Eastern Conference Winner Preview

With less than a quarter of the NBA season left, the Eastern Conference is as tightly packed at the top as it has been in recent memory. The first and sixth seeds are only separated by five games -- which is closer than the Suns and Warriors are as the top two teams in the West

NBA Eastern Conference Standings

1. Heat, 42-22

2. 76ers, 38-23 (2.5 back)

3. Bulls, 39-24 (2.5 back)

4. Bucks, 38-25 (3.5 back)

5. Celtics, 38-27 (4.5 back)

6. Cavs, 36-26 (5 back)

7. Raptors, 34-28 (7 back)

In contrast with the current standings, Vegas has some other ideas as to who might come out of the East. These odds aren't shocking, but there's definitely some value in teams like the Heat, Bulls and Celtics. Check out the full odds here 👇

• Nets: +270 (bet $100, win $270)

• Bucks: +290

• 76ers: +320

• Heat: +500

• Celtics: +950

• Bulls: +1600

• Cavaliers: +3000

Remember, only the top-six teams are safe from a play-in game. If the playoffs started today, the Raptors would host the Nets, with the loser playing the winner of the Hornets vs. Hawks for the 8th and final spot in the East 🥶

Bulls vs. Bucks Preview

Coming off their road loss against the Hawks last night, the Bulls will have to take on the defending champs gearing up for another playoff run. Given their advantage in terms of rest, the Bucks enter Chicago as favorites, with both teams have won six of their past 10 games. Chicago has dropped three straight though

Bucks vs. Bulls Betting Preview (subject to change)

• Spread: Bucks -3.5

• Moneyline: Bucks -164 (bet $164, win $100), Bulls +138 (bet $100, win $138)

So far this season, the Bucks and Bulls have only met once, with Giannis and co. winning 94-90 on January 21st. Though the Bulls have performed well on the back of DeMar DeRozen's MVP-caliber play, they've been missing their backcourt of baby-Lakers in Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso for much of the season. Milwaukee is heating up, and I really like them tonight vs. a tired Bulls team 😴

Cavs vs. 76ers Preview

Since adding James Harden, the Sixers have won all three of their games by a combined 62 points. However, they've played the Timberwolves on the second night of a grueling back-to-back and the "Kazoos" (aka the Knicks) twice. They're balling, but they haven't really been tested yet

The Cavs, alternatively, have struggled as of late, losing two straight and winning just half of their previous 10 games. Darius Garland's limited availability over the past month (back tightness) hasn't helped either. Take a look at tonight's lines 👇

Cavs vs. Sixers Betting Preview

• Spread: Sixers -7.5

• Moneyline: Sixers -320, Cavs +260

• O/U: 219.5

I see no reason why the Sixers won't make it four straight with Harden. Their new Big 3 is the first trio of teammates to each score 20+ points in their first three games together...in NBA HISTORY. That's nuts, especially when you factor in that the third star is actually Tyrese Maxey ⭐️

For My Parlay Gurus

Given the Bucks' schedule advantage against the Bulls, and the new Sixers' Big 3 dominating everyone, I'm leaning on Milwaukee and Philly to cruise to easy dubs. Peep my parlay 👇

• Bucks -3.5 @ Bulls: -110

• 76ers -7.5 vs. Cavs: -110

$100 on this parlay would net $264 — if we hit, make sure to email [email protected] for $100*. First come, first serve 😉

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