It was the decision heard around the NBA world, but in case you’ve been under a rock, LeBron James is now a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.
After one of the most exhausting free agency processes to date, James joins Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey in the City of Brotherly Love.
The betting market quickly adjusted, and currently, Philadelphia has the fourth-best odds of winning the NBA Finals at 10/1.
They trail only the Knicks (+900) and the Spurs and Thunder, both of whom have +260 odds on FanDuel.
NBA Eastern Conference Finals futures prediction, best bet
Before rushing to label the Sixers as title contenders, it’s important to acknowledge that their chances of reaching the conference finals are very high.
Consider that the Pistons’ and Celtics’ chances have both significantly diminished following LeBron James’ decision.
The Cavaliers and Raptors now appear to be in the third or fourth tier.
One thing is certain: James’ dominance in the Eastern Conference has been unparalleled.
Since 2010, he has a perfect playoff record, winning 25 consecutive playoff series in the conference.
This includes eight straight Eastern Conference finals wins from 2011 to 2018 and a 9-1 record in that round overall.
Currently, the Sixers are at +380 to secure the conference title, but the smarter value is to take them at +180 to simply reach the ECF.
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Philadelphia’s backcourt is loaded with depth, featuring Maxey as a top-tier scoring option, VJ Edgecombe bringing two-way energy in his sophomore campaign, and former Celtic Anfernee Simons providing a scoring spark in a reserve role.
Swapping Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. for Brown and James is a huge upgrade on the wing. While Joel Embiid’s durability is always the wild card, this is undoubtedly the most dangerous group of running mates he’s ever had in Philly.
Jalen Brunson and the Knicks are the defending champs with plenty to prove, but don’t be shocked if the path to the NBA Finals requires another postseason trip down I-95 South.
The Play: 76ers to advance to Eastern Conference finals (+180, FanDuel)
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Mike Turay is a sports journalist and editor who closely follows the NBA, NFL, college sports and UFC. He has demonstrated expertise in both NBA and NFL player prop bets for nearly three years. Mike is also highly knowledgeable about the sportsbook offer landscape, frequently trying and reviewing the latest apps and sites.
