Sports Betting Futures Odds: Raptors, Bucks Favored in Eastern Conference Arms Race

by Ricky Dimon - 2/13/2019

It's true that a Western Conference representative will likely win the NBA title once again when it's all said and done, but the East playoffs may be a sight to behold. Four teams are neck and neck, and three of those teams improved at the trade deadline-all of them at the expense of Western Conference squads. It's also all-star weekend in the NBA, with the Curry brothers going head-to-head in the three-point contest.

Odds provided by MyBookie.ag unless otherwise indicated.

Eastern Conference

Milwaukee Bucks (+220) - Although Indiana is doing an incredible job staying afloat without Victor Oladipo, it looks like a four-team race. Milwaukee is currently atop the standings, holding a one-game lead over Toronto. In fact, the Bucks (42-14) boast the best record in all of basketball-also one game better than the Warriors.

Toronto Raptors (+220) - Toronto may not have an MVP candidate like Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Kawhi Leonard is obviously a star and trade-deadline acquisition Marc Gasol joins both Leonard and Kyle Lowry to form a terrific inside-outside trio. The Raptors are in the midst of a current five-game winning streak.

Philadelphia 76ers (+290) - With the Pacers leading both Philadelphia and Boston by two games at the moment, 76ers-Celtics would be a first-round series if the playoffs began today. That is bad news for Philly, which is a dreadful 1-7 against Boston, Milwaukee, and Toronto this season following Tuesday's loss to the Celtics.

Boston Celtics (+320) - Despite the huge win on Tuesday, all is not well in Boston. Kyrie Irving is hurt, Marcus Morris spouted off to the media that there is team dissension, and Jayson Tatum is already talking about being the face of a franchise somewhere else. No other team has better than +3300 odds.

Three-Point Contest (BetOnline Sportsbook)

Stephen Curry (+200) - Curry is making his sixth appearance and first since 2016, bidding for his second title (2015). He is second on the all-time list for most points in a single round with 27, which he recorded in the 2015 final. Curry is shooting 44.7 percent from three-point range this season.

Devin Booker (+450) - Booker is the defending champion, having a set an all-time record with 28 points in last year's final round. He also appeared in 2016 but could not overcome a different Golden State representative, Klay Thompson. Booker is shooting a modest 32.9 percent from the land of plenty in 2018-19.

Buddy Hield (+450) - Sacramento looks like one of the bright, up-and-coming teams in the NBA, and Hield is a big reason why. He is pouring in 20.4 points per game in 2018-19 and draining a cool 45.2 percent of his three-pointers. This marks the former Oklahoma standout's debut appearance in the three-point contest.

Seth Curry (+500) - Could we have a Curry vs. Curry final on our hands? The ratings would certainly be nice if that turns out to be the case. Like Hield, the younger Curry is making his first foray to all-star weekend for these festivities. He has shot at least 42.5 percent from deep in three straight seasons (including his current 47.5 percent clip).

Alliance of American Football title

Arizona Hotshots (+250) - The AAF kicked off last weekend with decent enough fanfare. Arizona, led by head coach Rick Neuheisel, was among the winners with a 38-22 home defeat of Salt Lake. The Hotshots have two stellar options at quarterback with John Wolford and Trevor Night, while Rashad Ross looks like a force at receiver.

Salt Lake Stallions (+400) - Salt Lake was within three points at the half before things got away from the visitors thereafter. It's certainly not time to jump off the head coach Dennis Erickson bandwagon. The Stallions are led, unsurprisingly, by some Utah products such as RB Matt Asiata and WR Dres Anderson.

Birmingham Iron (+400) - Trent Richardson is part of a strong running back corps for Birmingham, and kicker Nick Novak was named Special Teams Player of the Week, but it was the defense that dominated during a 26-0 rout of Memphis. Blake Sims also appears to be more than serviceable under center.

San Antonio Commanders (+500) - San Antonio opened with a 15-6 defeat of San Diego. Its coaching staff includes head Mike Riley and defensive coordinator Jim Grobe, while QB Logan Woodside and WR Greg Ward Jr. should be able to produce more points in the future. The Orlando Apollos, who destroyed Atlanta 40-6, are also +500.

Genesis Open

Dustin Johnson (+800) - Johnson has not done much this season and he is coming off a T45 showing at Pebble Beach last week. But the third-ranked American will be encouraged by the fact he triumphed at Riviera in 2017. Johnson also contended last year until a Sunday 73 left him in a tie for 16^th place.

Justin Thomas (+1200) - Thomas placed T9 last February at Riviera, tied with Jordan Spieth and Xander Schauffele. The fourth-ranked American has been solid but unspectacular in 2019, with a pair of top-three performances (including earlier this month in Phoenix). He'll be well-rested after skipping Pebble Beach.

Rory McIlroy (+1300) - Making a second straight appearance in Los Angeles, McIlroy was a mediocre T20 last year. The 29-year-old Northern Irishman should fare better this time around if current form is any indication. In two 2019 PGA Tour starts he has finished fourth at Kapalua and fifth at Torrey Pines.

Bryson DeChambeau (+1500) - DeChambeau was the tour's breakout star in 2018, and he is showing no signs of slowing down. Already up to No. 5 in the world at 25 years old, he owns two titles this season-including three weeks ago in Dubai. Jon Rahm is +1600 and three-time Riviera champion Bubba Watson is +1800.

Start:	April 19, 2025 @ 8:45 PM
Expert:	Raphael Esparza (VSI)
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Sports Betting Futures Odds: Raptors, Bucks Favored in Eastern Conference Arms Race

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