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Draftkings Sportsbook NBA Picks: Top 5 Favorite To Reach Playoffs Bets

Below we take a look at the odds to make the playoffs on DraftKings Sportsbook as the NBA prepares for its restart on July 30 in Orlando, Fla. Place your bets here. You can also download the DK Sportsbook app. All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and…

By DK Playbook

Below we take a look at the odds to make the playoffs on DraftKings Sportsbook as the NBA prepares for its restart on July 30 in Orlando, Fla. Place your bets here. You can also download the DK Sportsbook app.

All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.

Curious about when major leagues and events will return? Check out our DraftKings Sports Calendar for the latest updates.

To Reach Playoffs 2019/2020

  • Brooklyn Nets: Yes (-10000)/No (+1200)
  • Memphis Grizzlies: Yes (-150)/No (+120)
  • New Orleans Pelicans: Yes (+400)/No (-670)
  • Orlando Magic: Yes (-10000)/No (+1200)
  • Phoenix Suns: Yes (+6000)
  • Portland Trail Blazers: Yes (+350)/No (-590)
  • Sacramento Kings: Yes (+1100)/No (-10000)
  • San Antonio Spurs: Yes (+1300)/No (-10000)
  • Washington Wizards: Yes (+1300)/No (-10000)

My Favorite Bets

No. 5: Brooklyn Nets – No (+1200): Although the Nets are currently the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference and are six games ahead of the ninth-seeded Wizards, Brooklyn has more incentive to miss the playoffs than any other team remaining. The Nets’ 2020 first-round pick is Top 14 protected, so they only receive it if they miss the playoffs. Since the Nets’ focus is on the 2020-21 season when stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are set to return, the team may be better off gaining another asset in this year’s draft instead of playing a much more talented team in the first round of the 2019-20 playoffs.

No. 4: Washington Wizards – Yes (+1300): There are only three Eastern Conference teams still competing for a playoff spot, so the Nets missing the playoffs would mean that the Wizards make it by default. This sounds crazy for a team that is 24-40, but the Wizards have exceeded expectations this year. Washington’s preseason win total was set at 27.5, so the Wizards still have a chance to pass that in a shortened season. Sharpshooter Davis Bertans withdrawing from participating is a tough break for the Wizards’ playoff chances, but I expect star Bradley Beal and the team’s young players to put up a good effort in the team’s final eight games.

No. 3: New Orleans Pelicans – Yes (+400): The Pelicans may have an unimpressive record of 28-36, but New Orleans is a team that nobody wants to play this summer. Last year’s No. 1 draft pick Zion Williamson has exceeded expectations in the 19 games he has played this season, leading the Pelicans to a 10-9 record when he suits up. The Pelicans’ current record is also dragged down by the 13-game losing streak the team suffered in November and December, which dropped New Orleans’ record to a brutal 6-22. Jacob Goldstein of WinsAdded.com projects that the Pelicans have the easiest strength of schedule of all remaining teams, which is another favorable sign for the Pels’ playoff hopes.

No. 2: Memphis Grizzlies – No (+112): If there is anyone out there who had the Grizzlies as the Western Conference eighth seed 64 games into the season, they should be writing articles for DK Playbook instead of me. The Grizzlies’ preseason win total was set at 26.5, the fourth-lowest in the league, but Memphis blew right by it on Feb. 9. I do not mean to ruin this feel-good story led by Rookie of the Year favorite Ja Morant, but I expect it to be very tough for Memphis to hold on to this playoff spot. The Grizzlies’ final five regular-season games are against surefire playoff teams, but Memphis may catch a huge break if the Bucks have the Eastern Conference No. 1 seed clinched by the time the two teams play on Aug. 13. The Trail Blazers, Pelicans and Kings are all currently 3.5 games back, so one of them will likely earn at least a play-in against the Grizzlies for a chance to be one of the final 16.

No. 1: Sacramento Kings – Yes (+1100): I had to do a double-take when I saw that the Kings’ odds were this long. I just mentioned that the Kings, Trail Blazers and Pelicans are all 3.5 games back of the eighth seed, yet the Kings have by far the longest odds. This is likely due to the star power on the Trail Blazers and Pelicans with Damian Lillard and Zion Williamson, respectively, but the Kings had quietly won 13 of their last 20 games before the season was suspended. Another reason the Kings are my No. 1 bet is due to Sacramento’s very favorable schedule. Every single one of the Kings’ remaining opponents is currently a sixth seed or worse, aside from the Lakers who will likely be resting players during their game of the regular season matchup on Aug. 13. The Kings have not made the playoffs since the 2005-06 season, the longest active drought in the league, and I like Sacramento’s chances of breaking through this year.

Analysis by Tyler Stevens

All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.

For sports betting, head over to DraftKings Sportsbook or download the DK Sportsbook app.

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