Major Upset Shakes Up NBA Betting Futures
The Milwaukee Bucks were heavy favorites to win the Eastern Conference title. This was the case before the first game of the 2019/2020 NBA season was ever played. It was the case at Christmas when the Bucks lost to the Philadelphia 76ers as three-point road favorites.
It was the case in early March when the season was put on hold because of the coronavirus. Milwaukee was still favored to win at the restart on July 31. Bettors did not lose faith when the Bucks stumbled to a straight-up 3-5 record in eight final regular-season games.
What Are The Major Upsets That Are Shaking Up NBA Betting Futures?
After losing Game 1 of its opening-round playoff matchup against Orlando, Milwaukee went on to win four straight games. This maintained its status as the team to beat in the East. As a heavy series favorite against Miami in the second round, the cracks in the foundation started to expand.
Three straight losses to the Heat dug too deep of a hole. The Bucks won Game 3 only to lose the series 4-1. Miami beat the Bucks 103-94 in Game 5 with Milwaukee closing as a 5 ½-point underdog.
The Heat now advance to the conference finals. They will face the winner of the Toronto vs. Boston series. The Raptors are the reigning NBA Champs. But they trail the Celtics two games to three heading into Wednesday night’s Game 6.
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Boston has been opened as a 3 ½-point favorite. Regardless of how that series ends, the NBA betting futures in the East have been turned upside down.
The Western Conference playoffs are going as planned. The Los Angeles Lakers have a 2-1 series lead against the Houston Rockets. The Los Angeles Clippers are up 2-1 against the Denver Nuggets. They head into Wednesday’s Game 4 as eight-point favorites.
Something crazy could happen out west but the betting odds heavily favor an all-LA conference finals. This was the prediction before the season. It was also favored at Christmas, early March and at the start of the postseason.
Breaking down the updated NBA futures at BetOnline sportsbook, Miami is now a +100 favorite to win the East. Boston is next at +125 with Toronto listed as a +600 longshot.
Of the four remaining teams in the West, the Clippers get the nod as -120 favorites. The Lakers are next at +140 odds. Houston (+1000) and Denver (+3300) fill out the rest of the list as clear longshots.
The updated breakdown for winning this year’s NBA Championship is as follows:
- LA Clippers +175
- Los Angeles Lakers +230
- Miami Heat +400
- Boston Celtics +500< /li>
- Toronto Raptors +1600
- Houston Rockets +2000
- Denver Nuggets +6600
Miami would have to be the highest valued pick on the board. The Heat already knocked off an elite team in a best-of-seven series. That will provide quite a bit of momentum against whichever team they face next.
As a side bet, the Milwaukee Bucks are set as -250 favorites to resign Giannis Antetokounmpo to a Supermax contract this offseason.
