Posted on: February 23, 2023, 11:21h.
Final up to date on: February 23, 2023, 11:54h.
The NBA returns from the All-Star break and resumes on Thursday night with the ultimate quarter of the season. The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks are in a detailed struggle for the #1 playoff seed, they usually characterize the highest tier of groups within the Japanese Convention.
The Celtics are the betting favourite at DraftKings at +115 odds to Win the Japanese Convention in back-to-back seasons. The Bucks are +220 odds to Win the Japanese Convention for the second time within the final three seasons.
| Crew | Japanese Convention Odds |
| Boston Celtics | +115 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | +220 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +500 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +1100 |
| Miami Warmth | +2000 |
| Brooklyn Nets | +4500 |
| Atlanta Hawks | +4500 |
| New York Knicks | +5500 |
| Toronto Raptors | +7000 |
| Washington Wizards | +1800 |
| Chicago Bulls | +25000 |
| Indiana Pacers | +50000 |
| Orlando Magic | +70000 |
| Charlotte Hornets | +90000 |
| Detroit Pistons | +90000 |
The Bucks enter the ultimate quarter of the season driving excessive on a 12-game profitable streak. Nevertheless, their streak is in jeopardy as a result of All-Star huge man Giannis “Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo may miss a number of video games whereas he recovers from a sprained wrist.
East Tier 1: Celtics, Bucks
The Celtics (42-17) maintain a half-game lead over the Bucks (41-17), and each groups characterize the highest tier within the Japanese Convention. The #1 playoff seed and home-court benefit are at stake for each squads.
The Celtics may need peaked too early, however they’re the staff to beat within the Japanese Convention. In the event you comply with the cash, the Celtics are the consensus favourite to Win the 2022-23 NBA championship at +275 odds. The Celtics misplaced beginning swingman Jaylen Brown to a facial fracture, however he’s anticipated to return for a ultimate stretch run to assist lock up the #1 seed.
Antetokounmpo prevented a critical damage to his proper wrist one week in the past within the final recreation earlier than the All-Star break. He didn’t have any torn ligaments, however the Bucks don’t need to rush him again into the lineup. They’d moderately miss out on the #1 seed if that ensures they’ve a wholesome Antetokounmpo for the postseason.
The Celtics knocked the Bucks out of the playoffs final postseason throughout an exhilarating, seven-game sequence within the Japanese Convention semifinals. If the present standings maintain regular, the Celtics would lock up the #1 seed and the Bucks would get the #2 seed. The highest-tiered groups may have a possible showdown within the convention finals.
East Tier 2: 76ers, Cavs
The second-tier groups within the Japanese Convention are championship contenders who’re making an attempt to safe home-court benefit within the opening spherical of the playoffs. That features the Philadelphia 76ers (38-19) and Cleveland Cavaliers (38-23).
The 76ers had been enjoying their greatest ball of the season earlier than the All-Star break, with an 18-5 stretch since New 12 months’s Eve. The 76ers are in third place within the convention and are matching preseason expectations as one of many prime three groups within the East. They’re in the course of a four-game profitable streak, however they face the hardest schedule within the ultimate 25 video games of the season. Their opponents have a mixed profitable share of .540.
Don’t overlook the Cavs within the Japanese Convention race. The Cavs are a younger squad however might be a tricky matchup within the postseason if Donovan Mitchell will get scorching within the playoffs. Mitchell leads the Cavs in scoring by averaging 27.3 factors per recreation and capturing a career-high 38.7% from 3-point vary. The Cavs are the most effective worth decide on the board at +1100 odds to Win the Japanese Convention.
East Tier 3: Nets, Knicks, Warmth
The third tier of groups within the Japanese Convention are preventing to take care of their present spot within the playoff standings. The Brooklyn Nets (34-24), New York Knicks (33-27), and Miami Warmth (32-27) are doing all the things attainable to maneuver up within the standings and keep away from the Play-In Event.
The Nets are in fifth place and banked sufficient wins earlier than they traded guard Kyrie Irving and ahead Kevin Durant to the Western Convention. The Nets may Play the position of usurper within the first spherical, as a ragtag batch of misfits that nobody wished. They’re nonetheless an extended shot to Win the convention at +4500 odds.
The sixth-place Knicks added wing depth off the bench with the acquisition of swingman Josh Hart on the commerce deadline. Level guard Jalen Brunson has been the MVP of the Knicks, however they’re nonetheless a flawed staff. The Knicks are ripe for a first-round bust out, which is why they’re solely +5500 odds to Win the convention.
The banged-up Warmth pushed the Celtics to the brink of elimination in a seven-game sequence within the 2022 Japanese Convention finals. Alas, the Warmth had been one missed 3-pointer away from profitable the convention title final 12 months due to the never-say-die tenacity of Jimmy Butler. When you’ve Butler in your squad, you at all times have a shot to make a deep playoff run. The Warmth are +2000 odds to Win the Japanese Convention despite the fact that they’re in seventh place and might be headed to the Play-In Event.
East Tier 4: Hawks, Wizards, Raptors, Bulls, Pacers
The fourth tier consists of groups with a shedding file who’re on the playoff bubble and preventing for a spot within the Japanese Convention Play-In Event. These underachievers had been big disappointments this season. The Atlanta Hawks (29-30), Chicago Bulls (26-33), and Toronto Raptors (28-31) ought to’ve been third-tier and even second-tier groups.
The Bulls are in eleventh place as a result of they’ve quite a few inner issues that they didn’t handle on the commerce deadline. They did, nevertheless, purchase veteran level guard Patrick Beverly by way of a contract buyout in hopes he can add stability to their fractured locker room.
The Hawks have been a scorching mess this 12 months due to an ongoing riff between famous person guard Trae Younger and the teaching workers. They’d big expectations after including combo guard Dejounte Murray in an low season commerce. But the eighth-place Hawks are in a precarious spot on the playoff bubble.
The Hawks fired head coach Nate McMillan throughout the All-Star break, hoping {that a} regime change may encourage the staff to make a late-season push.
East Tier 5: Magic, Hornets, Pistons
The fifth and final tier of groups within the East have zero shot on the playoffs. However all three squads have their eyes on profitable the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery.
The Orlando Magic (24-35) are stocked with younger gamers, and they need to lastly take a step ahead subsequent season. Duke’s Paolo Banchero, the #1 decide from the 2022 NBA Draft, seems to be like he’s going to Win the NBA Rookie of the 12 months. He’s been one of many few highlights throughout a tricky transition season.
The Charlotte Hornets (17-43) had been plagued with accidents to a number of starters this season. As an alternative of being a third-tier staff, the Hornets are slugging it out within the basement for an opportunity at hitting the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes within the upcoming NBA draft.
The Detroit Pistons (15-44) are one other downtrodden franchise that’s loaded with younger gamers, but they’ve the worst file within the Japanese Convention this season. If the Pistons can stay among the many worst three groups within the NBA this season, they’ll have a 14% likelihood to safe the draft rights to the French worldwide sensation Victor Wembanyama.
