Basketball Jones \u2014 I got a Basketball Jones.<\/p>\n
Sure, there are two more NBA<\/a> postseason play-in games on Friday night, but sportsbooks have prices posted for six of the eight first-round series, along with conference markets, a title market and tons of exotics.<\/p>\n There\u2019s plenty of candy in the candy store.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve made my case for months on “Bear Bets<\/a>” about the Boston Celtics<\/a> being a head above everyone else in the East \u2014 more on that in a second. In the meantime, there are a couple other bets worth making before the first round tips off.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what I like.\u00a0<\/p>\n This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n Timberwolves<\/a> advance over Nuggets<\/a><\/p>\n I believe in Anthony Edwards<\/a>.<\/p>\n He\u2019s become a terrific late-game closer for Minnesota, and it\u2019s scary to think he\u2019s only 24 years old and still growing his game. Edwards has certainly been more aggressive this season and that\u2019s what it\u2019ll take to beat a very good Nuggets team, led by three-time MVP Nikola Joki\u0107<\/a>.<\/p>\n I got flamed on social media for hinting at a chance that Edwards could have the best series, but it is possible, despite what the masses say. Minnesota is a feisty bunch with a deep bench and the Timberwolves could go toe to toe with Denver.<\/p>\n Getting almost 3\/1 is a solid look. \u00a0<\/p>\n PICK: Timberwolves (+280) to win series against Nuggets\u00a0<\/p>\n Kevin Durant<\/a> most 3s in Rockets<\/a>–Lakers<\/a><\/p>\n This is a fun market at DraftKings.<\/p>\n There\u2019s so much uncertainty with Luka Don\u010di\u0107<\/a> out for Los Angeles and I think it\u2019s a tough market to price. You could argue Don\u010di\u0107 could\u2019ve been -250 or higher, given he averaged over 10 attempts from downtown this season.<\/p>\n Rockets youngster Reed Sheppard<\/a> is favored at even money (+100) and I\u2019m not betting that with your money. After Sheppard, it\u2019s Luke Kennard<\/a> at +450, though there\u2019s no guarantee he\u2019ll have the minutes or volume to do it.<\/p>\n Then you\u2019ve got Kevin Durant<\/a>, who should play 40 minutes a night and has a sweet and effortless release, along with years of playoff experience. I trust Durant more than anybody else and with him playing a lot more off the ball, he could shoot six or seven 3s per game.<\/p>\n PICK: Kevin Durant (+500) most threes made in Rockets-Lakers series<\/p>\n Celtics win Eastern Conference<\/p>\n Here we go again.<\/p>\n Whether it was a gap year or not, the Celtics proved they\u2019re still a force to be reckoned with in a very top-heavy East. No team in the conference has a 1-2 combo like Jayson Tatum<\/a> and Jaylen Brown<\/a>, and Boston\u2019s spacing and shot making is unquestionably efficient.<\/p>\n Some wise guys like Cleveland<\/a> and others like New York<\/a>, but I\u2019m buying more stock in the favorite at +155. If Detroit<\/a> stubs its toe before the Eastern Conference Finals, Boston will have home court against everyone else.<\/p>\n