4 teams to consider taking to win it all

The NBA playoffs are in full swing as the home court shifts for Games 3 and 4. While higher seeds like Denver and Boston are in full control, the rest of the field remains up in the air. We all questioned the stability of the Western Conference, and the first few games haven’t disappointed for those who thirst for upsets. The unpredictability opens up opportunities for bettors in the futures market. The volatility fuels the odds to swing drastically, making it important to monitor the different markets so you’re prepared to capitalize when a good number becomes available.

Let’s head over to BetMGM and look for a team that’s been over or under adjusted based on the first two games. The Celtics (+275) and Bucks (+400) lead the way, while the Suns (+550) and 76ers (+650) round out the top four. You can argue there is a little value in Milwaukee, but I am not touching the Bucks until I see Giannis Antetokounmpo play a few times. Let’s move down the board and take a swing at some long shots whose odds might be too wide, considering where they currently stand in the NBA playoff picture.

OK, it’s a stretch to use the term long shot when discussing a team that won the most games in the Western Conference. All that considered, they have the fifth-best odds to win the NBA title. The Nuggets are 35-7 at home, where they boast the league’s third-best net rating (9.6). Historically, a team’s road performance is a more predictive marker of its likelihood of becoming an NBA champion. However, Denver will enjoy home-court advantage throughout Western Conference play. That matters as playing at altitude will become more of a factor as teams wear down the deeper we get into the playoffs.

If you like the value, you are better off playing Nikola Jokic to win Finals MVP at better odds (+900) since he is highly probable to win the award in any scenario where Denver is the champion. I don’t think Denver has it in them to win the whole thing, but after watching Phoenix and Memphis slip,…