NBA – Latest Betting News and Tips February 24th
This week, we take a deeper dive into futures betting to win the conference and NBA crown. This and our usual look at all the top televised contests, along with the best season trends to follow.
Betting NBA Futures – For Conferences and NBA Championship
We are just past the All-Star break, and each team (when this was written) had about 25 to 28 games left in the regular season. With this in mind, making futures bets is not for everyone, because even now in late February, your possibly winning bet could be tied up close to four months before an NBA champion is crowned.
Nevertheless, of all the major sports, which include college football and basketball, this, in theory, is the easiest to get right, as we will explain.
Here are the Top 5 contenders in each conference based on odds from Betonline.
NBA Western Conference Winner Odds
>Oklahoma City +125
>Denver +575
>San Antonio +800
>Houston +2200
>Minnesota +2500
NBA Eastern Conference Winner Odds
>Cleveland +1100
>Detroit +1200
>Boston +1200
>New York +1400
>Philadelphia +5000
In the history of the NBA, which began in the 1946-47 season, only twice has a team that finished outside the Top 3 in either conference won the championship. If you wanted to wait to see who the first three clubs are in each conference, that does make sense; however, your odds will likely be lower, which matters to some bettors and not others.
The Thunder are the defending champions and are heavily favored to win it again. As opposed to last season, when OKC was on
a mission, they showed up almost every night during the regular season, on their way to their first title.
This season, despite the best record in the West, the Thunder has not been nearly as focused, in spite of still having a double-digit point differential, suffering some ugly defeats. It’s best not to spend too much time thinking of this, because many others have done the same thing.
What is worth thinking about is that San Antonio is right behind OKC, within striking distance of overtaking them. The Spurs have been a nightmare matchup for the Thunder, sweeping the season series 4-0. San Antonio does appear they’ll finish in the Top 2 of the West.
The third slot is up for grabs with Denver, Houston, Minnesota, and the L.A. Lakers all within two games of each other. Based on history, being the #3 seed dramatically increases your chances of winning the title.
In the East, Detroit has pulled out to a large lead. Unless something catastrophic occurs, the Pistons should be the top seed.
Boston has caught fire, and this – write-off season – has everyone taking another look at the Celtics. Boston is playing fantastic team defense, and they force opposing teams to play their game.
Cleveland, New York, and Toronto are all within distance forthe #2 and #3 seeds. The Cavaliers are putting it together, becoming considerably more dangerous. James Harden has stabilized the backcourt, which in turn has helped those in the frontcourt play their more familiar roles.
Currently, New York’s defense doesn’t look strong enough to carry them to the NBA Finals, let alone win it.
NBA Conference Finals Betting
Since 1970, only one team with a seed below #3, Houston in 1995, has won a championship. That year, the Rockets were a six-seed. However, they were injury-plagued that season after winning the championship the year before, and got healthy the last month of the regular season to become back-to-back champions.
Starting that season until today, nine seeds ranked 4th or lower have made the NBA Finals. There’s been a total of nine to reach The Finals, six from the East and three from the West, so a lower seed can move one, making – Conference Champions – wagering dicier, but hardly unwinnable.
Best NBA Teams to Bet the OVER on(as of 2/24/26)
*Denver 37-21
*Golden State 34-23
*Utah 33-24
*L.A. Lakers 31-25
Top NBA Games to Watch (Follow) or Bet the Rest of the Week
Tuesday
Peacock – New York at Cleveland
Peacock – Minnesota at Portland
An excellent litmus test in the East for two squads in the Knicks and Cavaliers, that crave reaching the #2 spot. Watching Minnesota’s recent showing, it seems they could just as easily reach the #3 seed in the West as fall to #8.
Wednesday
ESPN – Oklahoma City at Detroit
ESPN – Boston at Denver
It’s Detroit’s toughest week of the season. They played San Antonio Monday, the Thunder in this one, and at Cleveland on Friday. Having a 2-1 record is an accomplishment, even if you have the best record in the NBA. Boston wraps up its four-game west swing, playing three in four nights (the last two B2B) at a Mile High.
Thursday
PRIME – Houston at Orlando
PRIME – Minnesota at L.A. Clippers
Neither the Rockets nor the Magic is playing poorly or well. Both would like to assemble a five-game winning streak to feel better about who they are. The Clippers made the huge surge to get close to .500, but have leveled off since trading James Harden.
Friday
ESPN – Cleveland at Detroit
ESPN – Denver at Oklahoma City
Two superior matchups on ESPN that have playoff status implications. Though it’s only one contest, the winners are presumably going to emerge more confident in the short term.
Saturday
PRIME – Houston at Miami
ABC – L.A. Lakers at Golden State
A contrast of styles with the Rockets and Heat, each attempting to impose their will to play their game. Of all the big games this week in the Association, the Lakers and Warriors feel like a matchup of an era gone by.
Sunday
ABC – San Antonio at New York
ABC – Minnesota at Denver
NBC – Philadelphia at Boston
The Knicks knocked off Houston eight days ago and could use another big win. Each club has an excellent record against the other conference. If the Timberwolves want to be taken seriously, they need a victory in Denver. Boston’s happy to be home, but the 76ers cover more spreads on the road than at home.
Get more NBA betting advice from Doug Upstone here and purchase Doug’s Premium picks here.
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