Under Review Show – NBA All-Star Weekend Recap and the Stretch Run

By BetOnline February 20, 2020

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Fans have been raving about the NBA’s All-Star Weekend, and the new format of the All-Star Game is getting plenty of love. While there was plenty of skepticism about the new Elam Ending last week, the general consensus is that the new format led to the most enjoyable All-Star Game in over a decade.

Under Review–The NBA All-Star Aftermath

The Under Review hosts were fans of the new format too, and that’s the first thing they discuss on this week’s show. The Elam Ending made the fourth quarter fun, preventing it from becoming the foul fest we usually see at the end of games, but there is a tweak our hosts would love to see in next year’s game. This game could be even more fun if you take a page from pick-up basketball and make teams win by three. That would lead to some interesting strategy down the stretch, making the game even more entertaining.

Since it’s All-Star Weekend, the players have had an extended rest, and the regular season won’t get underway again until Thursday, February 20. That has led to BetOnline opening odds on various specials for the last two months of the season.

One of the bets you can make is on one of the league’s three juggernauts to win the title. The Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Los Angeles Lakers are seen as a cut above the rest of the NBA this season, and you can bet on one of those three teams to win the NBA title at -280. That’s a lot of chalk to swallow, but everyone believes that at least one of those three teams will be in the NBA Finals.

There are Yes/No odds on most teams to make the playoffs too. Portland is -240 to miss the playoffs and +200 to make the playoffs, and the latter bet is great value according to the hosts. The Trail Blazers are four games behind Memphis for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, and they are getting healthier after injuries sidetracked the first few months of their season.

Memphis has been hot, but the Grizzlies have the toughest remaining strength of schedule of any team in the NBA. They will be on the road for 16 of their 28 remaining games, and there is a real fear of Ja Morant hitting the rookie wall in his first season.

Meanwhile, New Orleans has the easiest remaining schedule. The Pelicans are 5.5 games behind the Grizzlies, but they have a ton of talent. Zion Williamson is back in the lineup, and New Orleans went 6-4 in its last 10 games before the break. Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Jrue Holiday have played well, and JJ Redick provides the team with veteran leadership, making the Pelicans a team no one wants to face down the stretch.

Gregg Popovich has led the San Antonio Spurs to the playoffs for each of the last 22 seasons, but the Spurs have a long way to go to extend that streak. They are five games behind the Grizzlies, yet they aren’t getting the same respect as the Blazers or the Pelicans. San Antonio is +450 to make the postseason.

The top six teams in the Eastern Conference are pretty much decided, but the race for the last two playoff spots is interesting. The Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic would make the postseason if the season ended today, and while the Nets will likely make it with Kyrie Irving on the court and Kevin Durant potentially returning soon, the Magic could be caught.

That’s why there might be some nice value in Atlanta at 40-1 to make the playoffs. Trae Young is thriving, and the team just acquired Clint Capela to pair up with John Collins down low, making this frontcourt formidable. The Hawks must improve on defense, as they are allowing the second-most points in the NBA, but there are far worse bets to make at 40-1.

As always, you can get in on the action at BetOnline by using the promo code ‘Review’ to earn an extra $25 on your deposit.