Germantas Kneita
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The spectacle that the NBA All-Star Weekend brings is now behind us, giving us the rest of the regular season to look forward to. With teams having under 30 games each remaining, we should see future goals and intentions come into sight. Some will make desperate pushes for the playoffs, other will look to give youth a chance and tank and some others might coast to the postseason.
With that in mind, take a look at my favorite futures bets for the rest of the season.
Detroit Pistons over 13.5 wins (-105)
The Detroit Pistons have made several trades that have really solidified their team. The additions of Simone Fontecchio, Quintin Grimes and Evan Fournier has given them 3 fantastic perimeter shooters for Cade Cunningham to find. The young Pistons star is healthy now, too, and will be available for the stretch run. This is not a typical tanking team, either. After their terrible start, the Pistons made moves to make sure they do not have a historically bad season. And with a projected weak draft class in 2024, there is no real incentive to lose games and tank like their was for Victor Wembanyama last year. I can certainly see them picking up 6 more wins before the end of the regular season. They have 2 games left against the Memphis Grizzlies and still need to take on the likes of the Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets and San Antonio Spurs. I can see them grinding out a few extra games on top of that, too.
Boston Celtics under 63.5 wins (-115)
The Celtics have been fantastic, winning 43 of their 55 games so far. They have been so good that they have a 6-game lead over second place in the Eastern Conference. With their goals in mind for the season, and the fact that injury prone players like Kristaps Porzingis are on the roster, load management should come into effect. Their impressive form is due to their insane home record, which is 26-3. On the road that drops off to 17-9. With 16 road games after the all-star break and plenty of dead-rubber games before the playoffs due to their rankings, I can imagine then dropping 7 of their last 27 games. The Celtics know they have a terrific chance of getting out of the Eastern Conference this season with all the issues the likes of the Milwaukee Bucks are facing. They will not jeopardize their playoffs chances by pushing hard at the end of the regular season.
Regular season MVP — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (+210)
The current favorite to win the MVP trophy is once again Nikola Jokic, who is currently averaging close to a triple-double — coming in just over an assist shy. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should have a great chance of seriously joining the conversation. He is having the most efficient season of his career in field goal and 3-point percentage. One thing that could really help his cause is if the Oklahoma City Thunder secure the top seed in the Western Conference. They are currently just 1.5 games behind. If they can get it and Gilgeous-Alexander is the only man on the roster averaging over 20 points per game, his case will be clear. It helps that he is also 3rd in the league in scoring. With Jokic having won the MVP trophy numerous times, too, I feel he would be less inclined to be given it than someone who has helped a young team get over the hump. SGA is a good value bet to be MVP.
