In 2022, the Golden State Warriors won the Larry O’Brien Trophy. This was its fourth championship win in eight years. The second round of the 2023 NBA playoffs is currently in full swing. The top six teams in each conference qualify automatically for the playoffs. The teams in 7 through 10 places in the regular season go through to the NBA’s play-in tournament. This determines the final two playoff teams in each conference.
Different types of bets
An online sportsbook uses a point-spread system to predict winners and the margin of victory. Bookmakers establish an over/under for how many points both teams will score combined and whether or not the number will be over or under. Bettors can also wager money lines and do in-play betting.
Many prop bet options are available during the NBA finals. Bettors can wager on the best players and who will win the Most Valuable Player award. There are typically prop bets on the scores, assists, and rebounds of major players. Other interesting prop bets may be on whether there will be a game-winning shot at the buzzer or a suspension.
Predictability
The NBA is known for having fairly predictable results due to star power and the best-of-seven playoff format. From 2013 to 2019, either a No. 1 seed or favorite won the NBA title in all but two seasons. Not a single team that lost the first three games of a series has ever won the series. A high number of NBA champions have been No. 1 seeds. The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers have each had 17 wins.
The road to the finals
A look at the NBA playoffs schedule shows the NBA Finals are slated to take place in June. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets are currently co-betting favorites. They are both sitting a playoff win away from facing each other in the Western Conference Finals. The fact that the Lakers are on the verge of the West Finals is shocking to many sports bettors as they lost ten of their first twelve games.
NBA Finals futures
Sportsbooks will post NBA Finals futures before the season starts and adjust them as players get traded or hurt. Finals odds can change daily as teams win and lose games. Injuries and many other factors can affect a future bet.
