NBA Conference Champions, Tips and Previews
ECF Best Bet: Boston Celtics
$2.75
Before Damian Lillard teamed up with Giannis Antetokounmpo and his new band of brothers at Milwaukee, Boston was the talk of the East for their post-season trading prowess.
After going down to the Miami Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, it’s safe to say the Celtics lacked scoring options outside of Jayson Tatum (30.1ppg) and Jaylen Brown (26.6) and players with that highly desired killer instinct.
Brad Stevens and the front office looked to immediately rectify both issues by giving up DPOY, Marcus Smart and acquiring Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday.
Both Porzingis (23.2) and Holiday (19.3) will add much-needed assistance on the offensive end, while Jrue is more than capable of instilling a killer, win-at-all-costs mentality to this incredibly talented roster.
Without question, this is still Tatum’s team. He took his game to another level last season with career highs in points (30.1), rebounds (8.8) and assists (4.6). He was in the discussion for MVP for most of the year alongside eventual winner Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic and Giannis. He’ll undoubtedly need to be in that same conversation if the Celtics are to live up to their $2.75 quote, but with Jrue and Kristaps providing more scoring options, that 4.6apg is set to rise astronomically.
The Celtics will first need to negotiate Milwaukee’s Big 2 (Giannis and Dame), but that could be easier than first thought, especially if Joe Mazzulla can get the most out of his Big 4.
ECF Next Best: Milwaukee Bucks
$2.75
While the Bucks are equal favourite with the Celtics in the market, most NBA pundits argue they’re slightly ahead of their Eastern Conference rivals based on the sheer quality of the Big 2. However, we’re not entirely sold until we witness how the superstar duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damien Lillard work together.
Once again, the Heat forced a significant change in this organisation, with a first-round playoffs exit – after finishing on top of the Eastern Conference – the catalyst for the Lillard trade. It also spelt the end for Head Coach Mike Budenholzer, with Adrian Griffin taking the reins in his first head coaching role.
Giannis, often referred to as the #1 player in the NBA and currently, $6.50 for the MVP, will finally have an out-and-out star to call his teammate. While Holiday was a defensive master at point, Lillard brings an incredible offensive skillset that will give every other team headaches. As a player who needs to handle the ball, Dame’s inclusion will force Giannis to play off the ball and rely heavily on his passing. If the two of them can successfully work that out, expect Milwaukee’s pick-and-roll game to improve dramatically.
This team could be anything, with Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and Bobby Portis still essential pieces of the Bucks’ puzzle. And with Dame now in Cream City, there is little chance of a first-round knockout against the 8th-ranked team.
MVP Threat: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($6.50)
ECF Best Roughie: New York Knicks
$17.00
Regarding roughies in the Eastern Conference, we’re all-in on the Knicks at $17 as they attempt to continue their rapid improvement from last season.
After winning 47 games during the regular season, the notoriously disappointing Knicks dismantled the Cavs 4-1 in the first round of the playoffs before going down to the Heat (4-2) in the semis. It was just the second time in over 20 years the MSG locals made it past the opening round.
While Tom Thibodeau doesn’t have the talent of a 2011 MVP-calibre Derrick Rose on his current Knicks roster, he does boast six players ranked in the top 100. Jalen Brunson (32), Julius Randle (45), RJ Barrett (71), Josh Hart (91), Immanuel Quickley (92), and Mitchell Robinson (100) lead one of the most even playing groups in the NBA.
Brunson, who recently signed a four-year contract, averaged 24 points and 6.2 boards in his first season with the Knicks. He created one of the most exciting tandems with Julius Randle, who also put up a career-high 25.1ppg along with 10rpg.
Most importantly, the Knicks have cash in the bank and picks in their pockets. So, if and when a superstar becomes available, they are well-placed to snap them up and make a play for an Eastern Conference title.
MVP Threat: Jaylen Brunson ($51)
WCF Best Bet: Denver Nuggets
$3.75
It goes without saying, but the reigning champions should be in every punter’s calculations again this season.
It was a year to remember for Denver as they broke a longstanding title drought with a dominant 16-4 run through the NBA Playoffs. Led by two-time MVP Nikola Jokic and a healthy Jamal Murray, the Nuggets demolished the Miami Heat 4-1 in the Finals en route to their history-making championship.
This year could be very similar for Michael Malone and his men, with Jokic and Murray once again set to lead the Western Conference equal favourites. Jokic, who was unlucky not to add a third consecutive MVP to his long list of accolades, averaged 25.5ppg, 11.8rpg and 9.8apg on the back of 29 triple-doubles. He is the most dominant big man in the League, and even after all this time as the top dog, teams still haven’t figured out how to stop the Serbian superstar.
Unlike last year, Michael Porter Jr will enter the season fully fit, while veterans Christian Braun and Reggie Jackson will be asked to contribute more off the bench following the departure of Bruce Browne and Jeff Green.
With a top-end as talented as any in the League, if the Nuggets’ starters can remain fit, expect the Nuggets to improve upon their 53-29 regular season record.
MVP Threat: Nikola Jokic ($5)
WCF Next Best: Phoenix Suns
$3.75
The Phoenix Suns officially have a Big 3 for the first time in recent memory. They have a relatively similar Big 3, but they have one nonetheless.
Team owner Mat Ishbia didn’t mess around following the Suns’ second-round playoffs exit against the Nuggets, trading out Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton for Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkic and a host of role players designed to strengthen their second unit. 2021 NBA Coach of the Year Monty Williams was sacked and replaced with Lakers championship mentor Frank Vogel.
This leaves the aforementioned Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and now Bradley Beal to try and lead the Suns to their fourth Conference title and potentially first-ever NBA championship.
With Chris Paul and Cameron Payne no longer on the Suns’ roster, they will need to establish ball-handling responsibilities between Booker and Beale quickly. With neither having played as a pass-first guard throughout their career, it will be interesting to see if it becomes a permanent move or if Vogel pushes for a more reliable passing option.
With that said, Durant (26), Booker (27.8) and Beal (23.2) averaged 77 points between them last season. If they can establish a pecking order and get enough shots off, there will be days when they blow teams out of the water.
Phoenix should undoubtedly be more dominant than last season, but we need the trio to remain healthy and work together before placing them alongside the Nuggets.
MVP Threat: Devin Booker ($12)
WCF Next Best: LA Clippers
$13.00
Is this the Clippers’ season? How many times has that been asked over the years?
While we tossed up between the Clippers and Grizzlies for the Western Conference smokey, we ultimately landed on the Lakers’ younger cousin based on the new player participation policy forcing Kawhi Leonard and Paul George to get on the floor.
Both stars are seeking contract extensions this year, but the Clippers’ front office will want to see more than 52 games from Kawhi and 56 from PG. This came after a combined 31 in the 2021-22 season.
One thing that could inspire the two All-Stars to get their bodies right is the born-again Russell Westbrook, who added 15.8ppg, 7.6apg and 4.9rpg in his 21 games since being acquired by the Clippers last season.
Outside the star trio, the Clippers have plenty of talent in the form of Terance Mann, Bones Hyland, Kenyon Martin Jr, Nicolas Batum, and Norman Powell. There are constant whispers they’re trying to add James Harden to their roster, but the fact is they already have three All-Stars who need to start carrying this team.
At $13, we’re happy to play with the Clippers on the off chance that Kawhi and PG play minutes.
MVP Threat: Kawhi Leonard ($76)
