NBA Betting Trends: Favorites Dominating NBA Playoffs So Far
The NBA Playoffs have been exceptionally chalky to this point, with favorites dominating the play-in games and opening games of the first round at a ridiculous (RE: unsustainable) rate.
So far in the postseason, including the play-in games, betting favorites are 13-1 straight up (SU) and 10-4 against the spread (ATS). In the first games of the first-round, favorites weren't quite as dominant, going 7-1 SU and 5-3 ATS. While not quite as high a win percentage as overall, that means wagers on the favorites still won at an 87.5% rate straight up and a 62.5% rate ATS. That's every bettors' dream scenario.
While chalk bettors (AKA bettors who wager on favorites) have made out big thus far, Vegas tends to adjust quickly. We are seeing similar lines for Game 2's in the opening round, but one game did have a big move in the spread heading into Game 2.
NBA Playoff Game 2 Odds
Here are all the odds for Game 2 in the opening round via WynnBET with a brief recap of what happened in Game 1.
Raptors at 76ers (-7.5) Tonight at 7:30 ET
The first game was never competitive and the Sixers cruised to a win and covered the -14.5 point line.
Clearly Vegas thinks this game will be a lot closer as they cut the line in half for Game 2.
Jazz (-5.5) at Mavs Tonight at 8:30 ET
Without Luka Doncic (calf), the Mavs fell behind by double digits in the third quarter and never found a way back in the game. The Jazz covered the -4.5 point line in Game 1.
With Doncic out for Game 2, WynnBET is keeping the line similar.
Nuggets at Warriors (-7) Tonight at 10 ET
The Warriors defense was the story of Game 1 as they shut down Nikola Jokic and won by 16 points, easily covering the -6.5 point line.
WynnBET believes a similar outcome is likely in Game 2.
Hawks at Heat (-7.5) Tuesday at 7:30 ET
The biggest blowout in the first games of the playoffs, the Heat dismantled the Hawks by 24 points, covering the -6.5 point line times three plus.
Vegas didn't move the line much despite the blowout, clearly believing the Hawks will rebound in Game 2.
Timberwolves at Grizzlies (-7) Tuesday 8:30 ET
The only upset of the playoffs so far, the T-Wolves took Game 1 against the Grizzlies outright, winning 130-117 despite being 7-point underdogs.
So far, WynnBET isn't budging for Game 2.
Pelicans at Suns (-9.5) Tuesday at 10 ET
The Suns covered the -10.5 point line in Game 1 by half a point. It appears WynnBET believes the Pelicans' performance was no fluke, lowering the line by a point for Game 2.
Nets at Celtics (-3.5) Wednesday at 7 ET
The Celtics won but didn't cover in Game 1, beating the Nets on a buzzer beater. Boston was 4-point favorites in that game and Vegas feels good about being around there again for Game 2.
Bulls at Bucks (-10) Wednesday at 9:30 ET
Another game where the favorite won by didn't cover, Chicago kept Game 1 close right up until the end and covered as 9.5-point underdogs.
WynnBET feels comfortable extending that number to 10 for Game 2, which tells you where they see this heading.