EatWatchBet Logo

A Look Ahead: 3 NBA Futures Bets to Make Today

Jaden Vann
Written by Jaden Vann
January 17, 2025
A Look Ahead 3 NBA Futures Bets to Make Today

As we approach the midway point of the NBA regular season, it’s time to look at some of the best future bets to make before the trade deadline. While Joel Embiid’s Philadelphia 76ers have a grueling upcoming schedule, the time is now to bet against them to make the postseason in the East as they are sitting at 15-24 on the year.

Out West, the Phoenix Suns are just three games back of the division lead yet hold +800 odds to win the Pacific over the Los Angeles teams, Sacramento, and Golden State. We explore how Devin Booker and Co. can complete the comeback to win the division.

Los Angeles Lakers To Make Playoffs (-170)

The Western Conference standings are an absolute mess at this point in the season - to no surprise. The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves sitting in 6th place at 21-17, two games behind the 4th seed in Denver, but also two games in front of Golden State who currently sits outside of the Play-In picture. Out of the Clippers, Lakers, Mavericks, Wolves, Kings, Suns, Warriors, and Spurs, four franchises will miss out on competing during the postseason. As of now, it seems as if Sacramento has figured something out, while Dallas, Phoenix, Golden State, and San Antonio seem to be trending downward heading toward the All-Star break.

The Lakers have been extremely impressive under first-year coach JJ Redick. I love how they are getting to the free throw line at a high rate (2nd) and are still among the top tier of teams out West although shooting below 36% from beyond the arc. The difference between this Laker squad and those of previous seasons? The depth is noticeable.

While LA hasn’t had to play much without their two stars (2-1 without James and 1-1 without Davis), Dalton Knecht, Rui Hachimura, Max Christie, and Dorian Finney-Smith have provided some spark off the bench unit this season. Additionally, we’ve seen Jaxon Hayes and Christian Koloko fill in for some missed Davis minutes and contribute at a serviceable level. If Los Angeles figures out their 2nd half-scoring (23rd in 3Q PPG) and 26th in 4Q PPG), this is a championship-level team in the West in what could become the last rodeo for LeBron. And by the way, he is carrying a city on his back once again.

Philadelphia 76ers to Miss Playoffs (-148)

Joel Embiid has missed about 47% of regular season games throughout his career. So essentially, Philadelphia will be uncertain if Joel will play on any given day or not. With lingering issues that have sidelined the superstar big man since January 4th, the upcoming schedule for the 76ers might put an end to their playoff hopes this season.

After losing four games in a row, Philly will travel to Indiana, Milwaukee, and Denver. After this brutal stretch, they will host Cleveland before flying out that night to take on the Chicago Bulls at United Center. This is a recipe for disaster and even if Embiid suits up once again during this stretch, the rhythm will be completely thrown off.

The Nick Nurse experiment is failing and what a disservice to Tyrese Maxey and his wonderful talents to let a prime season go to a complete waste at the back of the team’s superstar. At -148, these are probably the best odds you will get before this away stand for Philly.

Phoenix Suns to Win the Pacific Division (+800)

The Phoenix Suns have Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal. The Phoenix Suns have a supporting cast of Tyus Jones, Ryan Dunn, Grayson Allen, and Royce O’Neale. Only three games behind the Clippers for the Pacific Division lead and expected to be active at the trade deadline, +800 odds for Phoenix to win their division is a number we are pouncing on. Granted, Phoenix has the toughest strength of schedule remaining in the entire NBA, with Houston, Boston, OKC, and Cleveland on their schedule at least twice from the rest of this month through May.

It’s truly now or never for the Suns and Mat Ishbia, who traded Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and much of their depth for Kevin Durant just a few years ago in what could turn into a disaster of a move. With Bradley Beal’s status up in the air, the saving grace for this team will certainly fall in the hands of Devin Booker and I believe DBook will have an incredible post-ASB stretch against these above .500 teams.

The Suns need to figure things out internally, but only three games behind the Clippers, this team is too talented for +800 odds to win the division. Phoenix is currently 4-1 against the Los Angeles teams this season, with three matchups left to go.

EatWatchBet on Google News

Follow EatWatchBet on Google News to stay updated with our latest stories! Click the icon, and our betting picks and tips will be added to your Google News feed.

Latest From EatWatchBet

EatWatchBet

Newsletter

Get exclusive access to our weekly picks, promotions, and more.
Invalid email address
EatWatchBet