The first-ever NBA play-in tournament is upon us and NBA fans across the world cannot wait for four days of sheer excitement. With the same feel as the MLB Wild Card games and March Madness, it really seems like anything can happen in the NBA playoffs for the first time in a long while. Whether the person who created this tournament format should be promoted or fired, the NBA play-in tournament gives us four more thrilling games to capitalize on.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the play-in odds.
NBA Play-In Tournament Odds
Charlotte Hornets @ Indiana Pacers -3 (-110)
Washington Wizards @ Boston Celtics -1 (-110)
San Antonio Spurs @ Memphis Grizzlies -4 (-110)
Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Lakers -5.5 (-110)
NBA Play-In Specials
I'm looking at one NBA play-in special in particular that has solid value. The question that the oddsmakers are asking is, “will a number seven seed NOT advance to the NBA playoffs?” Now the Lakers seem to be a shoo-in as it would be shocking to see them lose two-straight games against the Warriors and either the Grizzlies or Spurs. They are finally healthy and will be an extremely tough out for any club. In this four-team March Madness-like tournament, they are the Gonzaga Bulldogs facing a couple of sixteen seeds in comparison.
The Boston Celtics are another story, though. They slipped all the way down to the seventh seed and will have to face a scorching hot Washington Wizards bunch in the first game. With Beal back on the court, Boston will have a hard time containing one of the best backcourts in basketball for 48 minutes. If the Celtics lose this first game, anything can happen in that do-or-die second game against the winner of the nine-ten affair for the eighth seed in the postseason. I'm not saying it is highly likely, but we should certainly take a chance with the value posed.
FINAL PICK: Yes (+300)
Best Player Props
Although none of the player props have been listed at the time that this article was written, there are a few key matchups to target in the play-in round. In the first game between the Hornets and Pacers, I'm looking at LaMelo Ball's points total. As long as the number is in the teens, I believe that the under will hit. Ball has been wildly inefficient shooting the ball lately and in his first career playoff game, I believe that the emphasis will be on creating open looks for his teammates.
In the Wizards-Celtics matchup, I'm looking at Jayson Tatum's three-point total and leaning toward the over. As long as that number is no higher than four, Tatum should hit it based on volume alone. The Wizards push the pace and score a ton of points, which will force Tatum to shoot the rock. The Celtics scoring leader is averaging nearly eight three-point attempts per game and hitting at around a 39% clip.
In the Warriors-Lakers matchup, I'm looking at Stephen Curry's points total and taking the over. Regardless of what the number is set at, Golden State will lean on the scoring champ to will his team to victory. Curry has hit career highs in shot attempts and usage percentage. He is averaging roughly 13 three-point attempts per game and hitting them at a staggering 42.1% clip. The number will certainly be high, but the two-time MVP will not be phased by the challenge.
FINAL PICKS: LaMelo Ball Under Points Scored, Jayson Tatum Over Three-Pointers Made, Stephen Curry Over Points Scored
2021 NBA CHAMPION
There are three teams that I like to win the 2021 NBA title. I am picking three teams because if you wager the same amount on all three, you will profit so long as one of them cashes in. The value on these futures is great and the time is now to lock these in. I’m rolling with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Utah Jazz, and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Los Angeles is my favorite to win it all. They’ve been one of the most efficient teams in the history of basketball and play extremely well on both ends of the floor. They are led by a two-time champ in Kawhi Leonard and have the depth to compete with anyone. The Utah Jazz have been the best team in basketball all year long and have the talent and coaching to make a deep run and run the field. Philly is an interesting outlier because although they’re the one seed, not many are picking them to hang a banner. I love this team's tenacity and truthfully speaking, they have been right there for years.
FINAL PICKS: Los Angeles Clippers (+600), Utah Jazz (+700), Philadelphia 76ers (+750)
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