NBA Championship Betting Trends: Celtics and Lakers Rising

Who’s Hot and Where the Smart Money Is Going

With the NBA regular season winding down, championship futures betting is heating up. Based on the latest odds movement, ticket percentages, handle distribution, and betting liabilities, we break down the top trends in the NBA title race.

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Line Movement: Who the Books Are Adjusting For

The biggest shifts in NBA Championship futures have come from three teams:

-Boston Celtics: Opened at +310, now +200 – As the Eastern Conference’s top team, the Boston Celtics odds have shortened, reflecting strong form and balanced play.

-Los Angeles Lakers: Opened at +2500, now +1000 – Despite inconsistency, public money has poured in on LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

-Golden State Warriors: Opened at +2500, now +1200 – A team with championship pedigree, the Golden State Warriors remains a popular bet despite their struggles.

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Most Popular Bets: Where the Tickets Are Going

-Los Angeles Lakers (16.0%) – The most bet-on team in terms of ticket count, likely due to public bettors favoring LeBron and the championship experience.

-Boston Celtics (13.5%) – The top team in the East has earned significant betting support.

-Cleveland Cavaliers (12.3%) – One of the biggest surprises of the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers leading the East are drawing bettors’ confidence.

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Biggest Money Moves: Handle Percentage Leaders

Handle percentage represents the total money wagered, often indicating sharp action.

-Cleveland Cavaliers (17.4%) – Leading the Eastern Conference with an elite defense, the Cavs have drawn the most betting dollars.

-Los Angeles Lakers (14.9%) – A mix of sharp and public money continues to back the Lakers.

-Boston Celtics (14.0%) – Consistently backed as one of the safest bets to win it all.

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Biggest Liabilities for BetMGM

Liabilities indicate teams sportsbooks stand to lose the most money on if they win the championship:

-Golden State Warriors – Their odds shortening to +1200 means significant betting action.

-Los Angeles Lakers – The most popular team in terms of tickets and a liability for books if they go on a deep run.

-Detroit Pistons – Despite long odds, bettors are taking shots on the Detroit Pistons as a massive underdog play.

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Teams to Watch Based on Performance Stats

Looking at the latest NBA team stats, some teams stand out:

-Boston Celtics (49-19) – Strong offensive efficiency (117.4 PPG), excellent defense (108.2 OPP PPG), and a +8.4 differential.

-Cleveland Cavaliers (51-10) – Best overall record and a +10.9 point differential, signaling elite two-way play.

-Oklahoma City Thunder (48-12) – A rising contender in the West the Oklahoma City Thunder have a +12.5 differential, the best in the NBA.

-Denver Nuggets (44-25) – The 2023 champs, the Denver Nuggets rank third in offensive rating and remain a dangerous team.

Final Takeaways

-Boston remains the favorite but Cleveland’s surge is notable.

-Public money loves the Lakers and Warriors, making them liabilities for sportsbooks.

-The sharpest money is on Cleveland, reflected in the highest handle percentage.

-Watch for teams with strong point differentials like OKC and Denver, as they have the metrics to sustain a deep playoff run.

With the playoffs approaching, betting trends will continue to evolve, making it crucial for bettors to track odds movement and market shifts before placing their wagers.