to continue at the end of July but there are all sorts of dynamics still in play. As the players and league work out the finer points, sportsbooks have posted a number of NBA futures on the board.
Let’s take a closer look to see all of the options that are available as the league makes its way to Orlando to continue the season.
NBA Futures
Some sportsbooks never really pulled these odds but now they are all universally back up on the board. When you take a look at the different sportsbooks nowadays, we actually have some differences in opinion as to who is favored.
For example:
- FanDuel has the Milwaukee Bucks as the favorite at +240 while the Los Angeles Lakers are at +260. Meanwhile, DraftKings has the Lakers and Bucks even at +250.
- BetMGM has the Lakers at +250 with the Bucks at +280.
- The Clippers are next in line at all three sportsbooks – and pretty much everywhere else – but they are priced differently too.
- BetMGM has them at +325, DraftKings has them at +333 and FanDuel Sportsbook has them at +340.
What’s interesting to note is that in terms of the odds to win it all, those are the only three teams that are inside of 10/1 anywhere.
The Houston Rockets are actually the only other team that’s inside of 20/1 at most books as they are at +1300.
In terms of the odds to win each conference, of course, the Bucks are a heavy favorite to win the East followed by the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics.
In the West, the Lakers lead the way with the Clippers right behind. After that, the Rockets and Denver Nuggets are next in line.
NBA Odds To Reach Playoffs
DraftKings Sportsbook has odds to reach the playoffs, which is an intriguing prop to bet because we still have some playoff races going. Remember, the 22 teams that are returning to action will play eight games before the playoffs start. Technically speaking, the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds are still on the line in both conferences.
In the East, The Brooklyn Nets are in the No. 7 seed at 30-34 but they’re going to finish off the season without Kyrie Irving (shoulder) or Kevin Durant (Achilles). They’re one better in the loss column than the Orlando Magic, who are at 30-35 and are the No. 8 seed.
The Magic had been playing well before the hiatus, going 8-5 in their final 13 games. The only other team that’s alive is the Wizards, who are 24-40. They’re a longshot as they’ll have to make up 5.5 games. The Nets and Magic are a -10000 to make the playoffs while the Wizards are a +900 underdog.
In the West, the race is somewhat more open. The Dallas Mavericks are at 40-27 and are all but a lock to make the playoffs. They’re not even on the board in terms of the odds. The Memphis Grizzlies are the No. 8 seed at 32-33 and they’re the real spot that’s on the line.
We have the Portland Trail Blazers on 29 wins, the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings on 28 wins, the San Antonio Spurs with 27, and the Phoenix Suns with 26. The Grizzlies have a 2.5-game lead on the Trail Blazers, Pelicans and Kings, which is a sizable game to make up with just eight games to play. However, it is possible.
Memphis is at -150 to make the playoffs and at +112 to miss. New Orleans is at +400 to make it, Portland is at +450 and Sacramento is at +1100.
NBA Special Bets
BetMGM has some interesting specials on the board if you want to bet on the playoffs from a different perspective. Instead of picking a specific team to win it all, you can bet on which conference wins the championship.
You can also do the same for the division of the winning team. The West is favored at -159 but the Pacific Division has the shortest odds among the divisions at +105.
Taking it a step further, you can also bet on exact division outcomes. In other words, you can bet on which divisions are likely to produce the two finals teams and you can predict which division will produce the overall winner. The Pacific to beat the Central has the shortest odds on the board at +220.
NBA Player Futures
Since we’ve got eight more games to be played in the regular season, that means that the 2019-20 individual player awards aren’t settled yet. FanDuel has odds up on a bunch of them.
NBA Rookie of the Year – This is a two-man race between Ja Morant (-3000) and Zion Williamson (+900). Williamson has only played 19 games this season, so he’s unlikely to have the body of work to pull this off.
Regular Season NBA MVP – This was a rabid discussion throughout the year but Giannis Antetokounmpo (-2000) is a huge favorite at this point. LeBron James (+1100) is the only other player who might have a shot here, according to the odds.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year – Giannis (-140) is again favored here but Anthony Davis (+105) is not far behind. Rudy Gobert (+1400), who set off the whole hiatus after testing positive for COVID-19, is at +1400.
NBA Sixth Man – The sixth-man award is a three-way race as Oklahoma City’s Dennis Schroder (-175) is favored but two Los Angeles Clippers are not far behind. Montrezl Harrell (+190) and Lou Williams (+290) will have a shot at it.
NBA Most Improved Player – Bam Adebayo (-140) is favored for the MIP award but Brandon Ingram (+260) and Luka Doncic (+550) are also in the running.
NBA Draft Props
One thing that’s flown under the radar is that the NBA Draft Lottery will be held on August 25th and the draft itself has been moved to October 15th. DraftKings Sportsbook has odds upon who’ll be the first pick in the 2020 NBA Draft but keep in mind it might depend on which team is at the top of the board.
For now, Anthony Edwards is a -110 favorite while James Wiseman is at +175 and LaMelo Ball is at +250. However, if the Golden State Warriors end up with the top pick, would they really go with Wiseman, who is a shooting guard?
They already have Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins. A center like Wiseman could make more sense. If the Cleveland Cavaliers or Minnesota Timberwolves end up with the top pick, they seem more likely to take someone like Edwards.
