The Toronto Raptors entered the pause in the NBA schedule comfortably positioned in second place in the Eastern Conference standings, but are set to return to action as the +600 third favourite on those betting futures at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.
The defending NBA champions face a tough eight-game schedule as they vie for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, starting with their matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers on Aug. 1 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.
In addition to the Lakers, who continue to lead the way on the NBA championship odds as +200 favourites, the Raptors are also preparing for dates with key conference rivals including the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers. Sporting a league-best 53-12 record when the NBA halted play due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bucks continue to lead the pack as clear -185 chalk to emerge as Eastern Conference champions.
Milwaukee will be aiming to rebound from the worrisome 1-4 straight-up run that it took into the pause in play. The Bucks must also overcome a dismal track record in the NBA playoffs that includes first-round exits in eight straight appearances prior to last season, when they were bounced from the conference finals by the Raptors.
Elsewhere on the Eastern Conference odds at online sports betting sites, the Celtics sit second to Milwaukee, just ahead of Toronto at +550. The
Sixers trail at +750, followed by the Heat at +1100. The Indiana Pacers trail at a lengthy +5000 on those NBA odds, with the Brooklyn Nets at +8000, while the Orlando Magic and the Washington Wizards are deadlocked at the bottom of those futures at +25000.
The Celtics have struggled with inconsistency after opening the NBA season on a 10-1 straight-up run. Injuries played a big role in Boston’s struggles, with Jaylen Brown, Kemba Walker and Gordon Hayward all hurt. However, with the team returning to action at full health, Boston will be aiming to end a run of losses in their past three conference finals appearances, and claim their first Eastern Conference crown since 2010.
With a favourable eight-game schedule that features dates with also-ran opponents like the Wizards, Phoenix Suns, and San Antonio Spurs, the 76ers are poised to improve their seeding heading into the playoffs. Conversely, the Heat face an uphill battle, with their first four matchups coming against Denver, Toronto, Boston, and Milwaukee.
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