NBA Futures Tracker, Tuesday 7th March
We’re well and truly into the second half of the season, and the run towards playoffs is heating up.
Milwaukee has just surpassed the Celtics at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, but another two teams are pressing their case.
Bet Nation looks at the top candidates looking to sit on the throne as the beasts of the east.
Boston Celtics
$2.37
Are the Celtics better than last year?
The 2022 Eastern Conference champions have continued to progress this season under coach Joe Mazzulla and currently leads the market at $2.37.
Currently sitting in second spot with a 45-20 record, the Celtics occupied the top of the table for most of the season and as recently as the All-Star break. It’s only via an insane Bucks run of form and three tough losses over the past week that they’re now 1.5 games behind Milwaukee.
Fear not though, Boston fans, because the artillery is there.
Jayson Tatum has taken his game to another level with an average of 30.3ppg to go with his 8.8rpg and 4.8apg. His scoring has increased from 26.9ppg last season. In the past week alone, he’s dropped 40 and 41 points, respectively, showcasing his ability to take control when required.
Jaylen Brown is averaging 26.5ppg as a genuine second-scoring option, while Malcolm Brogdon leads the league in three-point shooting at 46%. Brogdon, who is scoring 14.6ppg, is currently $1.91 equal-favourite for the Sixth Man of the Year Award.
Throw in Al Horford, Marcus Smart and Blake Griffin – when healthy – and it’s easy to see why the well-rounded Celtics are the short quote.
Milwaukee Bucks
$2.50
Here’s the thing; the Celtics are great, but the Bucks should be the favourite. There, we said it.
The current Eastern Conference ladder leaders are as unstoppable as any team this year, winning 17 of their past 18 games and leading the Celtics by 1.5 games.
You’ve got to remember, it’s been less than two years since the Bucks last won the NBA title, so there’s no doubting their credentials when it comes to the playoffs.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is leading the Bucks’ charge – surprise – with season averages of 31.3ppg, 12rpg and 5.3apg. Since returning from an injury break last week, Giannis has picked up where he left off with three scores of 31 or more.
Jrue Holiday provides ample support for their stable star with 19.9ppg and 7.3apg, while Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez deliver on the scoreboard and the backboard.
With 16 straight wins before their three-point loss to Philadelphia on Sunday, it’s safe to say that the Bucks are the form side of the NBA right now. And with wins over the other three already this season, the $2.50 looks very enticing.
Philadelphia 76ers
$8.50
Speaking of hot form, how about those sweet-tasting Phillies?
With wins against Miami and Milwaukee from their past three games, the 76ers consistently remind us they’re in with a real shot at the Eastern Conference title. At $8.50 with Bet Nation, it’s certainly worth consideration.
Like Tatum at Boston and Giannis at Milwaukee, Joel Embiid is the number one player leading the 76ers, with incredible season averages of 33ppg, 10.3rpg and 1.6 blocks. He’s second only to Luka Doncic (Dallas) for points and has scored 40 points on 10 occasions this season.
If having the most dominant big man in the game wasn’t enough, James Harden is hitting his straps as the number one distributor with a league-leading 10.6apg. Add in his 22.1ppg alongside Tyrese Maxey (20) and Tobias Harris (15), and the 76ers have many scoring options as any team in the NBA.
Most importantly, the 76ers have recorded wins over the Bucks, Heats, Cavaliers and Knicks within the last month, proving they can take it up to any team on their night.
If you’re not keen on Boston or Milwaukee at the short quotes, those 76ers present incredible value at this point of the season.
New York Knicks
$31
Is there an echo in here? Because there’s a solid argument to be made for the form of the New York Knicks as (potentially) the best in the East.
The Knicks have found their groove since the All-Star break with nine consecutive wins, including victories over Boston (twice), Brooklyn (twice) and Miami. They were pushed to the limit in their latest outing against the Celtics, eventually getting it done in double OT on the back of 38 points from Immanuel Quickley and 31 from Julius Randle.
Randle, who averages 25.3ppg and 10.4rpg, has top-scored in four of their last six games, with scores of 46 and 43 in that time. Jalen Brunson is $4.30 for the Most Improved Player Award with 23.9ppg, 6.2apg and 41.1% from the three-point line, all career highs.
As for Quickley, he’s just come into $1.91 equal-favourite for the Sixth Man of the Year Award. Seriously, the Knicks are cleaning up.
With their current run of form and individual dominance from certain players, don’t discount the Knicks continuing their climb at $31.
