NBA In-Season Tournament Odds: Who Are the Favourites?
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The concept of the brand-new NBA In-Season Tournament format has been well-received among basketball fans, who enjoy the additional excitement it brings to the early part of the season.
With the group stage wrapped up, the knockout stage is set. Early favourites among NBA bookies include the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks, both leading the way at the top of the market.
2023 In-Season Tournament Bracket
The groups have concluded, and it was an exhilarating competition &— with a few close wins in the final round of games.
The Sacramento Kings triumphed over the Warriors with a 124-123 score to lead Group C. Concurrently, the Minnesota Timberwolves secured a 106-103 victory over Oklahoma City, earning the Phoenix Suns a Wild Card spot. The Celtics, Bucks, New York Knicks, New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers, and Los Angeles Lakers have also advanced to the next round.
With the completion of the group stages, the tournament bracket is now set. Here are the games to look forward to:
West: Quarter-Finals
- Pelicans vs Kings: Monday 4th December at 10 pm ET from the Golden 1 Center.
- Suns vs Lakers: Tuesday 5th December at 10 pm ET from the Crypto.com Arena.
- West: Semi-Finals &— TBD vs TBD
East: Quarter-Finals
- Celtics vs Pacers: Monday 4th December at 7.30 pm ET from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
- Knicks vs Bucks: Tuesday 5th December at 7.30 pm ET from the Fiserv Forum.
- East: Semi-Finals &— TBD vs TBD
Championship Final
- TBD vs TBD &— Saturday, 9th December at 7.30 pm ET from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
NBA In-Season Tournament Odds
| Team |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Pelicans | 53.50 | 13.00 | 51.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 | 13.00 |
| Sacramento Kings | 40.70 | 6.00 | 41.00 | 40.00 | 40.00 | 6.00 |
| Phoenix Suns | 8.02 | 7.00 | 8.00 | 8.00 | 8.00 | 7.00 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 19.86 | 6.50 | 19.00 | 19.00 | 19.00 | 6.50 |
| Boston Celtics | 4.60 | 4.00 | 4.50 | 4.60 | 4.60 | 4.00 |
| Indiana Pacers | 210.00 | 13.00 | 251.00 | 220.00 | 220.00 | 13.00 |
| New York Knicks | 52.00 | 15.00 | 15.00 | 50.00 | 50.00 | 15.00 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 5.16 | 4.30 | 5.00 | 5.20 | 5.20 | 4.30 |
Understanding In-Season Tournament Odds
Online sportsbooks and NBA sports betting apps begin posting odds for this tournament during the prior offseason, allowing bettors to lock in their bets ahead of time. However, as the regular season progresses and various factors come into play, these odds are subject to change.
The odds for the In-Season Tournament are significantly influenced by player transfers. As the season progresses, teams might participate in trades or enlist players from other leagues, which can alter their overall performance and prospects in the tournament. Sportsbooks consider these alterations and modify the odds accordingly.
The odds for the In-Season Tournament are greatly influenced by player performance and progress. As the season progresses, some athletes may face downturns in their performance, while others may show considerable enhancements in their gameplay. Based on these trends and the current roster of each team, sportsbooks will keep a close watch and modify the odds in accordance with individual player performances.
Another crucial factor that can substantially affect the probabilities for the In-Season Tournament is injuries. The chances of a high-ranking team winning the tournament might decline if a key player gets injured, leading sportsbooks to modify their odds accordingly.
The probabilities aren’t always influenced by antics happening inside or outside the court &— it could simply be a matter of mathematics. For instance, if bettors begin to overwhelmingly support one team (a phenomenon known as betting volume or “handle” in bookmaker terms), the odds will naturally decrease as bookmakers strive to maintain their profit margin. Keep in mind, the bookmaker’s margin refers to the difference between the offered odds and the ‘true price’.
You can learn more about how odds work using our betting odds calculator &— simply input your bet, your odds, your stake, and see how much it will return if it comes in. Remember, the best way to make the most of your betting balance is by claiming the best betting bonuses &— it gives you better bang for your buck.
In-Season Tournament Favourites
Following the group stage, several teams have attracted attention, with the majority hailing from the Eastern division.
GetMindApps takes a look at the best betting odds available at the moment:
Boston Celtics (Odds: 5.0)
At the time of writing, with a 14-4 record, the Celtics are leading the NBA this season. Their exceptional performance can be attributed to Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porziņģis. When all five are on the court, they collectively average over 28 points per 100 possessions, showcasing their incredible scoring prowess.
The recent triumph over the Chicago Bulls, securing their spot in the knockout round, has stirred up conversation. A victory against the Bulls was necessary, but they even needed a lead of 23 points or more to ensure advancement. The game was a crushing victory with a score of 124-97, showcasing a relentless offensive display.
They will take some stopping!
Milwaukee Bucks (Odds: 5.0)
The Bucks (11-6) are yet to see their plans come to fruition in the early stage of the season. They struggle with a below-average defense and lack fluidity in their playing style. Furthermore, they are yet to provide adequate support to their Greek scoring sensation, Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Nonetheless, he demonstrated his ability to support his teammates when necessary, with an impressive 33-point performance in the Bucks’ win against the Miami Heat. This victory solidified their place in the quarter-finals, making it challenging to discount them from Championship contention.
Sacramento Kings (Odds: 7.0)
The Kings are currently grappling with an offensive issue &— what happened to their previously record-breaking attacking strength? In the past year, they set a new league record for highest offensive rating with 119.4, surpassing the previous mark set by the 2020-21 Brooklyn Nets. However, their performance this year has been disappointing. Just last month, they only managed 103.8 points per 100 possessions, the lowest in the league. So, the elephant in the room is their offense &— where did it go?
The injuries of De’Aaron Fox and Keegan Murray might have made things difficult, but the hope is to regain their top form, especially with the intelligent playmaker Domantas Sabonis maintaining his excellent performance from the previous year.
If the Kings can regain their ability to find the hoop, they could secure a position as the Championship winners.
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Don’t forget, you can enhance your In-Season tournament experience by taking advantage of sign-up offers or promotional materials from the top sportsbook sites in the industry.
Here are some great examples:
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NBA In-Season Tournament Explained
While the tournament is fresh, gleaming, and captivating, and initial reactions have been favorable, there still exists a slight ambiguity about its operation.
Here’s a brief explainer:
Group Stage
The group stage of the season is made up of six groups, each containing five teams. These groups are organized by conference and tiers to maintain an equal level of competition among all teams involved. This setup ensures that teams with comparable records from the previous season are grouped together, providing them with an equal chance to progress to the subsequent round.
Upon the conclusion of the group stage matches, teams will be ranked according to their performance records. The best performing team from each group, alongside two wildcard teams, will progress to the Knockout Round. This approach guarantees that only the most meritorious teams proceed to the subsequent round, creating a thrilling and equitable competition.
Teams will be reorganized for the Knockout Round according to their overall records, where higher-ranked teams will compete against lower-ranked teams.
Knockout Stage
The NBA Playoffs Knockout Round comprises six group victors and two wildcard teams, each representing a conference. These eight teams participate in a single-elimination tournament, where teams with the best records in their respective conferences are granted homecourt advantage. This implies that the game will be hosted in the arena of the higher-ranked team.
The Knockout Round is broken down into quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals. The NBA determines the hosting cities of the semi-finals and finals each year, based on factors like fan attendance, availability of venues, and the overall enthusiasm for the event. The location for these games changes annually.
Teams not only compete for the prestigious title of In-Season Tournament champions but also have the chance to secure individual honors during the Knockout Round. These accolades comprise the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, the Finals MVP award, and the Defensive Player award.
In-season MVP Odds
| Player | | |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikola Jokic Denver Nuggets C | 2.36 | 2.36 | 2.40 | 2.40 | 2.40 |
| Luka Doncic Dallas Mavericks PG | 5.60 | 5.60 | 6.00 | 6.00 | 6.00 |
| Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers C | 7.80 | 7.80 | 8.00 | 8.00 | 8.00 |
| Jayson Tatum Boston Celtics SF | 9.40 | 9.40 | 9.00 | 9.00 | 9.00 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks PF | 11.00 | 11.00 | 11.00 | 11.00 | 11.00 |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Oklahoma City Thunder PG | 11.00 | 11.00 | 11.00 | 11.00 | 11.00 |
| Kevin Durant Phoenix Suns SF | 23.00 | 23.00 | 21.00 | 21.00 | 21.00 |
| Anthony Edwards Minnesota Timberwolves SG | 26.00 | 26.00 | 26.00 | 26.00 | 26.00 |
| Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors PG | 29.00 | 29.00 | 26.00 | 26.00 | 26.00 |
| Tyrese Haliburton Indiana Pacers PG | 30.00 | 30.00 | 31.00 | 31.00 | 31.00 |
| Devin Booker Phoenix Suns SG | 30.00 | 30.00 | 29.00 | 29.00 | 29.00 |
Conclusion
Our concise summary of all essential information about the In-Season Tournament is now complete. The tournament has generated such appeal that streaming powerhouses like Netflix are reportedly showing interest.
Millions of people have been tuning in to watch. The sport is now increasingly competing with the dominant NFL for viewership during the winter months, and the tournament setup is generating intrigue.
It is tricky to see how the Celtics don’t come out on top with their firepower and form, but the beauty of knockout basketball is the unpredictability that comes with it. Whether you are betting with crypto or real money, always ensure you do so responsibly.
