Next week, the National Basketball Association has an impressive lineup of games ready to be unveiled. As usual, West Virginia sportsbooks provide a diverse range of NBA markets for each game listed on the schedule.
As May approaches, it’s time to shift our focus to the basketball court. The playoffs are imminent, and many teams find themselves unsatisfied with their current standings.
Many franchises are already in the midst of their postseason push, with just approximately 10 games left in the regular season.
Due to the reintroduction of expanded playoffs this season, a greater number of teams have a chance to remain in contention. In the expanded format, both the 10th and 9th ranked teams in each conference will now have the opportunity to secure a playoff spot.
Most teams in the midst of competition consider the sixth seed as an appealing target. Securing this position or a higher one will enable them to bypass the preliminary play-in tournament.
In the upcoming week, we will analyze the prominent games that will be televised nationwide and examine the odds provided by the online sports betting apps in West Virginia.
NBA odds at WV sportsbooks
Warriors vs. Pelicans preview
When the Golden State Warriors face off against the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night, the atmosphere in the building will be reminiscent of a playoff game.
At present, the Warriors occupy the 10th position, with just a three-game lead over the Pels.
New Orleans, despite Zion Williamson’s impressive performance, has been one of the major letdowns this year. The team currently sits seven games below the .500 mark and has encountered recent struggles.
Steph Curry’s remarkable performance in April, which exceeded even his own exceptional standards, has played a significant role in the Warriors’ current position of 31-32.
During the month, Curry maintained an impressive average of over 37 points per game while exhibiting a remarkable shooting efficiency of 52% from the field. This astonishing statistic encompasses an astounding six or more three-pointers per game, with an outstanding shooting accuracy of nearly 47% from beyond the arc.
Despite his team’s struggle to secure a playoff spot, it wouldn’t be unexpected for Curry to garner MVP votes. Currently, according to DraftKings Sportsbook WV, he is listed with the third-highest odds of winning the award at +2000.
Curry is currently tied with Giannis Antetokounmpo in the online sportsbook rankings, trailing behind Nikola Jokic (-670) and Joel Embiid (+450).
Surprisingly, the Warriors and Pelicans have not yet competed against each other this season. However, they are slated to have three upcoming matchups in May.
Despite the absence of current odds for this contest, bettors should anticipate a narrow point spread. The Warriors may appear stronger, but their performance on away games has been problematic, while the Pelicans are driven by desperation.
Nuggets vs. Lakers preview
Later on Monday night, two more teams from the Western Conference playoff race will face off. Although the Lakers and Nuggets seem likely to secure a postseason spot, their current health trajectories are heading in opposite directions.
Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets had his year cut short due to an unfortunate ACL injury. As a prominent figure and emerging leader in his team, Murray was consistently contributing over 21 points per game.
Despite his significant absence, the Nuggets appear to be thriving. They have achieved a four-game winning streak, securing their No. 4 seed and winning eight out of their last 10 games.
Jokic’s dominant performance this season has been a significant factor in their success. The big man averages approximately 26 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists per game, making a substantial contribution. Additionally, he leads his team in steals with an average of 1.4 per game.
Meanwhile, the Lakers’ roster is beginning to regain its health as forward Anthony Davis returns to action following an extended period of being sidelined.
However, the defending champions continue to be without their primary leader, LeBron James.
While LA is not at risk of dropping significantly, it is positioned closely to the play-in cutoff. Currently, LA holds a slim lead of one game over Dallas in sixth place and maintains a two-game advantage over Portland in seventh.
Normally, teams of such high quality usually do not need to be concerned about their positioning in the playoffs. However, the Lakers should be mindful of their seeding due to the absence of their key players. It is unlikely that they will start the playoffs with the same level of dominance they displayed last year.
This is the third and last game of the season for these teams. They have each won one of the previous two games, both with a significant margin of victory.
In this game, the point spread at WV sportsbooks is guaranteed to remain within a narrow range.
Nets vs. Bucks preview
After enjoying these games, basketball enthusiasts in the Mountain State can also bet on exciting Tuesday action in the NBA.
The Milwaukee Bucks are set to host the Brooklyn Nets in an early game on TNT, showcasing a matchup between two teams destined for the playoffs.
The top-seeded Nets have recently secured their spot in the postseason, boasting a record of 43-20 and maintaining a 1.5-game advantage over Philadelphia.
Brooklyn’s ability to secure victories despite being plagued by injuries has been incredibly remarkable. Although Kevin Durant recently made his comeback, the team now faces the absence of guard James Harden for an indefinite period.
However, in contrast to the Lakers, the Nets have a significant advantage at the top of the Eastern Conference. They currently hold a comfortable 4.5-game lead over the Bucks and a considerable eight-game lead over the fourth-placed Knicks.
Milwaukee is expected to have home-court advantage in their opening-round series, but they are also aiming to secure a higher position. If they qualify for the top spot, it ensures that they will not face the Sixers or Nets until the conference finals.
The two teams have only faced off once, and the match was quite thrilling. In January, Brooklyn narrowly defeated Milwaukee with a score of 125-123.
It is evident that in order to place bets on this game, it is crucial to review the starting lineups beforehand. If the majority of key players are participating, it is highly probable that WV sportsbooks will maintain a narrow spread.
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