Nba East Odds
They have the second-best odds to win the Eastern Conference. Speaking of odds, the Milwaukee Bucks are the favorites to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals in 2021. Their championship aspirations were recently given a boost when the team added Jrue Holiday and Bogdan Bogdanovic to a roster that already boasts 2019-21 season MVP. All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is second in the league in both points (29.6 PPG) and rebounds (13.7 RPG). Milwaukee goes to Orlando as the odds-on favorite to win the NBA Championship. 53-12 record (1 st in the Eastern Conference, best overall record in the NBA) +240 odds to win the NBA Championship (according to DraftKings Sportsbook).
The NBA 2020-21 season is fast approaching, and the teams in both conferences will be looking to get the wins that they need to secure their place in the post-season. There isn’t much question that the Conference that looks the most difficult to determine is the East. But, what do the odds suggest this season?
Bucks Lead Betting For East
There wouldn’t be much surprise amongst NBA fans to see the Milwaukee Bucks as the heavy favourites to end the season as the Eastern Conference champions. The Bucks have ended the previous two seasons as the side at the top of the standings, before then coming undone in the playoffs. Last season there was a particular sense that the Bucks were going to go on and dominate in the post-season. However, they would eventually fall to the Miami Heat in a shock result.
The Bucks ended the regular season with an NBA-leading record, as they won 56 and lost just 17 games of the 73 that they played. There will be additional pressure on the Bucks this season, as they look to win a second franchise NBA title after it was recently revealed that Giannis Antetokounmpo has signed a record-breaking supermax deal. The addition of Jrue Holiday also means that there is extra defensive quality, which means that the Bucks could have the steel that they have missed over recent seasons.
NBA 2020-21 Eastern Conference Division Odds
Atlantic Division
Central Division
Southeast Division
Who Could Challenge The Bucks?
The Bucks will be considered the leading side in the East, as they have strengths at both ends of the court. The odds would suggest that the Brooklyn Nets could be the side that is next best placed, but while they may excel in the post-season, they could have struggles in the regular. In Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant they have exceptional playoff experience, but defensively they aren’t as strong as some of the leaders in the east. The Nets struggle from beyond the arc too. They should be okay come the playoffs, but teething problems will mean that the regular season could be a slog.
The Miami Heat remain definite contenders after reaching the NBA Finals last season, and there is a feeling that they are a side that will continue to develop this term. That is the same that can be said for the Boston Celtics, which will ensure both sides remain contenders. Philadelphia 76ers could be the most interesting selection for gamblers, as they have one of the best five-man lineups in terms of points-per-minute. The Sixers excel at both ends, and also have bench prowess in the form of Matisse Thybulle. It could be an interesting bet for gamblers in the East.
It’s still hard to ignore the Toronto Raptors, as they have typically had one the NBA’s best defensive records under Nick Nurse. They were unfortunate last year in the post-season, and this year they will have more challenges. Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol have both left, while the Raptors will also be playing their games outside of Canada. The team came together last season after the departure of Kawhi Leonard, and they can’t be ruled out should Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam reach the levels that many know that they are capable of.
The NBA will return later this summer with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds to win the Eastern Conference once play resumes and make our NBA futures picks and best bets.
NBA Eastern Conference picks: Favorite
Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday, June 8 at 1:30 p.m. ET.
If you are looking for a favorite, look no further than the Milwaukee Bucks, who are by far the betting favorite at -159. They were a freakishly good team before the season’s stoppage and no longer have Kawhi Leonard in the conference to stop them from getting to the NBA Finals.
The Toronto Raptors were on a four-game winning streak and playing good basketball in pursuit of their second straight NBA title, but it would be almost foolish to put your money on anyone other than Milwaukee.
They are the favorite for a reason. Take the BUCKS at –159.
Nba East Odds College Football
Looking to place an NBA futures bet? Get some action on it at BetMGM. Bet Now!
NBA Western Conference picks: Contender
Nba East Odds Wild Card
After the Bucks, you have the Boston Celtics and Raptors at +750 and the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers at +1000.
Miami plays great team basketball. Philly is unstoppable at home but can’t win on the road for some reason. Boston and Toronto are almost identical statistically.
Given their championship run from a year ago, the best bet among the contenders are the RAPTORS at +750.
NBA Eastern Conference picks: Long shot
Only two teams have odds of at least +10000 to win the Eastern Conference — the Orlando Magic (+10000) and the Washington Wizards (+20000). If John Wall were going to return for the Wizards, then they might be a fun team to bet on. However, even though Bradley Beal is exciting if you must pick a longshot, go with the MAGIC at +10000. After all, Washington is 16 games under .500.
Get some action on NBA futures bets by signing up and betting at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @senorjessroot on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook. Please gamble responsibly.
Nba East Odds Mlb
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.