We have all of our divisional previews complete here at ATS, now it is time to look at the Conferences and how they might shake out come playoff time. Updated regularly throughout the season.
Post Trade Deadline Update
The Eastern Conference had less of a shake up at the top than the Western Conference. While there was plenty of action, the top of the East actually lost a true contender rather than gaining one. The Brooklyn Nets looked to the future as they parted ways with both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. There were no major moves from the other four team that are realistic contenders. Those teams are the Celtics, Bucks, 76ers and Cavs.
With updated odds after the trade deadline, there is not a world of value presented. The Celtics and Bucks continue to return +250 or less. The 76ers are +450, but they feel like they should be behind the Cavs. The Cavs remain the best bet to win the conference at this time, given their +850 return. This team continues to grow together and will only continue to do so over the second half of the season. We are never going to see the juicy +1500 figure from the preseason again, but they are still the team that presents the best Eastern Conference value.
January Update
We are looking at having quite a race develop down the stretch in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics still lead by a game, but we are going to have a dog fight at the top of the Eastern Conference for the regular season crown. All of the Bucks, Nets and Cavs are within a game of the Celtics. Additionally, the 76ers are 2.5 games back. These five teams are the only ones with a realistic chance of finishing the regular season with the top record in the East.
When looking at both Conferences, the first half season trend is that the top of the East will accumulate more wins than the top of the West. With that being the case, we can look at most wins in the league values. Once again, the Cavaliers are the team that present the most value. All three of the other teams they are within a game and a half of are listed at +500 or worse. The Cavs on the other hand sit at a juicy +2500.
When looking at the odds to win the Conference, it is once again the Cavs and 76ers presenting the most value. The Cavs are listed at +1000 with the 76ers at +900. While these are not prices to scoff at, we still are not getting back to the preseason value the Cavs presented.
November Update
The top of the Eastern Conference is not a surprising thing to see at this juncture. The Bucks are second in the Conference, but it is the Celtics that currently lead. The Celtics deserve commendation for overcoming the loss of their head coach and not missing a beat.
It is our preseason betting pick at +1500 to win the Conference that sits third, in the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team has been streaky thus far, but will continue to grow together. There is still some more chemistry needed in the backcourt between Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, but that will come. The scary part for the rest of the Conference is this team still has more room to grow than any of the other top teams. The sad part about the early success is that the odds to win the conference for the Cavs have dropped to +850. Even at that price they are still a value, just not the screaming one we had in the preseason.
The other team worth a look right now is the 76ers, who have seen their odds spike to +1000 from the +700 opening. They have dealt with injuries for the entirety of the young season, but have kept their heads above water and above .500.
Preseason Preview
The Eastern Conference by all appearances will be the weaker of the two conferences once again. The top end win totals in the East are nearly that of the West, but that has more in conference games baked into it. We will continue sifting through each Conference, this time with the East, and find the best values and bets to be the last team standing once the playoffs have reached the NBA Finals.
Who Will Win The Eastern Conference
Sportsbooks believe there are a trio of teams with the best chances of winning in the East. That list is headlined by the Celtics at +285. That pricing makes little sense seeing as they have lost their head coach for the entirety of the season. While coaching is not as important as players in the NBA, coaching absolutely matters. The loss of Udoka for the season makes the Celtics very unattractive. Next up are the Nets and Bucks. The Nets have so many question marks surrounding their stars, they are impossible to take the plunge on considering the short pricing. The Bucks are the most known and safest of this group, and are the team to attack if making a play on a shorter line. The 76ers come in next, but are a thin team that is not getting the return needed to take the plunge. The East is not a top heavy conference by my view and there is at least one team with much stronger odds to take a look at when betting on the Conference winner.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a team on a rapid rise and only buoyed their own fortunes with the blockbuster acquisition of the offseason. The team, already having very high end pieces Evan Mobley and Darius Garland in place, went out and acquired Donovan Mitchell from the Jazz. He will be the scoring boost they were missing to put them over the top last season, and should fit in seamlessly on the roster. The starting five is rounded out by more than serviceable Jarrett Allen and Isaac Okoro. The bench will be a boon once again as they have brought back Ricky Rubio to add to Caris Levert (favorite for 6th man of the year) Kevin Love, Dean Wade and others. This has become a deep team with no holes that has the sky as the limit. The +1500 price tag is easily the most attractive in the Eastern Conference and it is the best bet available.
