NBA betting sites are now shifting to some intriguing playoff prediction battles. In this article, we have our final NBA Series Futures Update for Round 1. When will a series finish? At VegasBetting, it is time to look closer at this. Also, we peek at which teams will win in a certain amount of games as well.
| Milwaukee-Chicago |  |
|---|---|
| 4 Games | +165 |
| 5 Games | +159 |
| 6 Games | +380 |
| 7 Games | +500 |
| Brooklyn-Boston | |
| 5 games | +260 |
| 6 games | +190 |
| 7 games | +165 |
| Phoenix-New Orleans | |
| 4 Games | +140 |
| 5 Games | +170 |
| 6 Games | +380 |
| 7 Games | +400 |
The defending champion Milwaukee Bucks opened up their playoff defense of their 2021 NBA Championship in grand style. They not only went up 1-0 on the Chicago Bulls but Milwaukee humbled their division rivals. In the NBA Series Futures, pundits were surprised to see the “when will the series finish” see some strange looking numbers. How strange? This one arguably is hard to believe yet somehow not surprising.
A further examination of the numbers looks at it this way. Giannis Antetokounmpo looked great defensively in Game 1 along with the supporting cast as they held Chicago to 86 points.
So, Milwaukee did blow a large lead in Game 1 as Chicago narrowed the gap to just one point with 96 seconds to play. Fortunately for the Bucks, they were able to close the game on a 6-0 run to finish off a game Bulls team. One gets the feeling that Milwaukee let Chicago back into their series opener. However, Chicago showed something.
Now, a minor debate starts up for NBA Series Futures Picks. Milwaukee should win the series but what if? Also, could the Chicago Bulls find a way to extend this series?
It is something how the Chicago Bulls are not close to the Milwaukee Bucks in the odds. The teams do seem evenly stacked and yet Chicago is +1100 to go up two games to one on Milwaukee as an illustration. Even when looking at the “when the series will finish” predictions are fun. The six and seven game choices are tilted where as four and five are trending slowly towards even money.
Now, the duo of DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine gives Chicago a chance. Yes, the Bulls are capable of playing playoff-level defense. That will be essential as they held Milwaukee to 93 points in Game 1 (42 in the second half). That has to happen over both halves for Chicago to make this a series. The feeling is that Milwaukee’s experience shines through in these games just enough. Chicago may steal one but the series futures prediction is five games for this tilt.
Throw the records out the window for Boston and Brooklyn in Round 1. As, the NBA Series Futures for this Atlantic Division clash are trending towards going the distance. That’s right. The Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets had a Game 1 for the ages as Brooklyn nearly rallied from an 11-point deficit. Boston was able to hold on and win 115-114 but with Kyrie Irving dropping 38 points, the series has a feeling of turning soon.
These were two of the hotter teams over the last couple of weeks of the regular season. Both teams have been on hot streaks, to say the least. Boston is one of the hottest squads in the NBA right now. They have won nine of ten and five straight contests. Brooklyn got Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and some healthy bodies at just the right time.
Again, it feels like the Celtics are the team that is feeling more pressure. They have the most to lose and honestly, Brooklyn looked to be the favored team especially come the fourth quarter of Game 1. Boston yielded ten more points than their season average. Remember, without their center, Boston has to rely on a bit more offensive pace to get by.
The Boston Celtics have been excellent and Marcus Smart is very much an MVP-caliber defensive player this season (see above). However, the streaky nature of Jayson Tatum against the Nets has to be mentioned. Brooklyn has more offensive weapons. Boston has more of a cohesive team. Oddly enough, that “team” has the most points in the division per game since the All-Star Break. Boston can adapt against Brooklyn but Brooklyn has the higher gear.
For this Series Futures pick, our best bet is to now take the Brooklyn Nets with Ben Simmons playing at some point while the number swings further into plus territory and for the series to finish in six games.
The Phoenix Suns expect to easily win this Round 1 series with Phoenix. However, New Orleans showed something in Game 1 as they fought to keep the game close. They lost by 11 ultimately.
New Orleans is a little too young to compete with a Chris Paul led Suns team. Phoenix got close to the NBA Title for a reason as Devin Booker and Paul form likely the best 1-2 guard combination in the NBA.
There is little value with the New Orleans Pelicans. They managed to get by the play-in round and were gamely in the opening soiree here. However, Phoenix just has too much overall talent and ability to create offense from transitional play. Honestly, New Orleans may look fortunate to be happy to get this far by the end of this series. It is a building block for them.
MyBookie went a little longer with the series finishing odds (+500) to go the distance and that is fair considering the margin for error. Instead look at the sweep at +140 before that trends to even money.
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