The second half of the NBA season tips-off on Wednesday, which means it is time to buckle up for a wild ride. In a year where literally anything can happen due to its unique circumstances, things should get interesting down the stretch when it comes to both the NBA title and MVP races. For that reason, let’s take a look at the current betting odds.
To break down the markets further, I spoke with DraftKings Sportsbook Director Johnny Avello for his insights.
Title Odds
The Los Angeles Lakers are the current favorites to win the NBA Championship, sitting at +200. The Brooklyn Nets come in next at +300, followed by the Los Angeles Clippers who are +550. Milwaukee (+700) and Utah (+800) round out the top five.
Avello likes where they are at right now with their numbers, but things can always change. I asked him if Brooklyn’s odds shifted after adding Blake Griffin.
“The Nets dropped a little, but we’ve been taking action on Brooklyn since even before they got Harden,” he said. “We had them sitting at 4.5-1, now they are at 3-1.”
Philadelphia piqued my interest since they are ahead of both the Nets and Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference standings, but have longer odds to win it all than both.
“They are one game ahead and playing well, but the Nets are playing better over their last ten games” Avello said. “The Nets are the more quality team when you look at them overall, so we are comfortable with our number right now.”
As for teams that present some value before the second half starts?
“I’d look at the Toronto Raptors, who didn’t have that good of a first half,” the oddsmaker said. “I would actually look at them on an individual game basis because they are better than their record indicates.”
Avello also signaled out the Boston Celtics and Portland Trailblazers as teams that present value and to keep an eye on in the second half.
Are there any teams that are currently liabilities for DraftKings?
“The Nets and the Sixers,” Avello said. “We’d net a loss if one of those two teams won.”
MVP Race
This year’s MVP battle has been a pleasure to watch, as there are so many guys playing incredible basketball. Joel Embiid is the current leader at +200, followed by LeBron James (+250), and Nikola Jokic (+450).
One longshot to keep an eye on for the award is James Harden. The Nets currently sit second in the Eastern Conference and the Beard is averaging 25.5 points, 11.4 assists, and 8.7 rebounds per game since joining Brooklyn.
I asked Avello if he saw some value in Harden to win the award at +2500.
“I do see some value there,” the oddsmaker said. “The problem is, he has to overcome so many guys playing great.
"If it’s not Embiid, it’s LeBron and Jokic, or even a guy like Damian Lillard. But, it could be in the cards, because that team is playing strong and he is the main reason behind it right now.”
So, there you have it folks. Would love to hear on Twitter if you are eyeing any futures bets for the second half of the season.
Vikas Chokshi covers the gambling industry for BetQL and his written work can be found on the sports betting vertical of Radio.com. He has an extensive network of oddsmakers and appears frequently on podcasts, radio and television shows. His previous work can be found at The Action Network, VSiN, Gaming Today, Front Office Sports and The Big Lead.
You can find him at @docksquad33 on Twitter.