Five NBA Futures Bets to Boost Your Bankroll
We’ve officially reached the dog days of the NBA calendar. Unless you’re invested in the Cooper Flagg tank-a-thon, entertained by the nightly antics of Tony Brothers, or relishing in the Nick Nurse debacle in Philly (not me), you’re probably looking for ways to spice up the season.
I’ve compiled five zesty NBA futures bets. As a forewarning, we may or may not be putting hard-earned dollars on the likes of Scoot Henderson and Co, the Lonzo-backed Bulls, a 7’4 Canadian, and a team that hasn’t made the playoffs in five years…….but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Our starting bankroll is $100. Hopefully, we can spike one or two long-shots and have some fun along the way.
1. Bulls to make playoffs (+1300)
Bet: $20 to return $280 at DraftKings
The ’01 Kings won 61 games, led the league in scoring, and played a scintillating style of ball that was fun to watch. This year’s Bulls aren’t quite on that level, but there are some similarities: a stud centre in Nikola Vucevic (Vlade Divac), a 50/40/80 sharpshooter with Zach LaVine (Peja Stojakovic), and a funky point guard who loves to push in Coby White (Mike Bibby).
3 things need to happen for this wager to come through:
- Bulls have to beat out the Sixers for the #10 seed
- Bulls have to beat Hawks/Pistons/Heat in play-in round one
- Bulls have to beat Hawks/Pistons/Heat in play-in round two
As far as beating out the Sixers goes, that’s light work. Between fights with reporters, quarrelling stars, and blowout losses to the likes of the mighty Pelicans, the Nurse-led squad can’t seem to stay out of their own way this year.
Like those high-flying Kings of years past, the Bulls play an electric, up-tempo style with plenty of threes pulled. If Chicago can ride some hot shooting come play-in tournament time, they could vault themselves in the playoffs.
Zach Edey to win Rookie of the Year (+1800)
Bet: $20 to win $360 at theScore Bet
Zach Edey is no stranger to racking up hardware, winning National Player of the Year consecutively in college. In a down year for the NBA’s freshman class, the 7-4 goliath is super live to win Rookie of the Year.
Edey’s stats compare favourably with other, higher priced contenders for the award, including Kel’el Ware (+180), Stephon Castle (+310), Alexandre Sarr (+380) and Jaylen Wells (+400):
- Ware: 8.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 0.5 APG, 19.9 PER, 1.5 WS
- Castle: 11.7 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.6 APG, 10.4 PER, 0.0 WS
- Sarr: 11.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.2 APG, 12.8 PER, 0.1 WS
- Wells: 11.9 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, 11.4 PER, 2.6 WS
- Edey: 9.6 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 0.9 APG, 17.6 PER, 2.2 WS
And don’t forget that dunk on Wemby.
If the Leaside High School alum can pop up that point total above 10 per game and continue putting up monster performances, like the 19 point, 7 rebound and 4 block outing last time out against the Jazz, he’ll be right in the thick of the Rookie of the Year race come April.
Rockets to win NBA title (+5000)
Bet: $20 to win $1020 at FanDuel, DraftKings and bet365
Clutch City can seemingly do no wrong this season. They’ve blasted past their preseason win total of 42.5, secured road wins against the Cavs, Nuggets, and Grizzlies, and seen Amen Thompson take the leap into two-way star.
The Rockets have several elements of a championship team, including a bulldog coach, stellar depth, stifling defence, and jump-out-the-gym athleticism across the board. They lack a superstar scorer and high-end three point shooters, which could definitely be a problem in the playoffs.
If the playoffs were to start now, the Rockets would be the #2 seed in the West at 30-14. Winning the title would require beating Anthony Edwards, Ja Morant, SGA, and whoever comes out of the East. While that would be a Herculean feat, it’s impossible to resist a sprinkle on Houston at +5000.
Trail Blazers to win 30+ games (+325)
Bet: $20 to win $85 at bet365
In keeping with the first three years of the post-Lillard era, the Blazers sit near the basement of the NBA standings. However, things are looking up of late. The upstart Blazers have reeled off four straight wins, on the backs of breakout performances, wet shooting, and much-improved defence.
According to Basketball Reference, Portland projects to finish the season at 29-53, easily eclipsing the in-season win total of 26.5 on sportsbooks and nearly hitting the 30-win mark required to win this bet. However, that record is contingent on Rip City staying intact at the trade deadline.
Portland are projected to be sellers, with key players like DeAndre Ayton and even potentially Anfernee Simons being dangled to contenders. However, the Blazers’ recent hot run has create some distance between them and bottom-feeders like the Wizards and Jazz in the race to the bottom.
With an intriguing mix of young talent and wily vets, here’s to hoping the Blazers stand pat at the deadline and make a push for the play-in.
Bonus bet for those feeling extra frisky: Blazers (+20000) to make play-in at DraftKings
Heat to win Southeast Division (+480)
Bet: $20 to win $96 at FanDuel
The Southeast Division is the NBA’s equivalent to the disastrous AFC South in the NFL. With Orlando, Miami and Atlanta all struggling to .500 records thus far and the Hornets and Wizards in full tank mode, it won’t take much to bring home the division crown.
The Jimmy Butler situation looms large for the Heat. If he were to be moved, say to Phoenix for Bradley Beal, it could be a net positive for the team. A starting lineup with Beal, Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo and maybe Kel’el Ware doesn’t sound half bad.
Personally, I think Orlando are overrated at the current odds to ship the divison (-280). While their two-headed tandem of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are finally healthy and back on the court, the Magic are still in the same league as the Heat, rather than the upper echelon of the East.