The NBA Christmas Day slate is more than just an opportunity to avoid family time. It's a good assessment point for the season, as teams have played roughly one-third of their schedule.
Just under a week out from Christmas, we have a decent idea of the contenders in each conference, as well as the potential buyers and sellers ahead of the trade deadline in early February.
Futures odds have adjusted based on performances through the first two months, but there's still plenty of time to capitalize on profitable spots on your favorite legal betting apps. Here’s a sampling of the potential values that stand out, from teams on the way up, to teams on the way down, to players in the hunt for awards.
On the rise: Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Orlando
The Western Conference is currently paced by a pair of surprise performers. Minnesota is tied with Boston for the best record in the NBA, while Oklahoma City is just ahead of Denver for the No. 2 spot in the West.