NBA analyst Gabe Seatter (@HoopCheck) has taken look at the Outright markets ahead of the 2018/19 season in his debut WeLoveBetting piece.
NBA 2018/19: Eastern Conference
The Eastern demise of Lebron James means that the door is kicked wide open for the young and exciting Boston Celtics.
The Celtics took a huge blow last season, losing two of their debatable three All-Stars. To give an idea of the magnitude of the blow, their price to win the NBA went from 5/1 to 66/1.
After an extraordinary play-offs, they were minutes away from taking the Eastern Conference and heading to the NBA finals, against all odds, if not for a usual legendary quarter from James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With the return of All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, the two rising stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown should really thrive. The Celtics can essentially become unplayable with the elite defending of Marcus Smart, who just signed a $58m deal despite concerns he may leave the team this off-season.
The Celtics will be worth backing all season long on the spread, and certainly to win the Eastern Conference outright at 11/8 (SkyBet).
No other team has a roster or has even attempted to really create a matching roster this trade window. Now is the time to pounce before the price really hits the floor.
NBA 2018/19: Western Conference
As always, it’s hard to look past the Golden State Warriors, who have gone from zero to 100 in the last nine years.
Adding DeMarcus Cousins to their roster this offseason, ultimately makes their entire starting five, All-Stars.
However, last season the Houston Rockets topped the Conference with the help of signing Chris Paul. CP3, Harden and Capela are a trio of trouble for an opponents, going 33/1 in the regular season when all playing together. Unfortunately they inevitably fell short against the Warriors come the post-season.
The Lakers on the other hand have added the legend of this generation, LeBron James, but haven’t succeeded in making a western superpower such as the Warriors. This may be a longer term project than some anticipate, and I expect the Lakers to put up a Cavalier like performance which out in the West will not be enough to win the conference.
The value sits with the Houston Rockets but the almost certain winner sits with Golden State, so it could be worth playing Golden State and the Celtics in a double and watching them have it out, in the finals. Alternatively, snatch a bit of the 15/8 (SkyBet) on the Rockets taking top honours in the Without Golden State Warriors market.
TOPICS Basketball Tips Other SportsBest Bets
NBA 2018/19 – Boston Celtics to win the Eastern Conference (11/8 SkyBet)
NBA 2018/19 – Houston Rockets to win the Western Conference w/o Golden State Warriors (15/8 SkyBet)
