We say it every summer, but this year’s NBA free agency has the potential to be one of the wildest in recent memory. Though Kyrie Irving’s decision to opt into the final year of his contract with the Brooklyn Nets — taking him off the board as the league’s most coveted free agent — there’s still a chance he could be on the move if GM Sean Marks wants to cut his losses. In typical NBA fashion, a trade could dictate how everything else plays out.

For instance, what happens if Jaylen Brown get dealt? Or Kevin  Durant?

There’s plenty of intrigue with this year’s free agency, which begins on Thursday, June 30, at 6 p.m. ET. We’ve already heard rumors of the first domino falling, with John Wall expected to be bought out by the Houston Rockets and then sign with the LA Clippers.

Sports betting apps see Wall’s addition — and the impending return of a healthy Kawhi Leonard — as big enough news to vault the Clippers near the top of the NBA title odds list. With Wall’s signing and the expectation that Irving stays, here’s where oddsmakers have pegged title favorites:

2023 NBA Title Odds

Odds via BetMGM; check out the BetMGM bonus code REALGM for a $1,000 risk-free bet

Which NBA Free Agency Moves Could Move Odds

Though we don’t expect Irving, Kevin Durant or James Harden to be swapping uniforms on Thursday, there are some big names who should make headlines shortly after the clock strikes 6 p.m.

We expect that the Bulls (+2500 title odds) will retain Zach LaVine with a five-year maximum deal, but the Phoenix Suns (+1000) seem reluctant to pay former top pick Deandre Ayton. Jalen Brunson may have priced himself out of Dallas (+1400) with a strong postseason, while the Hornets (+10000) will need to decide what Miles Bridges is worth as they rebuild around LaMelo Ball.

In terms of what moves could swing title odds most, the Suns would likely see a dip if Ayton leaves — but one would expect GM James Jones to have a backup plan to replace his 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds. Arizona sports betting apps might see a spike in activity, depending on how things play out.

It would sting for the Mavericks to lose Brunson after he played alongside Luka Doncic to get Dallas to the Western Conference Finals, but they also traded for Christian Wood and drafted Jaden Hardy a week ago. They aren’t going anywhere as long as No. 77 is upright.

The Warriors are the defending champs and seem intent on running it back. Both Kevon Looney and Gary Payton II are expected to re-sign with Golden State when free agency begins, meaning Steve Kerr’s group will return seven of its top eight rotation players from last year’s title squad.

Other contenders could make giant splashes that we’re not sure exist right now, but it’ll be tough for any group to surpass the Warriors as title favorites.

Spurs-Hawks Swap could Shake Up East

More trade rumors abound as we near the start of free agency, and the latest involves one of the top young guards in the league. Dejounte Murray could be heading to Atlanta, where he’d form an intriguing — and stellar — backcourt duo with Trae Young.

The Hawks (+6600) struggled last season, but adding Murray, who finished second in the Most Improved Players voting behind Ja Morant, would give them the potential to earn a top-4 seed in the East. The Spurs feel content to rebuild, and it could be the Hawks who wind up as big winners because of it.

Stick a Fork In the Lakers?

The Lakers are just +1400 to win next year’s NBA title, an almost unthinkable set of odds considering they’ll once again be led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But last year’s injury-riddled, Russ Westbrook-tanking season didn’t leave oddsmakers any choice. T

here was a thought that Irving would sign for the Mid-Level Exception in LA, but that’s no longer an option. Instead, the Lakers will need to get creative to fill some serious holes — and decide what to do with Westbrook — without much cap flexibility.

Rob Pelinka has built a title roster before, but this might be asking a lot.

Nic Batum declined his $3.3 million player option with the Los Angeles Clippers to become a free agent.

While Batum is widely expected to re-sign with the Clippers on a two-year deal, the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz will have strong interest in signing him.

Batum has played a key role with the Clippers since joining the team before the 20-21 season.

Game 6 of the NBA Finals averaged 13.9 million viewers and peaked at 16.9 million viewers, according to Nielsen.

Viewership for Game 6 was 75% higher than its closest competition on television. 

Overall viewership was up 22% from last year's Finals, with the series averaging a total of 12.4 million viewers per game.

The Finals averaged a 20.0 share, delivering the highest share for the series in five years. 

We very well could crown an NBA champion tonight in Boston, and sports bettors can also become winners when they take advantage of an incredible welcome bonus from FanDuel sportsbook. What’s exactly at stake? The FanDuel promo code offer is handing out $200 in free bets simply for signing up and placing a $5 bet.

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This offer is available through the NBA Finals, which could be coming to a close Thursday night in Boston. This is your opportunity to both register and get access to one of the premier online sportsbooks, but also to earn $200 in free bets no matter what happens to your first real money wager. The FanDuel promo code offer is one of our favorites, so we recommend jumping on it right away to start earning while you watch the NBA Finals.

In other sports betting news, online wagering arrived in Ontario in April. To find more information about Ontario’s mobile sports betting and online casino bonuses, you can check our Ontario sports betting and Ontario online casino bonus codes reviews.

Game 5 of the 2022 NBA Finals averaged 13 million viewers, up 30% from last year's Game 5.

The game peaked with 15.3 million viewers at 11.15 pm E.T.

Viewership for the NBA Finals is averaging a total of 12 million viewers through five games, up 26% from last year.

On average, one out of every five people watching television on nights when the NBA Finals are on are tuning into ABC.

Center Chinanu Onuaku is set to workout for the Toronto Raptors and Dallas Mavericks this week, according to Marc Stein.

The Celtics are also reportedly interested on Onuaku, with the Cavs registering the most serious interest after a meeting in Israel.

The 25-year-old won the Israeli Winner League MVP honors with Bnei Herzliya, averaging 15.7 points and 9,7 rebounds in the regular season.

Onuaku played six NBA games for the Rockets from 2016-2018. 

The Golden State Warriors' 107-97 win over the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the NBA Finals averaged a 2.3 rating with 7.95 million viewers, according to early results.

The numbers, which topped Friday night's TV slate, could go up once finalized.

Overall viewership is up from last year's NBA Finals, though down from the pre-pandemic era. 

Game 1 drew a 6.4 rating with 11.9 million viewers. 

After four games in the NBA Finals, we’re no closer to crowning a champion. With the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics tied 2-2, the series has now become a best-of-three showdown, with Game 5 taking place Monday night in San Francisco.

The Warriors staved off a devastating 3-1 deficit with 43 points from Steph Curry in Game 4, and now it’s totally up for grabs. NBA betting sites feel the same way: The Warriors are just slight favorites (-140) over the underdog Celtics (+120).

The Warriors are -3.5 on NBA point spreads in Game 5, but Boston should feel confident after earning a Game 1 win at Chase Center. The Celtics are also an NBA-best 7-0 SU this postseason after a loss.

Then again, it’s the Warriors at home. That speaks for itself. What we’re saying is this one is going to be good.

NBA Finals Warriors vs Celtics Game 5 Odds

NBA Finals Warriors vs Celtics Game 5 Betting Tips

Boston on the road vs Golden State at home

It’s obviously great to play at home in the postseason. Home teams this postseason are 51-34 SU. And while the Celtics are no longer the up-and-coming youngsters, there’s still something to be said for postseason experience when it comes to a make-or-break Finals matchup.

The Warriors at home this postseason? 10-1 SU on betting sites with a remarkable +12.5 net rating. They’re also 8-3 ATS (they were favored in all 11 games). Those are dominant numbers, no matter how you slice it.

But then there’s the road Celtics. Consider that Boston is 8-3 on the road this postseason (no other team has more than four road wins) with a +4.8 net rating. They’re a ridiculous 9-2 ATS on betting apps, too.

And it’s not like this just started in the postseason—the Celtics are 34-17-1 ATS on the road, the best win percentage in the NBA (66.7%) and the most total covers. This is an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object. What will give?

Keep an eye on that under

We mentioned that the prolific scoring in Game 1 shouldn’t put you off backing the under. And since then, it’s been a much more defensive series. Games 2 and 4 went under by a whopping 18 (Game 2) and 9 (Game 4) points. The over that hit in Game 3 did so by just three points.

So, yes. The under is “only” 2-2. But these are the two best defenses in the NBA by a long shot. Despite all the great scorers available in this series, defense has been the calling card. We believe that will be the case the later we go in this series.

Things tighten up, possessions are more valued, and the game shortens. It’s 2-2 right now, but the under should reign supreme by the end of the series.

Steph Curry is locked all the way in

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that Steph Curry is in the NBA Finals for a sixth time and has yet to win an NBA Finals MVP. He’d undoubtedly win this time around if the Warriors can win two more games, so if you’re in on the Warriors, you should be in on Curry.

What’s more, Curry prop bets make a ton of sense. Beyond the 34.2 points he’s averaging, he’s also tallying 6.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists. With Draymond Green and Jordan Poole still struggling, we’re betting hard on Curry’s NBA odds to carry the Warriors in Game 5.

His points and rebounds feel like great bets. He understands that now is the time for him to take over and earn himself a fourth ring (and a first Finals MVP). He’s clearly not feeling any lingering effects from his scare in Game 3. This is his time to take over.

NBA Finals Celtics vs Warriors Game 5 Prediction

This series really has gone back and forth. They’ve traded victories and now we’ve arrived at the decisive Game 5. With the series tied 2-2, teams that win Game 5 of the NBA Finals go on to win the championship 73% of the time (22-8).

It’s not wrong to say the series is on the line Monday night in Golden State. And we’re backing the Warriors. We can’t look past how incredible they’ve been at home this postseason. It’s great that the Celtics respond well to losses, but that’s unsustainable—we think.

A massive Game 5 feels like the time for it to happen. Throw in a red-hot Steph Curry (50/49/86 shooting) and you’ve got your winner. Hammer the Warriors, and also continue tailing the under. Both will pay out on Monday.

The NBA Finals are hitting their climax, as the Warriors and Celtics are battling for the Larry O’Brien Trophy in a thoroughly entertaining series. The Stanley Cup Finals start later this week, the US Open tees off Thursday and the MLB season keeps buzzing along. That makes this a great time to start a new sports betting account. And the perfect way to start is with our DraftKings promo code.

Our DraftKings promo code is rewarding new customers during the duration of the NBA Finals with $150 in free-bet tokens if you place $5 or more on an NBA game for your first bet. There is also the flagship 20% deposit bonus with up to $1,000 in bonus cash available.

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This is one of the best sportsbook promo codes for users who are looking to build up their bankroll without having to invest a lot of their own money, and it’s been one of our favorite NBA betting options throughout the playoffs, including at New York betting sites.

DraftKings Promo Code for Celtics-Warriors: Bet $5, Get $150

This promotion is the kind of offer that helps DraftKings really stand out among the online sportsbooks. Any new customer can follow our Bet Now link on this page to the operator, opt-in to the promotion, deposit $5 or more and then place a bet of $5 or more on an NBA Finals game.

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But hurry … the NBA season is down to a precious few days and when the season ends, so does this DraftKings promo code offer.

DraftKings Promo Code Also Scores 20% Deposit Bonus

This DraftKings promo code is a great way to start off a new betting account. Here is how to take advantage of this great offer:

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There is a playthrough requirement of 25x on this DraftKings promo code. That means you need to bet $25 of real money to unlock every $1 of bonus funds. That also means you will continue to earn bonus funds as you bet real money, which allows you to stretch those bonus funds over months rather than risk them all on one bet.

You have 90 days to unlock as many bonus funds as possible. Once the 90 days are up, you cannot unlock any more bonus funds, but you can still bet the bonus funds you have unlocked. Any bets made with bonus funds will be paid out in real money.

Host Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux) talks with Jared Dubin (@JADubin5) about the NBA Finals.

They discuss their insights on the Finals after three games, where the series goes from here, takeaways from the entire playoffs, the upcoming offseason and much more.

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