NBA Futures to Bet Now

NBA Futures to Bet Now

With half of the NBA season now behind us, this is a great time to dive into the futures department. Teams are battling for playoff positioning, and the league MVP is going to start to separate himself. Here are some NBA futures to bet now or to consider at this point in the season.

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NBA Futures to Bet Now

Philadelphia 76ers

To win the Eastern Conference +475
To win the NBA Finals +1100

Philadelphia may not be able to celebrate an Eagles championship, but they may be able to celebrate a Sixers championship. Which should serve as a breath of fresh air after another disappointing playoff and everything to follow.

The Sixers had the Celtics down 3-2 in the playoffs en route to a potential series closeout game at home. They proceeded to drop the series in what would be Doc Rivers last game as head coach for the Sixers. Unknown at the time—it would be James Harden’s last game as well.

The Sixers front office would go on to hire former Raptors head coach and NBA champion Nick Nurse. He would inherit, at least what he thought to be, two MVPs to lead this roster. However, after failed contract negotiations, James Harden requested a trade out of Philadelphia.

Now, Harden is a Clipper, and the Sixers are currently third in the East, primed to make another playoff run. Nurse has not skipped a beat, as he has this team ranked sixth in offensive and defensive efficiency.

Joel Embiid is giving an encore performance to his MVP season last year. And Tyrese Maxey, many believe, should be celebrating his first All-Star season after Harden’s departure.

The critique of Rivers was that his teams would underperform in the playoffs. Nurse brings in new life, and he may be the piece that can push this Sixers team over the top. Embiid’s biggest critique is his playoff success. Nurse utilization of  Embiid this season will elevate him to a level we have yet to see in the playoffs.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

To win NBA MVP +330

This is the first season that the NBA has implemented a 65-game minimum for all-season awards. This decision came in an attempt to limit load management across the league. And Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could be one of the biggest benefactors of said rule.

Despite a 33-10-4 MVP season last year, Embiid has surpassed that mark early into the season, averaging 36-11-6. However, the same plague continues to haunt his career—his health.

Embiid has missed 12 games this season thus far. This means he can only miss five of their last 35 games to be eligible for the award. If he is able to meet the quota, then he is, in my opinion, a STONE-COLD LOCK to win his second straight MVP.

But IF he cannot—SGA.

Jokic is a suitable replacement, but I love the value of SGA here. SGA is averaging 31-6-6 on 54% from the field and is leading the league with 2.2 steals per game. With Denver and Oklahoma City battling for the one-seed in the West, that could very well be the deciding factor.

The difference between the two teams is the home/road splits. The Nuggets (19-4) and Thunder (17-6) excel at home as they should. But the glaring difference is the Thunder road success (15-9)—the best in the NBA.

The Nuggets have been a roller coaster on the road this season. This is concerning because it could impact potential seeding when it is all said and done. They have a pivotal game on the road @OKC coming up where I believe it will be the last chance to get SGA at this price.

If SGA can lead this OKC team to a win and a 3-1 record vs Denver, then he should bridge the gap between him and Jokic. And do not let SGA muscle this team into the one-seed with these numbers, and Embiid is ineligible for the award—because then SGA has a serious claim to the throne.

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