NBA Returns To Action: Futures, Betting Lines, Odds Favor LeBron's Lakers, Giannis' Bucks

With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic canceling sports leagues across the nation, NBA fans have been without pro basketball since March 11.

Basketball fans, your time is now.

The NBA Board of Governors and Players Union approved that a subset of the league’s 30 clubs will be invited to play out the remainder of the 2019-2020 season. Those games kick off today, July 30.

Here’s a look at the official format of the NBA’s return to action, and we’ve compiled the notable upcoming odds from the most popular sportsbooks across the globe.

Who will be playing?

According to NBA.com, a club’s invitation to play out the remainder of the 2019-2020 season was based on its ability to make the playoffs before the suspension of play.

As of the March 11 suspension of play, there were six teams in the NBA that were within the six-game threshold for playoff contention.

An eight-game regular season will be played to determine seeding for the playoffs, and the following teams are set to return to action beginning July 30:

Eastern Conference

• Boston Celtics
• Brooklyn Nets
• Indiana Pacers
• Miami Heat
• Milwaukee Bucks
• Orlando Magic
• Philadelphia 76ers
• Toronto Raptors
• Washington Wizards

Western Conference

• Dallas Mavericks
• Denver Nuggets
• Houston Rockets
• Los Angles Clippers
• Los Angeles Lakers
• Memphis Grizzlies
• New Orleans Pelicans
• Oklahoma City Thunder
• Phoenix Suns
• Portland Trail Blazers
• Sacramento Kings
• San Antonio Spurs
• Utah Jazz

After an eight-game regular season takes place to determine seeding, the NBA playoffs will proceed as normal with the traditional best-of-seven playoff series.

Where will teams be playing?

The entirety of the 2020 restart, including player hotel and hospitality accommodations, will take place at Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

The venues for play will include HP Fieldhouse and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Opening Night Lines And Betting Odds

The following are futures and betting lines for the July 30 and 31 NBA return to play.

Odds To Win NBA Finals

Odds are courtesy of Bovada, BetOnline and Heritage Sports.

Photo credit: Erik Drost, Wikimedia