The NBA Playoffs move on to the second round and what better time to look at some NBA playoff futures. With some of the heavy hitters out of the way – like the Boston Celtics – the odds are wide open in a lot of different pictures. We dug through all the noise to find you the best three spots to play before we get too deep in the second round.
Come check out what we’ve got cooked up or NBA futures this round.
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NBA Playoff Futures – Second Round
Total Number of Games Played – Over 21.5 (-110)
It would see like the series we got for the second round is even tighter than last year. We have a pair of series that are set around two-to-one. Also, even the teams that are in widely lined series have some serious dogs on the other side. Minnesota might be a huge dog in that series, but it seems farfetched to count them out in an easy sweep.
If that’s not enough for you, consider the run this over is on. They have had more than this many games in every single playoffs going back to 2019. That includes the Mickey Mouse tournament of 2020. The last time they missed this number was back in 2018 when none of the series went to Game 6. This hardly seems like the case here and the over should cash easy.
Eastern Conference Winner – Cleveland Cavaliers (+270)
I know people are hating on them for a number of reasons. Going to a Game 7 with the Raptors doesn’t exactly instill confidence in them. However, I really like the way that they looked when the season was on the line. As they entered the second half of the must win Game 7, they seemed to find a new gear. Led by a breakout performance from Jarrett Allen, they quickly got up 10 and didn’t look back.
Another reason I like their chances here is how good they looked against the Pistons. While they split the season series 2-2, the point differential was well in the Cavaliers’ favor. They outscored the Pistons by 18 in the four games that they played – and even more if you just count regulation. Plus, there is the addition of James Harden – with which they won their only matchup against.
Finals MVP – Victor Wembanyama (+380)
If you think this playoffs is wide open, then you have to like Wembanyama’s chances to get the MVP trophy. The favorite is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and he’s sitting at -115. There is really no reason at this point to play a guy at favorite odds. Plus, you have to love the recent results when those two teams faced off. The Spurs took four of five from the Thunder and have a clear x-factor in the paint to deal with Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and the rest of Oklahoma City’s size.
Additionally, with the Celtics out of the East, they seem to be without too much of a heavy hitter. The aforementioned Cavaliers went seven games with the Raptors and the Pistons barely held off the Magic. This should be the Spurs world as long as they can get through the Thunder. If they manage to do that, there is only one person who could take this award.
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