San Antonio Spurs have colossal value in NBA Playoff odds for gamblers
By Dylan Carter
Multiple outlets have cited NBA Playoff odds and the value presented by the San Antonio Spurs is too good to pass up on for risk-takers.
There are layers to fandom that go far beyond the hardcore fans that the San Antonio Spurs are used to. A large population of spectators is driven by the rush they get from putting money down on games and betting on their favorite players or teams. Now that there’s an outline of events for the league’s return, the NBA Playoff odds have been released and San Antonio could be in line to make a sector of gamblers very happy.
Multiple outlets report different lines, but they fall in the same range. The No. 12 seeded Spurs are reported by Action Network to have +1300 odds to make the NBA playoffs as the eighth seed which falls to +1200 when you ask FanDuel Sportsbook. Either way, these odds are at least 12-to-1, which make them a candidate to have a huge payout if bet on.
I’m not gambling expert, but considering how this team has fared against the opponents they’re expected to face, there’s a better chance for the Spurs to make the postseason than they get credit for. Statistics also back the notion that San Antonio’s chances of earning that eighth seed are legitimate—especially when taking that play-in game between the eighth and ninth seed into account.
Odds to win NBA title via @CaesarsEnt:Lakers 2/1Bucks 11/4Clippers 13/4Celtics 15/1Rockets 15/1Raptors 17/1Nuggets 22/1Mavs 35/1Heat 40/1Pels 50/1Nets 60/1Jazz 60/1OKC 60/1Blazers 75/1Pacers 125/1Griz 500/1Magic 750/1Wizards 1,000/1Spurs 1,000/1Kings 2,000/1
— David Payne Purdum (@DavidPurdum) June 4, 2020
Statistics favor the San Antonio Spurs compared to their upcoming competition.
If the NBA is to proceed as expected with teams playing the opponents they were expected to finish the season against, San Antonio is going to play teams that it has a winning record against. Of the remaining teams outside of the playoff picture, they’re the only group with a winning record against teams that are above .500 in win percentage and will have their team fully healthy compared to the stroke of injuries they suffered before the season ended.
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San Antonio faced the damaged Utah Jazz twice, who they already beat on two other occasions this season. Utah is without it’s best forward, Bojan Bogdanovic, who had season-ending surgery to repair an injury that had been ailing him for weeks leading up to the hiatus. That already gives them a leg up against a team that may have some chemistry issues to work through as well.
They’ll also face the New Orleans Pelicans twice after winning the first meeting between these teams this season. While the Pelicans have youth and athleticism to their advantage, they’re also inexperienced and could be thwarted by the Spurs’ smarts in this scenario.
Lastly, they’ll take on the Denver Nuggets, who have a very similar group to the one they rolled out last season. San Antonio took them to seven games in the playoffs and nearly won the series on the back of a group that was worse, considering the return of Dejounte Murray this season and the additions of Lonnie Walker IV and Trey Lyles.
Not only is there a legitimate chance for us to see the Spurs climb back into the playoff picture, but they could be an angel in the sports betting community in this one.