By Larry Rupp
Whether it’s due to a top seed falling apart in April or a team coming out of nowhere to rise up the rankings, the NBA standings are sure to change over the second half of the season. It’s hard to imagine that every team in line to make the playoffs is able to accomplish that goal.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some conference seeding bets to make at the midway point of the season. All odds are according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
Chicago Bulls: Over 2.5 (-130)
One team has been outperforming preseason expectations more than any other and that would be the Chicago Bulls. Head coach Billy Donovan’s squad stands atop the Eastern Conference thanks in part to an impressive winning streak that started in December. However, fading a team that started out super hot is never a bad idea. Betting on Chicago to finish as the No. 3 seed or lower is the way to go here.
The Bulls will have to hold off two amazing teams in order to finish as a top two seed. The Brooklyn Nets just got Kyrie Irving back on the court and the Milwaukee Bucks are only getting healthier as a team. The efforts of DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine is likely not going to be enough. After all, Chicago ranks outside the top 10 NBA teams in defensive efficiency and is allowing over 107 points per game. The Bulls’ lack of defensive intensity will eventually come back to bite them.
The TOP PLAYS from the @chicagobulls 9-game winning streak…their longest since 2011! pic.twitter.com/siW0uHo1Ln
— NBA (@NBA) January 8, 2022
Boston Celtics: Under 8.5 (-125)
While the Bulls may be outperforming expectations, it is the Boston Celtics that have failed to live up to the hype so far. The Celtics find themselves under the .500 mark, but are starting to make up ground in the standings. Betting on them now is the best strategy as these odds may never be this low again. The duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown is bound to get it going.
If Boston can figure out how to compete better on the road, it has a great opportunity to sneak into the top eight by the end of the regular season. The Celtics are full of capable scorers and simply need to readjust their offensive strategy. Keep in mind that this team has reached the postseason in seven straight years. Trust them to figure it out and play much better basketball over the next few months.
“[Celtics] Don’t panic! You don’t break up Tatum and Brown. … You be patient and you find a way to build around those guys”
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) January 8, 2022
—@JalenRose on the Celtics' recent struggles pic.twitter.com/Jy1uATp8nK
Minnesota Timberwolves: Over 8.5 (+130)
When looking at the Western Conference, fading the Minnesota Timberwolves is a great bet to target. However, it doesn’t have anything to do with head coach Chris Finch’s team. The duo of Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell is as exciting as any in the league. It simply comes down to who Minnesota would have to pass in order to finish as a top eight seed.
Realistically, the Timberwolves would likely have to climb over the Los Angeles Clippers or Denver Nuggets in the standings. That’s not an easy task by any means. Both teams have struggled with injuries all season long and have the star-power to outplay Minnesota down the stretch. Betting on the under here is like betting against Kawhi Leonard and Nikola Jokic. No thanks.
more proof that KAT and DLo deserve to be All-Stars.#NBAAllStar @KarlTowns @Dloading pic.twitter.com/WrkUdLSA3H
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) January 8, 2022
Picture Credit: Flickr
