Western Conference NBA Betting: Kyrie Irving Trade to Dallas Shifts Odds
The first NBA blockbuster trade was made over the weekend. The Brooklyn Nets sent Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick and second-round selections in 2027 and 2029.
Irving is set to take a physical on Monday and travel to make his Dallas debut on Wednesday at the Los Angeles Clippers, according to ESPN.
In 40 games this season for the Nets, Irving is averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds while converting on 48% of his shots.
How Kyrie Irving Trade Changes Mavericks NBA Title Odds
The trade resulted in an immediate shift in the Mavericks’ NBA title odds.
Dallas was +2000 to win it all before the trade at PointsBet and is now +1200. The team’s odds to win the conference went from +1200 to +600, and Dallas’ Southwest Division odds dropped from +1400 to +450.
Brooklyn’s odds were as low as +550 before Kevin Durant suffered an injury and the Irving trade. At 32-20, the Nets are now fourth in the Eastern Conference and +2200 to win the title at FanDuel. Brooklyn is also +1200 to win the east and +1800 in the Atlantic Division race.
How the Trade Affects the Dallas Make Up
Luka Doncic is having a career year, averaging 33.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 8.2 assists. Despite his numbers, the Mavericks have looked for a complementary scorer to play alongside him.
With Irving, the Mavericks are getting a career 40% 3-point shooter to spot up when Doncic has the ball or can allow Irving to run the point when Doncic is on the bench.
The Mavericks can stagger Irving's and Doncic’s minutes, so the team always has at least one offensive creator on the floor.
But it may be some time before we see Irving and Doncic play together. Irving is set to make his Dallas debut on Wednesday, but Doncic has been nursing a heel injury that forced him to miss Saturday’s game and Monday’s contest.
Western Conference Betting Pick: Does Trade Change It?
The Western Conference remains a bit in flux. Dallas has to acclimate itself with Doncic and Irving, and Doncic’s health is a concern for the time being. Steph Curry remains out because of a leg injury and the timetable for his return remains uncertain.
There also remains the potential for the Phoenix Suns to make a move before Thursday’s trade deadline. The Suns were reportedly attempting to trade for Irving in exchange for Chris Paul and Jae Crowder, but that deal didn’t come to fruition. Now, Chris Haynes is reporting the Suns are ready to make a move for Brooklyn’s Kevin Durant if the Nets make him available for a trade.
With plenty of uncertainty regarding three of the west’s contenders, when it comes to picking a winner, I’m going with the Denver Nuggets at +300 on FanDuel.
Denver has a 4.5-game lead over the Memphis Grizzlies for the best record in the conference, and Nikola Jokic is favored to win his third-straight MVP. Jokic is averaging a triple-double with 24.8 points, 11.3 rebounds and 10.1 assists per game.
In addition to Jokic’s production, Jamal Murray has regained his form after recovering from a torn ACL injury that forced him to miss all of last season. Murray is averaging the second-most points of his career with 20.2 and is knocking down 40% of his 3-point attempts.
The Nuggets have yet to make the Finals with this roster. But after a conference final in 2020 before a loss in the semifinals last season, the Nuggets have a dominant Jokic and a healthy Murray to potentially breakthrough for the first time.
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