NBA Playoffs 2023: After First Round Scares, Boston (+140) and Golden State (+550) Sit Atop The Futures Market

The NBA Playoffs have now reached the second round after a surprising first two weeks. The Milwaukee Bucks (#1 In East) were thwarted by the Miami Heat and the Memphis Grizzles (#2 West) proved to be no match for LeBron and Anthony Davis in their series. Those upsets have reshuffled the deck in the futures market, but a familiar pair sit atop the board. Last summer it was Boston and Golden State in the NBA Finals and according to sportsbooks that's where we are headed again next month. 

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The first round saw a rash of major injuries steer series and the same could be true in the second round. Joel Embiid's availability and overall impact will be in the hands of team doctors as they monitor the LCL sprain in his right knee. If he is unable to play or is a shell of himself, Boston will waltz past the Sixers into the Eastern Conference Finals. The other series in the East is also coming down to a superstar injury. Jimmy Butler's ankle had apparently swollen up to the size of a basketball, and he may be forced to miss Game 2 in New York City on Tuesday. The Heat were already a below-average offense (25th Off Eff) with Butler on the floor, and they'd fall apart offensively without him leading the way. 

Out in the Western Conference, teams are far healthier. It is, however, worth monitoring the health of Anthony Davis in the Warriors-Lakers series. With Davis on the floor, the Lakers pushed Memphis around. He averaged 36.5 minutes per game and produced nearly 21 points and 14 rebounds per game in the series. Dating back to the regular season, the Lakers were 9-2 in the last 11 games that Davis played in for the Purple and Gold. If he can stay healthy, the NBA Title isn't out of the question for the Lakers, the same team that started the season 2-10.