NBA TANK WATCH
While previous three NBA seasons featured same teams in the NBA Finals, it’s more of a packed up race this year. Even if you want to cut the line of challengers to the top three or four elite teams, there’s still a whole lot of teams separated by just a couple of games. But what about those who are not dancing?
With only about 20 games left, the cellar-dwelling teams are ready to call it quits. March and April have traditionally been a minefield for those persistent to bet on the tanking teams. Have you ever had that feeling that you’d lose your wager no matter which side you take? That some teams are simply not worth the hassle? Welcome to the tanking zone.
We decided to introduce you to a new weekly column, where we’ll monitor what the lottery teams are doing and if they’re taking the winning and the competition with any seriousness.
It’s designed to save you time and money, but also give a green light to continue betting on certain teams games for as long as it’s worthwhile.
Watch List
Let’s start with identifying the group of teams that have no realistic chance of coming back into the NBA playoff picture.
For both NBA conferences, a line should be drawn below the 10th place. The Charlotte Hornets and the Detroit Pistons are also unlikely to re-enter the playoff chance, but those two can be added in the following weeks, and are still trying to hold their hopes.
Eastern Conference tank watch will focus on the Knicks, Bulls, Nets, Hawks, and Magic.
Western Conference tank watch keeps an eye on the Lakers, Mavericks, Suns, Grizzlies, and Kings.
New York Knicks (24-38)
Despite having the best record of the teams with no playoff hopes, the Knicks season has already been finished a few weeks back when a bad streak was coupled with Porzingis’ season-ending injury. Since the All-Star, the Knicks won in Orlando, covering as a small underdog, and had two of the best teams at MSG, losing to Boston and Golden State. They are trying, but also playing guys that were supposed to be out of the rotation, so proceed with caution.
Chicago Bulls (20-41)
The Bulls squashed any hope of finishing with more than 30 wins the moment they traded Mirotic away. Their roster is G-League anyway, so they aren’t intentionally losing. They are simply too bad. They’ve lost five straight games, covering the spread just once, and that was against a mixed schedule. No adjustment is needed for the motivation purposes – but backing them seems like a waste of money right now.
Brooklyn Nets (20-42)
The Nets have no interest in losing games as they don’t get to pick in the first round. Still, we’ve seen an increase of minutes and roles to younger players as they’re preparing for the future. After getting blown out in Charlotte, Brooklyn defeated the Bulls and played neck-and-neck with the Cleveland Cavaliers, covering in defeat. There’re safe to bet on.
Atlanta Hawks (19-43)
The Hawks won their last game against the Indiana Pacers, but don’t let that fool you. It was more of a payback game for a blowout loss a few nights back, and the Pacers kind of lost this game more than the Hawks won it. You don’t waive your (productive) starter if you don’t wish to lose as many as possible. Expect starter minutes to decline as we go forward, but for now, just have second thoughts.
Orlando Magic (18-43)
The Magic lost seven in a row, but have gone 3-4 ATS in the process, losing by a maximum of 13 points. Sure, the opposition was mainly vanilla, but the minutes are ok, and they even brought back Gordon and Vucevic from injuries. They’re good to go for now.
L.A. Lakers (26-34)
The situation with the Lakers is hard to read. The franchise would love to leave the impression of being on the verge of the next big thing, so they love the wins. However, with so many players on the expiring contracts, one has to wonder if they’re (or will be) holding back not to suffer a serious injury. With three straight wins and four straight covers, there’s no reason for fear yet.
Dallas Mavericks (19-43)
The Mavericks are in the good position to finish with plenty of ping-pong balls, and their owner just got fined by the league for publicly stating that they’ll tank as much as they can. Later reports say of veteran players opposing this idea, but it’s damage control. Of course, the Mavericks are still playing similar rotation and have covered in three straight, all against the playoff teams, so they’re still safe to go with.
Phoenix Suns (19-44)
The Suns aren’t tanking as blatantly as last year when they pulled all veterans at around New Year’s Eve, but are surely keen to lose. Rookie Jackson didn’t get the memo though, as with his inclusion in the starting lineup, the Suns broke out of a 10-game losing streak. Shaquille Harrison played 18 minutes in their last game. No reason to blacklist them yet, but they are close.
Memphis Grizzlies (18-42)
Even without Conley, the Grizzlies are better than this. Their tanking is not a new thing, and as the season comes to an end, expect more and more of the ‘injury’ to surface. Losers of 11 straight, covered only twice in the last 9 games (one of those was an 11-point loss as an 11.5-point underdog!). In their last game against the Suns, Evans and Parsons wouldn’t even dress. It’s a matter of weeks, if not days before they pull a plug on Gasol as well. Avoid them.
Sacramento Kings (18-43)
Bad teams mask tanking a bit better, so it’s easy to forget that the Kings actually started resting pairs of veteran players even before the All-Star. They’ve lost five straight with alarming and increasing margins. The rotation was always a mess, and the Kings management are no fools – they now that Fox, Hield, and Bogdanovic aren’t franchise faces. They need that no.1 pick. Tank mode is on.
