NBA Season’s Final Week

The end of the NBA regular season is this Sunday, plenty of potential movement before the play-ins (7th-through-10th seeds) and playoffs begin Tuesday, Apr. 16 and Saturday, Apr. 20th, respectively. It’s a two-month test of endurance to see who hoists the Larry O’Brien trophy.   

There will be all sorts of betting opportunities during the “second season,” and even as the 82-game regular slate closes shop. Odds are out there, so never too early to make predictions. 

Here’s a look at some of the basketball wagers worthy of your attention… 

Winning the Division

As of this Wednesday writing, there are odds around three of the league’s half-dozen divisions. 

In the Northwest, it’s the defending-league-champion Denver Nuggets as prohibitive (-230) choices to take care of business, according to NBA division odds.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, currently sitting with the same (55-24 through Tuesday) record as the Nuggets, are +260. The Oklahoma City Thunder, who are a game behind, are at 7-1 (+700).

It’s been the Floridians contesting the Southeast Division, with the vastly-improved Orlando Magic (46-33 through Tuesday) listed at -260. Orlando’s two games ahead of last season’s East-champ Miami Heat, who are 2-1 (+200) to find a way to win the division.

There’s still three teams in the Central race, with the Milwaukee Bucks (48-31 through Tuesday) with a two-game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers, 2½ games better than the Indiana Pacers. Prices are Milwaukee at even-money, Cleveland at -105, Indiana at 11-1 (+1100).

Milwaukee’s worries, in addition to trying to fend off two teams, is the health of star Giannis Antetokounmpo. He injured his calf in a win over the Boston Celtics Tuesday evening. 

Winning the East

With the league-best (62-17 through Tuesday) Boston Celtics having made a mockery of the Atlantic Division, they’ve set their sights on a deep run in the postseason, 

Boston, after securing home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, are minus-money (-175) to claim the East, as per NBA conference odds. The Milwaukee Bucks are the second choice at 11-2 (+550), while the Philadelphia 76ers at 15-2 (+750). 

As was mentioned above, Milwaukee may have a big concern with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s injured calf. Meanwhile, the Sixers have (through Tuesday) wo\n their last six, having done good work since the return (knee) of Joel Embiid.

Winning the West

There’s not nearly the puny favorite to win the Western Conference as compared to the Boston Celtics in the East. As of this Wednesday writing, it’s the defending-champ Denver Nuggets favored at 3-2 (+150) to come away with a Western Conference title. 

The Los Angeles Clippers, poised to win the Pacific Division, are second choice at 7-2 (+3500) LA has its own issues (health) ahead of the postseason, and the core of Paul George, James Harden and Kawhi Leonard probably has a limited window. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder might intrigue at 13-2 (+650), while the Minnesota Timberwolves and Phoenix Suns are both priced at 17-2 (+850).

Using the asterisk of “if the season ended today,” here are the postseason pairings…