NBA Eastern Conference Futures Preview

The NBA season is less than a month away!

I am not trying to kill your football buzz here, but part of being a successful sports bettor is preparing yourself and building a knowledge base before the season starts. Even if you are not ready to think NBA yet, this should at least give you something to think about.

The league is practically unrecognizable after major offseason revamps. The balance of power has shifted even further in the Western direction, leaving the East wide open.

When betting futures, I normally stay away from favorites as nothing is certain when we are attempting to predict champions before a single game has been played. Value is king in the world of futures, and that is precisely what I will attempt to find here.

Choosing Between Three Teams in the East

With the Cavs now Lebron-less, the odds are overwhelming that we will see a new team representing the East in the Finals this year. The Celtics are the favorites with odds at -115. For me, that is quite a bit of money to lay on futures bet.

This leaves me with three teams I would put my money on – the Raptors, 76ers, and Bucks. Let’s quickly break down why each makes sense.

Toronto Raptors

In one of the most bizarre decisions of the summer, the Raptors parted ways with NBA Coach of the Year Dwane Casey. Toronto was not done. They then dealt their superstar DeMar DeRozan to the fledgling Spurs for their own franchise player Kawhi Leonard.

Former assistant Nick Nurse now steps into the head coaching position, hoping to lead the Raptors deeper into the playoffs than his predecessor could take them.

Point guard Kyle Lowry plays some of the best perimeter defense in the NBA, and Serge Ibaka is one of the world’s scariest rim protectors. With the addition of Leonard (assuming he actually gets himself around to playing this year), the Raptors boast the best-D in the East.

If Kawhi Leonard plays and returns to peak form, the Raptors will have the most talent in the East. This is a major, major “if”. Are +375 odds good enough to warrant this risk?

Philadelphia 76ers

Earning the third seed in last season’s playoffs before being bounced by the Celtics, the 76ers pushed as hard as they could to get LeBron but could not woo him. That does not change the fact that the Sixers are stacked and capable of beating anyone in a 7-game series.

With emerging MVP-candidate Ben Simmons lining up alongside Markelle Fultz and Joel Embiid, Philadelphia boasts the most explosive roster in the conference. What they lack in maturity, experience, and consistency, they more than make up for in raw talent, athleticism, and upside.

The 76ers, and especially Joel Embiid, love being the bad guys. I am sure that Embiid would absolutely relish a playoff series rematch against Boston to prove last season’s loss was a fluke. I see this team playing neck-and-neck with the Celtics all year long. At +375, Philly is a much smarter bet.

Milwaukee Bucks

At +1800, the Bucks are not receiving many votes of confidence from oddsmakers. Sure, Milwaukee does not have the depth of a Boston or Philadelphia team, but their unique roster leads to some game-changing mismatches.

Standing 6’11 with a 7’3 wingspan, point-forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is on the verge of entering the NBA’s elite. One man simply cannot guard the Greek Freak. Teams have to redesign their entire defensive gameplans when facing him.

As if one tall, lanky guy is not hard enough to guard, opposing teams also need to figure out how to contain the 7’1 Thon Maker and the 6’10 (with a 7’3 wingspan) D.J. Wilson.

Last year the Bucks’ most glaring weakness was exposed – they could not shoot 3s. Milwaukee spent their first-round pick on Villanova shooter Donte DiVincenzo, giving them someone who can make defenses pay for double-teaming Giannis.

Because the odds are so favorable and the Bucks create matchup nightmares for anyone they play, this bet makes the most sense to me in the East this year.