{"id":244522,"date":"2022-11-22T10:30:33","date_gmt":"2022-11-22T16:30:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=244522"},"modified":"2022-11-22T10:30:33","modified_gmt":"2022-11-22T16:30:33","slug":"nba-awards-through-one-fifth-of-the-season-several-races-wide-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/nba-awards-through-one-fifth-of-the-season-several-races-wide-open\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Awards: Through One-Fifth of the Season, Several Races Wide Open"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is an old saying that is kind of a dirty little secret when it comes to the NBA and the way the league does business internally: The season starts on Christmas Day, because that is when people start paying attention.<\/p>\n

Gamblers know better, specially those who play the futures markets.<\/p>\n

In New York, that requires a cross-border trip, because anything that is voted on by humans is verboten under New York’s gambling laws. But those who operate in the futures markets get around this by opening accounts in the border states of New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire, where they can make player award futures bets. The $16 toll at the George Washington Bridge and Lincoln Tunnel will be worth it for a few savvy folks.<\/p>\n

While the futures markets can often appear to be a guessing game for the sportsbooks, the sharpest of gamblers are seeing opportunities throughout Adam Silver’s laissez-faire league. That’s where taking a night off to rest has become more common than dropping a 50-spot on someone. And he wonders why everyone is talking NFL and World Cup.<\/p>\n

Today, with the NBA season now roughly one-fifth complete, we are going to take a look at the player and coaching award futures markets and see where things stand, and where there may be sleeper picks. As we are learning with the Zach Wilson drama surrounding the Jets and the injury troubles impacting the Giants, everything is day-to-day in professional sports. That applies to the NBA, too. The Golden State Warriors may have lost by 45 last night in New Orleans, but they are still the +700 third choice to emerge as the last team standing.<\/p>\n

The next big day on the NBA calendar (aside from Ben Simmons’ return to Philadelphia tonight) is Dec. 15, when players who signed contracts over the summer become trade eligible. The Lakers have a bunch of those types of players, and at 5-10 despite a three-game winning streak, they should be looking to make moves. And you never know what might become of the Minnesota Timberwolves, whose Twin Towers lineup is not working. Rudy Gobert shot 0-for-0 and got booed last night.<\/p>\n

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Rudy Gobert says he feels the Wolves are starting to play better, but took a step back with some mistakes tonight. He also is asking the fans to support them in their struggles rather than boo pic.twitter.com\/2dvgNuTjX9<\/a><\/p>\n

— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) November 22, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n