NBA Betting Favors Blazers, Pelicans To Make A Surprise Run

• Sports bettors are leaning towards there being 8/9 seed playoff play in the Western Conference but are betting against one taking place in the Eastern Conference.
• The potential 9th seed is favored to win the play-in in the Western conference at -140.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The NBA’s return brings with it a new kind of prop bet for bettors to wager on, as a potential NBA Playoffs play-in tournament has been announced.

The Tournament will only take place if the 9 seed is within 4 games of the 8 seed after the final eight games. The 9 seed will have to beat the 8 seed twice before the 8 seed beats them once in order to make the playoffs.

This double-elimination style game format is perfect for the NBA betting scene, with sports bettors already taking action on if there will be a tournament and what the result of the tournament will look like.

NBA Play-in Prop Bets

Interestingly, sports bettors wagering on the NBA have differing stances when it comes to the Eastern and Western conferences.

Currently, at online sportsbooks, the far favorite for the possibility of a play-in tournament for the Eastern Conference is No (-2500), but the short odds for the Western Conference potential tournament is Yes (-1000).

When looking at the standings this belief is not too far-fetched. There are six teams vying for the 8 seed in the West while only two teams are battling it out in the East.

The Memphis Grizzlies hold the current 8 seed in the West while the Portland Trail Blazers are the 9 seed and are just 4 ½ games back of Memphis.

In addition, the New Orleans Pelicans are just 1 game behind Portland, meaning either one of these teams could be a possible play-in match up. Based on experience alone, it makes sense to look at Portland to at least keep the 9 seed and close the gap enough to force a play-in.

Damien Lillard is having a career season with 28.9 points per game while being on pace to shoot 40% from three and 90% from the line.

The Blazers are also coming off of a trip to the Western Conference finals last season.

Sports bettors are also leaning towards a possible 9 seed upset in the West should the tournament apply.

The short odds for the 9 seed winning the potential play-in is -140.

The East is more cut and dry, as the Orlando Magic currently have a comfortable 6 game lead as the 8 seed over the Washington Wizards.

Since it is less of a fight to get in, the chances for a potential play-in situation decreases.

The NBA season will resume on July 31st. Legal sports betting sites will be there every step of the way bringing in the best odds and betting lines for the final eight games, potential play-in tournament, and playoffs going forward.

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