Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks Betting Favorites to Win NBA’s In-Season Tournament
Posted on: December 4, 2023, 11:36h.
Last updated on: December 4, 2023, 11:36h.
The Boston Celtics (+300 odds) and Milwaukee Bucks (+340 odds) are the top two betting favorites to win the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament.
Eight teams qualified for the knockout stage, which is single elimination, and begins tonight with the quarterfinals.
The semifinals take place in Las Vegas on Thursday, and the championship game is slated for Saturday night in Sin City.
NBA In-Season Tournament Odds
| Boston Celtics | +300 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +340 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | +550 |
| Sacramento Kings | +550 |
| Phoenix Suns | +650 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | +1200 |
| Indiana Pacers | +1300 |
| New York Knicks | +1400 |
The Indiana Pacers (10-8) host the Celtics (15-4) tonight, and the Bucks (14-6) host the New York Knicks (12-7) tomorrow night on the Eastern Conference side of the In-Season Tournament bracket.
The Sacramento Kings (11-7) host the New Orleans Pelicans (11-10) tonight, and the Los Angeles Lakers (12-9) host the Phoenix Suns (12-8) tomorrow night on the Western Conference side of the bracket.
Boston Celtics +300
The Celtics have the best record in the NBA right now with a .789 winning percentage. They’re also the consensus favorite to win the NBA championship at +370 odds.
The new-look Celtics have the second-best defense in the Eastern Conference that allows only 107.4 points per game. The team is anchored by the dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum (27.4 points per game) and Jaylen Brown (21.8 points per game).
The Celtics acquired center Kristaps Porzingis in a trade this offseason, and the “Unicorn” averages 18.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Porzingis is currently sidelined with a calf injury, and not expected to play in the In-Season Tournament.
Celtics exploded for 155 points in a victory against the Pacers in their only meeting this season in early November.
Milwaukee Bucks +340
The Bucks are led by their dangerous dynamic duo with Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.9 points per game) and Damian Lillard (25.5 points per game). In their first season under rookie head coach Adrian Griffin, the Bucks are the third-highest scoring team (121.1 ppg) in the NBA this season.
The Bucks’ bench is a little thin while forward Jae Crowder recovers from surgery to repair a stomach/core injury.
The Bucks won their group and host the visiting Knicks on Tuesday. They have a 9-1 record on their home court this season, meanwhile the Knicks are the best defensive team in the league.
L.A. Lakers +550
The banged-up Lakers posted a perfect 4-0 record in group play and host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night in Hollywood.
LeBron James turns 39-years old at the end of the month, and he leads the Lakers with 24.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. A healthy Anthony Davis averages 22.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game.
Point guard D’Angelo Russell emerged as their third-best scorer averaging 171. points per game. Russell maintains his focus despite the swirling trade rumors involving both Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls.
Sacramento Kings +550
The Kings were the surprise team in the NBA last season and secured the #3 playoff seed in the Western Conference. They’re looking to build upon last season’s success with a victory in the first In-Season Tournament.
Point guard De’Aaron Fox is posting an MVP-like season, and he’s the NBA’s fourth-best scorer. Fox averages 30.3 points per game, and he’s shooting a career-high 37% from 3-point range.
Big man Domantas Sabonis averages a double-double with 18.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game. Shooting guard Malik Monk is making a good argument to become the Sixth Man of the Year with 14.4 points per game including 41.3% from 3-point range.
Phoenix Suns +650
The Suns have probably the most dangerous one-two punch in the Western Conference with Kevin Durant (31.0 points per game) and Devin Booker (27.9 points per game). Booker has been slowed down by a sprained ankle, but he dropped 34 points in his first game back on Saturday.
The Suns will not have All-Star guard Bradley Beal this week. Beal appeared in only three games this season before he was sidelined with a back injury. He wanted to make a bigger impact since joining the team in an offseason trade with the Washington Wizards.
The Suns are only 5-5 at home this season, but they have one of the best road records in the NBA this season at 7-3. They visit L.A. on Tuesday to play the Lakers in the quarterfinals.
New Orleans Pelicans +1200
The Pelicans know their fate is tethered to the health status of Zion Williamson. The All-Star power forward missed 53 games last season with a hamstring injury, but avoided the injury bug this season. Williamson leads the Pelican with 23.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while shooting 56.7% from the floor.
Small Forward Brandon Ingram was hampered by a toe injury last year, but he’s looking good this season by averaging 23.4 points per game.
The Pelicans will not have veteran shooting guard CJ McCollum in the lineup for the In-Season Tournament. McCollum is still recovering from a collapsed lung.
Indiana Pacers +1300
The Pacers are the highest-scoring team in the NBA this season (128.8 ppg), which makes them must-see TV. The points total over hit in 16 out of 18 games for the Pacers this season.
The Pacers are only 10-8 this season because they have a porous defense that allows a league-worst 125.9 points per game.
Eight players average double digits in scoring for the high-octane Pacers, and six players averaged at least 12.7 points per game. Point guard Tyreese Haliburton leads the Pacers with 27.0 points and 11.8 assists per game.
The Pacers went 4-0 in group play and host the Celtics tonight. The quarterfinal game is expected to be a shootout with a total of 242.5 over/under.
New York Knicks +1400
The Knicks are the fifth-best team in the Eastern Conference this season, which they pulled off with All-Star forward Julius Randle at 70%. Randle underwent ankle surgery in the offseason, and he’s been slow to recover.
Point guard Jalen Brunson has been cooking in his second season with the Knicks. Brunson leads the Knicks with 24.9 points per game.
Shooting guard RJ Barrett (18.6 ppg) has battled migraines, which kept him out of a few games this season. Barrett is expected to play in the In-Season Tournament.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau is a defensive guru, and it’s no surprise that the Knicks boast the best scoring defense in the NBA that allows only 105.5 points per game.
The Bucks defeated the Knicks in their only meeting this season, but Brunson erupted for 45 points in a losing effort.
Source: casino.org
