That’s it for the 2023/24 NBA season. All eyes now turn to the play-in tournament to set the final seedings for each conference.
Giant killers in the East
Last week we looked at who the giant killers of the Western Conference could be. But the true giants are in the Eastern Conference.
The Boston Celtics are $2.63 favourites to win the NBA title. They’ve played with the best record in the league this season, and are a whopping 14 games ahead of the New York Knicks at 2nd in the East.
The Milwaukee Bucks are on the second line of betting, but at $6.50 to win the conference, the jump between them and the Celtics ($1.45) paints a picture of just how far back the rest are heading into the playoffs.
Despite the 30-13 record to start the season, something wasn’t right with Adrian Griffin and the Bucks. Their record told lies. You could see this team wasn’t up to contending for an NBA championship. Not a lot has improved under Doc Rivers, either. With Giannis Antetokounmpo now missing time to finish the regular season, it’s difficult to see the Bucks putting it all together now after struggling to do so up to this point.
Everybody knows better than to rule the Miami Heat out, provided they make the playoffs, at $17.
There isn’t one team in the East I don’t think the Heat can beat come playoff time
— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) April 1, 2024
They’ll need to take the long way to the NBA playoffs, but should they make it as the 8th seed, Miami will have an opportunity to kill the giants in Round 1.
The New York Knicks, on the other hand, will be approached with caution. Injuries have taken away some of their punch. There is the ridiculous notion that Jalen Brunson is too small to dominate a playoff run through to the finals, too.
The closer we get to the playoffs, the better Brunson plays.
In April, Jalen Brunson is averaging: pic.twitter.com/r2vKxrWlZa
— KNICKS BEAST (@KnicksBeast) April 10, 2024
It’s the supporting cast where there are doubts with the Knicks. Getting them healthy is one thing. Having all of the key contribuitors doing so for four games in the post-season is another. As well as Brunson has played this season, those around him will make or break their quest to win the East at $13.
In contrast to the current form of the Bucks the Philadelphia 76ers have been there and proven it at points this season. They’ve slipped to 7th in the East but remain at $11 to win the conference. With Joel Embiid back in the lineup, anything can happen. They’re 30-8 in the games he has played this season and have, at points, been one of the best teams in the league.
Embiid would have once again been in the Most Valuable Player conversation had he stayed fit. His 34.8 points, 11 rebounds, 5.6 assists and elite defence have him capable of winning a series on his own. As it stands, Embiid has scored more points than minutes played. Missing the regular season finale is a concern. So too are his prior playoff performances. However, this is a different 76ers team and Embiid is more rested than he ever has been at this point of an NBA season.
Boston will enter any series the play as favourites, but won’t be lining up to face a rested and ready Embiid.
Bet Now Philadelphia 76ers to win Eastern Conference @ $11
Play-in Tournament Is Set
The New Orleans Pelicans ($1.90) take on the Los Angeles Lakers ($1.89) in the 7/8 game out West while Miami Heat ($2.56) and Philadelphia 76ers ($1.51) make up the Eastern Conference fixture. The Lakers are on the road but the expectation is for them to advance. Meanwhile, everything hinges on Joel Embiid being healthy for the 76ers.
Nick Nurse: Joel Embiid “will be ready to go” for Wednesday. Just a precautionary move today pic.twitter.com/VnhfyiXLVX
— PHLY Sixers (@PHLY_Sixers) April 14, 2024
It’s do-or-die for the Golden State Warriors ($1.86) and Sacramento Kings ($1.98) in the 9/10 Western Conference matchup and the same for the Atlanta Hawks ($2.24) and Chicago Bulls ($1.65) in the East.
An Extended Holiday
Jrue Holiday is declining his $37.3 million player option with the Boston Celtics. Insead signing a four-year $135 million extension to keep him at the franchise until the 2027-28 NBA season.
Jrue Holiday on signing his new extension with us: "I want to be here. I want to win multiple rings. And I've heard people say that here plenty of times, so I'm ready for that."
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 11, 2024
Holiday is averaging 12.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game for the Celtics this season. They’re not $135 million numbers on the face of it. However, it’s what he brings around them that makes him an important part of this group.
There is a reason Holiday has become only the fourth player – alongside Steph Curry, LeBron James and Al Horford – to sign a guaranteed deal woth over $100 million at 33 years old or older. He’s worth the money right now. If he takes a turn for the worst as he ages, his contract will be tradable in the final year.
The Celtics are on fire. They’ve wiped the floor with the rest of the league throughout the NBA regular season. Without the distraction of securing his future hanging over him, expect Holiday to take it up another level as the Celtics work towards a championship as $2.63 favourites.
NBA Championship Odds Update
With the NBA regular season now in the books, it’s to to check on the championship odds before preparing for Round 1 of the playoffs.
As they have been all year, the Boston Celtics are $2.63 favourites to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June. Having been the last to do so, the Denver Nuggets are fittingly on the second line of betting at $3.70.
It’s a big drop to the Milwaukee Bucks at $13 following their $8 price only two weeks ago. Similarly, the slide continues for the LA Clippers who have taken the same path.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Dallas Mavericks have both finished the season strong to shorten slightly, but are still outsiders to win the championship at $15 and $18 respectively.
The Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers and Minesotta Timberwolves all have arguments around their $20 holding some appeal. It’s not so easy for the Los Angeles Lakers ($26), New York Knicks ($34) and Cleveland Cavaliers ($41), though.
TOP 6 NBA CHAMPIONSHIP ODDS
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| TEAM | CURRENT PRICE | LAST WEEK’S PRICE | |
| Boston Celtics | $2.63 | $2.88 | |
| Denver Nuggets | $3.70 | $3.90 | |
| Milwaukee Bucks | $13 | $8 | |
| LA Clippers | $13 | $8 | |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | $15 | $13 | |
| Dallas Mavericks | $18 | $21 | |