Some may argue that there is no such thing as a safe bet when it comes to the NBA. The basketball action in America is as fast, fierce, and frantic as it comes, which is why so many continue to enjoy what takes place on the court.
Indeed, this season has been no different in that regard, despite the fact that we have seen a number of teams perform well-below preseason expectations; something that those who bet on jackpots available may have not predicted to have happened when they first made their initial wagers.
Examples perhaps include the slow start that the defending NBA Champions the Golden State Warriors have endured, as well as the poor beginning to the campaign experienced by fellow Californian and Western Conference franchise the Los Angeles Lakers. Both are starting to pick up momentum now, but many would have had them doing so much earlier in the season.
Given the example of these two teams, this is perhaps why there are many that believe there are no safe bets to make when it comes to the NBA. If anything, the scenario presented clearly shows how competitive and unpredictable the action on the court truly is.
However, if you look elsewhere, it would seem that some will suggest that there are safe bets possible to make. Let’s take a look at these…
Teams to qualify for the postseason
Perhaps chief among the safest bets to place this season is in regard to the teams that will qualify for the postseason. We are already a quarter of the way through the 2022/23 NBA season, therefore each Conference is starting to take shape.
The Eastern Conference has seen the likes of the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Cleveland Cavaliers start strongly, and those that are placing bets with sportsbooks including Betway will feel that these three teams are safe options to qualify for the playoffs.
Over in the West, the Golden State Warriors are starting to perform as mentioned, and many believe that now they are healthy, they are serious contenders to actually go and retain their NBA Championship; thus making them a safe bet to achieve a playoff spot. Additionally, the Phoenix Suns, and New Orleans Pelicans also look like strong candidates to reach that stage, thus making them appear to be safe bets at this moment in time.
Most Improved Player
One of the biggest individual awards in the NBA a player can achieve is being crowned the Most Improved Player of the season, as this highlights just how well they have been progressing in their career and how important they have become.
It is also a popular betting market for those interested in it, there already appears to be a safe bet available in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Oklahoma City Thunder point guard is a clear favorite, as he continues to perform on the court. Currently, he is achieving an average of 31.1 points per game, and 4.7 rebounds per game. Compare this to 24.5 points per game and the fact that his rebounds are only slightly down on the 5.0 he recorded last season (with his assists currently 6.0 compared to 5.9), it is clear the Canadian has improved on his game from last year.
