The playoff table is starting to take shape in the Eastern Conference, but the play-in table is not as clear. The Miami Heat likely won’t fall in the play-in because they’re top of their division and therefore can’t drop below sixth place, but they’re currently seventh and the Toronto Raptors are ninth.
The conference is very dense in the middle and these teams need their best players to play well in the final stretch to qualify or earn their place in the preparation tournament.
There are stars we’re supporting tonight and others I want to see disappear into the aftermarket.
Heat vs. Raptors: the best bets in the NBA
- Jimmy Butler over 23.5 points (-105)
- Pascal Siakam less than 22.5 points (-118)
- OG Anunoby over 15.5 points (-120)
Jimmy Butler over 23.5 points (-105)
Jimmy Butler is doing Jimmy Butler’s stunt again. You know, the one where he transforms into a league top 10 player without warning once games start to count more. Yeah, this stuff is happening.
Over the year, Butler is averaging 22.8 points per game, 5.1 assists, and 6.0 rebounds, with 53% from the field and 35% from 3 points.
In March, he averaged 26.1 points, 5.3 assists and 6.1 rebounds, with 57.5% from the field and 47.4% from three points. He’s shooting 10.8 free throws per game this month and his average for the season is 8.8. The man changed course.
Pascal Siakam minus 22.5 points (-118)
You can say the exact opposite of Siakam, although he has a championship ring, unlike Butler. In the home stretch of the year, he was the worst. On the full year, he’s averaging 24.2 ppg with a 48/34/76 shot split, but in March he’s averaging 19.8 ppg with a 47 shot split. /28/72.
OG Anunoby sur 15.5 points (-120)
I feel like I found value chasing gaps over time in this game, but we can also find value by looking at home/road gaps.
Simply put, Anunoby scores 18.3 points at home and 15.3 on the road. Let’s take his overkill in Toronto tonight.
Follow all of Josh Yourish’s bets HERE
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The odds of the games are refreshed periodically and are subject to change.
