There are roughly two weeks left before the NBA season ends, but the league continues to keep sports betting fans hooked with plenty of happenings and interesting storylines.
In our weekly spotlight, we take a look at the trouble brewing at Bay Area as the online betting favourites, Golden State Warriors, lost again and appeared out of the running for the West’s top spot. We also provide an update on the NBA‘s version of the Kardashians, the Ball Family, as well as the return of Markelle Fultz to complete the process.
Golden State: Favourites no more?
Betting websites had the Golden State Warriors as the favourite to win the 2017-18 NBA season. Fast forward to today and everyone is already having doubts if Steve Kerr’s team is even capable of reaching the Finals.
Back-to-back defeats had the Warriors six-and-half games behind the streaking Houston Rockets. In fact, they have lost four of their last six, which include a 98-93 defeat to the lowly Sacramento Kings.
It didn’t help that Stephen Curry is out for the regular season with a Grade 2 MCL and is still doubtful to play in the first round of the playoffs. There’s also the question if he can stay healthy throughout the postseason to help the Dubs stage another title run.
Before the All-Star guard injured his knee, he was also out for some time after tweaking his ankle—a recurring issue for the 30-year-old.
It’s still difficult to write off the Warriors. After all, they are difficult to beat in a seven-game series given their depth. However, the team also looks more vulnerable now more than ever, making an upset a possible scenario.
Big Ballers in the NBA
Another Big Baller is coming to the NBA…that is if he’ll get drafted.
LiAngelo Ball, the sibling of Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo and second son of LaVar, has made himself available for the NBA draft, according to his agent Harrison Gaines.
The 19-year-old guard left UCLA earlier in the season and decided to play professionally in Lithuania with his younger brother, LaMelo. He’s currently averaging 16 points a game for Vytautas Prienu who are playing in the LKL.
While it isn’t that surprising, the fact that LiAngelo scored 72 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a friendly match just hours after the announcement made the timing of everything questionable and funny.
Also, he did it in the Big Baller Challenge, which clearly says that it was all a publicity stunt to keep everyone talking about him.
Anyway, it obviously worked given that we wrote about him here. Great job, LaVar!
Fultz is back!
Philadelphia fans have plenty to be happy about. After the Sixers clinched a playoffs spot for the first time in six years, the team received another good news with the return of Markelle Fultz, the top pick in the 2017 NBA draft.
Moreover, Fultz didn’t just return. He did it in style!
After more than five months out due to a mysterious shoulder injury, the 19-year-old rookie showed fans why the Sixers traded up to get him. In just 14 minutes of action against the Denver Nuggets, Fultz bagged 10 points, dished out eight dimes and corralled four boards.
Sixers coach Brett Brown was so happy with the rookie’s performance, saying: “He showed signs of why he was the first player chosen.”
It remains to be seen if Fultz will be given more minutes as the playoffs near, but he’s certainly a welcome addition as Philadelphia try to complete the famed “process.”
For the latest sports update, promotions and betting picks with SBOBET get social with our official Twitter, Google+, YouTube and Facebook accounts. Visit SBOBET and join us now. Start placing your bets today!
Click for more basketball betting options.
