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NBA Finals Picks and Predictions: Focus on This Eastern Conference Power

Jon Metler

Last Updated: February 9, 2023 7:07 PM EST • 2 min 42 sec read.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee feature in our NBA Finals picks and predictions
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles by Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center on October 20, 2022. Photo by Tim Nwachukwu Getty Images via AFP.

Are the Phoenix Suns the best bet to win the NBA Finals? Jon Metler gives his thoughts on the updated NBA Finals market, and who he's backing based on the latest NBA odds.

A crazy NBA trade deadline produced significant movement in the NBA Finals odds. You better believe I have some opinions about the movement and updated odds as an avid futures and NBA bettor.

Check out our NBA MVP odds.

NBA Finals predictions

Milwaukee Bucks (+600 via DraftKings)

For me, the Bucks are the bed I've made – and now I must lie in it. I've placed multiple bets on them throughout the season, at odds ranging from +600 to +800. 

I decided to place another wager on the Bucks in the days leading up to the trade deadline if they acquired Jae Crowder. 

BOOM!

As soon as I received a notification about the trade, I hit the button at PointsBet for +700. 

I've been betting on the Bucks at +600 when they were without Crowder and Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were in the Eastern Conference – so how do you think I feel about the +600 now? 

Bucks players know their roles and are cohesive as a unit. The Bucks weren't just thrown together like the Los Angeles Lakers or Phoenix Suns. The Eastern Conference got weaker at the trade deadline, while the Bucks got stronger.

The Boston Celtics are helping the Bucks fly under the radar as the most dangerous team in the Eastern Conference – and I'll probably bet the Bucks a couple more times before the playoffs. 

Los Angeles Clippers (+1300 via Caesars)

What the Clippers did at the trade deadline was awesome!

By adding Bones Hyland, Eric Gordon, and Mason Plumlee to their roster, the Clippers made some sneaky good moves. They can also choose to address their point guard issues through the buyout market. 

The Clippers were available at +1000 on Caesars before the trade deadline, but the Emperor wasn't as fond of their trades as he pushed those odds back to +1300. 

I love the moves the Clippers made, but I wouldn't jump into the market at +1300. The Clippers could find themselves in the play-in tournament given the loaded Western Conference, which is exactly what you don't want when you bet +1300 on a team. 

With the Denver Nuggets likely to run away with the No. 1 seed and the Phoenix Suns drawing plenty of attention, you should have more time to decide what to do with the Clippers since I don't see their price coming down dramatically anytime soon. 

I think you're much better off attacking this market through the Eastern Conference, and you already know which team I'm going to suggest there. 

Phoenix Suns (+480 via FanDuel) 

Imagine if you had jumped in on the Suns just a few days ago, when they were trading at +2400 on FanDuel. I didn't see this trade for Durant coming – not after they offered Chris Paul for Kyrie Irving. 

Typically, the market overreacts after a big trade, so you can expect the Suns to be available at +500 or higher in the coming days. Sportsbooks typically drop prices immediately, knowing the liability is coming and then make another adjustment within a couple of days. As an example, the Dallas Mavericks initially dropped to +1400 but you'll now see +1800s floating around.

Does the +480 seem too short? Though I know they're loaded, I think about their potential path through the playoffs. Currently, they would face the Mavericks in round 1 and the Nuggets in round 2. These are brutal series to start your playoff journey for a team that is trading as short as +480. 

As dangerous as the Suns are, I would let this one breathe for a moment. 

Here are our best NBA betting sites:

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Written By:
Jon Metler
Jon Metler is a Sports Betting Analyst at SportsbookReview.com. Having played, coached, and officiated basketball, he immediately turned his attention to the NBA and College Basketball when he entered the sports betting space. Sports betting has been a part of his life for over 13 years, and he specializes in futures markets and player props, particularly in the NBA. In pursuit of value, he keeps a close eye on movements in the betting markets. He believes strongly in analytics and staying ahead of the curve; let the numbers do the talking. A graduate of the University of Windsor with a degree in Sports Studies, Jon enjoys spending time with his dogs when he isn't watching basketball.