NBA Returns To Action: Futures, Betting Lines, Odds Favor LeBron's Lakers, Giannis' Bucks
With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic canceling sports leagues across the nation, NBA fans have been without pro basketball since March 11.
Basketball fans, your time is now.
The NBA Board of Governors and Players Union approved that a subset of the league’s 30 clubs will be invited to play out the remainder of the 2019-2020 season. Those games kick off today, July 30.
Here’s a look at the official format of the NBA’s return to action, and we’ve compiled the notable upcoming odds from the most popular sportsbooks across the globe.
Who will be playing?
According to NBA.com, a club’s invitation to play out the remainder of the 2019-2020 season was based on its ability to make the playoffs before the suspension of play.
As of the March 11 suspension of play, there were six teams in the NBA that were within the six-game threshold for playoff contention.
An eight-game regular season will be played to determine seeding for the playoffs, and the following teams are set to return to action beginning July 30:
Eastern Conference
Boston Celtics
Brooklyn Nets
Indiana Pacers
Miami Heat
Milwaukee Bucks
Orlando Magic
Philadelphia 76ers
Toronto Raptors
Washington Wizards
Western Conference
Dallas Mavericks
Denver Nuggets
Houston Rockets
Los Angles Clippers
Los Angeles Lakers
Memphis Grizzlies
New Orleans Pelicans
Oklahoma City Thunder
Phoenix Suns
Portland Trail Blazers
Sacramento Kings
San Antonio Spurs
Utah Jazz
After an eight-game regular season takes place to determine seeding, the NBA playoffs will proceed as normal with the traditional best-of-seven playoff series.
Where will teams be playing?
The entirety of the 2020 restart, including player hotel and hospitality accommodations, will take place at Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.
The venues for play will include HP Fieldhouse and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Opening Night Lines And Betting Odds
The following are futures and betting lines for the July 30 and 31 NBA return to play.
Odds To Win NBA Finals
Los Angeles Lakers | +300 |
Milwaukee Bucks | +350 |
Los Angeles Clippers | +400 |
Houston Rockets | +1500 |
Toronto Raptors | +1900 |
Boston Celtics | +2200 |
Philadelphia 76ers | +2400 |
Denver Nuggets | +2500 |
Miami Heat | +3000 |
Utah Jazz | +3300 |
Dallas Mavericks | +5000 |
Oklahoma City Thunder | +6000 |
Portland Trail Blazers | +7500 |
Indiana Pacers | +10000 |
New Orleans Pelicans | +12000 |
Brooklyn Nets | +15000 |
Memphis Grizzlies | +20000 |
Orlando Magic | +20000 |
Washington Wizards | +20000 |
Phoenix Suns | +25000 |
Sacramento Kings | +25000 |
San Antonio Spurs | +30000 |
Odds are courtesy of Bovada, BetOnline and Heritage Sports.
Team | Spread |
Utah Jazz | +2.5 (-120) |
New Orleans Pelicans | -2.5 (+100) |
Team | Spread |
LA Clippers | +4 (-120) |
LA Lakers | -4 (+100) |
Team | Spread |
Orlando Magic | -6 (-110) |
Brooklyn Nets | +6 (-114) |
Team | Spread |
Memphis Grizzlies | +1.5 (-105) |
Portland Trail Blazers | -1.5 (-115) |
Team | Spread |
Phoenix Suns | -7 (-110) |
Washington Wizards | +7 (-110) |
Team | Spread |
Boston Celtics Milwaukee Bucks | +4.5 (-115) -4.5 (-105) |
Team | Spread |
Houston Rockets | +1 (-110) |
Dallas Mavericks | -1 (-110) |
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Photo credit: Erik Drost, Wikimedia
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