NBA 2019 Betting Odds: Bucks, Celtics, Sixers, Raptors With Best Shot To Win East After Trade Deadline?

The NBA trade deadline came and went this past Thursday, meaning several teams made moves to increase their chances of winning the NBA Finals in June. The top of the Eastern Conference was shaken up, in particular, by a series of trades that bolstered three of the east’s top four teams.

According to Vegas Insider, the Toronto Raptors have the best odds to emerge out of a packed Eastern Conference with 2/1 odds. Toronto is 40-16 and is just two games back from the top seed in the conference. The Raptors traded for former Memphis Grizzlies star Marc Gasol on Thursday, giving them veteran talent in the frontcourt and possibly helping them retain Kawhi Leonard this offseason.

Behind them are last year’s Eastern Conference runner-ups, the Boston Celtics, with 5/2 odds. Boston is the only team in this bunch who did not make a big trade at the deadline, as they are expected to contend for Anthony Davis after the season. The Celtics are a slightly disappointing 35-20 at the time of writing, but their young core helped beat the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers in the playoffs last year without Kyrie Irving or Gordon Hayward.

Speaking of the Bucks, they are just behind the Celtics with 13/5 odds. They could eventually become the favorites in the east thanks to the trade deadline acquisition of Nikola Mirotic from the New Orleans Pelicans. The talented shooter could space the floor and open up lanes for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. New head coach Mike Budenholzer’s offense is clicking, as the Bucks currently lead the east with a 41-13 record.

Finally, the 76ers have 4/1 odds to win the conference. They are only fifth in the east right now with a 35-20 record, but the acquisitions of Tobias Harris and Boban Marjanović from the Los Angeles Clippers could put them over the top. Harris has played at an All-Star level this season, and he potentially gives Philly the deadliest starting five in the east.

Oddsmakers are not confident in anyone else in the conference. Nobody else has better than 100/1 odds to win the east, according to Vegas Insider. The Indiana Pacers are third in the conference right now, but a season-ending injury to Victor Oladipo could spell doom for last year’s surprise playoff contenders.

Odds to win NBA Eastern Conference (Vegas Insider)

Toronto Raptors 2/1

Boston Celtics 5/2

Milwaukee Bucks 13/5

Philadelphia 76ers 4/1

Indiana Pacers 100/1

Brooklyn Nets 200/1

Miami Heat 200/1

Charlotte Hornets 250/1

Detroit Pistons 500/1

Orlando Magic 500/1

Washington Wizards 1000/1

Atlanta Hawks 5000/1