NBA Eastern Conference Futures Update
According to the oddsmakers, the NBA’s Eastern Conference is a tight four-team race right now, with the Brooklyn Nets still the favorites to win the conference.
On the latest Eastern Conference championship futures at Bovada Sportsbook, the Nets are a +250 favorite. They haven’t looked like contenders lately with a 2-12 record in their last 14 games, but the current Nets squad likely isn’t the one that will be on the floor come playoff time.
Nets continue to lead odds to win Eastern crown
In a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline, Brooklyn shipped James Harden to Philadelphia and brought in Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and Andre Drummond. Simmons has been sitting out all season and has yet to make his debut with the Nets. Brooklyn is also awaiting the return of Kevin Durant, who has been sidelined since mid-January with a knee injury. Adding to Brooklyn’s issues is Kyrie Irving’s ongoing inability to play in home games because he is not vaccinated.
The Nets’ lofty odds are based on their potential with Durant, Simmons and Irving all in the lineup. For the Nets’ sake, hopefully that will happen sooner than later to give them a chance to work on chemistry before the postseason.
The other contenders in the East, according to the odds, are the Milwaukee Bucks at +275, the Philadelphia 76ers at +375 and the Miami Heat at +500.
Defending champs a close second on oddsboard
The Bucks of course are the reigning Eastern Conference and NBA champs. Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to lead the way and just like last season Milwaukee will go as far as Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday can take them. One thing to note: the Bucks are 2-0 against the Nets so far this season.
The 76ers were on the other side of the biggest trade deadline deal, acquiring Harden from Brooklyn. Harden is expected to make his 76ers debut right after the all-star break. Bettors will then get their first look at how he complements Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey.
Miami, Chicago tied for conference’s best record
The Heat currently share the best record in the Eastern Conference with the Chicago Bulls at 38-21. Led by Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo and the seemingly ageless Kyle Lowry, the Heat have forced themselves into the contender conversation in the East. Miami has held its own against the other contenders with a combined 5-2 record against Brooklyn, Milwaukee and Philadelphia this season.
The best value for bettors in the Eastern Conference futures may be the Chicago Bulls at +1500. Chicago is tied with Miami atop the East thanks to some career-best numbers from DeMar DeRozan. He isn’t doing it alone, though, and the Bulls boast a strong lineup filled out by Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic and Lonzo Ball, who is currently injured. One knock against Chicago, though, is its combined 2-7 record against Brooklyn, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Miami.